Return Regrets: The Surprising Costs You Didn't Expect When Returning Items!

TORONTO - EntSun -- Customers who return items may soon find themselves taking on the burden of shipping or restocking fees; especially those who purchase online. With over $800 billion worth of goods returned in 2022, businesses are looking for ways to recover money and pass on the cost.

Returns are big business. While many stores strive to provide hassle-free returns as a way to build customer trust and loyalty, it has become increasingly difficult to keep costs down and discourage buying spree dilemmas. Although it is understandable if customers may not have the opportunity to physically inspect an item before purchasing or are unsure of appeal, restocking an item is costly. In fact, returning and restocking an item back onto the shelf is not a simple task. It's moving hundreds, if not thousands of items a day back onto shelves; and that cost is hurting retailers at an alarming speed.

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In light of this, retailers are now thinking hard about their return policies — for both in-store and online. As of early 2023, some retailers have begun the shift to start charging for their returns— Abercrombie & Fitch, DSW – Designer Shoe Warehouse, REI Co-op, Urban Outfitters, and Zara to name a few. And if they do not charge you for the refund or restocking fee, they may deduct from your refund.

So, what's the right approach for businesses when it comes to return shipping fees? Ultimately, it may depend on the nature of the business, the types of products sold, and the expectations of the target customer base. Regardless, free returns are disappearing and the customer may be asked to handle the cost.

So before you purchase an item at a store or online, read the return policy (https://returnpolicyfinder.com/) of that store, curb your need to buy multiples, and return only those items that are damaged or truly ill-fitting. Your pocket will be happier!