If you’re thinking of sending back a disappointing gift you just received over the holidays, the return may bring even more disappointment.

Americans have grown accustomed to free returns, but a growing number of retailers are charging fees as returns squeeze retailers’ bottom lines.

Macy’s, Abercrombie, J. Crew, H&M and other companies have all added shipping fees for mail-in returns.

And it’s not just the big mall brands, either. Eighty-one precent of merchants are now charging a fee for at least some methods of returns, according to Happy Returns, a logistics company that specializes in returns.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    127
    ·
    9 months ago

    You want to give people as reason to go back to brick and mortar shopping? Because this is how you get people to go back to brick and mortar shopping.

      • Ep1cFac3pa1m@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        35
        ·
        9 months ago

        I worked retail for 15 years, and the only time we charged a restocking fee was if we couldn’t sell it as new, and there was nothing wrong with it. If you returned it brand new, full refund. If you opened it and/or used it and decided to return it, 15% restocking fee. That seemed reasonable to me.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        9 months ago

        If you can see the item in real life and compare it to other products before you buy, you’re less likely to need to return it.

    • themeatbridge@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      9 months ago

      That is what they want. Offer free returns in store, and people will go to their physical locations and also buy something else.

      • HootinNHollerin@slrpnk.net
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        edit-2
        9 months ago

        That’s what kohl’s does in taking Amazon returns. They even give you a $5 store credit to sweeten the allure on your walk from the back of the store

    • EatATaco@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      9 months ago

      Hopefully that’s exactly what happens. It would be less convenient for me, but it would be better overall.