YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What is your percent of returns?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What is your percent of returns? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 09:39:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Sylvie on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-766443 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:27:47 +0000 Sylvie 766443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ With store returns, my percentage must be 10-20% mostly because I don't buy much in store anyway and if I do, I've tried it on, made sure it fit, etc. Online, it must be around 75% at least. I'm a Petite and my sizes aren't available in stores sometimes. The store gets more of my business if I can order it home, try it on and return (typically within a week of receipt) biscuitsmom on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-766440 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:25:54 +0000 biscuitsmom 766440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nordstroms is amazing, cuz they ok returns no matter how old it seems....I have probably a 70% return of online items, much lower in B&M stores, cuz Im very picky about what goes to the checkout with me...one thing I try to consider is I always imagine 'would I wear this to a YLF meeting?' If not, I wont even bring it home to try..:) unfrumped on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-766435 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:19:28 +0000 unfrumped 766435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is all a guess, but I'd say brick and mortar maybe 10-20 %, tops. I spend a long time trying on and viewing from all angles. Some returns are things that don't match what I thought, but others are, you know, I just didn't need this, even though it looks fine. On-line is a lot higher due to poor fit or fabric that I can't tell from photo. More than half and maybe up to 75-80%. It's why I don't branch out more to find good things "out there" because I hate getting a size and wondering if the next size up or down fits better, and hate packing up the returns. velvetychocolate on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765860 Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:40:11 +0000 velvetychocolate 765860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am not sure what my 'percentage of returns' really is, but I do tend to return in-store purchases a lot more than I do online purchases. I know this isn't the norm, but speaking personally - I am much more likely to purchase too much "stuff" the store, and I also tend to get sort of taken in by sales. This doesn't happen to me nearly as much as with online purchases. With online purchases, I've done my research, I've read the reviews and I've probably been thinking of buying the item for quite some time before actually buying. In short, I'm a bit more patient with my purchases when buying online than I am in-store. When I'm in a store, I tend to buy a lot more, but then get home and realize that I've made several mistakes and a lot of it goes back. This isn't true for me with online purchases. I also find that Angie's recommended products are a very good choice. There isn't anything that Angie has recommended (whether it's a NAS-type product or a fab find) that I've bought and then returned. She often posts additional helpful information - based on her experience with clients - things like whether to size up or size down, if a certain heel height works, or that one of her picks works particularly well for certain body shapes and so on. Meanwhile, I also find YLF'ers input extremely helpful as well. I've bought things that other YLF'ers have posted that worked out nicely for them, and these have worked out better for me than just blindly buying things in a store during a sale. In short, I am much better-off with YLF guidance! In the store, I tend to buy too many things and then end up returning way too much of it. When I check in with YLF, read recommendations, and look at people's WIW's or questions/ideas - it helps a whole lot and as a result, my 'rate of returns' has actually been going down. My online purchases are more considered and thoughtful. I've seen them recommended by Angie or another YLF'er, I've done my homework and carefully made up my mind. In store? Ack! I'm not very good at it. Buy a whole bunch of stuff, get home...wonder what I've done and what in the world will work with what I've bought, realize that I've purchased a bunch of "stuff" (ie. orphans) and end up returning almost all of it. Jjsloane on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765783 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:34:28 +0000 Jjsloane 765783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting discussion, especially about Nordstrom. I must say that despite the economy I am loyal to the stores with the best customer service. I've worked retail and know it's not hard to be friendly and accommodating (to a point) in order to retain someone's present and future business. I was recently put off Ann Taylor because they would not refund me for an online purchase because I used Discover electronic-generated numbers. I got a merchandise credit (after a snide remark from the clerk) and have been trying to use it. I returned something today bought with the credit and was asked for an ID so they can track my returns (and potentially black list me because I return too much???) This is just too much. I am not a person who returns used items or tries to get away with anything (although I've read of those). I will continue to purchase from Nordstrom and return if the item does not work for me. They still welcome me. Mo on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765518 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 16:01:58 +0000 Mo 765518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think the nature of shopping online where you can't try on for fit, makes for higher return rates. I hate to think of the total I've spent in shipping and return costs this year. It must be over $100. But I don't have those not quite right items in my closet, clogging it up, either! I am trying more and more to narrow my searches to free or very cheap shipping and return costs. As for B & M shopping, I am picky before purchasing and would bet my return rate is at 10% or 15%. Janet on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765515 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:58:33 +0000 Janet 765515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kkards, I hear you about the local boutiques. I try to frequent those places as well, but the tight returns policies have burnt me a few times. I just need to be more careful and certain of pieces I buy from those places! kkards on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765513 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:56:29 +0000 kkards 765513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ interesting discussion, since the recession started, i have tried to shop at small local stores more, and i have found myself reluctant to return things to them. and while i feel good about helping the local economy, it has lead to my keeping some items that i would have returned if i had bought them at banana, ann taylor, anthropologie etc. i need to become better at saying no to pieces that i'm not 100% about! goldenpig on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765469 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:18:02 +0000 goldenpig 765469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think my rate of returns is about 80-90% too esp since I buy a lot online and usually try multiple sizes and styles. For example, I just ordered like 8 burgundy sweaters from Nordstrom, but then I went to H&M a couple of days ago and found one that was a lot cheaper so I'll probably return all of them once they arrive. When I do have the time to shop B&M stores my rate of return is more like 10%, but that's after I try on 8 or 9 items for every one I buy! I wish I could get better at this, but at least I've learned to be picky about what stays in my closet! Actually, I think I've gotten a bit better since I started, because when I first joined YLF I tried on 50 pairs of jeans at Gap (different sizes and styles) before I found the right one for me (Long and Lean). Janet on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765399 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:41:38 +0000 Janet 765399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is all interesting, especially about the Nordstrom policy! I've never really thought about it. I'm not a huge online shopper, I'm much more likely to impulse buy in a B&M store when I have a spare hour or two to kill. But I'm much better about returns than I used to be, so I'd guess I return around 30% of my purchases from B&M stores, and I'm probably 50/50 for online, maybe even a little higher on returns than that. I have become a very loyal Nordstrom customer, in large part because of their customer service and return policy. It's great to order online from them and know that I have absolutely zero rush to see if an item works in my wardrobe before returning it. In fact, I have a jacket that still has tags on it from nearly a year ago that needs to go back. I'll be a little embarrassed to return it, but it's nice to now they will accept it. Astrid on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765393 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:34:32 +0000 Astrid 765393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's fairly high because I learned here on YLF to be picky and that returns are alright. And I also shop a lot more online now than I did pre-YLF, so there's much that doesn't work out. I'm not sure which percentage I return exactly, but it would be interesting to look into it. Thistle on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns/page/2#post-765387 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:29:13 +0000 Thistle 765387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zap - that is a truly interesting read on Nordstroms. Their business model really does seem to revovle around customer service, and yes they take higher returns for it, but it is workign for them. From a personal point, we do not have a Nordstrom's in my state. We really don;t have any store even close to par with Nordstroms. I made my first purchase there because of their free shipping and returns. While I really only had 1 item work for me, I am now a little more familiar with their brands and sizing and will buy from them again. CocoLion on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765293 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 08:11:44 +0000 CocoLion 765293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This kind of stuff fascinates me. Thanks Zap for all of the Nordstrom info. Because it's easy to review account history, I decided to take a hard look at my own behavior. At Shopbop I returned 47% of my purchases. Among the ones I kept, I am highly satisfied with all but one item which broke. So I would say I have a high level of satisfaction with my purchases from them. I checked my Nordstrom on-line purchases and they are also right around there; at 47% also! I have been mostly or highly satisfied with 70% of my kept purchases. The other 30% of the things I kept I feel just "meh" about and am passing them on. I believe my B&M returns could be as high as 50% as well. I am almost always pressed for time when I retail shop. And I admit I am seduced by the retail experience; when I get home I realize what I got isn't as great as I thought. I would love to lower my return rate for the reason that it is time consuming for myself as well as the store. There is one other on-line retailer I have started to frequent and with whom I am quite pleased. That is Revolveclothing.com. I have purchased 7 items from them and only returned 2 of them -- that's the lowest return rate so far. lyn* on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765281 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 06:42:51 +0000 lyn* 765281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Usually; I order from the UK and it's very expensive to return things, so I usually give them away - so I suppose my return rate is quite low! Anonymous on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765266 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 05:39:09 +0000 Anonymous 765266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a huge sidetrack and I might put some of you to sleep with this one, but I actually read the 10-Q I linked to above. I found this portion quite interesting, Nordie's discussion of the Anniversary Sale and their projections in terms of online sales and store expansion. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (Continued) (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts) OVERVIEW We continued to drive strong sales momentum through the first half of 2012 across all channels. We have achieved eleven consecutive quarters of total company same-store sales increases, reflecting our ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience across all channels and aggressively pursue opportunities to grow and evolve with the customer. During the second quarter we began our Anniversary Sale, which historically has generated significant volume for us. This year the event started one week later in July relative to last year, shifting one week of the event into the fiscal third quarter. While the overall event exceeded our expectations through the end of July, the event shift drove unfavorable comparisons against the second quarter of last year, but we expect favorable comparisons in the third quarter. Online shopping was available for the first time during the nine-day Early Access period prior to the start of the Anniversary Sale for our Fashion Rewards customers. Fashion Rewards plays an important part in building customer loyalty as our Fashion Rewards members shop more frequently and spend more with us on average than non-members. With the launch of our enhanced program earlier this year, we have been pleased with the initial response, as reflected by increases in new accounts, rewards spend and Nordstrom card penetration compared with last year. Allowing our Fashion Rewards customers the opportunity to pre-shop the Anniversary Sale online builds on the enhancements we made to our Fashion Rewards program earlier this year and reflects our ongoing efforts to improve the online experience. We continue to invest in improving the customer experience in that channel, including expanding merchandise selection, adding functionality to our website, providing richer mobile content and imagery for products and expediting the check-out and delivery process. These investments helped drive the 40% second quarter sales growth in our Direct channel and our total company same-store sales increase of 4.5%. We also continue to grow through new stores and other initiatives. During the first half of the year, we opened one Nordstrom full-line store and six Nordstrom Rack stores, and relocated one Nordstrom Rack store. We also announced our plans to open our first full-line store in New York City. Given the strong performance of the Nordstrom Rack business and availability of quality locations, we are accelerating the expansion of this business, with plans to have over 230 Rack stores by the end of 2016. At the same time, our core store business remains strong and we are delivering a more technology-enabled experience in our stores with better tools to take care of the customer. Strategic partnerships also help us build capabilities and add to the customer experience. In the past, we've made acquisitions of Jeffrey and HauteLook and established partnerships, such as with kidswear brand Peek...Aren't You Curious. More recently, we invested in Bonobos, a fast-growing online men's clothing retailer, and announced our U.S. exclusive partnership this fall with Topshop and Topman, internationally renowned brands with trend-leading fashion at affordable prices. All of these partnerships contribute to our efforts to increase our relevance with more customers, offer a more compelling experience and ultimately enable sustainable growth. Our credit business contributes to an improved customer experience and increased retail sales as our Nordstrom credit and debit card products are designed to strengthen customer relationships and build loyalty through the Fashion Rewards program. During the second quarter, our credit metrics continued to improve, with decreased delinquency and write-off trends compared with the same period in 2011. We remain focused on enhancing the customer experience as a means of delivering strong growth and gaining greater market share. We are moving fast as we accelerate our growth, supported by the increased level of investments we are making. Our overall goals to achieve high single-digit total sales growth and mid-teens Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") remain unchanged, as these measures correlate strongly with shareholder return. In the first half of 2012, we performed better than planned and are on track to achieve these long-term financial goals. Even with the additional investments, we expect 2012 to produce the highest earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT") dollar results in our history. Suz on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765254 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:55:52 +0000 Suz 765254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting discussion. Small Canadian retailers have good reason to fear Nordstrom's expansion; customers like me who live in cities without a lot of brick and mortar options are going to be FLOCKING to an online merchandiser with generous return policies. Whatever my ethical qualms (and I have some) I will be so happy to have a few more options. As things stand, my B&M returns are almost nil; I am very picky and slow to buy in person and typically only put money out after considerable deliberation and multiple try-ons. Having said that, I returned a coat last year to the Bay TWICE. However, that was because each one I tried was flawed. I bought the first one in store (just missed the flaw until I got it home); I bought the second one online (since they did not have my size in the store any more.) So these were "exchanges" rather than true returns, and eventually I got the same coat without flaws. Incidentally, compared to US retailers, the Bay's website was INFURIATING, as was their phone customer service, and this only made me want to shop at Nordstrom's the more. As a form loyal employee of Simpson's (before it was owned by Sears) I hate to admit that. But what can I say? If the attention to the customer isn't there, then they'll lose customers. My online returns are much higher. Probably about 60%. I try not to order unless I know there is a good chance of an item's working out, but you can't always be sure. I also order for my mother and daughter (more than I order for myself) and the returns I do for them pushes up my overall return rate. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765236 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:12:11 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 765236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "Are consumers becoming conditioned to only buying items that are heavily discounted? " Yes, I think so, definitely. Weren't we talking about something similar here recently, about European models of purchasing vs. American ones? I'm not finding it in a quick search but as much as I like deals sometimes I do feel like I'm being played by the psychology of it all. Zap, that's a great point that the members of YLF are probably more apt to return than the average person. My DH used to buy clothes without trying them on and take off the tags before he even tried them to make sure they fit. Such a dude. :/ Anonymous on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765224 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 03:54:59 +0000 Anonymous 765224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, are items really being discounted or are they price inflated at their initial offering? It makes you wonder. I often think items are priced higher than what the retailer hopes to sell them for. Also, they often earmark loss leaders, to get people at the door. A large portion of operating expenses go toward market analysis and consumer behavior analysis. I expect that the industry will adapt to those changes in consumer behavior, and economic conditions, if and when they occur. I think the main aspect we all debate about when this conversation comes up, is the ethical aspect of that cycle of buying and returning, but can these companies survive long term? I believe so. To me, the biggest impact is in terms of the local economies, with the outsourcing of jobs overseas, in order to cut costs. which is such a vicious cycle. It is also hard or a smaller retailer to compete, this is probably why the Canadian companies might be concerned with the expansion. I also think we are not really a representation of typical consumer behavior. Most people buy and don't bother to return. Makrame on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765222 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 03:49:28 +0000 Makrame 765222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene and Zap, this is a fascinating discussion of return policies and profits (I have long wondered whether retailers like Nordstrom are losing money because of the generous return policies). I would say that Nordstrom's online ordering system seems to be designed to reduce some of the losses. I noticed that many items that I have on my wish list go out of stock and then reappear, presumably after customers return them. That always makes me feel good since it looks like they are still able to re-sell items. Gaylene on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765181 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:35:25 +0000 Gaylene 765181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the explanation, Zap. I had thought that a retail market up of 90-100% was probably the norm, but I didn't realize that it could go as high as 220%. And obviously Nordstrom's decision to create a specific kind of customer was successful. And, for what it's worth, I can't see an online store which restricted returns to be very successful. But I do wonder how this strategy is going to work out if the current economic conditions persist. Are consumers becoming conditioned to only buying items that are heavily discounted? Does a lagging economy means that more people will be drawn to shop at discount stores with their lower markup? I've got to admit that the percentage of items that people are reporting they return has startled me, especially those bought at a B&M store. No wonder so many Canadian companies are getting worried about Nordstrom's expansion into Canada. Returning might become much more popular than it is now. Anonymous on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765173 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:24:27 +0000 Anonymous 765173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here is their last quartely statement. 10Q. (10K is annual). <a href="http://quote.morningstar.com/stock-filing/Quarterly-Report/2012/7/28/t.aspx?t=XNYS:JWN&ft=10-Q&d=c48d619370f70071b9310684e6ffca1d" rel="nofollow">http://quote.morningstar.com/s.....84e6ffca1d</a> They had 156 million net earnings last quarter, ending July 12, 2012. Anonymous on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765167 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:16:56 +0000 Anonymous 765167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gaylene, I can only answer you from a cost / financial accounting standpoint. A business model generally considers an ample markup, in order to create a cushion against returns and allowances and inventory shrinkage. From the cost accounting standpoint, a cost per unit is calculated by adding cost of material, labor and overhead. once that CPU is calculated, then a markup is determined. Taking the only clothing retailer I worked for as example, the markup was 220% of that cost per unit. That is to give you some idea as to what kind of cushion is built in. The cost plus the 220% was the price they were willing to sell the item to a third party for. Switching over to the financial accounting side: Sales revenues get adjusted by: Returns and allowances, shrinkage to determine a profit margin. That profit margin must be generous, if we take into consideration that cost per unit markup. Nordstrom might be publicly traded. You might be able to get their financials - you can google for their 10K- if you are interested in looking in more detail. I know Nordstrom might not manufacture much, I am not sure, but I am sure they have quite an established trade presence and are a powerful buyer. The pricing offered to them must, in all likelihood, include a cushion designed to allow for their generous policy. It must work for them considering the return policy has been in existence since the 70's, as you describe. I particularly don't see anything wrong with returning an item. I am bringing it back to the store new and within the established return period. bj1111 on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765165 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:14:23 +0000 bj1111 765165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i buy a lot, i return a lot. hate buying nonreturnable. occasionally,i've bought the same item twice only to return twice. it looks so good in the store! Laurinda on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765157 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:01:43 +0000 Laurinda 765157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dayton's department store (based in Minneapolis) had a liberal return policy for anything ever bought there -- or possibly not -- similar to Nordstrom. [Dayton's merged to become Dayton-Hudson, then was bought by Marshall Field's, then was bought by Macy's. Minnesotans still mourn the loss, I have no love for Macy's. I bet many other folks who lost *their* hometown department stores feel the same way.] Dayton's bargain basement spun-off what was to become mega-chain Target, and Target also had easy returns until just the last few years when they started a 90-day limit. It does take my opinion of 'Tarzhay' down a notch, I am less likely to shop there over any other discounter. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765140 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:44:27 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 765140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wonder about that too, Gaylene. I think it may work for Nordstrom because their prices are higher and they do really have a lot of loyal customers because of their business model (and of course they're not a public company so their financials aren't as driven by quarterly returns and stockholders). What I wonder about is the places like Kohl's that now will take anything back, even without a receipt - I see people taking advantages of the policy all the time, and I have to wonder if that's sustainable for a discount marketer already working on narrow profit margins. Back to the original question! I used to return maybe 10%, but since YLF I am more likely to return, probably 25% b&m and 40-60% online. I need to get better about the b&m returns, actually - I tend to go shopping when I'm bored or unhappy and buy something I"m not sure about. I mean, it's good that I can return it, but not buying it in the first place would probably be healthier (and waste less time and gas)! Gaylene on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765129 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:37:06 +0000 Gaylene 765129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just a bit of history that I think is interesting regarding customer service and returns: I remember going to a marketing conference in the late seventies and talking to a Nordstrom executive about his company's (then) unique policy of giving customers full refunds, without questions, for anything that they brought back to the store--even to the point of taking back merchandise that Nordstrom didn't even originally sell or items that clearly had been worn. Their aim was to create a loyal, picky customer who wouldn't shop anywhere else because they would never get that level of service from another store. Nordstrom's success, of course, led other stores to more or less try to copy the Nordstrom model. In Canada, Eatons had a similar (although not quite as generous) approach to customer satisfaction. It is interesting to note, though, that this approach didn't serve Eatons as well because the 100+ year old company eventually went bankrupt. From a business perspective, I wonder how long companies will be able to maintain this service model, especially if the economy does not regain the momentum it had in the last decade. The costs of having a large part of your inventory unavailable for sales and absorbing the costs of refunding items at a much later date has to have some effect on profitability, doesn't it? Maybe some of you are much wiser than I am as to how sustainable this approach could be over a period of time. Raisin on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765121 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:27:47 +0000 Raisin 765121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yah as Canadians we definitely don't get that he returns free usually. I almost never return anything. I returned a pair of shorts recently and I think that's honestly the first thing I've returned in years. That was because they cost a lot and I got the wrong size...cost me $28 to return. I never return to stores, I don't often buy and if I do I usually love it. Thistle on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765100 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:01:03 +0000 Thistle 765100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My DD is just over a year old, so almost all of my shopping in online. I have also really branched out on retailers and brands, and this has proven very trickier as I relearn my size for each of them. I have learned all brands run different, and even then certain styles just have to be tried on. This has made my return rate soar to 90% or so. And, I avoid retailers without free shipping and free returns or being able to return to the store. I have to say it is great tom know I am not alone. I was almost afraid Nordies wouldn't let me order from them anymore! Galena - I really think your low return rate is great! You know yourself, your style, and are ruthless buying. You deserve your chocolate chip cookie! I hope to get there one day. missvee on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765075 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 00:36:04 +0000 missvee 765075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I shop mostly in brick and mortar stores, so returns are maybe 30 percent. Mostly items that I haven't taken the time to try on in the store. Online purchases, probably 50 percent, because I will order 2 sizes if I'm not sure. We don't have a lot of free returns in Canada, so I'm a bit more cautious before ordering, but a small shipping cost is often worth it because it saves me running around looking for things. jenanded on "What is your percent of returns?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-percent-of-returns#post-765073 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 00:34:06 +0000 jenanded 765073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This makes me feel better... I return an enormous amount too - both online and bricks and mortar. Yes I am very picky about what gets to stay in my tiny wardrobe and I can't bear to have things I dont wear. As cost is high to return things I might buy in the USA I do consign those things as it is more expensive to return than to keep. In Australia I have often bought something online which I have tried on in store, have taken time to think about and then just ordered rather than having to get back to the shops...Great post thank you!