How much more will you pay for an item from a retailer with a generous return policy?

How much more would you pay for an item from a retailer with a generous return policy, i.e., a “return anytime in any state” policy vs “return in 14 days, unworn with tags attached”?

8 years ago

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

Barbara Diane

Veteran

It depends if I am purchasing online or in person, and if I am sure of my purchase or not. And if is to be worn immediately or not for a month or more. And can I return it in person or will I have to ship it back? Do I have to pay for shipping?

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. I’m cheap. If the return policy is not generous, I just won’t buy period...

8 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

In NZ we often don't have great options. I was happy to buy from Australian site Styletread for the reason of free shipping and returning Australia to NZ and back. You did have to have ordered over a certain dollar amount though, maybe $ 150. I actively avoid paying for shipping whenever I can, and will do Click and Collect rather than a shipping fee, because there would often be something else I could do near a Click and Collect site.So the trip there would not be wasted.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

depends on if i've a lot of experience with the brand i'm buying, and of course the cost of the item i'm buying.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I pretty much only buy online from companies with good returns policies, or that I can return in-store locally. (I mean, Prime has totally spoiled me and I now expect to be able to return everything for free or almost free for at least a month after purchase). Only exceptions would be places like eBay/Etsy, but even there I tend to only buy clothes from sellers who offer returns, and who will give me garment-specific measurements. And when I shop ebay etc for clothes, I'm usually replacing older/vintage items I already have (501s, ahem) so I'm confident in the style/fit.

8 years ago

Anonymous

Great question. First, I only shop at retailers that have a great return policy. Second, it does depend on brand familiarity. Third, it depends on where I am budget wise. I am allowed multiple spurges through out the year (usually at the end of the season). I know that is exactly wrong from what Angie suggests, but I am trying to overcome years of training. Fourth, it has to be something that will be in heavy rotation (not a wedding guest garment).

I will spend up to $200 on something that meets those criteria. That means I shop brands I know will work for me. I buy within my color palette and for my dominant season. Shopping for my dominant season is also new to me. It took me years to transition from buying for deep Winter (fantasy) to buying to high Summer (reality). I completed the transition in 2017. I am now putting my dollars where I will get the most bang. Summer. I am training myself to buy at the start of the Season.

8 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That depends on how certain I am that I will keep the item. If I plan to wear it right away, then I’m not so worried about return policies. But I often buy things at low prices from stores with great return policies and limited selection without a lot of thought beyond material, fit, and if it’s well made. Then I have time at home to try it with other things in my wardrobe. If a piece is expensive and/or doesn’t have a return policy, I’d have to take more time before buying it to make sure I’d really wear it. Right now I still don’t have my body how I want it to be, so am not spending much money on clothing.

8 years ago

tammyw

Active Member

I don't really even look at stores that don't have great return policies. Nordstrom is my number one. If I find something somewhere else, I'll look to see if Nordstrom has it (and they do price match so that's cool). Other stores that have great return policies that I shop pretty frequently - Athleta, Bloomingdales, Zappos. I have a Nordstrom 10 minutes from my house so I order online A LOT and then go return a pile at once in store.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I usually buy from Nordstroms, the Rack or Target, all of which have at least 90 day returns. They have spoiled me. It must be something really special and unique or very low priced otherwise. For this reason, I am buying much less at thrift and consignment unless I have a shopping partner that can give me honest advice.

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

For me it's more whether they have free or in store returns. Most of what I order I know immediately whether I want to keep it or not so the timing of the return policy is not as important. The only time when the timing matters is for something like NAS or special event things where I know I won't wear it for months, and then I like having the option to return if I find something better.

I actually think the Nordstrom return policy and others like it make me lazy and indecisive. Lazy because I know I don't have to return within a certain window so the boxes just pile up until I decide to do something about it. indecisive because sometimes I'll just hang on to something just in case, and inevitably I keep it for months and end up returning it anyway.

8 years ago

3style

Veteran

I like short return windows. If something doesn't work when I try it at home several times and with a few ensembles, then I want to get my money back right away so I have it available for my next purchase.... But I have a mountain of hand-me-down special occasion dresses in a variety of weights and fits, so I never need to shop ahead for special events.

8 years ago

Muffin

Veteran

I totally relate to Diana’s point about long return periods adding to my indecisiveness. Sometimes I will buy something early in the season & hang on to it thinking I may find something better or waiting for the right occasion. This is a pattern I’m working on breaking. I’m trying to be less impulsive and making sure the item works and wearing it right away. I think this is why I love the idea of NAS and easily get wrapped up in the buying but also do a lot of returning.

8 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

Zero. However, a generous return policy might make me feel tempted to buy something (at all) from that retailer.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

In Australia return policies tend not to be nearly so generous, so it wouldn't make any difference. I suppose it's developed my habits in a certain way. It's hard enough to get me to buy anything anyway.

I certainly wouldn't buy online without being able to return, but I can tell whether I want it within a small window and return promptly.

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

If I'm buying in person and I can try something on, I will definitely pull the trigger on something I won't be able to return, either because of the store policies or because I am traveling and won't be back there.

If I'm buying online sight unseen, I strongly prefer retailers that offer free/cheap returns or a return to store option. I don't really care about having to leave the tags on, or a time limit as long as it's not like 48 hours or something.

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I think two weeks is the norm here but there are some variations. The Return policy does not mean I will pay more but I would not shop online if there was not a chance to send items back.

8 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

I find that I make poor decisions when the return window is tight.

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

In the scenario given, I probably would buy from the cheaper place, since I can still return the item. But if shipping fees are involved at the cheaper place, I would probably buy from the more expensive place for ease of return, since I am extremely picky about fit and end up returning a very large proportion of what I try on. I would probably be willing to pay maybe 20% more.

Generally, a "return anything at any time in any state" doesn't mean a lot to me as opposed to a shorter return window. I am always good about returning items within a couple of weeks of receipt, regardless of how long of a return window I have. The only time "return anything at any time in any state" means anything to me is when I am buying makeup or hair products that might not work out, or when I am dealing with a brand with a history of spotty quality.

8 years ago

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