Please tell me about Return Policy - YouLookFab Forum

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Please tell me about Return Policy

Sisi

Veteran

Angie's post “The Best Dressing Room” made me curious about return policy.

Where I live, return policy has been an unknown concept until a couple decades ago. I’m speaking of shopping in shops/stores, that is what I have always done and still do. With the advent of clothing chains things have changed but it’s anyway complicated. When you ask to return something, the shop/store/private boutique takes the item back and gives you a week/two weeks/a month of time, depending on their policy, to replace it with something of the equivalent price. Otherwise the credit is lost. It happened to me more than once that I didn't find anything interesting to replace the wrong purchase within the allotted time and I lost my money. The only 2 times I shopped online and asked to return I was so pleased that they simply gave me my money back!

Mind to share how it is where you live? I mean either online or in stores.

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Dee

Veteran

I shop mainly in person with mostly big chains here in Canada like Simons, The Bay, Old Navy, Winners/Marshall's. They all allow for free returns in person and a full refund within a window period of either 10 to 30 days depending on the retailer as long you have the receipt, the tags and original packaging.

The same policy seems to apply for online shopping with most of these retailers, although I'm not sure about the free returns or if there's a fee if you don't return it in person.

Irina

Veteran

I always check the return policy before buying in person or online. All the places I shop from have a full refund policy unless it’s a final sale. Most have 30 days return period but some only 10 from a delivery date. I never missed a return window, ever. I have some regrets on final sales, though but it’s a risk I take sometimes.

I’m so indecisive, I don’t know how I would shop without a good return policy.

Runcarla

Veteran

What Dee and Irina wrote, but I live in Canada as well.

For example, the Winners I shop B&M locally has a return policy of 10 days from date of purchase - as long as the item is in original condition with tags on, and if there was some sort of packaging (like a curling iron in a box) the packaging is intact. I have a loyalty card (free) and it extends the return period to 30 days. Since I sometimes find items for DH or the DS’s when they aren’t with me, this feature comes in handy. I can bring the items home for them to try on, and return if the item doesn’t work out.

Most chains have what I consider generous return policies (2 weeks to a month) but smaller, independent stores are more likely to to give store credit or exchanges rather than a refund. When I do shop at independent stores (often purchasing clothing as a gift for the above mentioned menfolk) I just make an enquiry as to their return policy.

A return policy does influence my purchase decision.

LaPed

Veteran

In the US, we're quite spoiled when it comes to returns. A lot of online/catalog retailers offer free shipping *and* free returns. The return window can range from 15 days on the low end to one year on the more generous end. I don't have a lot of in-person shopping where I live, but all the stores I can think of will take back an item with tags attached for a refund, as long as you can provide proof of purchase. The return period is usually one month, but some places have a one-year policy. Maybe some of the smaller boutiques only do store credit, but I'm not much of a boutique shopper so can't say for sure.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I also live in Canada, and mostly shop at the chain stores and department stores, also mostly online. And I check return policies carefully. I prefer to shop from those that offer a full refund with tags/ unworn merchandise within a 30+ day window -- but will occasionally shop from those who will deduct shipping if I make a return. Especially if i am reasonably confident about size/ quality in advance. Or if the shipping for returns is very small (e.g. Zara).

Smaller, independent stores are more likely to give store credit on return, as Carla notes. That is one reason -- alas! -- I often don't shop at such stores! Because, like you, I have felt stuck with unusable credit. The other reason is that I tend to feel more pressured in small boutiques and end up buying what I later regret. And then, if I have no way to return it -- it's a sunk cost.

I would prefer to support small local businesses and try to for most other types of purchase. But I doubt if I would have a working wardrobe if I shopped there exclusively for my clothing.

The single purchase I made from an independent store this year felt like a win at the time (white sneakers) but was a total fail. They turned out to be the most uncomfortable shoes I've had in ages and of course I have worn them so they are unreturnable.

Joy

Veteran

I mostly know of Nordstrom. They went from a 90 day return policy to 45 days. That is a big change. I used to shop there ahead for gifts but not much any more . It left time to return items that did not work and keep shopping if needed. The last Clear the Rack had tempting prices but they were final sale, so no trying on at home. I often use that option as DH is waiting for me in a hot car. That does not give me trying on time.

Roberta

Veteran

We are indeed spoiled in the US, and doing more than our fair share to exacerbate climate change from all those trucks lumbering back and forth. Sorry to be cranky! I do lots of shopping from Amazon so am culpable.

To your question: eBay often deducts the cost of shipping from a "free" return, so I look out for that and take it into consideration. It's the cost of trying it on.

A few vendors that I like (Garnet Hill, for example) also do that; deduct the initial shipping fee if you return something. If you're buying a comforter, the shipping cost isn't very notable, but if it is $7.95 from a $30 sale top, you feel it. Garnet Hill's shipping fees, like the Sundance Catalog, feel pricey. BUT, Sundance includes this reminder:

Shipping and handling charges include order processing, packaging, handling and shipping.

So my top didn't magically fly through the air, into a bag with a receipt, and off to UPS on its own.

slim cat

Veteran

Many places do 30 days return policy - BR, Macy's, GAP, ECCO ( US ). The Bloomingdale's has 90 days with Black Card holders having a luxury of at least a year return policy. Nordstrom changed the their generous return policy but I not sure about details ( Rack is 45 days I believe ).
I always check website for details - some changes happening suddenly. The recent change at Bloom is Final Offer becoming the Final Sale
( used to be 30 days for return ) starting in August this year ( Macy's did the same a year ago ).

LaPed

Veteran

I will say, I think the US has been a mail-order culture since even before cars and trucks. Montgomery Ward, Sears & Roebuck, etc. Their catalogs date back to the 19th century IIRC. Maybe it goes back to being a colony and reliant on overseas trade for so many staples? So many far-flung outposts and homesteads? Certainly being a large landmass with a very dispersed population contributes to it now (but you could say the same for Canada, and shipping/returns aren't so generous there).

Side note: I grew up in a Sears mail order kit house built by my family in the 1920s! I don't think you could return those.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think we have the US covered

Generally, ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING return policies and LOTS of free shipping. It’s shopping heaven here in that respect.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Some stores have free shipping only if you have a store credit card. Or if you’re shopping in store and need another size. Some outlet stores have a small charge like $3 to have something sent. I don’t tend to shop at places that have significant shipping charges. Return policies seem to be 30, 45 or 60 days unless an item is final sale. I didn’t know that Nordstrom changed their return policy. At one time there was no time limit.
Boutiques each have their own policies.

Bijou

Veteran

This is my experience living in Australia. Department stores and larger retail chains will give money back when items are returned new with tags. Boutiques and smaller retail chains are likely to provide a store credit. A no return policy is generally only applied to items on sale. Intimates and swimwear have a no return policy applied as well.

Online shopping is generally costly for delivery with free shipping rare, unless you spend what is generally a high threshold amount often about A$300 for overseas retailers. Using Australia Post the shipping cost is about A$10 - $20, using a courier, the costs are about A$50 (unless the retailer absorbs some of the cost). I restrict my online purchases to more expensive items, given I will receive free shipping - but have to contend with a charge for returns.

For me, the best course of action is to buy in store and try on.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sisi I relate to what you wrote. Many years ago Israel was similar, with only store credit that expired. As the big international chains began opening (Zara, H&M, etc.), the return policy began to change and now most stores allow "cash" returns within a limited period and a longer period for store credit. Nothing like in the US though. And truthfully there is a down side to the American model, which is built on the assumption that many people will not actually return things they don't use, and also encourages over-consumption and waste. A complicated issue!

Sal

Veteran

Bijou's explanation is similar to here in NZ.

I do shop online when I can make returns - I don't worry too much about the shipping cost but I do like the option of returning.

In store I try things on and rarely return unless there is a quality issue or if buying for someone else and I get the size wrong.

Unpopular opinion - I don't agree with long return time frames. It must be a nightmare for retailers and an added cost leading to a wastage. If a decision can't be made in 14 days from receipt I wonder why?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I buy very little online Sisi because I seriously dislike making returns. Partly for the inconvenience, partly for the environment (although as some Fabbers pointed out in the past shops with all their associated costs, lighting etc etc are not that great for the environment either, I did accept their point!) However occasionally I cannot get what I want at a reasonable price in person, often for shoes, and then I do order online from Australia, so across an ocean! Usually this works as I have easy to fit feet of a standard size, and Styletread does offer free shipping and returns over a certain value. I take great care to check how the shoe was packaged in case I do have to return- have only had to return 2 orders to Australia ever out of about 10, but it was upsetting to have to. I think you have 30 days to return and you will get your money back.
I agree with Sal’s comments above me, I also accept that how we all feel around these issues will largely be how we have been socialised in each country.
I buy a lot of my clothes on sale and so I want to try them on in store because most would not be returnable, the sale is often final sale. I therefore think extremely hard about whether I really want the item. I take my clothing lists with me on a serious shopping trip. I have never been given store credit that I have then lost! I have also bought the wrong thing much less often in recent years, especially in the 7 years since being on YLF having learned so much from you all!

Sisi

Veteran

Thank you all for replying! Yep, in the USA/Canada the return policy seems to be very convenient for the customer. The total refund option sounds like a dream to me!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I rarely return things, but policies can be very generous. I work at Sprouts, a chain health food store, and someone can return any product, for any reason, in any condition, as long as you have the receipt. So you could use 3/4 of a bottle of vitamins and return it, and get your money back. I live in New Mexico, USA.

I also did my first online return. The company emailed me a prepaid label, I printed it out, and left it on my step for UPS to pick up. So pretty easy.