Ethics of Taking Advantage of Free Returns?

Lsanghai2 on 12/03/2017 - 16:16
Last edited 12/03/2017 - 16:41

Hi all, what are everyone's thoughts on taking advantage of (or potentially exploiting) free returns policy that some online clothing retailers have? I'm talking about ordering multiple sizes and colours with the intention of returning at least one piece of clothing. On one hand, it looks like some retailers are very well aware of the practice and seem to be ok with it, for example last week I was doing a return through ASOS and one of the "reasons for return" was "ordered multiplied sizes". On the other hand, I stumbled across this article talking about reduced profits as a result of this practice: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3595890/Women-buy-on…

Thoughts? Is it something that you regularly take advantage of?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Pharos5 on 12/03/2017 - 16:27
    +1

    Pretty sure that's what you're meant to do. It's the only way to get the right fit at a store you haven't bought from before.

    The alternative is doing it multiple times with a different size each time, or just going in store and buying it there.

    And lastly, the amount they lose from returns is extremely small compared to the rent, wages, etc from a brick&mortar.

  • djkelly69 on 12/03/2017 - 16:33

    Seems like something businesses could pretty easily stamp out if they were worried about it.

    As you state, a number of companies go out of their way to encourage or at least make people aware this is an option.

  • Settero on 12/03/2017 - 17:02

    it would bring in a fair few customers, i for one love stores that offer it , im more willing to try a new brand / store if they do , often enough i buy a shirt/pants in the same size , but the fits wrong when everywhere else that size fits great. gotta weigh the amount of customers you lose and gain vs the cost and or sales lost due to these types of offers.

  • outlander on 12/03/2017 - 18:48

    If your looking for arguments to justify it, there are plenty

    There is often a huge markup on clothes. They pay next to nothing to sweatshops for them, then jack up the price
    They have special contracts with couriers which make the cost of returns much less than you or I pay
    Being online only, its easier for them to structure their affairs so they pay little or no tax
    They told me you guys look like dorks

  • hell0 on 12/03/2017 - 19:50

    Yeah. I guess as online clothing shopping evolves then retailer will try to work out what works for them but I do think it is OK as long as you aren't doing it as a competitor or to 'get them back'…

    Even though I have never done a clothing return but I do value the offer as I feel comfortable that if an item doesn't fit me or is NQR then I am not stuck with it or with shipping costs more than the item.

  • Limitless on 14/03/2017 - 10:26

    ASOS don't have a physical store so they would expect people to buy a few sizes and return a bunch of things in one hit rather than go back and forth.

    Always read the return policy BEFORE you buy anything! I have bought multiple sizes from myer in their sales before knowing the return policy is really easy but some places will only exchange sale items for store credit. Seed is a good example of a store with a shocking return policy. If you order anything online there ensure you live within 10mins of the place and can drop everything to return the item because if you leave it for more than a week they will judge you tremendously!

    I will now only ever buy online from a store with a good return policy and close to home.

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