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6 thoughts on “Product Returns: One Size Does Not Fit All”

1. As a plus size woman, I have known for years that for sure one size definitely doesn’t fit all. But one thing I have learned after getting a lot of clothing online, that not having consistent sizes across the board makes it difficult to be sure you are getting the correct size. I have also noticed that this is not so much of a problem with men who I suspect would never put up with clothing not fitting when they buy their size. At least my husband and son have gotten clothing that always fit if it is their size. Why can’t they do this with women?

   Of the clothing that I have gotten this year, I had no choice of size only whether I would take it or not. The biggest disappointment was a bathing suit 2 sizes LARGER than my size and was made for plus sized women. I could barely get it on and I looked like a stuffed sausage. Other items I have seen that it is technically my size in plus sizes and then in parentheses it gave the size as three sizes smaller than the plus size it was showing. Who want to take that risk. I just got a top that fit perfectly and was my correct size. Glory be! I estimate that 1/2 – 2/3 of the clothing that I received didn’t not fit including pants that I couldn’t get past my knees while jeans in the same size fit me to a T! Granted as I said, I had no choice with some of the sizes, but ordering something 2 sizes larger than your size and finding it doesn’t fit is ridiculous. I don’t know why women put up with this. I have sewn most of my clothing for the majority of my life, so this is new to me to have clothing that doesn’t fit.

   If companies wanted to reduce by a lot, the returns on clothing, start making sure that your sizing is consistent or at the very least, put the measurements that go along with the size on the listing. Quit making and listing vanity sizing.

2. I appreciate these tips; however, my worst experience with returns is with fraudulent buyers on eBay who attempt to return something that they did not receive from me, either the same thing in a broken or worn-down state or an entirely different object.

3. My issue is with the whole concept of making returns cheaper\easier. The more we do that, the less thought shoppers put into purchases. Who cares? They can just return it – and make someone else pay for it! Yes, “free returns” ease shoppers’ minds. Except that there isn’t such a bird as free returns! Someone else pays for it, those of us who rarely return things foot the bills for those who do – and who return items which are used, or missing half the product.
   The bottom line is, the easier\cheaper you make something, the more you will get of it. We need FEWER returns, not more. The less skin customers have in the game, the less that they will care, and the more the rest of us will pay overall.

4. I refuse to leave an open door in my policies for serial returners or fraudsters — and that would be why I’ve never had a problem with returns or fraudsters. So I don’t agree with having policies that are so favorable that you’re opening yourself up to unnecessary problems.

   Furthermore, people NEED to learn to shop more responsibly. If they don’t have all the information they need in the listing, then they should either ask for it or move on. I don’t cater to those who think they are entitled to do whatever they want at everyone else’s expense.

   So, my policies attract responsible customers. They can see that it DOES cost money to shop willy nilly, but they can also see that I provide all the information they need so there shouldn’t be any need for a return. I even encourage customers to ask questions BEFORE buying if there happens to be a bit of information that I missed.

   So, as far as I’m concerned, you will invite what you allow. If you allow too much, then you can certainly expect to have issues. You would also be adding to the problem with serial returners and fraudsters by teaching them that it’s okay to put such a burden on small businesses. Even large businesses can be negatively impacted by such things. They just have more of a cushion to make up for the loss.

5. One other thought, I don’t appreciate anyone pushing businesses to do business in a manner that perpetuates bad behavior. Having worked in the corporate world for so many years, I am fully aware of the importance of the wording of one’s terms and that the very reason for their existence is to protect your business from bad behavior and to legally ensure the other party that you’re not in the habit of doing bad business.

   To push sellers to offer free shipping and free general returns when THEY ARE NOT FREE is ludicrous! Especially when you consider that claiming “free shipping” is a violation of FTC regulations. Yes, you might see an increase in sales, but you will also see an increase in problems that WILL cost you money. So, I don’t see that as being a trade-off that’s worth it. Metaphorically speaking, it’s like selling your soul just to make sales.

   Whatever happened to perpetuating good, honest business on both sides? Stop catering to the entitled mindset and TELL them they MUST wear a shirt and shoes in your store! Of course, that’s not a requirement for shopping online unless you’re doing it out in public, but you get the idea. LOL

6. I cannot remember the last time I had a return. Maybe last year but I am not sure. I guess it depends on what you sell and how good you are at describing the item.

   Example of a return I had and I quit running this one item on eBay because of the problem. It was a 8×10 photo of a M1A1 Abrams Tank under “camouflaged netting” during Desert Storm. I had a customer buy the item because he thought I was selling camouflaged netting. This happened more than once…

   I asked him why he didn’t think he was buying a tank but I never got a response. Oh, I forgot, he thought I was shipping this huge product for $5.

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