Is the average online return rate really 15%-30%? What are people returning? My personal return rate is closer to 0.15%.
Kiss your free returns goodbye
11–20 of 61 posts
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#12Most discussions about this topic somehow seem to assume that people enjoy returning stuff. They don’t. It’s effort One of the key unresolved problems in fashion retail remains the crazy, unreliable sizing systems. Just because you are size $X at one brand, doesn’t mean you’re size $X at another. Also, the majority of brands only cater to average body proportions. Slim feet? Tall? Good luck!
I have noticed more stores giving actual garment measurements on their site (as opposed to a near meaningless size that is several inches off due to vanity sizing!)
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#13Is the average online return rate really 15%-30%? What are people returning? My personal return rate is closer to 0.15%.
Clothes.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#14Is the average online return rate really 15%-30%? What are people returning? My personal return rate is closer to 0.15%.
Not sure what size pants will fit you, so you buy a size up and a size down. Return the two that don't fit.
We used to do this in fitting rooms, but free returns make your home the fitting room. Much more comfortable.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#15Most discussions about this topic somehow seem to assume that people enjoy returning stuff. They don’t. It’s effort One of the key unresolved problems in fashion retail remains the crazy, unreliable sizing systems. Just because you are size $X at one brand, doesn’t mean you’re size $X at another. Also, the majority of brands only cater to average body proportions. Slim feet? Tall? Good luck!
I know art students that routinely order stuff, use it for one film/show and return it. Because that's possible.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
you guys got free returns? in australia it's always been pay the return shipping fee as far as i know
In Finland it's a mixed bag. Some offer it, some don't. I think the worst is when I'm asked to pay for shipping when it's a broken product covered under warranty.
I don’t think that’s allowed in the EU - retailers must remedy or replace a broken product without cost to you.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/dealing-with-customers...
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#17Most discussions about this topic somehow seem to assume that people enjoy returning stuff. They don’t. It’s effort One of the key unresolved problems in fashion retail remains the crazy, unreliable sizing systems. Just because you are size $X at one brand, doesn’t mean you’re size $X at another. Also, the majority of brands only cater to average body proportions. Slim feet? Tall? Good luck!
I have noticed more stores giving actual garment measurements on their site (as opposed to a near meaningless size that is several inches off due to vanity sizing!)
Even measurements aren’t really an accurate indicator for most garments.
The manufacturing tolerances for anything below designed fashion are just too large. When stuff is hand made (by experts, not just for the marketing label of “hand made”) then they tend to be accurate enough, but the stuff most people buy in shops is never going to have a reliable fit unless the whole supply chain is overhauled.
And that’s not to mention how for changes as the fabrics age and are washed. That’s a whole extra load of complexity.
Edit, to give an illustrative example. When cutting out pieces for a garment, the cutting will typically be done on a band saw (or fabric cutting equivalent). For most garments the fabric will be stacked 10-20 sheets high so that many pieces are cut in one go. A person shoving 20 layers of fabric through a saw in a few seconds is never going to be accurate. Contrast this to a high end garment where it might be 2-5 layers carefully guided through a saw by someone who can take a minute to get it right, that’s just far more likely to hit the targets.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#18Most discussions about this topic somehow seem to assume that people enjoy returning stuff. They don’t. It’s effort One of the key unresolved problems in fashion retail remains the crazy, unreliable sizing systems. Just because you are size $X at one brand, doesn’t mean you’re size $X at another. Also, the majority of brands only cater to average body proportions. Slim feet? Tall? Good luck!
> Just because you are size $X at one brand, doesn’t mean you’re size $X at another
In my experience it’s worse than that. Buying from the same brand, sometimes even the same item (or its successor), results in wildy different fitment.
I’ve strictly returned to brick and mortar. It’s so much more convenient buying something that fits.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#19Is the average online return rate really 15%-30%? What are people returning? My personal return rate is closer to 0.15%.
It varies wildly by product, industry, and gender.
Electronics return rates are low, <5% I believe. I have a feeling books return rates are similarly very low. Clothing bought from brands is low, 5-10%, clothing bought from retailers is higher, 20-50%. Womenswear is much higher than menswear.
Re: Kiss your free returns goodbye
#20Is the average online return rate really 15%-30%? What are people returning? My personal return rate is closer to 0.15%.
Image you treat online shopping like brick and mortar: you want a jacket, you pick 3 or 4 that you like, you go to the changing room, try them on and return the jackets you don't like.