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Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

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Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#23

Post by x87678r »

sokoloff wrote: post #3

> 30 to 40 per cent of all online purchases are sent back That seems almost an order of magnitude higher than I’d expect. Setting aside kids shoes (which probably do get 50% returned), I can’t imagine sending back even 5% of my online purchases, let alone 30-40%. I think I’ve sent back exactly 1 Amazon order in the last year, out of nearly 100.

I have friends who send back nearly everything. Not sure about shoe size? Order 3 sizes, keep the one you like and send back the other two (or return all 3 if you dont like it). Want a shirt? Order 5 and keep the ones you like, if any.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#24

Post by dralley »

crazygringo wrote: post #4

> The tactic of enticing customers to buy more than they need and return what they don't want "has had tragic repercussions for the environment and business," he says. That's disingenuous. I've never purchased "more than I need" from Amazon. But probably about 10% of items purchased for the first time simply aren't as advertised -- not Amazon's fault, but the manufacturer's. They don't meet the needs you bought them…

No, this is absolutely a "thing", and I know several people who shop clothes from Amazon this way. It is incredibly wasteful.

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#25

Post by adambyrtek »

glitchcrab wrote: post #13
searchableguy wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Few people probably abuse the system too much. There are scamming forums and services for Amazon refunds. Scammers take 10-20% of the item cost for refunding it without giving the original. A trend I observed here among college students is buying clothes for a party or instagram selfie and then returning it. Small sellers get screwed pretty hard. You should check their forums.

Wait, people genuinely buy clothes (although this is more like borrowing) just for the purpose of taking a selfie? I can't even begin to comprehend how desperate they must be to look good and fit in.

Yes, this is so common that there is a name for it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardrobing

Re: Cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

#29

Post by jjoonathan »

sokoloff wrote: post #3

> 30 to 40 per cent of all online purchases are sent back That seems almost an order of magnitude higher than I’d expect. Setting aside kids shoes (which probably do get 50% returned), I can’t imagine sending back even 5% of my online purchases, let alone 30-40%. I think I’ve sent back exactly 1 Amazon order in the last year, out of nearly 100.

I think it depends a lot on category. What you said about kids clothing is spot on, but I'd expect similar dynamics for women's clothing (tighter fits = lower tolerance, also lower tolerance for color mismatch etc) and there are a couple of categories that I've outright stopped buying on Amazon because of the enormous problem rate, namely whitelabeled consumer electronics.

In 2020 I've returned ~5%:

    markers that were dry
    test clips with mislabeled quantity
    de-laminated screen protector sheet
    mislabeled thermal printer (photo, listing said it had an internal spool compartment but it didn't)
    cell-phone arm stand that lacked the spring tension, even adjusted to maximum, to hold up my small, un-cased Google Pixel
1% sounds quite low, but if I had foregone buying anything heat/storage sensitive and followed my own rule about whitelabeled goods that's exactly where I'd be. On the other hand, my returns were painless and most gambles paid off so I think I'll carry on.
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