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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

#71

Post by RandallBrown »

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 used to work for Nordstrom who has an even better return policy than Amazon. For certain items, like women's dresses, return rates were up to 80%.

Part of this is because people will buy several sizes of the same item and return the ones that don't fit. The other part is people wearing it once then returning it.

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

#72

Post by loeg »

vladvasiliu wrote: post #33
x87678r wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I'm sure there are people who abuse the system, but for you example of clothes, I'm not surprised there is a high number of returns. Last year I bought two Levis jeans at the same time. One the exact same model, color and size as the one I was wearing which was worn out, the other a different color (figured I could use having two pairs of jeans). None fit me correctly. The model I had already was too big, the other t…

Levis in particular are just notoriously inconsistent in sizing. At a brick and mortar store you grab five pairs to try on if you want to buy one or two.

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

#74

Post by ponker »

copperx wrote: post #35
jhbadger wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Back in the days of brick-and-mortar shopping there used to be people who bought a large screen TV shortly before a big sports game and then returned it afterwards. A lot of stores revised their return policies because of this.

I'm curious about the policy. "You can't return a TV if there has been a sports game on TV".

You could institute a restocking fee on any returns.

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

#75

Post by nextos »

dorchadas wrote: post #68
nextos wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've also stopped buying at Amazon after 15 years. Even consumables and small items are problematic. Just in the last year, I encountered many issues including: * Showerhead that came without box, and clearly used. It still had a lot of water inside! * Underwear from a brand that sells items inside a sealed bag and discards returns came used, without bag (yuck!) * A module of Samsung RAM had visible wear signs and di…

This is really why I hesitate to buy clothes through Amazon, even though I wear a size that they have in stock easier than Kohl's or any of the other department stores (plus, I'm in the middle of losing weight, so I'm in between sizes). It's quite frustrating, especially with fitting rooms closed currently in my state.

My solution to this has been to order denim, tees, chinos, etc made to measure. It's slow, it's a bit more expensive, but you get a better fit and you don't need to worry about all this mess.

Plus, I support local people.

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

#76

Post by roywiggins »

x87678r wrote: post #23
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.

It's not like the shoes are going out the door without them knowing that the same person just ordered three pairs in different sizes and is almost certainly going to be returning two of them.

It's simply not possible to be sure about a shoe size sight unseen. Even within the same brand of shoe, fit varies. I have to assume a very high returns rate is totally expected by online shoe retailers (and for that matter offline ones).

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

#77

Post by bluedino »

m463 wrote: post #51
jhbadger wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Back in the days of brick-and-mortar shopping there used to be people who bought a large screen TV shortly before a big sports game and then returned it afterwards. A lot of stores revised their return policies because of this.

I remember hearing from someone that in some parts of florida, the retirees would come down for the winter and just before returning to go back north, flock to the store and return a bunch of stuff.

My father in law will buy certain things (like a wedge pillow) that are too bulky to fly with, when he arrives at his destination. And then return it on the way back to the airport

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

#78

Post by bluedino »

copperx wrote: post #35
jhbadger wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Back in the days of brick-and-mortar shopping there used to be people who bought a large screen TV shortly before a big sports game and then returned it afterwards. A lot of stores revised their return policies because of this.

I'm curious about the policy. "You can't return a TV if there has been a sports game on TV".

Best Buy doesn’t have that policy, I don’t think any of the major retailers do.

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

#79

Post by bluedino »

chaboud wrote: post #43
azinman2 wrote: post #18

So this was a lot about Amazon, but it leaves out comparisons to any other store. What do others do? Is this the common practice?

I don't know what it's like now, but, when I worked at Best Buy in the 90s, we had a couple of shoulder height palletized bins in the back. If a customer brought something back with a "didn't work" reason, it went in the bin. We threw items in the bin from a distance, so they were definitely unsellable. I'm sure that lots of merchandise that would have been functional/sellable ended up being thrown out.

Devo!

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

#80

Post by loeg »

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…

> > 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

It's a stretch to extrapolate from your singular experience to accuse the author of acting in bad faith.

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