What Really Happens When You Make A Return? The Truth Will Surprise You

As e-commerce has grown and return guidelines have become more lenient and user friendly, returns in the US have skyrocketed.

We’ve all been there: you choose the perfect pair of leggings online and finally buy them after debating the purchase for a few days. After waiting the prescribed 8–10 days for your prized package to come in, you try them on and, ugh, they’re a size too big! So, you pack them up in the box they came in because, luckily, the online retailer you chose has free returns. And voila! The leggings are out of your apartment, the $$ is back in your bank account, and it’s like nothing ever happened.

Just like magic, right? Well…not exactly.

Image by Claudio Schwarz

As e-commerce has grown and return guidelines have become more lenient and user friendly, returns in the US have skyrocketed. And, while we watched the retail return trend line tick steadily upwards, the COVID-19 pandemic created a mindset where consumers treat their homes as in-store fitting rooms and the packages sent to their doors as the start of the shopping experience instead of the end result. This at-home dressing room phenomeno…