Sometimes it is hard to tell if an item you are buying is really right for you. This is especially true when you order clothing online. Since you can’t try it on when you buy it, you could receive it and find that it doesn’t fit at all. When this happens, you will either need to exchange the item or send it back for a refund. Different merchants offer different return and refund policies on their items. Before you order anything online from any merchant, you should check the merchant’s return and refund policies to make sure the terms are acceptable to you.
- All merchants should have a clear return and refund policy posted on their website. Search for this policy on the website and read it carefully before choosing to order merchandise from them.
- Check the return policies from the merchant. Are returns on the item you ordered allowed or were all sales final? If you can return an item, who pays for the shipping? Will there be a restocking fee?
- Check the refund policies along with the returns. If you return the item, will you receive a full refund or a refund minus any of the shipping costs?
- See if the merchant also offers exchanges for faulty merchandise or exchanges for other products in their store.
- If you have trouble finding the return and refund policies, consider calling the customer service department of the merchant before you place an order.
- Double check the return policy on each item you plan to order. Many merchants will offer clearance prices when they are trying to reduce their stock. These items are usually listed as “all sales final.” When an item is listed this way, it means that returns are not allowed on that particular item.
You never know when you will need to return something that you have ordered online. Some merchants offer better return policies than others. Read their policies carefully before you place any order from that site so you know exactly what your options are after you buy an item from the company. If you don’t, you could find yourself stuck with a product that you don’t want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I have to pay for shipping on a return?
In most cases, you will be responsible for the shipping on a return when the return is not the merchant’s fault. For example, if you order a black shirt but then decide you prefer the red one, it will be up to you to ship the black one back during the exchange.
My item came broken. What do I do?
Most merchants will allow you to return a broken item and, in most cases, pay the shipping for you to return it. Call the online store’s customer service to start your return process to receive your replacement item.
What are restocking fees?
These fees sound suspicious, but these fees usually cover the costs for a company to place that item back into their system and warehouse to be sold again. This often requires manpower to complete which costs money.