How Our Culture of “Fast and Free Returns!” is Not So Free

It goes against everything in our being to complain about "free returns" but the reality is they come at a huge cost to all of us. This is a digital exclusive.

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[naoise]

It's kind of sickening that Amazon can handle a return rate of up to 40%, throw out many of the items rather than bother restocking them, and still make a billions of dollars each year.

[mightyone]

I'm starting to suspect that prioritizing money, a thing that is intrinsically worthless, over actual resources, is a form of insanity that is self-perpetuating until it destroys us.

[jessetorres]

It may be impractical, but this is why about 80% of the gifts I give people for Birthdays and Christmas is gift cards to their favorite stores or restaurants since they can use them whenever and not need to be returned.

[randibgood]

Between these returns and "fast fashion", it is killing the planet.

[MaryAnnNytowl]

This is a really important issue! Thank you so much for covering it!

[jacksonbangs]

WOW that is unbelievable how much usable stuff just gets thrown away! I wonder how many less fortunate people can be clothed with all those clothes just thrown away?!

[aikanae]

But retail stores don't carry it because they expect you to buy it from them online and you can't tell which one will fit until seeing it so you have to buy all three to get the one that fits and return the ones that didn't. That's how it's DESIGNED to work.

[outoftouchnetwork]

I work at a thrift store and we get a lot of mistakes that Amazon sends people and tells them not to worry about sending it back. Try to get them to give you a refund, not so easy

[skellymom]

As someone who has worked in animal rescue and shelter: we could so use all the pet items, sheets, blankets, towels...even baby onesies for surgery patients. Please donate to rescues and shelters. Even the animal themed human clothing. Trust me, we will definitely wear it!

[meganh]

If I can I buy most items from goodwill. Most items have tags from previous purchase, brand new. And when I do buy online, if it doesn't fit, I am always thrifty enough not to overspend and I donate to a lspecial education school.

[verdatum]

Huh...I have literally never returned an online purchase. I understand sizing can be awful, especially for women. But, that's why I buy clothes at brick & mortar stores when possible. It's not because I want to feel like I'm doing my part, I just don't want to bother returning things.

[csainphor]

With the amount of people in need in this world and no one ever thought to give these things to them.

[costumecrazy]

Though I agree individuals can help by limiting the amount we buy, but is this not much like the expectation of individuals stopping climate change when both the fault and the remedy lies with large corporations? I mean I know I look for a return policy when I need to make a minimum purchase for free shipping. And if the company is unwilling to take the time and money to put returned items back into their inventory aren't I as the consumer ultimately paying for that in inflated costs of items I do buy? I mean we know that it isn't the corporations taking the hit.

[davidlee]

Same thing with food. Ppl are starving and they throwing food away. All about profit. The best gift is $.

[tabbytalley]

Something else to consider... Some places like Old Navy only have their plus size & maternity clothes online, not in the store, so there's no way to try it on to see what fits except by ordering multiple sizes & returning the ones that don't fit.

[TMB]

How awful they couldn't even donate them to a shelter?

[Sekusamu]

I like the inclusion of a joke specifically targeted at Canadians. It is indeed true that in Canadian news and documentaries, measurements of volume are repeatedly compared to olympic-size swimming pools.

[Hallows]

I’ve never had particularly expensive tastes, and over the past decade and more my family has had to basically nag me for gift ideas. This year I decided to abide in absolute spades just to get them off my back, but eventually it gets to the point where you don’t need or want any more stuff. For me it’s really a of matter limited storage space and less free time than I used to have.

[naujaral]

thank you Miss Bee :) ye opening for sure, i was unaware of this happening and will do my best to ensure folks around me are aware to, what a literal waste of so much, time, effort, logistics, money etc to end up practically brand new in the land fill! Thank you for delivering all these topics with such a great sense of humor !!

[christopheb]

illustrates how money isnt real and we need to rethink the economy which includes environmental impact and life styles, quality of life