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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be furious at how long it takes to get a refund?

133 replies

Misterectomy · 21/07/2021 15:52

I love the convenience of online shopping but am noticing that retailers are taking longer and longer to give refunds on stuff I return. (I usually order clothes in 2 sizes due to the vagaries of manufacture).

I’ve been waiting for refunds from 2 places since the end of June. One of them even made me pay to return the stuff!

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 16:50

@gogohm

Unfortunately people buying things in multiple sizes or styles when they don't have any intention of keeping it all is ruining online shopping for those of us who only occasionally return
That’s always how online shopping has worked. Confused Most of the time you don’t know what will fit, especially if you’re buying something like a bra.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/07/2021 16:51

Unfortunately people buying things in multiple sizes or styles when they don't have any intention of keeping it all is ruining online shopping for those of us who only occasionally return

How is it ruining it for you?

NotMyCat · 21/07/2021 16:51

This is why I use Klarna for online stuff mostly, don't have to pay unless you're keeping it

PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 16:51

How is me ordering one item of clothing which doesn’t fit and returning it worse than ordering two and keeping one of them?

Evianlife · 21/07/2021 16:52

I genuinely can't believe people think this is acceptable in this day and age. Are you all dinosaurs still shopping on the high street?

Of course they should have your refunds actioned promptly.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/07/2021 16:57

Of course they should have your refunds actioned promptly

Exactly, businesses who deliver fast and refund promptly are the ones who will stay in business.

bananapumpkin · 21/07/2021 17:01

@Evianlife

I genuinely can't believe people think this is acceptable in this day and age. Are you all dinosaurs still shopping on the high street?

Of course they should have your refunds actioned promptly.

To be honest I think it's more of a finance/budgeting thing. If it would bother me to be without the money for 3 weeks then I wouldn't feel I could afford it.
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 17:02

I always order multi sizes.

That’s what Klarna is for.

bananapumpkin · 21/07/2021 17:02

@PurpleDaisies

How is me ordering one item of clothing which doesn’t fit and returning it worse than ordering two and keeping one of them?
Those are the same - but (more than) half the time the size you order will be the right one, thus most of the time you won't need to return anything.
PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:02

@Evianlife

I genuinely can't believe people think this is acceptable in this day and age. Are you all dinosaurs still shopping on the high street?

Of course they should have your refunds actioned promptly.

I agree. There are some bizarre views about how businesses should conduct themselves and the realities of online shopping.

When all the changing rooms were closed, I’ve had to buy multiple sizes and return to physical shops. This has never been an issue. Online delivery isn’t exactly the same but I’ve never got the impression that buying two and returning one was a problem. It’s the customers who take the mickey by wearing an outfit out then returning it that are causing problems. Not ones expecting timely refunds and ordering a few sizes to get one that fits.

Bluetoybear · 21/07/2021 17:03

I have a small ebay business and you, my dear are my worst nightmare!! I list all my clothes with the correct manufacturer sizes and also put my own measurements in ie: width/length/sleeve, collar etc length. I still get idiots like you ordering 3+different sizes to try on! I have to pay for you to return the ones that don't fit!! I also get bad feedback when a size 16 woman can't fit into a size 12 & 14 jeans🤬.. Go to a shop where you can try on before you buy!!!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 17:03

Those are the same - but (more than) half the time the size you order will be the right one, thus most of the time you won't need to return anything

Not if you’re ordering different lengths.

PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:04

Those are the same - but (more than) half the time the size you order will be the right one, thus most of the time you won't need to return anything.

So the other half a time I will need to order a second size in a totally separate delivery. Then I’ll have the inconvenience of having to wait and potentially missing out on something I want if it goes out of stock.

pinkcircustop · 21/07/2021 17:04

@UrAWizHarry

Why shouldn't you pay? It's not like you are returning faulty goods, they just don't fit.
This.
PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:06

@Bluetoybear

I have a small ebay business and you, my dear are my worst nightmare!! I list all my clothes with the correct manufacturer sizes and also put my own measurements in ie: width/length/sleeve, collar etc length. I still get idiots like you ordering 3+different sizes to try on! I have to pay for you to return the ones that don't fit!! I also get bad feedback when a size 16 woman can't fit into a size 12 & 14 jeans🤬.. Go to a shop where you can try on before you buy!!!
Or people will just stop buying from you if you insult your customers like that.

You can’t dictate how people shop, unless you tell people ordering multiple sizes isn’t wanted. You’ll lose a lot of business that way.

Don’t you think you’re more likely to actually make a sale if people can try on a couple than if they are having to gamble that what they’ve ordered fits them?

bananapumpkin · 21/07/2021 17:06

@PurpleDaisies

Those are the same - but (more than) half the time the size you order will be the right one, thus most of the time you won't need to return anything.

So the other half a time I will need to order a second size in a totally separate delivery. Then I’ll have the inconvenience of having to wait and potentially missing out on something I want if it goes out of stock.

Indeed. Other posters are just pointing out - since it seems to have escaped you - that you are not the only person in the world, and so this behaviour is rather selfish of you. If you will miss out on the thing you want then clearly somebody is missing out on the thing you bought when you didn't want it.
PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:07

Other posters are just pointing out - since it seems to have escaped you - that you are not the only person in the world, and so this behaviour is rather selfish of you. If you will miss out on the thing you want then clearly somebody is missing out on the thing you bought when you didn't want it.

It will just be relisted on the site. Confused

bananapumpkin · 21/07/2021 17:08

Don’t you think you’re more likely to actually make a sale if people can try on a couple than if they are having to gamble that what they’ve ordered fits them?

What's the point of making a sale if you lose money on it because you have to pay for multiple sets of postage? You seem completely ignorant of the costs involved.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 17:12

I think it’s perfectly acceptable to order multi sizes and online retailers expect it. Otherwise why would it be on the returns note as a reason for return? This is why the likes of Next prefer people to have accounts.

Online is the future, not everyone wants to or can try on in actual store. If they wanted to do this, there would be no point in online shopping exists.

Klarna and the likes have developed to accommodate this.

PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:12

What's the point of making a sale if you lose money on it because you have to pay for multiple sets of postage? You seem completely ignorant of the costs involved.

That depends on the costs involved. Allowing for customers to shop in a realistic way when buying clothes should be part of your consideration in deciding how much to charge for the item/postage/return.

It would be fine to be upfront and say clearly on the site “do not order multiple sizes” or “returns cost ???” I wouldn’t shop there.

Italiandreams · 21/07/2021 17:13

Maybe if the sizes of clothes was more standardised this would be less of a problem. I wouldn’t be furious about how long refund takes but fail to see how returning clothes that don’t fit is an issue. Even within the same shop sizing hugely varies, if I want a new top I do not want to order it, wait for it to come find it doesn’t fit , wait for refund, order it again , or could take weeks to just get a new top! I understand that some people don’t play fair and return things that are worn etc but if I can’t return stuff I wouldn’t buy it and I’m know that is the same for many people . ( eBay is obviously different , I would factor the risk in when buying something then) .

gamerchick · 21/07/2021 17:16

Am I the only one who knows what size I am and what size to order in. I've never met a site that doesn't have a size chart. Do you lot just fluctuate by many inches often? Hmm

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/07/2021 17:18

No, we don’t fluctuate, sizes fluctuate even in the same store.

warmfluffytowels · 21/07/2021 17:19

@Italiandreams

Those complaining about the OP returning stuff, what would the alternative be? Sizes vary so much and many ships have not been letting people try things on, plus more and more are online only.
Of course she can return stuff, but why should the company have to cover the cost of postage for her to do so?
PurpleDaisies · 21/07/2021 17:19

@gamerchick

Am I the only one who knows what size I am and what size to order in. I've never met a site that doesn't have a size chart. Do you lot just fluctuate by many inches often? Hmm
I know what size I usually am. I don’t know how a particular top will be cut and if it will be flattering. I don’t know if a particular style of jeans will be tighter around the thighs or waist than usual. Some shops are shocking for their sizes not being consistent. H and M in particular. The size charts aren’t always reflective of what arrives.