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

[Misterectomy]

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!

Distance selling regulations means you either have to pay for delivery or pay for returns.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Distance selling regulations means you either have to pay for delivery or pay for returns.

My last order from Sweaty Betty which arrived today had free delivery and returns. How do you explain that?

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

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

So get the tape measure out and use the size chart. It's easy to measure yourself.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Distance selling regulations means you either have to pay for delivery or pay for returns.

Here you go…

Shoes are the worst for me,in Clarks I am anything from 6.5 and and 8in the same bloody shop!!!

Clothes- depends on the shop/ style/ material. I've ordered a pair of culottes from Seasalt,they were lovely so ordered another pair, same style but different colour- they were completely different , didn't fit and looked crap

Sizes aren't standard, I'm shopping for my mum at the moment as she can't get out, she's a 10-12 , I end up taking half of it back!

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

So get the tape measure out and use the size chart. It's easy to measure yourself.

@gamerchick Did you literally not bother to read that post? Sizes aren’t standard across the same shop so the size chart isn’t always helpful. Especially if you’ve got a larger bust measurement in proportion to your waist snd are across what size looks like it would fit best.

I always look at the size guide, but even so, the variables are extreme. Some shops are generous, others skimpy. I’ve ordered things in the same size from the same store and they’re actually very different.

I recently ordered a dress, checked the size guide and ordered the correct size for my measurements. It’s OK but a bit snug.

It’s a bit of a lottery I reckon.

A consortium of sellers are investing heavily in software to assist with visualisation of actual pieces on your measurements. Hopefully the rando size lottery will be a distant memory in years to come

Ds ordered a suit jacket the other day in a 38inch, it was comically big at least 10 inches bigger despite the label saying 38. Sometimes to fulfil an order any old label is shoved on an item of clothing .

@PurpleDaisies.. This is how it works!

A customer ordered 3 x tops (manufacturer sizes and my own measurements put on listing.)
3 x Tops at 6.99 each postage included.. I pay 3.00 postage to send them out and use new packing ie:plastic envelopes /bubble wrap ect(which I don't charge for) nothing at all wrong with tops only the customer does not realise she is not a size 12 or 14!
3 x 6.99 =20.97 less 3.00 postage=17.97
Buyer send 2 tops back =13.98 to refund customer and I have to pay return postage which ie 3.00 =16.98
17.97_
16.98
Work out how much profit I get after buying the top in the first place! Its a nightmare!

Is not just the size is it? It's also whether it suits you or the colour is right. Both things you'd know if you'd tried on in person.

@LizzieMacQueen..maybe best try it on in a shop then and not order multiple items from business's especially small businesses!

It sounds like you can’t afford to offer free postage under a certain order amount, or you can’t afford free refunds.

I don’t think it’s realistic to expect customers to not to order multiple sizes (unless you’re an eBay or marketplace type seller which I think is different). At least this customer kept one top out of three instead of returning the only top they’d ordered when they didn’t like the fit.

Does every item people order in their size look good on them even if it does technically “fit”? I’ve tried plenty on in shops that fit but aren’t flattering.

Bluetoybear, you are only responsible for either postage out or returns, not both.

However, people need to order multi sizes. All the measurements in the world are not going to show me what size looks best. I can only look in the mirror. Maybe you need to raise your prices to accommodate what is really quite a normal shopping procedure.

I don’t ever really look at size charts, they just cover the technical details. The aesthetics come from actually trying it on.

Oh I'm talking about John Lewis, not small businesses. Cannot try on whilst changing rooms are shut. My daughter suggested buying, trying on in the toilets then returning but that wouldn't work for me.

Anyway, this thread is not about me but I do recognise the problem.

Have you seen how many shops have gone online only this year? And how many did not let you try on clothes as dressing rooms were closed. If all did not let you return they would lose a lot of custom. Not saying they should lose money but surely that should be built into the business model.

@LizzieMacQueen..maybe best try it on in a shop then and not order multiple items from business's especially small businesses!

But then why have an online shop? People order online as they don’t want to go out and try things on. You’re shooting yourself in the foot!

Reminds me of my Oh who is a painter and decorator.. A customer bought her own paint (no input from oh on colour or brand etc.. Gloss paint suitable for this kind of job), oh put customers paint on garage.. Made a great job of it (sanded down..oh's own undercoat put on and customer's own chosen paint put on, and customer moaned about she didn't like the colour! Expected oh to redo it free of charge.. Mental!

People like you who order multiple sizes, to return half their order are the reason companies take longer with refunds. I'm not saying that you're wrong in what you're doing, but so many people do it nowadays, they've just got too many refunds to process that it does take extra time.

@Bluetoybear that's not comparable at all.

@PurpleDaisies..on ebay you have to offer free returns otherwise customers damage goods and say thay arrived damaged as that's a return paid for by law!.. You also have to keep your cost low ie:free delivery to attract customers when you are a small business.. You can't compete with the big companies

I think sizing is very variable nowadays. I have some jeggings from next which fit well, I bought a different style of jeggings in the same size and they were too tight! I can understand people who order two sizes.

It annoys me the time it takes to get a refund. They are quick enough to take the money from the customer.

With sizing
I have two dresses of a similar style and both fit me
ASOS standard range, size 14
ASOS curve range (I guessed this might be more generously cut maybe) size 24

I mean WTAF (I'm actually a 16...)

@Bluetoybear

Reminds me of my Oh who is a painter and decorator.. A customer bought her own paint (no input from oh on colour or brand etc.. Gloss paint suitable for this kind of job), oh put customers paint on garage.. Made a great job of it (sanded down..oh's own undercoat put on and customer's own chosen paint put on, and customer moaned about she didn't like the colour! Expected oh to redo it free of charge.. Mental!

That’s not at all the same.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow...
I don’t ever really look at size charts, they just cover the technical details. The aesthetics come from actually trying it on.

YOU ARE MY BUYER FROM BLOODY HELL!