How do you keep track of online returns and deadlines?

[JoJo12345678]

How do you guys manage online returns? I order a lot every month and I struggle to keep track of all the items that I need to return. I've also noticed that a lot of online retailers have started changing their returns policies and I got caught out a few too many times. Setting up reminders on my phone and filling out spreadsheets takes up too much time and tbh I forget to do it half the time. Any suggestions?

Why are you ordering so much which needs returning?!

I don’t find it hard to keep on top of at all, as I keep most of what I order so I just package up what I don’t want (usually same day as it arrives) and leave it by the front door so I remember to take it to the post office/locker next time I go out.

Can you open everything and decide that day what to keep and package up what you want to return? Then even if it takes a few days to remember to post it it will still be well within the return window.

order less? I genuinely don’t know when I last did a return. Returns have an awful environment impact, most returned items arent resold.

Just buy less stuff, and only buy something when you're pretty certain it's the right thing.

How much are you ordering that you need a spreadsheet to track returns?!

This is a non-issue for at least 99% of people

I flag order confirmation emails and then unflag them when the product arrives. I decide when the order arrives if I want to return it or not, and then put it by the front door to remind me to take it out the next time that is convenient, which is usually within a few days of it going there.

I suppose I could keep the email flagged until I've completed the return, but I have maybe 10 returns a year (and probably actually less) so this isn't actually something I've had to put much mental energy into keeping track of.

Stop ordering so much stuff you don’t want or need? I can only think of one online return I’ve done in the last several years and it was a home item from Amazon that was dispatched in the wrong colour. I was deeply annoyed at having to trudge to the post office on my lunch break.

But if you won’t / can’t do that, my best suggestion is a spreadsheet with a column for return date and then a countdown formula. We do that at work for deadlines and domain expiries.

I'm nearly 60 and haven't returned anything that wasn't faulty, it sounds horrendous. Why do you buy stuff you don't want?

I have a couple of pages in the back of my diary where I note what I’ve returned, whether it’s been confirmed as received, and finally when the money’s gone back into my bank account.

I return maybe one or two items a month at most (mainly clothes for me or DC that don’t fit right), so not too much to keep track of.

What are you ordering and returning? Awful wannabe influencers doing this to flog hauls and returning it, are why they are clamping down on returns.

I don’t order huge amounts but for anything waiting to be delivered I have a section in my Notes app on iPhone then tick it off when it’s arrived (some weeks there’s nothing on there), handy near Christmas when ordering presents, then if something arrives I try it as soon as I get in from work and return it the next day so it’s not hanging around as there’s a shop near work that takes most things back delivery wise.

I pack up an item, fill in the online return form and leave the parcel by the front door on the day/next day after receiving it.

When I was doing multiple Vinted parcels I stuck Post Its on the parcels with the item and shipping company. Again, the day or next day after sale.

You may want to spread out your purchases or, longer term, have a think about what or why you're buying lots of things.

I order a fair bit as I'm not stock size and can't shop on the high street. I make a note on my phone of what's coming...and I always return it within a couple of days.
Don't have a problem.

I’m sure this post is fake as this has been done before.

Honestly I never order so much that I can’t just leave it on the side in the kitchen to return. When I need to return it I take it on my next free time when the post office or wherever I need to return it is open.

If you’re just ordering for you you need to take a hard look at your shopping habits. Are you addicted to shopping?

I know straight away if I want to keep something, I don't need 30 days to decide. So I'm not going to be returning it on day 29.

If you have time to order loads of things then you have time to have lists / spreadsheets. If you don’t then order less. It’s really bad for the environment.

I try stuff on the day it arrives then return anything I don't want the following day.

Stop ordering so much shite!