As the busy and stressful holiday season comes to an end, millions of consumers will soon be faced with the challenge of returning unwanted gifts. Retailers have become savvy in creating restrictive return policies, often with restocking fees that really eat into any refund. Grasping all of these charges are key to consumers seeking to dodge surprise fees.
Other major retailers who have recently established return fees include Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx, both of which now charge their customers $11.99 per returned package. Macy’s is close behind with a $9.99 return fee and JCPenney’s all-in return fee is $8. With a $7.50 fee, J. Crew provides the best deal of any of these retailers. Remarkably, both Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx take their return fee right out of the total refund.
Return Fees Vary by Retailer
These return fees set by these retailers are likely to impact a consumer’s purchasing journey. Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx, both of which employ the same long-game pricing tactic, have succeeded in increasing the overall cost of online returns to consumers. Starting at $11.99 per package, these fees can deter customers from making returns on any of the items they bought over the holiday season.
Macy’s charges $9.99 for returns, which is slightly more manageable but still imposes a cost on the consumer. JCPenney and J. Crew offer cheaper options as well, with their fees set at $8 and $7.50 respectively. This growing disparity in return fees shows how extra costs should be taken into account when making purchases online.
Consumers have embraced the convenience of online shopping to avoid crowds during the holiday rush. It’s important to factor in return fees when evaluating how much money you stand to save by making a purchase in-store. Since in-store customers can instantly bypass these possibly unexpected charges, they have a better customer experience.
Important Deadlines to Consider
If you sold retail during the prime holiday shopping months of November and December, listen up! Retailers such as Amazon and Walmart have given you a return extension on your purchases until January 31st. This longer time frame gives consumers the opportunity to thoughtfully consider their purchase decisions, rather than making quick decisions and risking buyer’s remorse.
