Buzz
Shopping online used to be a convenient and low-risk way to buy everything from clothes and accessories to electronics and home goods—especially when you could simply return unwanted items without paying extra. This allowed people to use their homes as personal fitting rooms or try out products before making a final decision. However, that era is fading as free returns become less common, replaced by customer-paid return shipping or restocking fees deducted from refunds.
While return fees aren’t entirely new, more and more retailers are adopting them. According to Happy Returns, a logistics firm, over 80% of retailers now charge for some form of return.
Return fees by retailers in 2024
Abercrombie: $7
Amazon: $1 for some UPS returns
Anthropologie: $5.95
Backcountry: $6.99
DSW: $8.50 (free for VIP Gold and VIP Elite members)
H&M: $5.99 (free for H&M members)
J.Crew: $7.50
Macy's: $9.99 (free for Star Rewards members)
Madewell: $7.50 (free for Madewell Insiders)
Nike: Varies by shipper (free for Nike members)
REI: $5.99
Wayfair: $4.99 or more
Zara: $3.95
Some top retailers, including Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Lululemon, still offer free returns on online orders. On the other hand, brands like Williams-Sonoma require customers to cover return shipping costs for certain purchases.
How to avoid return fees
The best strategy to avoid return fees is to reduce the chances of needing to return an item in the first place.
Make smarter purchase decisions
Do your research before making a purchase, read through return policies carefully, and avoid impulse buys. Don’t purchase items just because they’re on sale or to try them on if you’re not certain you’ll keep them. When shopping online, consider return fees as part of the total cost of your order.
Sign up for retailer loyalty or membership programs
As mentioned earlier, many retailers waive return shipping or restocking fees for members of their loyalty programs. Typically, you only need to create a free account and log in before making a purchase. Some programs offer additional rewards once you reach certain spending thresholds.
The downside? You’ll likely receive plenty of marketing and promotional emails. But that’s a small price to pay for the convenience of free returns and other benefits.
Return your items in-store
Many retailers that charge for online returns will let you return items for free in-store. If there’s a physical store near you, simply take your item there to avoid the return fee. Amazon returns, for example, can be made at Kohl's, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh locations.
Resell your items
If the return window has closed or the refund is significantly reduced by the return fee (as with low-cost items), consider reselling the item rather than returning it.
