Retailers Crack Down on Serial Returners This Holiday Season
Returns Gone Wild?
Holiday shopping is in full swing, but here’s a surprise: some major stores are getting tough on returns.
Big names like REI, Target, and Amazon are now tightening up their return policies, all to stop serial returners and cut down on fraud.
Return abuse is costing retailers billions, so they’re pushing back — and yes, that could mean a “no” to your next return if you’re a frequent offender.
So, what’s going on?
REI just announced a stricter return policy targeting those who abuse their famously flexible system. If you’re a serial returner with a habit of bringing back used or heavily worn items, you might find yourself banned from returns at REI. T
he company revealed that less than 0.02% of its members are causing the issue, averaging a whopping 79% return rate! Ouch.
It’s not just REI.
Amazon has started adding return fees on high-frequency return items, and Target can now refuse refunds they believe are fraudulent.
Hitha Herzog, a retail expert, explained it best on Good Morning America this week: “When customers return items, it costs the retailer money. To keep prices down for everyone else, they’re pushing back on those who misuse the system.”
Best Stores for Returns — and Some Wild Ones They’ve Accepted
Thankfully, not every store is tightening the reins.
Costco, for example, is famous for its “no questions asked” return policy, and Nordstrom has a legendary customer-first approach.
But fair warning: Even these generous stores may draw the line if you try to return something…unusual.
Speaking of wild returns, retailers have seen it all.
From used mattresses to ancient, worn-out shoes, people really do try returning anything!
One story out of Costco involves a customer who brought in a dead Christmas tree — in January — demanding a refund because it “died too soon.”
Another? Someone once returned an empty bottle of wine after deciding they didn’t like it…post-sipping.
This holiday season, it’s smart to know each store’s rules before you buy. With return fraud costing retailers over $100 billion last year, you might see some tougher policies popping up. So shop smart, keep your receipts, and maybe think twice about that post-holiday wardrobe swap.
