DAVE MALKOFF:
00:00:24
Hassle-free online returns may be a thing of the past. Most major retailers are now charging customers to return items even if they're unopened and in perfect condition. Who wants to lose money, especially not in this time and in this economy. $850 billion. That's how much Americans will return to the stores this year. Nearly 20% of the stuff we buy online just ends up in the return pile. Return fee?
DAVE MALKOFF:
00:00:53
Macy's now charges $9.99 for mail-in returns. TJ Maxx and Marshalls charge $11.99. Other stores, including J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and Zara, all now charge fees between $4 and $8. It can now cost as much as $45 to return certain electronics at Best Buy. Amazon, too, has tightened its policy, charging some customers unless they use its box-free, in-person drop-off option. Merchants now are under tremendous amount of cost pressure. They're really trying to offset some of the costs that they face in returns by asking shoppers to share some of the burden.
DAVE MALKOFF:
00:01:34
David Sobie co-founded his company, Happy Returns, that uses these AI robots to help make returns easier. Is there any way to avoid these fees? Well, the best way to avoid them is just to read the retailer's return policy before you check out in the first place. OK, here is the good news. If you physically hop in your car and come down here to the mall, Major, most in-store returns are still free.
