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That must be an American thing. Here in EU an online seller must give a full refund for any item returned within a few weeks.

zzleeper 8y ago
Is there a reason for that? Here (US) a lot of people buy stuff on a whim and when they decide they don't like it, they just return it, as Amazon usually doesn't charge anything. I always though that as a huge cost that ends up being passed on to people who don't buy+return stuff on impulse.
- user5994461 8y ago
  See https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/gua...
- halfdeadcat 8y ago
  This is a risk Amazon assumes, by offering products that customers cannot see in-person before purchasing. There is no substitute for actually handling the product, and Amazon can't exist if people are reluctant to purchase items for this reason. While returns may cost Amazon, they are essential to convincing customers it's ok to by unseen merchandise. Think Zappos (also an Amazon company).
- Tomte 8y ago
  Sure. Since the customer cannot inspect the item, as he could in a store, the legislative decided that the next best way to let him inspect what he's getting is free returning. It got a bit less attractive a few years ago, now the seller doesn't have to pay the postage if the item is less than 40 Euros (and some minor otehr requirements).
- dingaling 8y ago
  I often see that with reviews by US photographers who will order several copies of a lens to test and return all except the best copy. To eliminate sample variation. Or order several different types of camera bag to try, and keep one. To a UK reader that sort of generosity seems completely contrary to the way US companies are usually run and I'm not surprised they're tightening the rules.
gist 8y ago
You do realize that policies like that insure that everyone ends up paying for someone's mistake or issue. The vendor (whether the seller or manufacturer) will calculate that when coming up with prices for what they sell. Let's use airline fares as an example. If you allow people to cancel at any time for any reason (and for example to not show up) then the airline can't sell as many seats but has the same costs. As a result they would (in theory) have to charge a higher price for seats on the plane. My point is that while on the surface this looks like it comes out of the businesses profit in actual practice it doesn't. As a matter of fact there is a pretty widespread business practice whereby you allow people to buy and return for any reason if they are not happy 'NO QUESTIONS ASKED!' and you simply jack up the price of the product to account for the returns (which are predictable because it's the same product).
lysp 8y ago
In Australia, you can get full refund if product is faulty or not as described. But there isn't any legal requirement for a full refund if you simply change your mind. That's up to the store. Some still refund, some offer store credit and some have a restocking fee. For special order items which are expensive, not sold that often and need to be ordered in as needed from supplier - they are more likely to have a restocking fee.

zzleeper 8y ago

Is there a reason for that? Here (US) a lot of people buy stuff on a whim and when they decide they don't like it, they just return it, as Amazon usually doesn't charge anything. I always though that as a huge cost that ends up being passed on to people who don't buy+return stuff on impulse.

user5994461 8y ago
See https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/gua...
halfdeadcat 8y ago
This is a risk Amazon assumes, by offering products that customers cannot see in-person before purchasing. There is no substitute for actually handling the product, and Amazon can't exist if people are reluctant to purchase items for this reason. While returns may cost Amazon, they are essential to convincing customers it's ok to by unseen merchandise. Think Zappos (also an Amazon company).
Tomte 8y ago
Sure. Since the customer cannot inspect the item, as he could in a store, the legislative decided that the next best way to let him inspect what he's getting is free returning. It got a bit less attractive a few years ago, now the seller doesn't have to pay the postage if the item is less than 40 Euros (and some minor otehr requirements).
dingaling 8y ago
I often see that with reviews by US photographers who will order several copies of a lens to test and return all except the best copy. To eliminate sample variation. Or order several different types of camera bag to try, and keep one. To a UK reader that sort of generosity seems completely contrary to the way US companies are usually run and I'm not surprised they're tightening the rules.

gist 8y ago

You do realize that policies like that insure that everyone ends up paying for someone's mistake or issue. The vendor (whether the seller or manufacturer) will calculate that when coming up with prices for what they sell. Let's use airline fares as an example. If you allow people to cancel at any time for any reason (and for example to not show up) then the airline can't sell as many seats but has the same costs. As a result they would (in theory) have to charge a higher price for seats on the plane. My point is that while on the surface this looks like it comes out of the businesses profit in actual practice it doesn't. As a matter of fact there is a pretty widespread business practice whereby you allow people to buy and return for any reason if they are not happy 'NO QUESTIONS ASKED!' and you simply jack up the price of the product to account for the returns (which are predictable because it's the same product).

lysp 8y ago

In Australia, you can get full refund if product is faulty or not as described. But there isn't any legal requirement for a full refund if you simply change your mind. That's up to the store. Some still refund, some offer store credit and some have a restocking fee. For special order items which are expensive, not sold that often and need to be ordered in as needed from supplier - they are more likely to have a restocking fee.