It seems like everyone has different return policies these days, and sometimes it can get downright confusing! Let me explain what is important to know, and what can send up red flags.
First, let me urge you to follow our number one rule before buying from anyone -- online or not -- make yourself aware of the return policy! I promise it is simple to do, and will save you tons of headache down the line. I feel the company you are purchasing from has an obligation to provide you products and good customer service. However, you as a customer also have an obligation to be aware of that company's policies before buying. Win-win.
Okay, now down to the components of a great return policy, and some warnings as well.
First, check out the length of the return period. 30 days to return is typical, however, sites with much better, longer return times exist. (Like us! Here at MrWatch you can return for 365 days -- that's right, a whole year!)
Then, look for the details regarding how you can return and what happens once your item can be returned. For example, find out if you can obtain a refund, or if exchanges are required. Also, find out if there are any qualifications you must meet before your item is returned.
I will admit it depends on the industry; however, you should be able to return an unworn, unused item for at least 30 days and obtain a refund. If you are not able to do that, this is a red flag. (Disclaimer: Some sites or products, for example, sites that sell Halloween costumes, do not provide refunds -- but this is understandable.)
However, it is reasonable that many sites, ours included, do not allow items to be returned once they are worn or used. What is the definition of worn or used then? Well, I can answer that for the watch industry. If you just try on your new watch, and decide that it is too heavy on your wrist, or you just don't like how it looks on your wrist -- promptly take it off and return it. That is not wear, and it perfectly understandable and acceptable.
If you take all of the tags and protective plastic coverings off the watch, and wear it for even a few hours, this constitutes wear. It makes sense, for after even a few hours a watch can become slightly scratched, etc and all honesty, it is now no longer a brand new watch.
What does that matter you ask? Many websites offer items at awesome low prices -- ours included! As a result, policies are generally in place to make sure those prices can remain as low as they are. Also, at least with our company, if we send customer returns back to the manufacturer, they must be in brand new, original condition. So, if you return a worn, used watch to us, we can't send it back to the manufacturer. Therefore, we would have to damage out that item -- which would raise our costs significantly, which would in turn, raise the prices on our items.
Whew! Okay, glad we explained that. Another policy you should be aware of is how the company handles problems with your order -- meaning, what do they do if you accidentally receive the wrong item, or the item you received is damaged or defective?
In this case, the right thing to do is for the company to take care of this for you right away, with the customer bearing no costs whatsoever. You should either already have or be provided with a prepaid return label to send the item back. Then, the correct or working item should be sent to you with no costs incurred by you, the customer. If a company you are dealing with has a policy where you incur costs at this stage, it is a red flag. (As you may have guessed, we at MrWatch take care of any situations like this ASAP and you are not responsible for any costs at all. We also provide a domestic prepaid return label in every shipment).
Okay, that was a lot of information -- but good information that hopefully helps you in the future. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below -- we want to hear from you!
Keep watching for our next post...........
