From Investing.com:



Retailers are implementing new fees and tightening return windows for online purchases this holiday season, with about 40% of retailers charging for online returns, up from 31% last year. Amazon has shortened its holiday return window by three weeks, excluding items purchased during its early holiday season sale. Best Buy, Macy’s, and Marshalls are among the retailers introducing online return fees or fee hikes, while Staples has shortened its return window and Target and Walmart have extended electronics deadlines.

The trend of stricter return policies and increased fees is adding stress to holiday shopping, and consumers are advised to read the fine print and compare options before making purchases. The landscape of return policies is becoming more complex, and consumers need to be more vigilant to navigate the changes effectively. Some retailers like Macy’s and Marshalls have introduced fees for online returns, while others, like Staples and Walmart, have either shortened return windows or extended deadlines for certain items.

Overall, consumers are encouraged to be mindful of purchase decisions and plan for potential returns. Experts advise researching policies and utilizing in-store returns to avoid fees, and the continued focus on reducing return costs is likely to lead to stricter policies in future seasons.



Read more: Navigating the Maze of Holiday Return Policies By Quiver Quantitative