[eterm]

I think people really underestimate the value add from "easy, free returns" for clothes shopping.

I remember using ASOS 10 years ago and at that time most online retailers had poor returns policies. (Legally all must have a 14 day returns), but ASOS went further with free returns and even provided shipping labels and bags for returns with the original shipment.

I think my then girlfriend returned maybe 70% of everything ordered, it was just how it worked. You'd browse, impulse purchase then see how it looks and probably return it.

As a result they took almost all of her actual purchases. And because they provided shipping bags/labels/etc they no doubt reduced the turnaround time so they got stock back quicker and reduced the chance of lost or damaged stock they couldn't then sell on.

I don't know but I hope that most retailers have caught on and provide similar now.

[isoos]

My experience backs yours. While living in the Bay, my wife bought most of the clothes through Macy's online interface, and we brought them back to the stores (we kept more than 60%).

Moved out of the US, and we do miss the convenience of that kind of shopping, and would love to use similar services, even with premium.