Returns happen. Returns happen all year long, but we’re all more conscious of it after the holiday season. And as an NCP panel member, do you know what to do about them?
Tell us about your experience with returning purchases in the comments section toward the bottom of the page.
Each year, the return of items purchased over the holiday period usually peaks on a single day, which has been dubbed National Returns Day. This year that date was January 2.
However, this year UPS forecasted a shift from a single National Returns Day into National Returns Week, due at least in part to the pandemic.
While National Returns Day frequently reports the highest spike of returned packages in the year, UPS predicted that 2021 will see five days in a row of peak returns. For the week of Jan 4th, UPS expected that 1.75 million packages will be received into the UPS system each day, amounting to 8.75 million and a volume increase of 23% compared with last year’s holiday season.
According to invespcro.com, at least 30% of all products ordered online are sent back, compared with 8.9% in brick-and-mortar stores.
What’s Most Frequently Returned?
Now what are most frequently returned online product categories? According to magnetoitsolutions.com,
- 56% Clothing/shoes
- 42% Electronics
- 30% Accessories/Jewelry
- 22% Health and beauty
- 21% Entertainment
Why Are Purchases Most Often Returned?
Most common reasons people send back purchases, as per magnetoitsolutions.com:
- Defective/poor quality
- Bought wrong item
- Buyer’s remorse
- Found better price elsewhere
- Wrong size
- Return fraud
- Item didn’t match description
- Item delivered late
What Do You Do With A Return?
If you send back a purchase, you won’t be able to tell us using the scanner or the NCPMobile App. But you can tell us if you purchase a replacement item! So, please remember to scan the new item to let us know. Easy peasy!
I hope you have a great week!
Best Regards,
Taylor
Also see:
Getting Online Deliveries? (April 10, 2020)
Amazing! Your blog was absolutely fantastic! Large amount of great information
I have returned items recently that I purchased online! I contacted the company to tell them what I want to return & the reason! I have the option to drop it off at the Ups store or have it picked up! I chose to have it picked up! They even bring the label and my refund was back in my account immediately!
If I have a return from a holiday purchase, I’ve always tried to wait a week after to return. Didn’t like standing in the long lines.
As long as you have the receipt, a return is a piece of cake! If not, most stores will give an in-store credit.
I love this better way of transmitting items using my phone. It goes alot quicker than when I used my laptop. After the switch, it’s just taking me time to remember the new scanning steps.
I bought my boyfriend some of his Christmas gifts on Amazon. He didn’t need one of the items. Usually I would shudder with the thought of making a Christmas return, but Amazon really makes it easy. I went online to my Amazon account,, requested to return the item, and was provided a scan code.. I then went to my local Kohls, which has an Amazon return desk, they scanned the code and they took care of everything. What a pleasant experience!!
I normally do not return anything. My friends and family know I would rather receive experiences instead of physical items. If I do have to return an item I have found it rather easy. Most places will take back the item and give a store credit if you do not have a receipt. This works for me usually since I can find something else to use the credit on especially if the store carries groceries as well.
I have no problems with returns because I deal only with reputable merchants.