Online fast-fashion giant Boohoo has introduced a major change to their returns policy that that will see all shoppers charged an extra £2.
Since May 4, the clothing retailer has been quietly charging shoppers a fee of £1.99 to return any items they have purchased, with the amount being reduced from their refund total. Boohoo has said the change to its returns policy is down to the rising cost of shipping. A spokesperson for the brand has said the fee has been introduced to offset the increasing shipping costs.
The new charge will affect all shoppers, including those using Buy Now, Pay Later schemes such as Klarna. The only exception will be premium members who pay £12.99 a year for unlimited delivery and free returns, reports The Retail Gazette.
Boohoo commented: "As the cost of shipping has increased, we've had to look at where we can adapt without compromising what our customers love most, the convenience of shopping with us and the great value that our brands offer.
"This has meant that we will be applying a charge of £1.99 to returns so that we can continue to offer great prices and products and do this in a more sustainable way."
The online fashion store's decision to implement a new fee for any returns has been met with some criticism from shoppers, with many venting their frustrations online. "You have to pay for boohoo returns now???? the fun is acc over", fumed one shopper.
"With such unpredictable sizing, Boohoo have the cheek to give a return cost LOL", vented a second.
"BooHoo you will never see a penny from again. About 1.99 to return items this is how you will end up in administration like your friends over at misguided.", said a third angry shopper. "Boohoo charging for returns?!?! Goodbye babes", commented a fourth shopper.
It comes after Spanish high-street retailer Zara also made headlines for introducing a similar fee earlier this year. The clothing store now charges a £1.95 fee for any for the return of any online bought goods to third party drop off points.
Uniqlo and Next have also introduced a similar change to their online policy after a boom in online shopping during the pandemic lead to an increase in returns. Retailers have said that the increase in returns has lead to higher costs for them.
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