Here’s the setting for one of the biggest problem many retailers are dealing with in the modern world: return fraud. (There are a lot of internet businesses out there that don’t have a brick and mortar location for their customers to come and shop in, so their customers are behind screens, order confirmation numbers, and shipping labels.) Let’s say I am having a big party this year but I don’t really have the budget to throw the event of the year that I am dreaming of. I’m going to need all new table linens, a big fancy centerpiece, and a whole new outfit complete with all the accessories. So I’ll order a new dress, the most expensive one they have probably. I’ll need shoes, a handbag, and some jewelry. I’m going to go online and buy it all from small internet only dealers, and then the day after my big party I’m going to go online and request return labels for all of it. That’s right: I want a full refund and free shipping.
You may be saving money by not having the cost of overhead for a big building, but with people like me buying your best stuff and returning it, you’re not saving any money. You’re also not making any money if you allow this to happen on a regular basis. The practice of buying stuff without any intent of keeping it is called wardrobing. Many of those that engage in it don’t really believe they are committing return fraud. It’s one thing for a shopper to buy multiples of the same items in different sizes, and only keep the one that actually fits them. If you don’t have a store they can come try the stuff on, that’s their only safe option. The difference between the two returners is that the latter does not plan to use all of those garments. When they arrive back at your business address, they are still completely sellable. he stuff I bought from you will not be. There will be grease and wine stains on the linens, sweat stains on the dress, scuffs on the shoes, and crumbs down in that high dollar purse. You won’t get full price out of any of that stuff. Oh, and I don’t have to look you in the eye when I send it all back.
So they big question is how do you stop those like me, that commit wardrobing? The answer is actually simple, small in size, and bright red. It’s called an Alpha Shark Tag. Before you ship anything out your door, you can attach one to each item in the box. It clips right onto a garment, or can be attached via lanyard to a pair of shoes or purse. There is no damage to the item, and the customer can still try on the item with no interference. The tag is placed in a prominent area of the garment or accessory so that it cannot just be tucked in and hidden. The idea is that the customer will have to take a pair of household scissors and clip off the Alpha Shark Tag before they can wear or use the item. Once removed, they cannot reattach it. It would also be very obvious if they attempt to tamper with the tag, which should also render the item non-returnable. But, that would be clearly stated in the return policy you could attach with the Alpha Shark Tags. Wardrobing is a type of return fraud, and it can cost an online retailer more than the average store because of the costs of shipping. It’s hard to get return customers to an online only dealer if you don’t have a fair return policy, but it’s also hard to stay afloat if your policy is too lax and you have to deal with wardrobing.
For more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
