topic Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns in Customer Care

Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Lainie629 — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:44:28 GMT

Why are my items shipped to me with $3.50 shipping and handling yet the return labels charge me $6.95? Seems to be a clear profit of $3.45 to QVC on each package returned. I think I'm about done with clothing at QVC. Nothing is sized like it used to be and shipping/return fees are not making sense.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

SilleeMee — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:03:04 GMT

Returning merchandise is a losing business. No one makes a profit. Count yourself lucky that there is no restocking fee added to your return shipping charge.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Kachina624 — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:36:48 GMT

Try taking it to the post office yourself and see how much it costs you to ship and insure it. Almost nothing, even jewelry, can be sent for $6.95. QVC, due to the volume they send out, gets a bulk rate for their shipping.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

santorini — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 19:25:35 GMT

If you look at any of the financial reports posted here, you will see that they count on shipping costs as a source of income. They get a greatly reduced price for shipping and what they make from us is pure gravy for them.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Venezia — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:56:00 GMT

Given what it costs for packaging, employees to process the orders, actual shipping cost and then, if the item is returned, similar costs, I doubt that the S&H is "pure gravy" for QVC or any retailer these days.

The cost to ship even the smallest package now (with comparable insurance) is generally higher than what QVC charges. And a recent report listed all the retailers who are now going to charge customers for return shipping and often a restocking fee as well. It's quite a list of well-known brands.

Also, postage rates are increasing on July 9th. 4th increase in two years.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Venezia — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:58:11 GMT

@Lainie629 wrote:
Why are my items shipped to me with $3.50 shipping and handling yet the return labels charge me $6.95? Seems to be a clear profit of $3.45 to QVC on each package returned. I think I'm about done with clothing at QVC. Nothing is sized like it used to be and shipping/return fees are not making sense.

@Lainie629 - Because they're giving you a break on the original shipping.

However, they also offer free exhanges, if you just need to get something in a different size (or even color). If you return something, just because you don't like it, that's on you.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Catch71 — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:16:57 GMT

@Lainie629 wrote:
Why are my items shipped to me with $3.50 shipping and handling yet the return labels charge me $6.95? Seems to be a clear profit of $3.45 to QVC on each package returned. I think I'm about done with clothing at QVC. Nothing is sized like it used to be and shipping/return fees are not making sense.

Try returning it with your own postage; much more than $6.95 insusred with tracking. Postage rates are through the roof. Also, the initial shippng at 3.50 is shipping and handling. Actually pretty cheap compared to other sites.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

meem120 — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:22:06 GMT

Returns are shipping plus handling, I guess thats why!

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Sage04 — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:28:55 GMT

QVC gets a break on bulk shipping. We don't.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 17:16:45 GMT

@Lainie629 wrote:
Why are my items shipped to me with $3.50 shipping and handling yet the return labels charge me $6.95? Seems to be a clear profit of $3.45 to QVC on each package returned. I think I'm about done with clothing at QVC. Nothing is sized like it used to be and shipping/return fees are not making sense.

@Lainie629

It depends on the size and weight of the item, if you choose to pay for your own shipping.

The new USPS Ground Advantage also factors in how many miles the thing is going, as opposed to regions of the country.

Years ago, I returned a small square box with a pair of earring studs in it. I just couldn't stand to pay $6.95 to return them, so I printed a label on Paypal. It was First Class with tracking and it cost me $1.85!

Granted, I didn't insure the package, and postage rates have gone up since then a couple times, but it was a real eye opener.

I also stopped buying "heavy" things, just jewelry and makeup.

This wouldn't work for some, but it works for me.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Dazzlespaz1993 — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:48:03 GMT

They charged me for their mistake of the necklace not being adult sized and in all kinds of knots. She was like we are going to have to charge you though. Q is wrong for this. Just no good

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Cntrlcstgrl — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:26:04 GMT

I just got off the phone with Customer Service and am livid. I returned three items from one order. I could have used the return labels that came with them, would have been $6.95 per item, in separate boxes. I had planned to send them back in one box and pay upfront, but decided to check to see what it would cost if I did the return online. The shipping label came out at $6.95, absolutely no mention of any other return fees. If I had paid upfront, it probably would have been about $12.95, but I went ahead and used the online label. I was charged $6.95 for "their" label, plus $5.50 for each item in the box for a total of over $23.00. BEWARE! This is deceptive and not acceptable for them to be clear regarding the return charges. No more QVC returns using their labels from now on, I'll not only be very judicious about what I purchase, I will pay upfront for returns. Of course, even then you have to call CS to tell them after they received the item that you paid upfront and was charged the return shipping, and get it reversed. Every time.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

DJs mom — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:35:25 GMT

@Cntrlcstgrl the $5.50 per item is the original shipping fees to get the item to you. You do not get those fees refunded, unless the item was defective or somehow was QVC's error.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Catch71 — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:42:34 GMT

@Cntrlcstgrl wrote:
I just got off the phone with Customer Service and am livid. I returned three items from one order. I could have used the return labels that came with them, would have been $6.95 per item, in separate boxes. I had planned to send them back in one box and pay upfront, but decided to check to see what it would cost if I did the return online. The shipping label came out at $6.95, absolutely no mention of any other return fees. If I had paid upfront, it probably would have been about $12.95, but I went ahead and used the online label. I was charged $6.95 for "their" label, plus $5.50 for each item in the box for a total of over $23.00. BEWARE! This is deceptive and not acceptable for them to be clear regarding the return charges. No more QVC returns using their labels from now on, I'll not only be very judicious about what I purchase, I will pay upfront for returns. Of course, even then you have to call CS to tell them after they received the item that you paid upfront and was charged the return shipping, and get it reversed. Every time.

You never get the original shipping charge back, It is always deducted from your refund. You paid $5.50 shipping originally on each item; you do not get that back unless the items were defective. You pay shipping to get and shipping to return. Always been that way.

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

why again — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 05:03:56 GMT

Most companies look at returns as a loss but I don't believe qvc does because if you wanted to minimize returns to help the bottom line you would do everything to prevent them and that would be giving complete information when presenting items, make sure their website info is correct and complete. Standardize sizing, but qvc sizing for those who say they are qvc sizing is not the same. I would even be better if within a brand have standardize sizing. They would also have quaity control but they have none of that so they like the money returns bring in

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Squirrels Are Trash — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:22:52 GMT

According to an article on May 23 in the WSJ (giving you the details so that you can search if you have a subscription).

Essentially, returns are where they lose the most profit, so they are making them expensive and difficult intentionally:

"Retail returns are a big business for retailers, costing them an estimated $816 billion in lost revenue in 2022. In 2022, U.S. consumers returned 16.5% of their merchandise purchases, which is more than double the rate from 2019.

The average retail return rate is 16.4% for online sales and 16.5% for in-store purchases. In 2022, consumers returned $212 billion in merchandise from online sales and $603 billion from in-store sales."

Re: Shipping $$$$$ on returns

Rockycoast — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 18:23:49 GMT

Yet another reason why I seldom shop from QVC. They s uck at returns. I have had my own bad experience with their return department. Once was enough.

In complete contrast to QVC, Amazon is excellent when it comes to returns. Just returned an item this morning from Amazon. Went to our local UPS store. Gave the clerk the package with the printed out code. She took it, seal it, put on the return label and gave me my receipt and I was done. 30 seconds at the most. Within 2 hours I was refunded my purchase price and tax (No shipping charge) from Amazon. They are the best!