Online shopping return costs!

[Bushi]

How frustrated am I? I have taken delivery of magnetic wraps from Premier Equine. My horse is within the size guide but they are too small. They were very helpful in discussing the issue, I sent photos for them to see, but the upshot is that they consider the wraps too small and think that the next size up may be too big. We got in to conversations about measuring her legs and retuning the wraps to try the next size but they were utterly unmoved when I suggested I wasn't happy to suffer the return costs, especially as the next size may also be wrong.

To be honest I feel the the velcro straps were too short as they don't cover the fixing area just wrapped up in the box without a horses leg inside and only just reached the tapes once on the horse. Whist they were polite and sympathetic they have stuck to their guns about the sizing guide only being 'a guide' and that their returns policy is clear. All true but whilst it cost them less than £5 to send to me, insured it is costing me £8.50 to send back so I am not taking the risk of having another size sent.

This isn't the first time this has happened to me but I think I will be very reluctant to buy anything with a potential size issue online again. There is certainly no cost saving once you factor in return postage. If anyone knows of suppliers who have free returns for genuine size issues please let me know.

 

[benz]

I have had a similar problem with premier equine sizing - it was over reach boots. Horse had a pair of size Ls which were fine for the heel but we wanted something longer to cover the shoe fully so I ordered a pair of XLs and while they are longer, the circumference is shorter and actually the Velcro only just about reaches so they are not secure. I think they are cheaply made which is why they say sizing is a 'guide', very disappointed and won't be buying from them again

 

[poiuytrewq]

It really is annoying! My daughter recently purchased some boots online which didnt fit even though the calf measurements were given. Turns out they were from Germany and cost £39 to return- Not happy!

 

[DD265]

That return cost seems excessive, how are you sending them? You could ask whether they can arrange a courier to collect them any cheaper.

Bear in mind that you have no right to return if you make a purchase in store so always check the returns policy if you think you may need to return something. For online shopping, most saddleries have been happy to take measurements for me if requested.

ETA - I don't know of any equine retailer who offers free return postage. I know a few that looked into it but it was hard to make it work; they tend to have much lower return rates than human clothing shops for example, so it's not as cost effective for say 100 returns a day vs 10000.