Returning and re-buying an item due to lower price

66Mustang

A family member recently bought an item for £85, 3 days later it is now £65.

It's a large item  - over 1 meter by 50 cm by 50cm and quite heavy - around 10kg.

My relative is within their “right to return for any reason” window so they could send it back and buy it again.

However, putting aside the inconvenience - to both my family member & the vendor - I believe this is quite irresponsible when it comes to the environment as the item will have to be collected, taken back, and a new one shipped out. Ergo...Lots of emissions from vehicles.

It makes more sense for the seller just to credit my relative £20.

Surely it would also be cheaper for the vendor to do this, because the shipping costs are on them so it will cost them £20 plus 2 lots of shipping a large 10kg+ item. Probably in the region of £50 in total.

Has anyone been in this situation before?

66Mustang

Should have probably mentioned, they did ask for £20 and were told no.

Albus_Scope

If I bought an item and days later it was 20% cheaper by the same seller, with no advance warning of a price drop, I'd definitely be annoyed!  But I'd probably just grumble about it and not return it, as long as the item worked. 

66Mustang

@Albus_Scope I would, and have, done the same with an item from a physical shop - I just curse myself - but my point is that online, the buyer has a right to return for any (or even no) reason so they are encouraged to create unnecessary emissions when the seller could just redress the difference in price.

My guess is not enough people go to the effort of returning and re-buying so it's not worth them offering to do this?

Jimm_Scope

I can understand both sides, in a manner of speaking. It's very frustrating to buy something and then only a few days later it goes on sale. At the same time the company is within their rights to refuse a refund. That said, I have heard companies honour giving a refund if purchased just before a sale.

It is bad for the environment, and if the company does have it returned they usually cannot sell it as new and so either throw it out or have to sell it at a lower "refurbished" or "second-hand" price. Which honestly surprises me why they didn't just give them the £20.

66Mustang

@Charlie1973 that's a good idea

bg844

You find this often on Amazon and the annoying thing is that if you wish to return select items it now costs you a small fee (£2-3). In regards to your relative though, £20 is £20 for them to re-buy and return (I do note the environmental impacts but anything over £10 I would return).

THE_DUDE

This happened to me with a fire stick which cost me £64.99 then a day or so later it was half that price on sale. Really annoying but i just let it be.

Sandy_123

I don't blame them a 20 pound saving is a good chunk

rebel11

Is it a big retailer? 

If it is, write a complaint to the CEO, see if they can do a 'Goodwill' Refund as a one off. Mention the 'cost of living crisis' and that it would make a 'material' difference to them.