How to Reduce Online Shopping Returns: 9 Smart Strategies

Let's face it: returning online purchases is frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive. The average online shopper returns 30% of their purchases, wasting hours packaging items, printing labels, and making post office trips.

But it doesn't have to be this way. With the right strategies, you can cut your return rate by 80% or more, saving significant time and money while reducing environmental impact.

Why Reducing Returns Matters

Before diving into strategies, let's understand what's at stake:

Save Money

Every return costs you:

Return shipping: $5-$15 per package (if not free)
Restocking fees: Some retailers charge 10-20%
Time value: Your time is worth money
Opportunity cost: Missed occasions when items don't arrive in time

Frequent returners can lose hundreds of dollars annually to return-related costs.

Environmental Impact

Fashion returns create massive environmental waste:

Items shipped twice (to you, back to warehouse)
Carbon emissions from additional transportation
Packaging waste
Many returned items end up in landfills

Online returns generate 5 billion pounds of landfill waste annually in the US alone.

Time Savings

The average return process takes:

10 minutes initiating the return online
15 minutes packaging items
20+ minutes driving to/from drop-off location

Multiple returns per month = hours wasted that you'll never get back.

Build Sustainable Shopping Habits

Reducing returns trains you to make thoughtful, intentional purchases rather than impulsive buying with the assumption you'll "just return it."

Strategy 1: Use Virtual Try-On Before Buying

This is the single most effective strategy - and it's now easier than ever.

Most Effective Method

Virtual try-on technology lets you see clothes on YOUR body before purchasing. Studies show it reduces returns by 40-60% because you know what fits before ordering.

How It Prevents Fit-Related Returns

Since 57% of clothing returns are due to fit issues, eliminating fit uncertainty dramatically reduces returns. Virtual try-on shows:

Exactly how garments will look on your body type
Whether lengths and proportions work for your frame
If the style flatters your shape

TryFit Success Story

Users report transformative results:

"I used to return 4-5 items monthly. Since using TryFit, I return maybe 1 item every few months. The difference is night and day." - Maria P., Seattle

"Virtual try-on paid for itself in saved return shipping costs within two weeks." - David K., Boston

Try TryFit's free virtual try-on tool - upload your photo and instantly see how clothes will look on you before buying.

Strategy 2: Research Products Thoroughly

Spend 5 extra minutes researching before buying, save hours on returns later.

Reading Detailed Descriptions

Product descriptions contain crucial information:

Exact fabric composition
Care instructions that hint at durability
Fit notes ("runs small," "relaxed fit," etc.)
Measurements for each size

Don't skim - read completely.

Checking Specifications

Look beyond photos at:

Garment length measurements
Fabric weight (lightweight vs heavy)
Stretch percentage
Country of manufacture (sizing varies)

Watching Video Reviews

Video reviews show:

How clothes move and drape
True colors in different lighting
Actual sizing on real people
Details photos might hide

YouTube and TikTok are goldmines for honest product reviews.

Strategy 3: Leverage Customer Reviews Wisely

Customer reviews are incredibly valuable - if you use them correctly.

Filtering Reviews by Body Type

Many sites let you filter reviews by:

Height
Weight
Age
Body type

Find reviewers similar to you and see what size they ordered and how it fit.

Looking for Fit Keywords

Scan for phrases like:

"Runs true to size"
"Runs small, size up"
"Runs large, size down"
"Tight in shoulders"
"Long in arms"

Identifying Pattern Complaints

One negative review might be an outlier. If 20% of reviews mention "cheap fabric" or "awkward fit," take it seriously.

Strategy 4: Know Your Exact Measurements

Guessing your size leads to returns. Knowing your measurements leads to confidence.

Measurement Guide

Invest 10 minutes measuring yourself:

Bust: Around fullest part
Waist: Around natural waistline
Hips: Around fullest part
Inseam: Inside leg, crotch to ankle
Shoulders: Across back, shoulder point to point

Save these in your phone's notes app.

Update Measurements Seasonally

Bodies change. Re-measure every 3-6 months to keep data accurate.

Keep a Measurement Card

Some shoppers keep a small card in their wallet with measurements for quick reference while shopping.

Strategy 5: Understand Retailer Return Policies

Know before you buy - return policies vary dramatically.

Read Fine Print Before Buying

Check:

Return window: 30, 60, or 90 days?
Return shipping: Free or paid?
Restocking fees: Some charge 10-20%
Final sale items: No returns allowed
Opened items: Some prohibit returns if tags removed

Avoid Retailers with Restocking Fees

Unless you're very confident, skip retailers that charge restocking fees. The risk isn't worth it.

Know Time Limits

Don't procrastinate returns. Missing return windows means you're stuck with unwanted items.

Strategy 6: Use Wish Lists and Wait 24 Hours

Combat impulse buying with intentional delays.

Combat Impulse Buying

Add items to your cart or wish list instead of immediately buying. Come back in 24 hours. You'll be surprised how often you no longer want the item.

Sleep on Decisions

The "sleep on it" rule works. Emotional excitement fades, revealing whether you truly want/need an item.

Reduce Emotional Purchases

Most returns result from emotional or impulsive purchases that don't align with actual needs or style.

Strategy 7: Shop from Brands You Know

Stick with brands that consistently fit your body type.

Building Brand Loyalty Based on Fit

Once you find brands that fit well, prioritize them for future purchases. Create a "brands that fit me" list:

Everlane: True to size, good for my build
Levi's: Order one size up in jeans
Uniqlo: Runs small, size up

Creating a Personal "Fit Database"

Keep notes after each purchase:

Brand, item type, size ordered, fit outcome
Special notes (e.g., "sleeves too long")

This becomes your personal shopping guide.

Trying New Brands Cautiously

When trying new brands:

Start with one item, not a full wardrobe
Choose basic items with easier fit (t-shirts vs. tailored blazers)
Use virtual try-on first

Strategy 8: Pay Attention to Fabric Content

Fabric composition determines how forgiving a garment will be.

How Fabric Affects Fit

No stretch (0% spandex): Unforgiving, must fit perfectly
Slight stretch (2-5% spandex): Some forgiveness
Stretchy (10%+ spandex): Very forgiving, can size down

Stretch vs Non-Stretch

Between sizes and unsure?

Stretchy fabrics: Size down
Non-stretch fabrics: Size up

Care Instructions Impact

Fabrics that shrink (100% cotton) should be ordered larger. Pre-shrunk or synthetic blends maintain size better.

Strategy 9: Contact Customer Service When Unsure

Use retailer expertise to your advantage.

Pre-Purchase Questions to Ask

Before buying, message customer service:

"I'm [height] and [weight] - what size do you recommend?"
"How does this compare to [similar item] in fit?"
"Does this fabric have stretch?"
"Can you provide the shoulder width for size Medium?"

Getting Expert Sizing Advice

Customer service teams often have internal fit guides and expertise you can tap into.

Requesting Additional Photos

Ask for photos from different angles or close-ups of specific details. Many teams will provide these.

The ROI of Smart Online Shopping

Let's calculate actual savings:

Calculate Return Costs Saved

Before smart shopping:

10 purchases/month
3 returns/month
$10 avg return shipping cost
Monthly cost: $30
Annual cost: $360

After implementing strategies:

10 purchases/month
0.5 returns/month (using virtual try-on)
$10 avg return shipping cost
Monthly cost: $5
Annual cost: $60

Annual savings: $300+

Time Saved Annually

Each return takes ~45 minutes. Reducing from 36 returns/year to 6 returns/year saves:

30 returns × 45 minutes = 22.5 hours saved
That's nearly 3 full workdays!

Environmental Impact Reduction

By reducing returns 80%, you personally prevent:

Hundreds of pounds of CO2 emissions
Significant packaging waste
Items from potentially ending in landfills

Tools and Apps to Help Reduce Returns

Technology makes smart shopping easier:

Virtual Try-On Apps

TryFit (featured): See clothes on your body before buying. Works with any retailer. Try free.

Size Comparison Tools

Apps like SizeCharter compare sizing across brands based on your measurements.

Review Aggregators

Tools that compile reviews from multiple sources to give you complete picture of product quality.

Conclusion

You don't have to accept a 30% return rate as normal. By implementing these 9 strategies - especially virtual try-on technology - you can dramatically reduce returns while enjoying better purchases that actually work for you.

The time, money, and frustration you'll save compounds quickly. Plus, you'll reduce environmental impact and develop better shopping habits.

Start today: Try TryFit's virtual fitting room free and experience the difference of seeing clothes on YOUR body before you buy. Transform your online shopping from a guessing game into a confident, successful experience.

Learn more in our related guides:

How to Reduce Online Shopping Returns: 9 Strategies That Work