Does Zappos ever turn off the tap?

[Anonymous]

I hope not. I LOVE ordering from them. My DD and I have wide feet and the selection is not that good in stores and I just dont want to go from store to store trying on shoes anyway. This way I can select what I want, find out how reviewers rated the shoe and get them the next day. I return my fair share of stuff but I keep most of what I order.

[Anonymous]

I am a big returner on a number of websites. There is no possible way to know if something is going to fit just by looking at a picture or reading the reviews. I am not going to keep something I do not like or that does not fit just because a retailer may be miffed. The sites I order from regularly more than make up for any returns by what I do keep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a big returner on a number of websites. There is no possible way to know if something is going to fit just by looking at a picture or reading the reviews. I am not going to keep something I do not like or that does not fit just because a retailer may be miffed. The sites I order from regularly more than make up for any returns by what I do keep.

Probably not, but keep telling yourself that.

[Anonymous]

They mark up their prices so it probably works out given the number of expected returns plus mark up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a big returner on a number of websites. There is no possible way to know if something is going to fit just by looking at a picture or reading the reviews. I am not going to keep something I do not like or that does not fit just because a retailer may be miffed. The sites I order from regularly more than make up for any returns by what I do keep.

Probably not, but keep telling yourself that.

They would change their policies if it wasn't working for them.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. While I think we, as consumers, should keep things to a minimum to keep costs down, there is nothing wrong with returning as many items as necessary. This is how they get people to buy clothing and shoes from them. Do you think people would be so willing to purchase stuff without the ability to try it on if returning would be a huge hassle?

[Anonymous]

People order from Zappo's because they know they can order several pairs of shoes, try them on, and keep only the ones they want. Zappo's makes gazillions of dollars off of this business model. IF they didn't offer free shipping and free returns, they would not be nearly as successful. So no, I don't shed a tear for Zappo's when I return, which is often. They keep plenty of my money.

[Anonymous]

I'm a firm believer that Zappos business plan is to cater to people who are going to order a bunch of shoes and then return some, hence the free return policy. Their shoes are marked up more than other places, but they won me over with free returns. I have a horrible time finding shoes that fit and need time to try them on in peace (I hate shoe stores). Sure, I return a lot from Zappos, but I also buy a lot. And there is no way I'd buy my son's shoe's there if I couldn't return them.

Now there have been a few times I have had to return my entire order where I wondered if I would be cut off. Hasn't happened yet. Hopefully it won't. They still make good money off of me.

[Anonymous]

Guess what: they have a great contract with UPS or FedEx and your return costs them next to nothing compared to what they get if you actually buy something. Return away - they've accounted for it!

[Anonymous]

FBO wrote:I was under the impression that the free returns was part of their business model.

Me, too. I believe the cost of shipping (both ways) is already built into their prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't think they would ever revoke the free return shipping, that's part of their deal. There are probably more people like PP and myself who don't return things very often than there are people like you, so it evens out. I love Zappos.

Another poster you rarely returns. What is your deal OP? What's the point of ordering a bunch of stuff you then turn around and return. It's people like you who usually ruin it for the rest of us when the policies change and you can no longer return certain things or they make it a pain.

Easy, cranky!

I have a bunion on my right foot. as much as I read reviews, if it hits my foot poorly, it goes back. I don't think I'm ruining it for anyone else. God knows I give them enough of my money!

[Anonymous]

At the risk of being called an Angry Bird or cranky, I'm going to agree with the posters who say they will discontinue free returns if it's not profitable because of too many returns.

It may be their "business model" today. But it doesn't have to be their "business" model forever if it loses money. I don't think any of us knows *for sure" what some are saying here, that they've (a) marked up prices to account for the returns, or (b) have some deal with UPS or Fedex.

That said, I love them too so I'd be happy to evidence that this "business model" is actually profitable and isn't at risk of going away.

[Anonymous]

It's like insurance. A minority of people return a lot but that's counterbalanced by the many people who order things and don't return them. Plus they build the cost into their business model. How hard is that to understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like insurance. A minority of people return a lot but that's counterbalanced by the many people who order things and don't return them. Plus they build the cost into their business model. How hard is that to understand?

I'm saying that may be true, but posting it snottily on DCUM is different from proving it. Any proof for these assertions about profitability, deals with UPS and the rest? can read an annual report (can you?) but the proof of your assertions is on you, sweetie. How hard is that to understand?

[Anonymous]

*** I can read an annual statement...