OP - I do the same thing. Every 3 months or so I go on a buying spree at Zappos and return all but 1 or 2 pair. I buy all my kids shoes from Zappos. I have to buy 3 different sizes for them because I don't know how much their feet have grown and each brand is sized differently. I've recently started buying clothing from Zappos for myself, and return all but one or 2 items. I hate shopping in stores. If Zappos blacklisted me I'd be crushed..

OP, this is what I always do when i order shoes on-line. I always thought that was the idea in Zappos with free shipment and free returns, that you can try them at home and then return back. I order sometimes the same shoes in 2 sizes. I ordered once 9 pairs of nude sandals and kept only one (I wasn't sure which style/color would look better on me). I don't hold on them and return back within a week/two.

I got a warning email from Sephora saying that I made too many returns and was going to get banned for returning items. I purchase makeup online so it is hard to tell colors, textures, smell, etc.

Whatever, I just don't buy as much from Sephora online anymore except during their sales and only for replacing staples.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well sure, returning damaged goods, saying things were returned that weren't in the box--fraud--surely even Zappos ferrets out and bans these people. But someone who buys shipment, after shipment, and then after months finally gets around to returning half of it, both Zappos and the credit card companies pursue this sort of shopper. Much more valuable than the person who buys exactly what they need once a year.

I would say that most shoppers who do this, like me, return the unwanted items very quickly. Why would I want to have hundreds of dollars on my credit card? I send it back within a few days. But that's partly because I don't want my husband to freak, lol.

I hear you, but OP said she likes to consolidate the returns across multiple orders. There is a reason they offer a long return window, it encourages customers to hold on and forget about things, or at the very least it allows the merchant to control the funds longer. Cash management is a very really consideration for a company like Zappos. Even more so for the CC company.

Anonymous wrote:Well sure, returning damaged goods, saying things were returned that weren't in the box--fraud--surely even Zappos ferrets out and bans these people. But someone who buys shipment, after shipment, and then after months finally gets around to returning half of it, both Zappos and the credit card companies pursue this sort of shopper. Much more valuable than the person who buys exactly what they need once a year.

I would say that most shoppers who do this, like me, return the unwanted items very quickly. Why would I want to have hundreds of dollars on my credit card? I send it back within a few days. But that's partly because I don't want my husband to freak, lol.

Anonymous wrote:I also came here to weigh in about Amazon wardrobe. I find Amazon's search function to be lacking, so I'll use Zappos and/or 6p.m. to find what I want, then look up the item description on Amazon. Most of the zappos and 6 pm items on Amazon are available for Prime Wardrobe. I love this service for kids shoes, my work shoes, swimwear, etc. and I like the additional discount for multiple items.

So odd that customer work arounds are necessary when they're all the same company.

Anonymous wrote:I also came here to weigh in about Amazon wardrobe. I find Amazon's search function to be lacking, so I'll use Zappos and/or 6p.m. to find what I want, then look up the item description on Amazon. Most of the zappos and 6 pm items on Amazon are available for Prime Wardrobe. I love this service for kids shoes, my work shoes, swimwear, etc. and I like the additional discount for multiple items.

Yes! I hope (and expect them to) expand the available "wardrobe" selection if it takes off and starts doing well.

I also came here to weigh in about Amazon wardrobe. I find Amazon's search function to be lacking, so I'll use Zappos and/or 6p.m. to find what I want, then look up the item description on Amazon. Most of the zappos and 6 pm items on Amazon are available for Prime Wardrobe. I love this service for kids shoes, my work shoes, swimwear, etc. and I like the additional discount for multiple items.

Anonymous wrote:I used to do this too with Zappos, I would items and order a huge order and try on everything. When buying clothes or shoes, I like to order 2 sizes, to see what fits better.

Now that Amazon has the "Amazon Wardrobe" thing though for Prime customers, next time I need clothing or shoes, I'll use them. I already did it to find a rain coat and it was awesome. You fill your box, they ship it to you free (no shipping and no cost for the items). You just pick what you want to keep and then purchase it, and send the rest back. They don't charge your card unless you decide to keep something and only charge you for that item. Return shipping is also free.

I was just about to type this - Amazon starting this service. Online retailers are learning and trying out what works best as a business model. I never buy clothes on Amazon because they have too many cheap Chinese knockoffs and too many brands that I have no idea how they might fit or what quality they might be. I doubt I will change, but this new service is one way that I might consider changing.

Zappos and other online retailers are very comfortable with this business model. Unlike the "lifestyle blogger" who is turning everything they buy, you can clearly follow a pattern of large purchases with some (even a majority returned). Boden is one retailer where you almost HAVE to order multiples of sizes because their sizing can vary so widely. Everyone I know who shops bode orders in multiple sizes.

It's ultimately all about the pattern. As long as you're regularly buying and keeping items, you're probably exactly what they want.

Well sure, returning damaged goods, saying things were returned that weren't in the box--fraud--surely even Zappos ferrets out and bans these people. But someone who buys shipment, after shipment, and then after months finally gets around to returning half of it, both Zappos and the credit card companies pursue this sort of shopper. Much more valuable than the person who buys exactly what they need once a year.

Anonymous wrote:So every 6 months or so I go on buying sprees at zappos--by 3 different colors of 1 pair of shoes, return 2 of them. By 5 shirts,return 3. Buy the kids 3 pairs of sneakers, they pick which one they want to keep. During these time periods it is not unusual for me to have 3 or 4 boxes to return (since you can't combine your orders to return). I am not spending THAT much money--it is 1-300$ per order, but my husband seems to think that eventually they are going to cut me off! I say, no way because this is their business model. Should I be concerned?

I do this all the time. I hate shopping, and adding having to go to the mall into that mix....no thank you. Not to mention, you have more choices when you shop online.

To be clear, I never wear something for a couple of days and then return. And I keep all tags and receipts.

I recently placed an order with Dick's. purchased 4 pairs of running shoes, a ton of tops and leggings. The intention was to keep only one pair of shoes, and likely some of the clothing - and that's what I did.

These retailers know that a lot of people do this. if they blacklisted they would exclude a huge chunk of their shoppers.

I used to do this too with Zappos, I would items and order a huge order and try on everything. When buying clothes or shoes, I like to order 2 sizes, to see what fits better.

Now that Amazon has the "Amazon Wardrobe" thing though for Prime customers, next time I need clothing or shoes, I'll use them. I already did it to find a rain coat and it was awesome. You fill your box, they ship it to you free (no shipping and no cost for the items). You just pick what you want to keep and then purchase it, and send the rest back. They don't charge your card unless you decide to keep something and only charge you for that item. Return shipping is also free.

Anonymous wrote:I have never returned anything in my life. You are weird.

okay....

look in the mirror

I've only known of physical stores to blacklist people. My ex-friend is a lifestyle blogger and got blacklisted by Target, Home Goods, and Hobby Lobby. Our friendship ended after I saw what a sham her life was and saw her throw a temper tantrum worthy of a 2 year old in Target after the associate told her she knew she'd been banned from making any returns at any of the local stores for 6 months. I found out about her being blacklisted at the other two by another friend that she'd tried to rope into making purchases and returns for her!

Anyway, I do a lot of online shopping and as some others have mentioned, I feel like I get better customer service than casual shoppers. I've gotten overnight shipping upgrades for free when calling to exchange an item. I order a ton from J.Crew and the few times I've had to contact them about damaged items, I've gotten 40% off my next order coupons. Several times I've called to make exchanges and I've been told to just donate the items because they see I'm a loyal customer.

Target blacklists people, I know someone that was on “probation” and not allowed to return anything for 6 months. She was excessive, nothing like OP. It’s fraud concerns (for people buying and selling stuff on black market and trying to return fakes or shoplift stuff and use original receipt to get money back).