What returns mean
Short answer: A return is an extra trip back and forth plus handling at the warehouse. The most common reason is the wrong size, and that can usually be avoided. It is not wrong to return, but it is better to avoid the need.
What happens in a return
The parcel is driven back, opened, checked and packed again. Some goods cannot be resold and are sorted out, especially if the packaging is broken. Each return therefore means both an extra trip and work at the warehouse, and sometimes the item still does not reach a new customer.
The most common reason
The wrong size is the most common reason something is sent back. Measure a garment you have at home and that fits, and compare it with the size chart. It takes a few minutes and is the surest way to get it right the first time. See also Bamboo Basics for measurements and sizes.
How to measure a garment
Lay a garment you know flat on a table and measure it with a tape. Measure the width at the chest or waist and the length from the shoulder or waistband. Write the numbers down and compare them with the chart on the product page. Only measurements in centimetres can be compared across brands.
Buy one piece first
Buy a single piece first and order the rest when it suits you. A wrong single purchase costs one return, while a wrong multipack costs five. If you have worn one piece in daily life for a few days, you know much more about the fit than a chart can tell you. See also bamboo clothing for women.
Is it wrong to return
No, it is a right. It is better to avoid the need, but if something does not fit, it is perfectly fine to send it back. What matters is whether you could have seen it coming. If the answer is yes, measure before you order next time and you spare yourself the hassle.
When a parcel is broken
Broken parcels and used goods often cannot be resold. Read the shop's return rules before you open the parcel, so you know what applies to packaging and labels. Keep the receipt so the case can be closed as quickly as possible and nobody has to go looking for it afterwards.
Sizes across brands
A medium from one brand is not the same as a medium from another. That is why it is better to stick to centimetres than to letters. Measure a garment you like and find that number in the chart. If you know your own measurements, you can use them with every brand without guessing. See also bamboo tops for women.
Buy with time to try
Do not order at the last minute if you need the clothes for a certain day. Then there is no time to exchange, and you are tempted to keep something that does not fit. Order in good time, so you can try the clothes calmly and send them back if they do not sit right.
How to avoid returns
Measure one garment, compare with the chart, buy one piece at a time and order in good time. These are four small steps that together remove most reasons to send something back. It is not about never returning, but about making the need rarer and getting the right piece home first time.
Frequently asked questions
Is it wrong to return?
No. It is a right. It is better to avoid the need, but if something does not fit, it is perfectly fine to send it back as long as you follow the shop's rules.
Can all returned goods be sold again?
No. Broken parcels and used goods often cannot be resold and are sorted out at the warehouse, no matter how good they look from the outside.
How do you avoid returns?
Measure before you buy and buy one piece at a time. Compare the centimetre measurements with the size chart, and order in good time so there is time to try the clothes.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
