H&M has become the latest high street store to start charging shoppers who return items both online and in-store.
Customers must now pay £1.99 to return purchases, with the cost being deducted from their refund. Returns are still free for customers who have signed up to be H&M members.
The store has joined other retailers such as Boohoo, Crew, Next and even Zara who already charge for online returns.
But the decision has been criticised by some shoppers.
Mancunian Matters took to the streets of Manchester to ask a few young people their thoughts.
Menswear store supervisor Michael Foley, 29, from Ardwick, said: “I don’t agree with this because it seems unfair. If I’ve paid for the entire item then why do I have to lose out on £1.99 just because I’m not a member?”
Fashion enthusiast and contemporary poet Liz Sargeant, 21, said: “It is definitely an issue, especially regarding the cost of living crisis.
“However, we all should be shopping sustainably anyway as this would avoid financial spark-ups and save the environment.”
And Olivia, 27, said: “I always thought it was weird when you had to pay for your own postage to send something back, so I think it’s insane now that they are deducting £1.99 from the cost.”
She added: “These businesses are multi-million pound companies, so I do not understand the reasoning.”
Focusing on the economic side of things, Felix, 24, from Burnage, said: “The new return system focuses on hyper consumerism and the associated pressure and consumption of goods, so although I understand H&M’s point of view, I still think it’s a little unfair to regular people.”
H&M says on its website shoppers will not be charged the £1.99 fee if items are faulty or incorrect. It says members can continue to make returns for free. There is no charge to apply for a membership.
H&M on Manchester’s Market Street is currently closed for a refurb. The chain also has a store in the Trafford Centre.
Main image: Photo by Fernand De Canne on Unsplash
