Most of us have done more online shopping during the covid-19 pandemic than ever before.  We’ve  ordered all kinds of products that we could buy at a store.  That’s been helpful. But it’s different with clothing and shoes.   Even though a few retailers are still open, their dressing rooms are closed.  So, it’s no different than online shopping.  I’ve ordered more dresses, shoes, and sports outfits online than ever before.  And half the time, they have to be returned.  Online returns are a pain in the neck. 

Many retailers offer free shipping for certain items. .  Somehow, this lulls you into forgetting that they may have to be returned, and this could cost you .  As an example:  I ordered a dress, not realizing it came from Hong Kong. This meant a three week wait.  When the item came, two things were wrong:  1. Although I’d ordered a size larger than normal, it was still too small . 2. The material in the dress was see-though.  Yes, you could see the color of my underwear. Don’t they know women don’t wear slips anymore?   It’s hard to believe anyone would keep a dress like this.  Where would you feel comfortable wearing it?  And so, I printed out an Amazon return label, and was  told that I would be charged for return shipping.  Only about 4.00, so not too bad.

Ordering shoes online is especially problematic is you have anything wrong with your feet.  Only certain shoe styles  accommodate annoying problems like bunions and hammertoes.  But remember, shoes are heavier.  You not only have to pay for shipping, you also have to pay shipping  on  returns.  So, buying and returning a pair of ill fitting shoes can result in at least  $10 bucks in shipping costs.

But it’s not just the cost that’s bothersome.  It’s the time and effort it takes to repackage the item, tape it up, and find a place to return it.  In our city, UPS is located miles away in a busy part of town.  Sometimes they’ll let you return the item to Kohl’s—in the same part of town. First, you have to find a parking place.  Then , put on our mask, walk through the store, and stand in line for service.  Those lines have grown much longer during this pandemic.  Other retailers let you use the Post office, which results in the same inconvenience.

I really miss shopping in the mall.   The luxury of trying on three or four dresses or pair of shoes before making a decision.  Knowing that what you see is what you get—not some distorted picture in an online catalog.  Will department stores ever make a comeback?  I wish they would, because online returns are a pain In the neck.