How to Money · Friday, September 18, 2026
A headline notes that returning items is becoming more difficult, leading to shopper frustration. The hosts discuss personal experiences with restrictive return policies, particularly on sale items, and the general trend of retailers limiting returns due to the cost involved. They agree that while stricter policies are understandable, clarity on the front end is essential for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
“It's getting harder to return things, and it's making shoppers mad.”
“So it was this small... small business out in California. It was like a skater, skating, skateboard company that sold a brand that I like. And I'm not like Tony Hawk or anything, but I like to wear cool duds. And so I emailed them and they responded quickly and they were really nice about it, but they were like, sorry, we don't take returns on sale items.”
“I think probably the latter and I'm okay with more draconian restrictions on returns because yes, the cost is high to the retailers. I just don't like the opaque nature of it. So just make it very clear as to what the policy is.”