Today, Explained Many unhappy returns
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Jan 5, 2024 In this insightful discussion, Amanda Mull, a staff writer at The Atlantic and expert on reverse logistics, dives into the fascinating world of retail returns. She sheds light on the complex journey of a returned item, revealing the often humorous yet challenging processes at return warehouses. Amanda explores the donation dilemma, highlighting how many goods end up in landfills. She also discusses evolving retail return policies and their impacts on sustainability, consumer behavior, and the modern shopping experience.
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Michael's Job
- Michael, a material handler at Inmar Intelligence, inspects returned goods.
- He sorts items, removes stowaway underwear, and occasionally finds jewelry or vapes.
Bracketing with Rugs
- Many people "bracket" by ordering multiple sizes of clothing and returning what doesn't fit.
- This practice extends to rugs, surprisingly.
The Fate of Returns
- Returned items might not go back to the original retailer due to seasonality or cost.
- Some perfect items are even liquidated, donated, or recycled.