5 Reasons Everyone Hates Returning Packages

Let's be real: online shopping is amazing. The actual returning part? Not so much.

We surveyed 500 Dallas-Fort Worth residents about their return experiences, and the results were eye-opening. Here are the top 5 frustrations and practical solutions for each.

1. The Line Problem (67% of respondents)

The frustration: Standing in line at UPS or FedEx, watching the minutes tick by while the person ahead of you ships 47 packages to different family members.

Average wait time reported: 23 minutes

The peak: During holiday season, some respondents reported waits of over an hour!

Solutions:

• Time it right: Go at 10 AM on a weekday if possible
• Use Amazon Locker: No lines, just drop and go
• Try Kohl's: Generally faster than carrier stores
• Use a pickup service: Zero wait time, obviously

2. The Printer Problem (54% of respondents)

The frustration: "Please print the return label." Easy for Amazon to say when your printer ran out of ink three years ago and now serves as a very expensive dust collector.

Fun fact: 62% of millennials and Gen Z don't own a working printer.

Solutions:

• QR codes: Most carriers now accept QR codes on your phone
• Library printers: Many libraries offer free printing
• Office supply stores: Staples and Office Depot print for cheap
• Pickup services: We print labels for you (it's included!)

3. The Packaging Problem (48% of respondents)

The frustration: You need to return something, but you already recycled the box. Now you're either:

• Digging through recycling
• Buying a new box (which costs money!)
• Trying to fit a toaster in a shoebox

Solutions:

• Save boxes for 30 days: Make it a habit
• Use any box: Most returns don't require original packaging
• Kohl's/Whole Foods: They handle packaging for you
• Pickup services: We'll help with packaging too

4. The "Where Do I Take This?" Problem (41% of respondents)

The frustration: Different returns go to different places. Amazon might want UPS, FedEx, USPS, Kohl's, Whole Foods, or a locker depending on... magic, apparently.

Solutions:

• Read carefully: The return instructions tell you where to go
• Use the app: Amazon app shows all options with maps
• Pick your preference: Often you can choose your carrier
• One service, all carriers: Pickup services drop off anywhere

5. The Time Problem (78% of respondents)

The frustration: By the time you factor in:

• Finding packaging
• Printing labels
• Driving there
• Waiting in line
• Driving back

A "quick" return has eaten 1-2 hours of your day.

Average total time per return: 47 minutes (based on survey)

Returns per year (average): 8.3

Total annual time lost: Nearly 7 hours per year on returns!

Solutions:

• Batch returns: Do multiple at once
• Plan ahead: Make returns part of existing errands
• Closest location: Choose the nearest drop-off
• Delegate entirely: This is literally why we exist

The Real Cost of DIY Returns

When you factor in your time, the math changes:

| If your time is worth... | 1 hour of returns costs... | Annual cost (7 hours) | |--------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------| | $20/hour | $20 | $140 | | $50/hour | $50 | $350 | | $100/hour | $100 | $700 |

Suddenly, paying $15-25 for a return pickup doesn't seem so expensive, does it?

What's the Answer?

Everyone's situation is different. For some people, the return trip is a nice excuse to get out of the house. For others, every minute counts.

If you fall into the "time is money" camp, return pickup services are a no-brainer. For $15-25, you:

• Keep your Saturday
• Skip the line
• Skip the packaging hassle
• Skip the printer issue
• Get photo proof it was dropped off

The Bottom Line

Returns don't have to be the worst part of online shopping. Whether you optimize your DIY approach or outsource entirely, there are solutions to every frustration.

Just don't let returns pile up in the corner of your room for months. We've all been there. It doesn't help.

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Ready to reclaim your time? See how Returnful works or text us at 469-790-7579.