Are you suffering from buyer’s remorse?
Indulging in a little retail therapy is a great way to lift your mood. However, you might find that the outfit that looked so perfect in the store fails to impress when you get home. Zara is one of the world’s largest fashion retailers and boasts outlets all over the globe. Like most major retailers, the company offers a simple and clear returns policy.
So, let’s take a closer look at the…
Zara Return Policy
Zara boasts thousands of stores across the United States and a popular website where you can purchase products and have them delivered. Most products that Zara sells are covered by a thirty-day return policy. If you’re not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you can usually request a refund or exchange.
However, unwanted clothing has to be new, unworn, unwashed, and unaltered in any way. This condition is put in place to prevent people from buying clothes and returning them after partying. Once you have worn clothing and accessories, you are unlikely to be able to get a refund.
Return Period
The thirty-day window starts as soon as you purchase a product from one of Zara’s stores. Therefore, it’s best to try on items as soon as you get home. If you wait too long, the window will start to close.
If you make an online purchase, the period starts when the product is shipped. This means that you will usually have a few days less time to try on your new products. If you are not completely satisfied, it’s best to take the product back straight away.
After thirty days
The thirty-day window is fairly strict, and claims are often denied after this period. However, some store managers may still decide to honor your claim after 30 days have passed. In this case, you will usually be offered in-store credit or exchange instead of an actual refund.
Online returns
When you purchase products from the company’s website, you are responsible for returning them. If you want to ship the products, you need to choose a courier. You need to follow the provided instructions for packing and shipping unwanted items.
Alternatively, you can use one of the company’s designated drop points. You will see a list on the company’s website, which is usually your local post office branch. All you need to do is box up your unwanted items, attach the return label, and take them to the post office.
In-store returns
You need to take unwanted items back to the store you purchased them from. Bring along the original receipt or the QR code so that the return can be processed. You can only use a drop point for items that were purchased online.
Without a receipt
The terms and conditions don’t explicitly state that you have to produce the original receipt. Therefore, you will usually be referred to the store manager if you have lost this tiny slip of paper. The store manager will usually inspect the unwanted item carefully and make a judgment call.
However, receiving a refund at Zara is less likely if you’ve lost the receipt. Instead, many managers prefer to offer in-store credit. The good news is you can use this credit to purchase a more suitable item.
Without a tag
The tags that come with garments often come off when you try on clothes and accessories. Fortunately, the policy isn’t too strict when it comes to these. However, you need to have the tags and hand them over along with the unwanted items.
Without the original packaging
When returning products to a store, you need to provide all the original packaging. Fortunately, it can have been opened and the tags removed. If you no longer have the packaging and/or tags, your claim is likely to be denied.
The terms and conditions are slightly different for online purchases. All you need to do is make sure the products are properly sealed when you send them back. This measure ensures that the products don’t get lost in transit when they are returned.
In-store exchanges
The company doesn’t usually offer straight exchanges for unwanted items. Instead, you need to return the unwanted item and receive a refund. You can then make a new purchase for the correct size or color.
Online exchanges
If you are satisfied with the product, but it’s the wrong size or color, you can choose to receive an exchange. To get started, visit the company’s website and find your order. Select the item and choose the size that you want in place of the item you already have.
Make sure you choose the free-of-charge option in the returns section if it is available. This will trigger a request and let the company know you have started the process. You then need to make sure you send back the item within fourteen days of sending the request.
A shipping fee if you wait too long…
If you miss this window, you will have to activate a second delivery window. In this case, you will be charged a shipping fee. This fee will be subtracted from the refund before it is made.
Gift card purchases
If you used a gift card to purchase an unwanted item at Zara, the value will be refunded to this card. Therefore, it is important to make sure you hold onto the voucher until you are satisfied with your purchase. If you have already disposed of it, your claim may be denied.
In some cases, you may receive a Credit Voucher if you have lost the original gift card. This decision is at the sole discretion of the store manager. For online purchases, you will receive a virtual gift card and an email confirmation stating your card balance.
Excluded Items
It’s important to note that not all items Zara sells can be returned or exchanged. In addition, there are limits on other products to ensure that they can still be resold. Here are the specific conditions that apply to certain types of products.
Swimwear
When you purchase swimwear, it comes with a hygiene sticker on the inside of the crotch area. You need to take care to keep this sticker in place when trying on the swimwear. If the sticker has been lost or removed, you will not receive a refund or exchange.
Underwear
Men’s undergarments cannot be returned for an exchange or refund. Women’s and children’s underwear need to be unworn and in perfect condition. Any provided hygiene stockers need to be in place to receive an exchange or refund.
Fragrances and cosmetics
Perfume and other types of fragrances cannot be used before returning them. In addition, these products have to be in their original, sealed packaging. The same conditions apply to all types of cosmetics purchased from a store or online.
Accessories
All types of accessories have to be returned with their original packaging. In addition, the packaging must be unopened, and any tags must also be provided.
Personalized items and magazines
Items that have been customized in any way after purchase cannot be returned or exchanged. If you purchase these items through the company’s website, they cannot be canceled before you receive them. The same conditions apply to magazines.
Packs
Purchasing a pack of underwear or clothing can be a great way to save money. To receive a refund or exchange, all items in the pack have to be returned at the same time.
The Fee
In recent years, the company has started to charge a fee when certain types of products are returned. The fees are applied when a third-party courier is used to ship the unwanted items. In this case, the customer will usually be charged the shipping fee. However, you can avoid this fee by returning items to a store instead of shipping them.
It’s Fun Working In Fashion!
If you have a passion for the industry, it’s a great way to get experience! So, let’s take a look at our in-depth guide to the Zara Application, the Barneys New York Application, and the Forever 21 Application, as well as the Saks Fifth Avenue Application, the Ralph Lauren Application, and the Neiman Marcus Application.
Or perhaps you’re also in need of interview advice? For that, we have our guide to the Levis Application and most frequently asked Levis Strauss Interview Questions, along with the Guess Application and most common Guess Jeans Interview Questions to help you prepare for the big day!
Have you decided which position to apply for? If not, here is some information on a few options for you to choose from, such as our Sales Associate Job Description and most common Sales Associate Interview Questions, followed by our Store Associate Job Description, our Fashion Designer Job Description, and the Fashion Designer Interview Questions you’re most likely to be asked in 2023.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to returns, Zara offers a pretty simple return policy that is designed to be easy to understand. You usually need to take back unwanted items bought from a store within thirty days. For products purchased through the company’s website, you can ship them or drop them at a store.
However, there are certain limits and exclusions you need to be aware of. This is designed to prevent people from wearing clothes to a party and getting their money back afterward. For full details of the policy and how to send back unwanted items, check out the article on the Zara website.
Happy Shopping at Zara!