When you shop online there will inevitably be returns that need to be made. Over time, this can be expensive. There are three main options for reducing or eliminating this cost: don't shop online at all, be able to make store returns, or research your shipping options. I live in a small town and even the larger town where my grad school is located does not have many of the stores that I like to (online) shop at. Thus, I choose option C, research your shipping options. I am returning the shoes and the blue skirt purchased under Graduation Fun (below). I did not like the shoes $56 worth, and the skirt had a defective zipper. The melon-colored flowered skirt, however, was lovely and a hit! Anyhoo, both of the items I'm returning had the Smart Label option. This is a prepaid sticker that you stick on the box you are returning. You then just stick it in the mailbox. The shipping amount is deducted from your return money. Sometimes Smart Label is a good option, like when I had to return a heavy coat last year. In that case, it saved me money. However, the Smart Label cost for the shoes was $9, and for the skirt it was $5.95. I knew I could ship both back for less. Sure enough, I was able to ship the shoes USPS Priority for $6.40 and the skirt fit into a Priority Flat Rate Envelope for $4.05. Both options come with free delivery confirmation if you print your own label online, which I did. I always have Priority boxes and envelopes around since I occasionally sell on eBay. They are free, and you can get them at the post office or order them online. I also recommend that you invest in a digital postage scale if you do a lot of shipping. My sweet grandparents got me one last Christmas, and it has been a wonderful time saver. So, the next time you have to make a return, be aware of what your best option is.
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