Amazon is ending one popular member's perk just seven years after it launched
It's sometimes easy to forget all the different subscriptions we have going at once, but alongside Netflix and Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime is one of the most popular.
After all, how often have we ordered something last-minute and made the most of Prime's next-day delivery?
Costing $14.99 per month or $139 a year, Amazon Prime comes with a host of member perks, exclusive deals, and (obviously) a groaning library of movies and TV shows that includes Amazon originals like The Boys.
Launching in 2018, the popular 'Try Before You Buy’ lets Prime members try on certain clothing items, shoes, and accessories before committing to a full purchase.
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Under the current rules, you can order up to six items and return them within seven days without being charged.
The shopping megacorp confirmed the service is winding down, with January 31 being the last time you can make use of it.
As reported by The Information, Amazon is trying to reduce its returns following a spike during the pandemic. You'll still be able to return unwanted items as usual, although Amazon is known for penalizing those known for frequent returns.
A spokesperson explained: "Given the combination of Try Before You Buy only scaling to a limited number of items and customers increasingly using our new AI-powered features like virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts to make sure they find the right fit, we’re phasing out the Try Before You Buy option, effective January 31, 2025."
Originally launched as Prime Wardrobe, the feature hoped to follow in the footsteps of Stitch Fix's own 'try before you buy' offering that lets shoppers pay an upfront fee but receive up to five items for 'free'.
Unlike Stitch Fix which has stylists pick items for you, Amazon gave you free rein to pick which items you'd have delivered.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, with the revamped Try Before You Buy being no more.
More than just clogging up the system and leading to potential extended delivery times for other customers, there are complaints about the environmental impact of constantly getting items shipped, only to return them.
The trend of buying boxes of Amazon returns might be a popular one for YouTubers, but many don't realize the consequences of ordering masses of things just to send them back.
ASOS has similarly introduced a fair use policy where serial returners will face a small charge to return unwanted items unless they keep a certain amount of the order. It's hoped this will combat a supposed trend of influencers buying mountains of clothes, wearing them for content, and then returning them for free.
Others have pointed out Apple's 'secret' product guarantee that can help you out with faulty tech.
While it's disappointing that Amazon's Try Before You Buy feature is no more, it makes sense to stop those who were abusing the system.