Returns Through an Agent: The Window Closes at the Warehouse Door
There is a return path, but it exists for about seventy-two hours and then disappears.
Updated 2026-10-30
The only window that matters
Between arrival at the warehouse and your approval to ship, an item can usually be returned to the domestic seller. After that, it is international and final.
Most agents allow a few days for this. Miss it and the parcel ships on your approval by default.
Who pays the return freight
If the seller sent the wrong item or a defective one, they usually cover it. If you changed your mind, you pay both directions.
On a cheap item, return freight often exceeds the value. Do the arithmetic before opening a request.
What agents will not take back
Customised items, underwear and anything opened or used. Also anything where the flaw was visible in the QC photos you approved.
That last one is the important one: approval is consent, and it is recorded.
A workflow that avoids most of this
Check QC the day photos arrive, request measurements on fit-critical items, and reject before the deadline rather than complaining after.
Keep one short message per issue with a photo attached. Clear tickets get resolved; long emotional ones get queued.
FAQ
Can I return after delivery to me?
Technically for some sellers, but international return postage usually makes it pointless.
How long does a domestic return take?
A few days each way plus seller confirmation. Plan for a week of your haul being on hold.
Do I get the commission back?
Usually yes when the item is refunded, but check the agent's terms — some keep a minimum service fee.