FILE – Amazon packages move along a conveyor at an Amazon warehouse facility, Dec. 17, 2019, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
NEW YORK — Amazon is saying goodbye to “Try Before You Buy.”
The service, which allowed Amazon’s Prime members to try on select clothing items, shoes and accessories at home before completing a purchase, is set to wind down in the coming weeks. The last day eligible customers can place orders using the subscriber benefit is Jan. 31, the company confirmed.
Article continues after this advertisementUnder the service, Prime members can order up to six select apparel items on a trial basis. Customers then have seven days after receiving the merchandise to return any unwanted items without being charged.
FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: BCDA wins over more John Hay lessees BUSINESS PSEi tumbles to near 7-month low BUSINESS Recto assures transparency, compliance with Mandanas-Garcia rulingREAD: Amazon duped millions of consumers into enrolling in Prime, US FTC says
In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson cited the program’s limited reach and the growing use of improve sizing recommendations powered by artificial intelligence on the e-commerce platform.
The Caixin purchasing managers survey showed new manufacturing orders fell at the fastest pace in two years in September.
The measures are the latest in a raft of pledges out of Beijing since last week aimed at kickstarting the world’s number-two economy.
Article continues after this advertisement“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,” the spokesperson said.
Article continues after this advertisementSeattle-based Amazon first began testing its trying before buying offering under the name Prime Wardrobe in 2017, and the program officially launched in 2018.
Article continues after this advertisementAs more people shop online and take advantage of generous return policies, Amazon and other retail companies have worked to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products.
Amazon said Monday that customers still will be able to get free returns across its apparel department and that phasing out Try Before You Buy would give shoppers a simpler experience with a bigger selection and faster delivery.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter