By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-15 16:46:40 | Updated at 2025-01-15 18:52:19
2 hours ago
Amazon is saying goodbye to its Try Before You Buy service for Prime members.
The perk allowed Prime subscribers to try on select clothing items, shoes and accessories at home before completing a purchase.
It is set to end on January 31, the last day eligible customers can place orders using the benefit.
Shoppers expressed their disappointment at the news, calling its a 'total bummer' and questioning why the Amazon Prime perk was going away.
'Shame. I've been using it for the first time to make sure I got the right fit of some work shoes. It's been quite convenient,' one Reddit user wrote.
'It's too bad the feature is disappearing. I used it many times to try on clothing,' another said.
Others weren't so impressed with the service.
'I'm actually surprised, although I think it's too much of a pain in the a** to try before you buy, I didn't think that feature was going anywhere anytime soon,' a Reddit user wrote.
Amazon launched 'Try Before You Buy' in 2018 after testing it under the name 'Prime Wardrobe' in 2017
'I called this!' another added. 'Basically no bras were available there for the last 6-8 months and I guessed they'd be shutting it down.'
Amazon explained the reason behind the decision in a statement earlier this month.
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.
'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.
Amazon first began testing Try Before You Buy under the name Prime Wardrobe in 2017, and the program officially launched in 2018.
Customers can order up to six apparel items on a trial basis and then have seven days after receiving the merchandise to return any unwanted items without being charged.
The service competed with personal styling services like Stitch Fix, Rent the Runway, and Wantable.
Amazon will still offer Prime members free returns for eligible products delivered to a US address.
Social media users were disappointed to find out Amazon was axing its 'Try Before You Buy' service
Shoppers who use this feature can select the item they wish to return under 'Your Orders,' explain the reason behind the return, and bring it to a drop-off location that supports label or box-free returns.
Products eligible for the return must weigh less than 50 pounds and be in 'new and unused condition' for up to 30 days after purchase.
Amazon will deduct the cost of return shipping from the refund if customers opt to send it back to the company through the postal service.
The Seattle, Washington-based company confirmed its third quarter net sales ending on September 30, 2024 was $158.9 billion - an 11 percent increase compared to the same time period in 2023.
The company is expected to continue its success in 2025 and experts from TipRanks insist that its AI-driven web services growth will be a reason why customers should purchase an AMZN Stock.
