Flipkart: Return Policy Change To Protect Seller’s Interest, Minimize Misuse, Not As Cost-Cutting Measure
In a recent development, Flipkart has decided to tighten its return policy for winter fashion and lifestyle products. The returns window for the segment to change from 30 days earlier to 10 days. The reason stated is to ensure the interests of sellers and minimize misuse of the return policy. This is the first such change in its returns policy under the new parent Walmart.
The development has been speculated to be an attempt to cut costs by the Walmart-owned e-tailer. However, a Flipkart spokesperson said this is not a cost-cutting measure rather this is to ensure that the interests of the sellers are protected and minimize misuse. Further, it’s stated, “This will minimise the possibilities of misuse and also drive greater efficiencies that will eventually help our sellers and bring a wide and affordable selection of products to millions of customers on our platform."
Lifestyle and clothing is the only category where the 30-day return or replacement is left on Flipkart’s marketplace, according to the website. As reported, all other categories allow only 10-day period post a change in policy during 2016-2017. The last Flipkart came up with a brief change in return policy was in 2017 where the e-commerce marketplace decided to no longer offer refunds on popular products such as mobile accessories, personal care appliances, computer, and camera accessories, office equipment.
