Five simple tips to keep down costs of returning unwanted orders as retailers up charges

ONLINE shopping has made it easy to buy lots of clothes – and then send back any that don’t suit.

But the number of items being returned has risen, and more retailers are upping charges to put off people who send a lot back.

Keep it simple — and low cost — with these returns tips.

SIZE IT UP: With many major online stores charging customers for sending items back by post, it pays not to order things you’re unsure about.

Size also matters, and that can vary between brands. Use the retailers’ size guides to order something that will fit you. Also, read reviews to see what other customers say about sizing.

KNOW YOUR RETURN RIGHTS: Always check a company’s return policy, which may give you longer to send something back than other retailers, but remember you also have legal consumer rights.

You have 14 days to tell the store you want to return an item you’ve bought online, without having to give a reason, and a further fortnight to send it back.

You have 30 days for a full refund if it wasn’t as described or fit forpurpose.

RETAIN RECEIPTS: Keep an envelope of receipts, so you always have proof of purchase handy. You could take a snap of the physical receipt and save it on your phone.

For digital receipts, store them in an email folder so you can produce the required order number without having to go through reams of messages.

WEAR WITH CARE: When an item first arrives by post, open the packaging carefully in case you need to reuse it for returns.

When you try on clothes, avoid make-up, deodorant or perfume, as well as food or drink that could leave a mark and scupper your refund.

SNAPPY SENDING: Don’t hang about if you’ve decided to send something back. You might end up missing the returns window.

The sooner you send it back, the sooner you’ll get a refund.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

FINISH off your outfit with the colour block cross-body bag from Accessorize, down from £35 to £17.50.

SAVE: £17.50

Cheap treat

INDULGE in Cadbury Dairy Milk dessert pots, down from £2.70 to £1.50 for four at Iceland.

SAVE: £1.20

Top swap

EMBRACE the new season with the floral spring wreath by Lights4Fun, £29.99 at M&S. Or decorate your door with Sainsbury’s flowers and foliage Easter wreath, for £14.

SAVE: £15.99

Hot right now

SUCK up a saving on a Numatic Henry HVR200 corded dry cylinder vacuum cleaner, down from £150 to £119 at B&Q, saving £31.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in Flying Eze Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, Flying Eze could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!