Online shopping should be easy — buy, enjoy, and if something doesn’t fit, just send it back. But some companies have turned returns into a maze designed to keep your money locked up or even lost. Let’s look at the common traps they set, and then take a look at some real-life offenders.
Common Product Return Traps
- Restocking Fee
A so-called “easy return” that charges you a fee of up to 50% of the item value. This is the scam that turns a refund into a financial problem. - Endless Delay
Have you ever experienced a refund taking forever? Some companies deliberately drag out the process — asking for additional proof or blaming internal arrears — to wear you down until you just give up. - Store Credit Only
Instead of cash, you receive a credit that often has an expiry date. It’s a subtle way of tying your money to a company you’ve already had problems with. - Return Shipping Trap
You are forced to pay shipping costs in an overpriced way chosen by the company. If there are problems with delivery, the company can claim the package never arrived and you walk away empty-handed. - Non-Returnable Items
Retailers flaunt generous return policies until you discover key exclusions—like sale items, electronics, or clothing—hidden in the fine print. - Damaged or Used
If you return an item that is as good as new, you may still be classed as “damaged” or “used”. As you have no way of proving your case, you will have to live with a refused refund. - Subscription Cancellation Nightmare
Canceling a subscription shouldn’t be a chore, but some companies hide the option deep in the account settings or force you through endless hoops, trapping you in a never-ending cycle. - Tricky Return Window Time
Sometimes the return periods are so short or staggered that you miss the deadline without realizing it — even if you wanted to return an item, it’s already too late.
Real-Life Offenders
Now that we know the tricks, here’s a list of companies that have been reported to use these tactics.
OPP France
OPP France promises a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, but that’s the end of the promise. Despite the guarantee, customers quickly learn that returns are a maze. The company ships from China. So if you want to return something, expect to pay around $50 for shipping to China without reliable tracking. Several reviews call the company a scam: unclear return instructions, dubious customer service, and product quality that just isn’t right. In short, if you end up with OPP France, getting your money back is more trouble than it’s worth.
Hush Blankets
The takeover of Hush Blankets by Sleep Country Canada Holdings has ruined the customer service. Despite the promise of easy returns and a “100-night guarantee” an alarming number of customers report that Hush Blankets stalls legitimate refund requests with endless rounds of emails and unexplained shipping delays. If you order and decide to make a return, don’t be surprised if you end up fighting a long battle for your refund.
Bombay Hair
Bombay Hair uses a classic return trap. They lure you in with a sample strand for colour matching, but once you opened the package, you have no chance of a refund or exchange. Customers report being stuck with hair extensions that wear out quickly and fall apart after just a few uses. If you try to return faulty products, you have to pay for the return postage and get little help — a classic bait and switch tactic.
More companies to follow…
Nick Oscar
Updated: 3 March 2025
