Core Viewpoint - The upcoming "Double Eleven" shopping festival is causing significant challenges for merchants due to high return rates, particularly in the apparel sector, where many returns are attributed to consumers exploiting the "seven-day no-reason return" policy [2][4]. Group 1: Return Rate Issues - Many merchants are facing exorbitant return rates, especially in clothing, leading to financial strain [2][4]. - A significant portion of returns is not due to product quality but rather consumers wearing items briefly and returning them within the return window [2][4]. - The return rate for women's apparel is reported to be as high as 50% to 60%, with live-streamed sales seeing rates exceeding 80% [4][5]. Group 2: Merchant Responses - Merchants are implementing physical deterrents, such as oversized tags and locks on clothing, to prevent consumers from taking advantage of return policies [3][4]. - One merchant reported using a password lock on zippers to discourage "wear and return" behavior, stating that the cost of the lock is minimal compared to potential losses from returns [3][4]. - The cost of oversized tags was noted to be around 8 yuan, which some merchants found ineffective [3][4]. Group 3: Financial Impact - A head of a major online sales company revealed that despite annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan, net profits are only around 2 to 3 million yuan due to high costs associated with returns [5][6]. - A small business owner reported a staggering 75% return rate, leading to significant financial losses, including 12,000 yuan in shipping insurance costs and over 800,000 yuan in total losses from unsellable returned items [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing struggle between e-commerce sellers and consumers who exploit return policies, highlighting the measures sellers are taking to combat "malicious returns" through innovative strategies like oversized tags [1][4][7]. Group 1: Seller Strategies - Sellers are creating oversized tags, the size of A4 paper, to physically complicate the return process and deter malicious returns [4]. - The material of these tags is designed to be sturdy, ensuring that once cut, they cannot be restored, thus protecting the value of returned items [4]. - A seller noted that the cost of a single malicious return can exceed 150% of the sales revenue due to lost shipping costs and devaluation of returned goods [4]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior - The "seven-day no-reason return" policy, intended to protect consumer rights, is being misused by some consumers who treat it as a way to obtain free products [7]. - There are tutorials on social media teaching consumers how to exploit return policies, with some users openly sharing strategies for maximizing returns [7]. - The average return rate in the e-commerce industry is reported to be around 30%, with the clothing category seeing rates as high as 40%-50% [7]. Group 3: Trust Issues - The relationship between sellers and consumers is becoming strained due to the actions of a minority of consumers, leading to a breakdown of trust [8]. - Some consumers support sellers' measures to prevent abuse, while others feel that such measures negatively impact their shopping experience [8]. Group 4: Platform Regulations - The article points out that current e-commerce platform regulations are inadequate in protecting sellers from malicious returns, often leaving them to absorb losses without recourse [9]. - Sellers face pressure from review systems, making them hesitant to refuse return requests even when they suspect abuse [9]. - Suggestions for improving platform rules include establishing a mutual rating system and marking high-frequency return users to protect honest sellers [9][10]. Group 5: Industry Recommendations - Industry experts suggest implementing reasonable limits on return policies, such as capping the number of returns within a specific timeframe [10]. - The article emphasizes that while loopholes in rules will always exist, the speed of addressing these issues is crucial for the health of the e-commerce ecosystem [10]. - The use of oversized tags as a defensive measure serves as a warning about the erosion of trust within the e-commerce environment [10].