Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the issue of high return rates in the clothing e-commerce sector, particularly due to students returning worn clothing after events, leading to financial losses for merchants [1][8]. Group 1: Merchant Experiences - A merchant in Heze reported a loss after students returned 40 performance costumes, which were worn and could not be resold [1]. - Another merchant from Shenyang experienced a loss of approximately 80,000 yuan due to over 60 students returning clothes after a sports event, claiming quality issues [8]. - Merchants are increasingly frustrated with the high return rates, which are often not due to product quality but rather misuse of the "no reason return" policy [8]. Group 2: School Involvement - The vice principal of the school involved stated that the returns were personal actions by students, and the school had not issued any return instructions [6]. - The school paid a deposit to the merchant and planned to handle refunds after students returned the items [6]. Group 3: E-commerce Platform Response - The e-commerce platform's customer service suggested that merchants file complaints regarding returns that exceed seven days and show signs of use, indicating a process for reviewing such cases [4]. - The platform aims to protect merchants' rights by potentially reversing incorrect refund decisions [4]. Group 4: Industry Trends - Some merchants are implementing measures to prevent misuse of return policies, such as attaching large tags or locks to clothing to deter customers from returning worn items [8][12]. - The trend of high return rates in the clothing sector is causing significant distress among merchants, prompting them to seek innovative solutions to mitigate losses [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges consumers face regarding the "7-day no-reason return policy" for certain products, particularly alcoholic beverages and investment gold bars, highlighting the differing interpretations and practices among merchants [2][3][4][5]. Group 1: Issues with Alcoholic Beverages - Many consumers report being unable to return unopened alcoholic beverages, with merchants claiming that such products fall under the category of "special items" not eligible for the return policy [3][4]. - Customer service representatives from various alcohol brands consistently state that alcohol is considered a perishable item, thus not eligible for returns [3][4]. - Merchants argue that the policy aims to prevent fraud, such as swapping genuine products with counterfeit ones, which increases operational costs for businesses [3][4]. Group 2: Challenges with Investment Gold Bars - Consumers attempting to cancel orders for investment gold bars often face significant cancellation fees, with one case reporting a deduction of over 300 yuan for a 5-gram gold bar [4]. - Merchants emphasize that the fluctuating nature of gold prices necessitates strict return policies to avoid financial losses [4]. - Legal practices generally support merchants charging fees for returns on investment gold bars, recognizing the unique market dynamics involved [4][5]. Group 3: Cross-Border and Special Sales Channels - Consumers purchasing items through "overseas purchase" channels often encounter difficulties returning products, even when the items are shipped from domestic warehouses [5][6]. - The legal framework generally supports merchants' return policies for cross-border items if clearly stated, but domestic shipments should allow for returns unless explicitly noted otherwise [6][7]. - The trend on platforms like Tmall shows a growing acceptance of the "7-day no-reason return" policy for items shipped from domestic bonded warehouses, contrasting with stricter policies on other e-commerce platforms [6][7]. Group 4: Legal Framework and Consumer Rights - The Consumer Rights Protection Law specifies certain categories of goods that are exempt from the "7-day no-reason return" policy, including customized items and perishable goods [7][8]. - Legal experts suggest that while certain products like alcohol and investment items may have valid reasons for restricted returns, merchants must ensure consumers are adequately informed and confirm their understanding of these policies [8]. - The emphasis is on maintaining transparency and ensuring that consumers are aware of the return policies at the point of sale [8].