{"id":21016,"date":"2021-07-10T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/?p=21016"},"modified":"2024-10-08T10:18:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T15:18:26","slug":"try-before-you-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/try-before-you-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"Try Before You Buy: The Next Ecommerce Trend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Try before you buy<\/b> <\/span>is the new <\/span>ecommerce trend <\/span>that\u2019s giving brick and mortar retailers a run for their money.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially true with the next generation of consumers. According to Mintel Reports, Gen Z represent $44 billion in <\/span>direct buying power<\/span>. They are also expected to make up 40% of consumers by 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers are becoming more tech savvy, and they expect brands to keep up<\/span><\/a>. Because of this, <\/span>ecommerce businesses <\/span>now have a brand new horizon to pay attention to.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Try Before You Buy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Try before you buy is exactly what it sounds like. Customers get to try your products before they purchase them. Similar to the way they do in physical stores. Generally, customers are also offered with the option to send it back for free if the customer decides not to buy the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Shoppers select their items on your website, then choose \u201cpay later\u201d at checkout.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. After checkout, the order ships. An email confirmation\u00a0then sends to inform\u00a0the customer when payment is due. This is typically sent within 7-30 days of delivery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Once the shopper receives their items, they\u2019re able to log on and pay for\u00a0the items they wish to keep. If an item(s) doesn’t\u00a0fit or work out, it is\u00a0returned. Like shipping, returns follow your company\u2019s typical procedure.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"what<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Power To Help Close The Brick and Mortar Gap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Brick & mortar stores have long reigned supreme over online shopping. The obvious benefit is that the customer knows what they\u2019re going to get when they can hold and inspect an item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ecommerce allows shoppers to browse from the comfort of their own home, on the go, or even directly from social platforms<\/a>. The try before you buy model ensures peace of mind that an item can be returned if it doesn’t work out. Think of this more as a living room as a dressing room. Try before you buy just helps ensure that a customer returns the items they don’t buy to the mobile rack by the dressing rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Debora LaBudde, is the founder of Memo, an ecommerce jewelry business that allows shoppers to try fine jewelry over a three day period. She explains, \u201cThe practice of allowing a client to take merchandise home prior to making a purchase has long been a tradition in the jewelry industry, but it\u2019s most often reserved for V.I.P. clientele.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This translates well to the ecommerce try before you buy option since most shoppers do see this as a VIP service. Reason being, the risk is low, the convenience is high, and the gap between the in-person and online shopping experience is blurred. In short, this is a feature that one tends to associate with established brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Who & How of Ecommerce Companies Doing It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    These are a few of the companies pioneering the try before you buy model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Warby Parker<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This eyewear company has a \u201cHome Try-On\u201d program where shoppers can test five frames for five days for free\u2014including free shipping<\/a>. Warby Parker may also be the most recognizable company that uses the Try Before You Buy model. Their approach is a bit different from other companies. Instead of shipping out actual merchandise, you receive a box containing different test models of glasses (like you would at the optometrist’s office). You then purchase your desired pair of glasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Its growth is superseding its competitors and has recently been valued at $1.7 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Warby<\/a>
    Warby Parker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    La Perla<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    La Perla is a luxury lingerie brand. Their Try & Buy button sits directly below its Add to Bag on each product page. It also gives a clickable explanation of the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The gist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n