way to protect merchandise from return policy abuse

History

The problem was simple to explain, but there was no apparent solution. Why shouldn't e-commerce merchants and online marketplace sellers be able to protect their merchandise from return fraud or return policy abuse? After all, brick-and-mortar stores have protected their inventory from shoplifting since the 1960s with security tags, but there was no equivalent for e-commerce.

In 2010 I was a stay at home Mom with two children under two and had started an ebay business to help maintain some sanity in the chaos of motherhood. As my sales figures began to rise, I became bolder in the value of the merchandise I sold. $5-$10 profit per sale soon evolved into $100 or more for some items. And then came the designer dresses, sunglasses, shoes, and handbags that could turn a more handsome profit.

One dress caused me great concern because of the unknown risk that would come when it sold. I had listed for sale a yellow and green tropical print, silk Emilio Pucci gown that had graced the runway in 2009 – it originally retailed for a staggering $7,595, and Michelle Ye wore the same gown on the red carpet at Cannes for the screening of the film 'Vengeance'! What if the person who bought it wore it to their special event, tags tucked in out of sight, and returned it? Would I have any case to argue because I would have no proof? In this scenario, the cost was high as the dress would have lost most of its value if it returned with signs of wear. Read more about the dress that inspired the anti-return fraud tag here. 

I started reading about other online sellers' experiences and the risks of the internet's anonymity. Worse was the all too often repeated scenario where the selling platform had sided with the buyer leaving the seller out of pocket.

What options did we all have to combat the rising trend of return policy abuse like wear and return fraud or wardrobing?

The simple truth was that I couldn't find an anti-return fraud solution.

So, I developed an anti-wear and return security tag accessible for e-commerce merchants and marketplace sellers designed to deter and prevent return policy abuse - the 360 ID Tag.

By working with two businesses, global leaders in their respective fields of detection technologies, and specialty textiles, we could perfect my return fraud prevention concept and bring it to life.

We believe all online sellers, from those operating out of their basements, selling on marketplace platforms like ebay, Poshmark, Amazon; to well-established organizations and all those in-between, should have access to a fair trading environment, which has seemingly become muddied in the anonymity of the internet. Selling online has become a way of life for so many. It shouldn't be tainted by buyers who are taking advantage of generous return policies, opening cases, or chargebacks without cause or feel entitled to wear and return clothing, shoes, and accessories.

We also believe that buyers have the right to return merchandise and the 360 ID Tag allows them to do so with predictability if they leave the return tag attached. See how the 360 ID Tag works.

It's a simple, easy to use return fraud prevention tag that's visible on purpose.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce with Majors in Marketing and Management from the University of Tasmania in Australia. My work experience as a Marketing Professional and Analyst came in hotels, resorts, and urban property development.

Chelsea Duhs - Founder, 360 ID Tag