Don't Let Try-Before-You-Buy Shopping Bust Your Budget

Services such as Stitch Fix and Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe have put try-before-you-buy shopping on the map. The concept is simple: Shoppers get apparel, accessories or other goods delivered to try, which they can either send back or purchase.

“For many customers who do not enjoy the hustle and bustle of driving to the mall, parking, going through shelves, picking out items and hitting a dressing room, perusing from the comfort of the couch and selecting items to be delivered to the door to try on can be very convenient,” says Casey Taylor, a partner in the retail practice of Bain and Company, a global management consultancy.

But sneaky fees and easy-to-miss return windows can lead shoppers to spend more than they bargained for. Here’s how to take advantage of try-before-you-buy shopping while leaving your budget unscathed.

WATCH OUT FOR NONREFUNDABLE FEES

“Try before you buy” isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. In some cases, just because you choose to try an item rather than purchase it upfront doesn’t mean it won’t cost anything — even if you send it back.