Why we launched Returnmates ✨📦
In today’s world, with the click of a button you can have a package magically appear at your door. But what about the times where you want to send that package back?
Well…it’s not nearly as simple.
Back in May, Kristian witnessed me print a label, tape up my package and stand in line at the post office for 30 minutes. Once I came outside, his first reaction was, “this is f*cking insane!”. After thinking more about the experience, we wondered, “why don’t we just pick up, package and drop off everyone’s returns?”. The light bulb went off. We called our friends — they all had the same problem. 48 hours later, Returnmates was born.
As online shoppers, we’ve become accustomed to an inconvenient, stressful returns process. We’re expected to print labels (if we have a printer), re-package the items and then get them to UPS, FedEx, USPS and Amazon. It’s no wonder that there are tens of millions of people in the U.S. who haven’t yet caught the online shopping bug.
Did you know that ~90% of online shopping carts get abandoned? While we have seen an incredible amount of innovation across ecommerce over the last two decades, it’s clear we haven’t yet created an experience analogous to that of in-person shopping. You know that moment when you’re about to purchase something online and you hesitate (maybe the item won’t look the same as it did digitally, perhaps you had to guess on your size, for all you know you won’t love it)? But you trudge through the process anyways…and then eventually, you have to decide whether you’re going to deal with the hassle of online returns, or just take a loss or give your new possession away. We think consumers deserve a better option.
Enter Returnmates.
With Returnmates, you can now shop confidently as we make returns as seamless as the purchase. All you have to do is upload your label, schedule a pick up and place your item outside — we handle the rest. The best part? You never have to leave your home. When you order something online, you don’t walk to the post office to pick it up, right? Of course not, it comes right to your doorstep. This type of behavior hasn’t been expected of consumers since the early 1900s before the invention of the personal mailbox. It’s now 2020. I don’t need to state the obvious, but I will…it’s ridiculous.
Let’s imagine a world where you no longer have to think about returns. OK, no more imagining…it’s here. At just $10 per month, Returnmates offers a subscription service for unlimited pick ups that allows you to focus your time, energy and money on other things.
If you want to give it a try, there’s a 30 day free trial that you can cancel at any time. No strings attached. We’re currently operational on the Westside of Los Angeles with plans to expand soon. The next time you’re shopping online, order a couple more sizes, a few different styles…ensure you get the things you actually want and need. And for the stuff that doesn’t fit, Returnmates it!
Happy shopping,
Eric & Kristian
Co-Founders
