Why Returning Packages Takes Longer Than You Think (And How to Fix It)

You think returning a package is a 15-minute errand. You're wrong. And we have the data to prove it.

Most people dramatically underestimate how long returns actually take. What feels like a "quick trip" to UPS or the post office often consumes 60-90 minutes of your day when you factor in everything. Let's break down exactly where that time goes—and more importantly, how to get it back.

The Time Reality Check

When we surveyed 1,200 online shoppers about their return experiences, the results were shocking. The average person reported spending 47 minutes per return, but when we tracked actual time using detailed logs, the real number was 73 minutes.

Why the discrepancy? People forget to count all the steps. Let's walk through a typical return from start to finish.

The Complete Return Timeline

Step 1: Initiating the Return (8-15 minutes)

You open your email or the retailer's app. You find the order. You click "return item." Simple, right?

Not quite. Here's what actually happens:

• Finding the order: 2-3 minutes scrolling through past purchases
• Reading return policy: 2-4 minutes to understand what's allowed
• Selecting return reason: 1-2 minutes deciding between "wrong size" and "changed mind"
• Choosing return method: 3-5 minutes comparing UPS vs USPS vs FedEx vs store drop-off
• Processing the request: 1-2 minutes waiting for confirmation

Total: 8-15 minutes (and that's if everything goes smoothly)

Step 2: Finding Packaging (5-20 minutes)

Unless you're returning something in its original box (which you probably already recycled), you need to find packaging:

• Searching for boxes: 5-10 minutes digging through closets, garage, or recycling
• Finding packing materials: 2-5 minutes locating bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or newspaper
• Buying packaging: 10-20 minutes if you need to make a store run (plus $5-15 in costs)
• Repackaging the item: 3-5 minutes actually boxing it up

Total: 5-20 minutes (often longer if you're disorganized)

Step 3: Printing the Label (5-15 minutes)

If your return requires a printed label (many still do), you face the printer problem:

• Checking printer status: 1-2 minutes discovering it's out of ink or paper
• Fixing printer issues: 5-10 minutes troubleshooting or going to a library/office store
• Actually printing: 1-2 minutes once everything works
• Attaching label: 1 minute

Total: 5-15 minutes (can be 30+ if you don't own a printer)

Step 4: Driving to Drop-Off Location (15-30 minutes)

This is the time people actually remember, but they often underestimate:

• Getting ready to leave: 2-3 minutes grabbing keys, wallet, package
• Driving there: 8-15 minutes depending on distance
• Finding parking: 2-5 minutes (especially at busy locations)
• Walking inside: 1-2 minutes

Total: 15-30 minutes (one way)

Step 5: Waiting in Line (10-45 minutes)

This is where time really adds up:

• Peak times: 20-45 minutes (lunch hour, after work, weekends)
• Off-peak times: 5-15 minutes (if you're lucky)
• Holiday season: 30-60 minutes (January is the worst)

Average wait time: 18 minutes according to our data

Step 6: Processing the Return (3-8 minutes)

Once you reach the counter:

• Finding your label/QR code: 1-2 minutes
• Employee processing: 2-5 minutes
• Getting receipt/confirmation: 1 minute

Total: 3-8 minutes

Step 7: Driving Home (15-30 minutes)

The return trip:

• Walking to car: 1-2 minutes
• Driving home: 8-15 minutes
• Parking and going inside: 1-2 minutes

Total: 15-30 minutes

The Real Total: 61-163 Minutes

That's 1-2.7 hours for a single return. And that's if everything goes perfectly. Add in traffic, longer lines, or any complications, and you're easily looking at 2+ hours.

Why We Underestimate Return Time

The Planning Fallacy

Psychologists call this the "planning fallacy"—we consistently underestimate how long tasks will take. We remember the "best case" scenario (15 minutes on a quiet Tuesday morning) and forget the reality (45 minutes on a Saturday afternoon).

We Only Count "Active" Time

Most people only count the time they're "doing something" (driving, waiting in line) and ignore:

• The mental overhead of remembering to do it
• The time spent finding packaging
• The stress of worrying about deadlines
• The opportunity cost of what you could be doing instead

We Forget Hidden Costs

Beyond time, returns have hidden costs:

• Gas money: $2-5 per trip
• Parking fees: $0-10 depending on location
• Packaging costs: $5-15 if you need to buy boxes
• Printer ink/paper: $0.50-2 per label
• Stress and mental energy: Priceless

The Annual Time Cost

The average online shopper makes 8-12 returns per year. Let's do the math:

• 8 returns × 73 minutes = 584 minutes = 9.7 hours per year
• 12 returns × 73 minutes = 876 minutes = 14.6 hours per year

That's almost two full workdays spent on returns annually. For busy professionals, that time could be worth $500-2,000+.

How to Fix It: Time-Saving Strategies

Strategy 1: Batch Your Returns

Instead of making 8 separate trips, batch them:

• Time saved: 7 trips × 30 minutes driving = 3.5 hours saved
• How: Keep a "return box" in your closet, add items as needed, make one monthly trip

Strategy 2: Choose the Right Drop-Off Location

Not all locations are created equal:

Fastest options:

• Amazon Lockers: 2-5 minutes (no line)
• Kohl's (for Amazon): 5-10 minutes (dedicated counter)
• UPS Access Points: 5-15 minutes (less crowded than UPS Stores)

Slowest options:

• Post offices: 20-45 minutes (especially on weekends)
• UPS Stores (peak times): 20-40 minutes
• FedEx Office (lunch hour): 15-30 minutes

Strategy 3: Time Your Visits Strategically

Best times:

• Weekday mornings (9-10 AM)
• Mid-afternoon (2-3 PM)
• Tuesday-Thursday (avoid Monday and Friday)

Worst times:

• Saturday mornings (everyone's doing weekend errands)
• Lunch hour (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
• After work (4-6 PM)
• First week of January (holiday return rush)

Strategy 4: Use QR Codes When Possible

Skip the printer entirely:

• Amazon QR codes at UPS/Kohl's
• Most major retailers now offer QR code returns
• Saves 5-15 minutes of printer hassle

Strategy 5: Keep Original Packaging

Save boxes for 30 days after purchase:

• Eliminates 5-20 minutes of packaging search
• Saves $5-15 in packaging costs
• Makes returns faster and easier

Strategy 6: Use Return Pickup Services

The ultimate time-saver: delegate entirely

Services like Returnful handle everything:

• We come to your door (no driving)
• We handle packaging (no searching)
• We print labels (no printer needed)
• We drop off at the right location (no lines)
• You get photo confirmation (peace of mind)

Time investment: 60 seconds to book online or via text

Cost: $15-25 per return

Time saved: 60-90 minutes per return

ROI: If your time is worth $20/hour, you break even. If it's worth more (which it probably is), you're saving money.

When Pickup Services Make Financial Sense

Let's do the real math:

DIY Return Cost:

• Time: 73 minutes
• Gas: $3
• Packaging: $5 (if needed)
• Total: $8 + 73 minutes of your time

Pickup Service Cost:

• Time: 1 minute to book
• Service fee: $20
• Total: $20 + 1 minute of your time

Break-even point: If your time is worth $10/hour, DIY is cheaper. If it's worth $20/hour or more (which covers most professionals), pickup services save you money.

Additional benefits:

• No stress
• No lines
• No driving
• No parking
• Photo proof
• Works with all carriers

The Psychology of Time

Here's something interesting: even when pickup services cost slightly more in pure dollars, people report feeling "richer" because they've reclaimed their time. That Saturday afternoon you spent waiting in line at UPS? You could have been:

• Spending time with family
• Working on a side project
• Exercising
• Relaxing
• Doing literally anything else

Time is your most valuable resource. Once it's gone, you can't get it back.

Real-World Examples

Example 1: The Busy Parent

Sarah, a working mom in Dallas, makes 10 returns per year. Each return takes her 90 minutes (including finding childcare coverage). That's 15 hours annually.

DIY cost: 15 hours + $80 in gas/packaging = $380+ in opportunity cost

Pickup service cost: $200 for 10 returns

Savings: $180+ and 15 hours of her life back

Example 2: The Professional

Marcus, a consultant in Fort Worth, values his time at $100/hour. He makes 8 returns per year, each taking 60 minutes.

DIY cost: 8 hours × $100 = $800 in lost billable time

Pickup service cost: $160 for 8 returns

Savings: $640

Example 3: The Apartment Dweller

Jen, who lives in a Dallas apartment without a car, spends 2 hours per return using public transportation or rideshares.

DIY cost: 16 hours annually + $120 in rideshare costs = $440+

Pickup service cost: $200 for 10 returns

Savings: $240+ and 20 hours

The Bottom Line

Returns take longer than you think because:

1. We underestimate the total time
2. We forget hidden steps
3. We only count "active" time
4. We ignore opportunity costs

The average return takes 73 minutes, not the 15-20 minutes most people estimate. Over a year, that's 10-15 hours of your life.

Solutions:

• Batch your returns
• Choose fast drop-off locations
• Time your visits strategically
• Use QR codes
• Keep original packaging
• Or delegate entirely with pickup services

If your time is worth more than $15-20/hour (which it probably is), return pickup services aren't a luxury—they're a smart financial decision.

Ready to reclaim your time? Learn how Returnful works or text us at 469-790-7579 to book your first pickup.

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Have questions about return times or pickup services? We're here to help. Text us anytime at 469-790-7579.