(WDNews) – Amazon is phasing out its “Try Before You Buy” feature, a Prime-exclusive program that allowed members to try on select clothing, shoes, and accessories at home before purchasing.
The service will officially end on January 31, 2025. Until then, eligible Prime members can place their final orders using the benefit, which allows customers to try up to six items for seven days before deciding what to keep and what to return.
An Amazon spokesperson attributed the decision to the program’s limited reach and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) features on the platform. “Given the combination of Try Before You Buy only scaling to a limited number of items and customers increasingly using our new AI-powered features like virtual try-on, personalized size recommendations, review highlights, and improved size charts to make sure they find the right fit, we’re phasing out the Try Before You Buy option,” the spokesperson said.
The move aligns with efforts by Amazon and other retailers to cut costs associated with returns, which include shipping fees and processing times. Advances in AI technology, such as virtual try-ons and tailored size recommendations, aim to improve customer satisfaction while reducing the need for physical trials and returns.
For now, customers can still take advantage of Amazon’s standard return policies and the new AI-powered features to find the right fit for their online purchases.
