Delivery company UPS says that Dec. 19 marks National Returns Day – and it comes this year before Christmas for the first time ever.
UPS expected 1.5 million returns to be shipped on this day, more than any other day in early January after Christmas.
The company says that this year more returns are made early due to the fact that more people are buying gifts for themselves on days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday to take advantage of deals. But those people typically realize by Dec. 19 that they bought stuff that they don’t need or doesn’t fit.
Others have taken to ordering multiple items for others and then sending back the extras. Many companies also feature easy options for returns and free shipping.
“I understand doing it before Christmas. Early shopping, find better deals, better items, better gifts,” says shopper Kari Mastrocola.
UPS says that the company expects a second wave of shipping returns on Jan. 3, with 1.3 million packages being returned.