Amazon is ending its 'Try Before You Buy' program: What to know
FILE - A man is seen carrying a package in front of the Amazon logo on July 4, 2024. (Photo by Dilara Irem Sancar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
SEATTLE - Amazon is shutting down its "Prime Try Before You Buy," a program that lets customers try out certain clothing, shoes and accessories and only pay for what they want to keep.
The program will end on Jan. 31, 2025, according to a notice on Amazon’s website. The online marketplace then directs customers to its Amazon Fashion page for its "full selection of fashion items."
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Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, a spokesperson confirmed the program’s phase out in a statement to CNBC.
"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, effective January 31, 2025," the spokesperson said.
Amazon first launched the service in 2017 as a program called "Prime Wardrobe." It aimed to be a challenge to other online personal styling services like Stitch Fix, Rent the Runway, Trunk Club, and others.
It included a variety of pieces for women, men, kids and babies. Prime customers could choose up to six items to keep for a seven-day, try-on period – and only charged for what they opted to keep.
Meanwhile, Amazon in November launched a new feature called Amazon Haul, a low-cost online storefront meant to compete with retailers like Shein and Temu. It features electronics, apparel and other products priced at $20 or less.
The Source: This story was reported using information on Amazon's Prime Try Before You Buy website. It also includes a statement given to CNBC. It was reported from Cincinnati.