I just bought Christmas presents and I ordered only the books from Amazon. JetPens packages stationery for less damage, Uncommon Goods has a curated selection, and a wallet from Nordstrom has a better return policy.
Agreed with all the examples you list. The flip side though is I have been dealing with a clothing company (Zanerobe) who's return policy is store credit only. The main problem with that is their product line is really small, so basically my options are keep the pair of pants that I don't like OR just let them hold my money as store credit forever. Should I have read their return policy before buying, yes, probably, but I've gotten so used to places like Nordstrom AND Amazon giving refunds for returned products for any reason that it didn't even occur to me.
Aren't refunds required for returns in US online sales?
Unfortunately no. Had I realized this companies return policy, I never would have shopped with them.
The US tends to have very few federal laws of this type. Some states have them.
OK, if I go bankrupt now because of discovering JetPens, it is your fault!
I've spent waaaay too much money at JetPens. Good stuff.