⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND
Standard MATE the Label returns (for a cash refund) incur a $10.00 handling fee (deducted from your refund) and take 10–14 business days to process. While exchanges are often free, getting your actual money back comes with a cost. However, select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offs and Immediate Refunds via Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
Check Eligibility: Free Return + Instant Refund
I still remember the first time I decided to purge my closet of polyester. I wanted organic clothing for women that actually looked cute, not just crunchy. I loaded up my MATE the Label cart with a Fleece Sweatshirt and matching Joggers in "Bone," spending nearly $240. I justified it by telling myself I was saving the planet, one outfit at a time.
When the package arrived, the organic cotton was incredibly soft, but the "Bone" color was… transparent. I could see the outline of my pockets and my underwear. I realized immediately I couldn't wear this out of the house. I needed the "Charcoal" instead, or maybe just my money back.
I went to the return portal, expecting the easy, free process I get from big retailers. That’s when I saw the line item. Handling Fee: $10.00.
I paused. I was paying ten dollars just to try on sweatpants? It felt like a hidden tax on shopping sustainably. And because I needed the $240 refund back on my debit card to pay for my groceries that week, I was checking my bank app every morning. It took 12 days for the refund to process after I dropped the package at UPS. I had nearly $400 tied up in cotton clothing limbo for two weeks because I had already bought the darker color while waiting for the refund.
If you are staring at a pile of all natural clothing that doesn't quite fit your vibe, you need to know the rules before you repack that eco-friendly mailer. Whether you are checking the MATE the Label return policy fine print or wondering if you missed the window, here is the unvarnished truth about getting your money back.
How to Return MATE the Label Items (The Slow & Costly Way)
MATE the Label is a leader in the clean fashion movement, but their return logistics are standard e-commerce friction. They encourage exchanges to keep the inventory moving and avoid issuing refunds.
The Official Online Protocol
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The "Scent" Audit: Before you log in, smell the clothes. Organic clothes absorb odors easily. If it smells like your perfume or laundry detergent, stop. They will reject it.
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Visit the Portal: Go to the MATE the Label website and find the "Returns" link in the footer.
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Enter Details: Input your Order Number (starts with an M or #) and Zip Code.
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Choose Your Outcome:
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Exchange: Free. They ship the new size/color immediately (if using Instant Exchange).
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Store Credit: Free. You get a digital gift card (sometimes with a small bonus).
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Refund: You pay $10.00.
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Print & Pack: You usually need to print a label. You must pack the items back into a mailer.
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Ship It: Drop it at the carrier (usually UPS or FedEx).
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The Inspection: The warehouse inspects for wear, stains, and animal hair.
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The Refund: Once approved, the money (minus the $10) hits your account days later.
This is the old way: You pay for the label, and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip both. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common Issues Shoppers Face with MATE the Label Returns
When digging into reviews for MATE the Label returns, the complaints aren't usually about the sustainability mission—it's about the logistics of the "try-on" period.
1. The $10 Handling Fee
If you are used to free returns from other retailers, paying $10 feels steep.
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The Math: If you order two sizes of a t-shirt to find your fit ("bracketing"), you are guaranteed to lose $10. It penalizes you for needing to try things on.
2. The "Natural Fiber" Sensitivity
Womens organic clothing is delicate.
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The Trap: If you try on a white tee and get a smudge of makeup on the collar, or if your cat brushes against the black leggings, the return is void. MATE is strict about condition because they can't just bleach the clothes like fast fashion brands.
3. The "Shipping Date" Window
The 30-day window starts from the ship date, not the day you opened the box.
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The Reality: If shipping takes 7 days to get to you, you effectively only have 23 days to decide. Don't sit on the package.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these fees entirely.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
Imagine returning those linen pants without paying a handling fee and without waiting for them to be inspected at the warehouse.
The Closo Advantage
Closo has partnered with logistics providers to streamline returns for direct-to-consumer brands.
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No Handling Fee: If eligible, the $10.00 fee is waived. You keep 100% of your purchase price.
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No Box Needed: You don't need to find a poly mailer. Just bring the clothes.
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Instant Verification: The return is scanned at the drop-off point. The refund is triggered immediately.
Why pay the return fee and wait 2 weeks, when you could pay $0 and wait 2 minutes?
Are You Eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for MATE the Label yet. You need to verify your location.
If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks to Master the MATE Policy
If you aren't in a Closo zone yet, you can use these strategies to minimize your costs.
1. The "Core" Exchange
If you bought a seasonal color (like "Lavender") and hate it, don't just refund it.
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The Hack: Exchange it for a "Core" item in Black or Bone.
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Why: Exchanges are free. Core items never go on sale and have high resale value. A NWT (New With Tags) black MATE set is easy to sell on Poshmark for near retail price, letting you cash out without the $10 fee.
2. The "Detox" Resale Market
MATE has a dedicated resale platform (often called "MATE ReMATE" or similar partnerships).
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The Strategy: If you missed the return window, check their resale partner.
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The Benefit: You can sell your pre-loved MATE items for store credit that is often higher than what you'd get selling for cash elsewhere.
3. Bundle Awareness
MATE often sells "Packs" (e.g., 3 Tees for a discount).
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The Rule: If you return one tee from the pack, you lose the bundle discount.
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The Math: They will charge you full price for the two tees you kept. Your refund will be tiny. Always return the entire bundle if you aren't 100% happy.
People Always Ask Me...
"Does MATE the Label shrink?"
People always ask me this. Yes. Cotton clothing without synthetic stabilizers will shrink if you put it in the dryer.
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The Return Risk: If you wash it and it shrinks, you cannot return it. MATE will know. Always try it on beforewashing. If you keep it, wash cold and hang dry.
"Can I return Final Sale items?"
Common question I see. No. Items marked "Final Sale" (often during their "Clean Sweep" sales) are yours forever.
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The Advice: Only buy Final Sale if you already own the item in that size and just want a new color.
"Are returns free?"
One question I get constantly. Refunds cost $10. Exchanges and store credit are free. This is the trade-off for buying from a smaller, sustainable brand vs. a giant corporation.
Conclusion
MATE the Label makes organic clothes that are better for your skin and the planet, but the MATE the Label return policy is a reminder that sustainable logistics aren't always free. The $10 fee is the cost of doing business with a brand that refuses to cut corners.
If you can, try to exchange to save the fee. If you must refund, check your zip code for Closo eligibility. There is no reason to pay a fee just because the "Bone" color was too sheer.
Check if you can save that $10.00 fee and get your money back today.
