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Impact & Benefits
Try for 5 is an elevated try before you buy payment service designed to remove the barriers to purchasing high-consideration items online. Customers can try on a selection of items, returning unwanted items within 5 days, with payment taken only for the pieces they keep.
The service gives customers the confidence to shop online as freely as they would in-store, driving new customer acquisition whilst encouraging basket building. Adding a Try for 5 option grows topline sales with no increase in marketing spend - offering one of the biggest opportunities to drive profitable online growth in eCommerce today.
Our mission at Harper is to help retailers drive profitable online growth by elevating the online experience for customers. Harper’s Try for 5 service is designed to support customer acquisition, increase order values and accelerate the speed of returns, ensuring a more efficient and profitable eCommerce model.
New Customer Acquisition & Conversion Uplift - For high-consideration items such as fashion or premium products, making a first purchase online requires a significant leap of faith. By removing the upfront payment barrier, Try for 5 helps brands increase conversion rates by up to 10%, with the majority of customers using the service being first-time shoppers.
Higher Average Order Value - By eliminating the need for upfront payment, customers feel comfortable building larger baskets or shopping at higher price points, just as they would in-store. Brands with strong basket growth potential can see average transaction values increase by up to 20% for Try for 5 orders (post-returns).
To understand the expected impact of the service, visit our case studies section or get in touch and we’d be happy to provide a detailed business case based on similar retailers.
Try for 5 gives customers the freedom to shop new brands and build larger baskets while ensuring unwanted items are returned quickly and in good condition, ready to be resold at full margin.
Customers return items within an average of 3.8 days, with all returns due within 5 days - a significant improvement on standard returns, which can take up to 30 days. Even with a higher return rate, the faster turnaround has a positive overall stock impact.
When Try for 5 is enabled, high return rate customers, such as those ordering multiple sizes, naturally shift to this channel instead of placing standard orders. This shift lowers the return rate of standard orders and whilst the return rate for Try for 5 will be higher, the faster returns improves the flow of stock.
In summary, the service has a positive impact on stock efficiency and typically results in less than a one percentage point increase in sitewide return rate - which is covered many times over by the growth in topline sales.
Get in touch if you’d like to discuss how your stock can be better utilised to drive profitable online growth.
Customer Experience
Harper seamlessly integrates into your existing eCommerce experience, elevating the online journey and driving revenue growth from day one.
At the core of the integration is the Harper button, typically placed on the cart page to ensure maximum visibility during browsing and basket-building. Beyond this, we can advise on additional messaging placements to maximise impact.
Customers selecting Try for 5 choose from the same delivery options as standard orders, with no changes to fulfilment workflows. Harper’s technology is integrated with all major carriers to trigger the trial period upon delivery, ensuring a smooth and automated process.
Returns are handled through your standard returns process, with Harper integrated into all major returns platforms to ensure accurate charging. Once items are received by the warehouse, Harper’s technology automatically reconciles returns, correcting any balances if needed.
By removing upfront payment, Try for 5 gives customers the freedom to shop online like they can in-store - whilst eliminating one of the top customer frustrations: waiting for refunds.
For a deeper dive into implementation, visit our Implementation section or get in touch to arrange an end-to-end product demo
Harper is committed to delivering a best-in-class shopping experience, reflected in our market-leading Net Promoter Score of 88 and 5-star Trustpilot rating.
The end-to-end Try for 5 experience is designed to streamline online shopping, building long-term loyalty while eliminating frustration areas that impact retention, such as waiting for refunds.
For retailers, Harper not only enhances customer experience but also positively influences their own Trustpilot ratings. Many brands offering Try for 5 see an immediate uplift in customer reviews, as the seamless shopping journey drives higher satisfaction and stronger retention.
Check out Harper’s Trustpilot page to see why customers love our services. We now also direct service users to retailer Trustpilot pages, elevating your Trustpilot pages from Day 1.
Implementation
The level of implementation varies by platform, but Harper is considered a low-effort integration by most retailers, taking between 1-5 days of integration effort for most retailers.
At its core, integration requires adding the Harper snippet, which can often be completed during a call with our tech team. This snippet includes all essential messaging – the Harper button, Learn More overlay, and product page messaging – which simply needs to be styled to match your brand guidelines before going live.
Harper acts as the payment method, meaning there is no need to configure payment authorisation or settlement processes. Try for 5 is fully embedded into your checkout flow, ensuring a seamless payment experience for both customers and retailers.
Harper’s technology is designed to interact only with your eCommerce platform, eliminating the need for complex integrations with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Order Management Systems (OMS), or other back-end systems.
Visit our Implementation pages for more details, or get in touch for a free consultation with our tech team to discuss your platform and provide an integration estimate.
Orders placed with Try for 5 are processed exactly like standard eCommerce orders, with stock fulfilled from the same locations as standard orders. There are no changes to existing fulfilment workflows - customers simply select their preferred delivery option, and the retailer ships as usual.
Returns are made through your standard returns process, with Harper embedded into all major return platforms to ensure items are tracked at each stage. Harper’s technology listens for warehouse returns to automatically reconcile orders but no integration is required with the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
The only difference with the service is that returns come back within 5 days versus up to 30 days - ensuring unwanted items can be sold quickly, at full price.
Harper utilises proprietary fraud prevention software and global fraud networks such as Signifyd and Stripe, ensuring fraud levels are comparable to standard eCommerce transactions.
For added protection, Harper insures items against fraud and loss, reimbursing the cost of any items lost to fraud at cost level. This ensures retailers are safeguarded, making Try for 5 a low-risk, high-impact solution for brands at every level.
Try for 5 is currently available across mainland UK and Northern Ireland.
We are actively planning international expansion of the service so get in touch if you’d like to see the service in any specific regions.
Service Pricing
Harper’s Try for 5 service operates as a payment method, receiving a payment processing fee based on the volume of sales through the service. Fees for Try for 5 are typically in line with other premium payment options such as AMEX, PayPal, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services.
There are no upfront costs to offering the service, as Harper’s fees are based on a percentage of sales. With a proven impact on topline revenue and minimal additional costs to operate, Try for 5 presents one of the biggest opportunities to drive profitable online growth in eCommerce today.
For a pricing quote or tailored business case, get in touch and we'd be happy to help.
Service success guarantee: Customer retention is one of our key success metrics, so we take a transparent approach to business cases and won’t partner with a retailer unless we believe the service is a strong fit. For those we’re confident will see success, we often include a service success guarantee in the contract - ensuring the service delivers profitable online growth, with the option to disable it if it doesn’t (though this is rarely needed).
Try for 5 is a payment method, so there is no additional cost to using the service - standard delivery fees apply as they would for any other order.
If you charge a return fee, this can be applied in the same way. However, retailers have the option to waive return fees for Try for 5, which can encourage high-return-rate customers, such as those ordering multiple sizes, to use the service—ensuring items are returned within five days.
For premium brands, the value of getting stock back quickly to sell at full price often outweighs the revenue gained from return fees, making fast returns a strategic advantage.
Stress-free shopping.
Harper's Try Before You Buy service is the top-rated payments service on Trustpilot.
Impact & Benefits
Harper’s Concierge Service is designed to elevate the online shopping experience whilst growing online sales by removing the barriers to shopping online.
The key service benefits are:
Average Spend Increase: Most brands experience a 50% to 90% increase in net average transaction value (post-returns) for customers using the Concierge Service. This is due to customers trying on a selection of items (5 to 8 on average) and becoming comfortable shopping for higher pricepoint pieces online.
Retention Rate Increase: The service can increase repeat purchase rates by up to 30% as a result of offering an elevated and convenient shopping experience. The service has a market-leading Net Promoter Score of 88.
Brand Elevation: Offering a Concierge Service elevates the online shopping experience by providing the kind of luxury customer experience that’s difficult to offer online. Every shop with Harper is designed to strengthen brand perception and customer loyalty.
Get in touch and we’d be happy to provide case studies from similar brands or arrange a product demo.
The aim of the Concierge Service is to give customers the freedom to build outfits and try on a selection of items, just like they would in-store.
Customers typically try on 5 to 8 items with a Concierge Service and keep around 1 in 3 items. This results in an increase in Average Transaction Value of 50% to 90% (post-returns) for most retailers. The post-purchase return with the service is less than 3%.
Any items that aren’t purchased in an appointment are returned to your warehouse the next working day. This provides stock efficiencies by ensuring items are never left with customers waiting to be returned for extended periods of time.
Harper’s Concierge Service is designed to deliver not just incremental sales, but profitable growth, driving higher average transaction values and improving retention -- whilst accelerating the speed of returns.
The key drivers of profitability include:
- Higher Net Sales per Order – Customers typically try 5 to 8 items and keep 50% to 90% more in value per order (post-returns) compared to standard eCommerce purchases.
- Reduced Full-Order Returns – Nearly 25% of online orders result in all items being returned, whereas with Harper, this drops to less than 10%, increasing net revenue.
- Stock Efficiencies – Unpurchased items are returned the next day, ensuring stock remains in-season and at full price rather than being delayed in the returns cycle.
- Customer Retention & Lifetime Value – The elevated experience drives up to 30% higher repeat purchase rates, turning more first-time buyers into loyal customers.
- Commission-Based Model – With no fixed costs, fees scale proportionally with sales, ensuring retailers only pay when they generate revenue.
For a detailed business case tailored to your business, get in touch and we’ll provide a full P&L model based on actual figures from similar retailers.
Customer Experience
Harper seamlessly integrates into your existing eCommerce experience, elevating your online journey and driving revenue growth from day one.
At the core of the integration is the Harper button, typically placed on the cart page to ensure maximum visibility during browsing and basket-building.
Beyond the core integration, we can advise on additional messaging placements to maximize impact. For example, if sizing uncertainty affects new customer conversions, positioning a Try Before You Buy message alongside the size guide can help drive new customer acquisition.
Once the customer has selected the Harper button, they are then taken to the Harper checkout where they can choose a convenient 1-hr delivery slot and opt-in to Styling Assistance if they’d like the Style Concierge to provide an expert 2nd opinion and even alterations. Customers who’d prefer to try on in private can unselect this option and the Style Concierge will return after 40 minutes to take payment and take any returns off their hands.
For a deeper dive into implementation, visit our implementation section, or get in touch to arrange an end-to-end product demo.
Harper’s Style Concierges are experienced retail professionals, carefully hired and trained to deliver an exceptional level of service. Unlike traditional delivery services, Harper directly employs its Style Concierges, ensuring a premium customer experience that has earned world-class Net Promoter Scores and a 5-star Trustpilot rating [(add link)].
As part of the onboarding process, Harper collaborates with each brand to develop bespoke training that every Style Concierge must complete before serving customers, ensuring a seamless brand-aligned experience.
At the heart of our service is "Sales through Service" – a signature approach designed to drive sales by not only helping customers find what they’re looking for but also inspiring them with pieces they hadn’t considered.
Nearly 25% of online fashion orders result in all items being returned – a disappointing experience for customers and an area of significant losses for retailers. With Harper, this drops to less than 10% – significantly improving customer satisfaction and online profitability.
Harper is committed to delivering best-in-class shopping experiences, reflected in our market-leading Net Promoter Score of 88 and 5-star Trustpilot rating. The personalised, high-touch nature of the Concierge Service ensures that customers receive an elevated experience that exceeds expectations.
For retailers, Harper not only enhances customer satisfaction but also positively impacts their own Trustpilot ratings. Many brands offering the service see a measurable improvement in customer reviews, as the seamless customer experience drives higher satisfaction and loyalty.
Every element of the service, from our expertly trained Style Concierges to our seamless integration with your eCommerce journey, is designed to deliver a premium, frictionless experience that builds trust and reinforces brand loyalty.
Implementation
The level of implementation varies by platform, but Harper is considered a low-effort integration by most retailers. The majority complete the integration in less than a week, with those on simpler platforms integrating in less than a day.
At its core, integration requires adding the Harper snippet, which can often be completed during a call with our tech team. This snippet includes all essential messaging—the Harper button, Learn More overlay, and basic product page messaging—which simply needs to be styled to match your brand guidelines before going live.
Harper’s technology is designed to interact only with your eCommerce platform, eliminating the need for complex integrations with your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Order Management System (OMS), or other back-end systems.
Visit our Implementation pages for more details, or get in touch for a free consultation with our tech team to discuss your platform and provide an integration estimate.
Harper orders are processed just like standard eCommerce orders with stock fulfilled from the same locations as any other order. The only difference is that Harper’s technology updates the delivery address to our fulfillment locations, where Style Concierges collect and return orders.
Customers can typically book their first available appointment for Next Day +1, or Next Day for retailers offering overnight or next-morning delivery. However, most customers use the service for convenience rather than speed, selecting a one-hour delivery slot that fits their schedule. Retailers typically allow up to 7 days for customers to book, ensuring flexibility and weekend appointments.
Unwanted items are returned the next day to the retailer’s preferred location, meaning products are never left with customers for extended periods. This ensures items remain in-season and at full price, maximising sell-through and protecting margins.
Harper’s Style Concierge service is the safest way to sell online, with the personal nature of the experience ensuring items are tried on carefully and returned in pristine condition – never worn and returned.
Fraud and theft rates are exceptionally low, and to provide further peace of mind, Harper offers stock loss insurance to cover any lost or stolen items – though such instances are extremely rare.
This makes the service the perfect fit for premium and luxury fashion brands who want to ensure items are returned quickly, safely and in perfect condition.
Our Concierge service is currently available across Greater London (all 32 boroughs).
For customers outside Greater London, our Try for 5 service is available across the UK.
For international customers, we’re currently planning our expansion so watch this space
Service Pricing
Harper’s Concierge Service operates on a commission-based model, calculated on net sales (after returns).
This means:
- No fixed costs – fees scale proportionally with the sales generated.
- No cost for unkept items – if a customer returns everything, there’s no charge.
- Aligned incentives – our success is directly tied to ensuring customers find and keep their perfect pieces.
Pricing varies by price point. Get in touch for a tailored quote or a business case demonstrating the expected P&L impact based on similar retailers.
Client retention is one of our key success metrics. We take a transparent approach to projected sales impact and are happy to make these contractual, ensuring realistic and aligned expectations.
Our goal is to make Harper a win-win for retailers, customers, and our business—delivering measurable results while elevating the online shopping experience.
This is determined by each retailer and depends on price point and delivery fee policies.
Luxury and higher price point retailers often choose to offer the service complimentary. Retailers with a broader price range typically charge £10 to £15 for the service.
We can advise on the best approach for your brand. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more.
Still have questions?
We'd be happy to book a demo, answer any questions or tell you more about how retailers use Harper to drive sales and delight customers.