You order something from Amazon, and it arrives a few days later. You excitedly open the package, but then realize there's a problem. Maybe the product is incorrect or broken, or maybe you're just not happy with it. Whatever the reason, now it's time to do a return or exchange -- and that isn't always easy (or free).
In this story, we'll show you everything you need to know to make Amazon returns without having to pay a dime, including giving valid reasons for returns, returning products purchased via Alexa, having UPS pick up your package from your home for free and more.
It's important to be as honest and precise as possible about why you're returning the product. If possible, Amazon and third-party sellers want to resell the merchandise (like through Amazon Warehouse Deals), so they'll check your items against your reason once the package is received.
Some reasons qualify for free shipping and some don't: For example, if you select "No longer needed," you may be charged for the return.
Misclassifying a return can not only result in negative repercussions to your account -- Amazon has been known to ban shoppers who misuse the return process -- but it can also mean you'll have to cough up shipping costs later anyway.
Here are all the various return reasons Amazon gives you to choose from:
No longer needed: You changed your mind and don't want the item anymore.
Inaccurate website description: For example, the photo shows a deep royal blue, but the item is a light sky blue. Similar to but different from "Wrong item was sent" (see below).
Item defective or doesn't work: It could be broken or simply doesn't do what it's designed to do (for example, apower bank with a broken USB-C port).
Bought by mistake: You accidentally hit Buy Now or forgot to delete an item from your cart before checking out.
Better price available: You've found the same thing at, say, Walmart for less than you paid for it at Amazon.
Product damaged, but shipping box OK: The box isn't dented, cut or scratched, but the item inside has cosmetic or mechanical damage.
Item arrived too late: The item was delivered past the guaranteed delivery and missed, for example, a birthday or holiday.
Missing or broken parts: Similar to "Item was defective or doesn't work" but applies specifically to the attachments or other items that come with a purchase.
Product and shipping box both damaged: Somewhere between being boxed up and arriving at your door the package was mishandled, and the product arrived broken.
The wrong item was sent: If you received a completely different item.
Received extra item I didn't buy (no refund needed): Something extra got packaged with your order, and you feel obliged to return it.
Didn't approve purchase: Someone, perhaps a child or friend, ordered something on your account without asking and you got charged for it.
Items ordered via Alexa always come with free returns, regardless of the reason
If you're considering a purchase but are really worried it won't qualify for free return shipping if it doesn't work out, order it through Alexa. Physical merchandise ordered through voice-shopping with Amazon's digital assistant always comes with free returns, regardless of the reason. The only exception is Amazon Pharmacy purchases.
To return a product purchased using Alexa, process your return as normal in the Returns Center and Amazon will automatically refund any applied shipping charges. You should see your refund within seven days of Amazon getting the merchandise back.
Don't just accept the default return shipping method
When Amazon asks you to select a return shipping method,Kohl's Drop offmay be the default preselected option, but it's not necessarily the one you want.
To get to theUPS Pick-upoption, the only way to return items without leaving home, you'll have to scroll down and possibly even click a link that reads something like "See more return options."
When you finally see the option forUPS Pick-up, it should also show the cost as$0.00(unless you've chosen one of the few reasons for a return that Amazon charges for, in which case Amazon will deduct about $6 from your refund).
Tap or clickUPS Pick-upand selectConfirm Your Return.
Tell Amazon where to send your refund
You'll have to choose how you want to get your money back: The quickest way is to request a credit to your Amazon account, which the company will issue as soon as UPS scans your return into its system. You are then restricted to spending the money at Amazon, however.
You can also have the funds put back on your debit or credit card. But even though Amazon will issue the refund as soon as UPS takes possession of your return package, it still could take another three to five business days to show up in your account.
Whether you choose a credit or a refund, you'll still need to decide how you want to send the item back.
All that's left is packing everything up and sending it out
Follow whatever instructions Amazon gives, which probably are just to print out a packing slip and place it in the package with your return.
Tape up the box good and tight -- even over the return label so it won't get damaged -- and put the package near your front door so you won't forget to set it out on the next business day.
You might even want to set a reminder on your phone or with Alexa or Google Assistant so you don't forget.
If you schedule a pickup but forget to leave your return outside, UPS will hopefully leave a note and attempt pickup two more times. Worst case scenario, the UPS driver will leave a prepaid mailing label that you'll have to apply to the package yourself, and then you'll have to cart the thing to the nearest UPS Store or UPS Dropoff location.
How does FREE Returns work? All return-eligible items, weighing under 50 lbs and sold by Amazon, have at least one free return option. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition for up to 30 days after purchase.
We offer free, convenient returns on most items delivered in the U.S. Customers should look for the “FREE Returns” badge under the price to confirm it is a qualifying item. Amazon offers a variety of ways to make a return, without all the stress. At least one (usually more) option is always offered for free.
Amazon has changed its return policy in an effort to cut down on costs. Amazon customers used to be able to drop off returns at UPS stores free of charge, but now the world's largest online retailer will charge some of its customers a fee for this service.
Attention Amazon shoppers: If you have a product to return to the online retailer, you may need to pay $1 to ship it back. The new return fee only applies to products returned through The UPS Store when other closer, free drop-off options are available to the customer.
Amazon doesn't set a limit for the number of products a customer can return, as long as it is for a legitimate reason. However, it doesn't tolerate abusive behaviors with its return system, such as sending back used or damaged items, or things purchased elsewhere.
But if you get into the habit of returning purchases too frequently, Amazon might start to penalize you. Such was the case recently for a customer who was charged a 50% restocking fee to return an item that wasn't of good use to her.
Any items returned without original documentation will be rejected. Items that have been resized, damaged, or otherwise altered after delivery won't be accepted for return.
Try to keep the return rate lower than 10%. Some banned users reported that Amazon also terminated their accounts after the return rate overcame 10%, so it is best to keep the rate as low as possible.
What is the Average Return Rate on Amazon? While the average return rates vary from category to category, the average typically sits between 5% and 15%. There are other categories, such as electronics, apparel and jewelry, where they return rate can reach 40%.
Returned items are put through a detailed inspection process, and if the product meets our high-quality standards, the item is tagged as “new” and is re-listed for sale. Most returned products meet this bar and are put back on our digital shelves for other customers.
Why does Amazon do returnless refunds? Amazon does returnless refunds to make the refund process easier and faster for customers. By eliminating the need to return an item, customers can receive refunds quickly, often within one business day.
How do I return an item on Amazon Prime? If you're not satisfied with a Prime eligible item that you've purchased on Amazon, you have 30 days from the date of delivery to return it for a refund. To return an item, simply go to Your Orders, find the item you would like to return, and click Return or Replace Item.
1. Shop our Clothing & Accessories, Shoes & Handbags, Jewelry, and Watch Stores. On the product detail page, look for the "Free Returns" next to the price to confirm that a product qualifies for Free Returns.
Delivery addresses in the 50 United States (U.S.) and APO/FPO addresses using a U.S. zip code are eligible for Free Returns. If you return an item using a paid method, we'll deduct the cost of return shipping and restocking fees from your refund.
Amazon allows customers to return eligible FBA items in the Baby category in new, unopened condition within 90 days. Products that have been opened or used are not eligible for returns in the extended time frame. Amazon will pay for the return shipping at no cost to the seller.
Unfortunately, some buyer locations aren't eligible for Kohl's Dropoff. If you don't see a Kohl's Dropoff option when you're on the Amazon website, it's probably because you don't live close to a Kohl's location. Additionally, certain Amazon items (like items sold by third-party sellers) are excluded altogether.
Returns generate 5.8 billion pounds of landfill waste each year and 16 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Now, Amazon has committed to zero product disposal, adding new options for sellers to refurbish, resell and liquidate returns instead of disposing of them.
FAQ. What happens if I miss my Amazon return date? You can try contacting Amazon customer support and asking for an exception, as there have been many instances of them doing so in the past. However, you may be charged a restocking fee.
We cannot exchange items unless they are defective or damaged. Items that are returned more than 30 days after delivery, are in unsellable condition, or are missing parts will be charged a restocking fee at our discretion. We cannot accept items returned after 60 days.
According to Amazon restocking fee 2023 guidelines, sellers can typically charge between 20% and 50% of the item price as a restocking fee, depending on the return reason, type of product, and the item's condition when returned. In some rare cases, you can also charge the full amount.
Each return label is assigned to a specific return. To receive the correct refund, don't include items from multiple orders or shipments in the same box.
Can you send another one? Sadly, it is not possible. Banned = at this point, Amazon permanently kicks you out of the marketplace with no chances of creating a new account ever again. It is due to repetitive appeals or forceful emails that only worsen the situation.
To continue with an appeal, contact us within 5 business days of your closure using the Contact Us form. Please choose the subject "Closed Account Appeal" from the dropdown menu.
Reading measurements carefully when you can't try something on is probably a good idea; a 2021 Statista survey found that apparel is by far the most returned retail category.
How Many Orders Does Amazon Get A Day? Amazon ships approximately 1.6 million packages a day. That works out to more than 66 thousand orders per hour, and 18.5 orders per second.
Some news outlets are reporting an “empty box” scam in which a third-party seller accepts payment for your order and ships you an empty box. Under Amazon's terms of use, if you accept the package then the seller may or may not be held accountable for the missing items.
When packages from Amazon or USPS go unclaimed, the unclaimed items are auctioned off by the postal service in bulk. The auction buyers then resell the unopened boxes individually and in return shoppers receive a mysterious gift that was once destined for someone else, but never made it.
Refund fraud is technically a form of larceny. Consumers who are caught committing return fraud may be subject to heavy fines and penalties.They may even be subject to jail time, depending on the severity of the crime.
Once you have returned a product to Amazon, it processes it and sells it to Amazon warehouses or liquidation retailers. Some returns make their way back to Amazon. However, most are put on pallets and sold in bulk to liquidation companies.
How to Make Amazon Returns at Kohl's Stores. Amazon Returns are now accepted at all Kohl's stores (excluding Anchorage, Alaska). Return eligible Amazon.com items to Kohl's stores and save yourself time and money.
If you want to pick up your order from Amazon you can now pick it up at any Rite Aid store and if you want to return an item you purchased through Amazon you can now go to any Kohl's across the country. And now FedEx and Walgreens have also set up a similar arrangement.
Start your return in our Online Return Center. If an item is eligible for return to an Amazon store, you will have the option to select Amazon Store Dropoff. If an item is eligible for return but cannot be returned to an Amazon store, you will be presented with other return options.
But if you get into the habit of returning purchases too frequently, Amazon might start to penalize you. Such was the case recently for a customer who was charged a 50% restocking fee to return an item that wasn't of good use to her.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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