Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (2024)

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (1) Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (2)
  • Online shoppers are making more returns than ever.
  • Amazon offers multiple return options, with the choice to drop off or have a package picked up.

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Shoppers are returning online orders at an unprecedented rate, totaling more than a quarter of all online purchases in 2022. With $279 billion worth of returns in 2022, some processes are smoother than others.

As an ecommerce giant, Amazon is responsible for many of those returns.

Here are all the ways to return your Amazon order.

Return to a UPS store

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (3)

Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

You can return an item to the UPS store without any packing or printing labels. Once you select the UPS store as your return method on Amazon's website, you'll receive a QR code that can be scanned at the store, and workers will label, and ship the item.

Addresses in the US are eligible for free return shipping, Amazon says.

UPS Access Point

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (4)

Reuters

If a UPS Store isn't convenient, the delivery service also has an interactive map to find other drop points that work the same way. These access points are in CVS stores, banks, grocery stores, and other locations, and they work the same way as the store using a QR code.

Amazon Hub Locker

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (5)

Matthew Horwood / Contributor/Getty Images

Amazon allows packages smaller than 18 in x 12 in x 14 in to be returned in lockers. To do this, package the item and bring it to the locker. Enter the drop-off code provided by Amazon the locker touch screen, and follow the instructions on screen.

Ship it yourself

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (6)

Chainarong Prasertthai/Getty Images

You can ship a return to Amazon yourself and skip the drop-off points, but then you're responsible for all shipping costs.

Amazon generally recommends its drop-off options, but you may be required to ship returns yourself if the item is large or heavy.

Drop off at Kohl's

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (7)

Business Insider/Jessica Tyler

Returns at Kohl's work the same as they do at the UPS store. All you need is a QR code, and workers will package and label the item for you at no extra cost.

Dropoff at Whole Foods

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (8)

AP/Danny Johnston

Some Whole Foods locations accept unpackaged and unlabeled returns, Amazon says, using the same system as other free dropoffs.

Return to a physical Amazon store

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (9)

AP/Ted S. Warren

Amazon buyers can bring an unboxed item to return at physical Amazon stores for free using a QR code.

Schedule UPS Pickup

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (10)

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

If none of those options are convenient enough, you can also arrange for a UPS driver to come right to your front door and pick up your package. You must pack it yourself, but UPS will bring a label. This option costs $7.99, so its pricier than the many free dropoff choices.

Amazon generally only gives 30 days from when you receive the item to ship it back.

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options. (2024)

FAQs

Need to return an Amazon purchase? The ecommerce giant has doubled its return options.? ›

It's all about moderation

It's pretty fair to say that if you return 80% of the orders you make on Amazon, you'll be putting your account at risk of getting flagged or potentially canceled. But Amazon expects customers to make their fair share of returns, and if you do so in moderation, you're probably fine.

Can Amazon get mad at too many returns? ›

It's all about moderation

It's pretty fair to say that if you return 80% of the orders you make on Amazon, you'll be putting your account at risk of getting flagged or potentially canceled. But Amazon expects customers to make their fair share of returns, and if you do so in moderation, you're probably fine.

Can you abuse the Amazon return policy? ›

We may monitor customer return activity and take appropriate action (including but not limited to denial of refund) if account abuse and/or activity in violation of our return policy is detected.

What happens if you don't return an Amazon item after a refund? ›

If you have already received a refund and are expected to return the item, you will be charged if the item is not sent back to us. If you have already sent it back and have received an email from us asking you to return the item or have been charged, we will reverse the charge as soon as the return is processed by us.

What options to choose when returning Amazon? ›

Return Methods

Using drop off services at locations that are convenient for you. Using pickup options. Using Heavy-Bulky return options, handled by a specialty carrier team. Using Locker, Locker+, and Amazon Hub Counter locations for small packages.

What happens if you make too many Amazon returns? ›

But one thing you may not want to do is make a lot of returns on Amazon. If you do, you might risk having your account canceled.

Does Amazon ever reject returns? ›

Here are some common reasons why Amazon may reject a return: Return window expired: Amazon typically has a specific time frame within which you can initiate a return. If the return is requested after the specified period, they may reject it. Item not eligible for return: Certain products, such as digital downloads, p.

Does Amazon watch your returns? ›

On average, retailers expect consumers will return about 18% of merchandise for one reason or another. Keep this in mind, Amazon keeps track of your returns. If you return 5-10 items a month or more than 10% of what you order, for no good reason, Amazon may warn you.

Does Amazon return stolen items? ›

Does Amazon Replace Stolen Packages? The short answer to this question is "most often, yes." Amazon offers a guarantee called "The A to Z Guarantee." This guarantee offers an added level of security for customers making their purchases. The A to Z Guarantee protects purchases sold or fulfilled by third-party sellers.

What happens to customer damaged Amazon returns? ›

If the returned item is sellable, we'll return the item to your inventory and will not reimburse you. If the returned item is unsellable, we'll determine who is responsible for the condition. If we find Amazon is responsible for an unsellable return, we'll reimburse you and will not add the item back to your inventory.

Why does Amazon refund items without return? ›

The Amazon Returnless Refund Explained

Instead of processing the return, paying for its shipping, or even determining if you can resell the item later, Amazon created this return option to help ecommerce companies like yours efficiently handle returns without them bogging you down.

How do I complain to Amazon for a refund? ›

To request a refund:
  1. Go to Your Orders.
  2. Locate the order.
  3. Click Return or replace items.
  4. Select the reason from the drop-down list under why are you returning this.
  5. Select the refund option under How can we make it right.
  6. Click continue and follow the instructions.

Which Amazon return reasons are free? ›

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.

What is the best reason to return an item on Amazon? ›

Item defective or doesn't work: It could be broken or simply doesn't do what it's designed to do (for example, a power 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.

Why is Amazon charging for returns? ›

This fee aims to cover the operational costs of returns and encourage a reduction in waste.

Are Amazon UPS returns no longer free? ›

Amazon returns at UPS will no longer be free

Customers who drop returns off at UPS locations could be charged $1 per order going forward, The Information first reported. The fee will only apply if there is a Whole Foods, Kohl's, or Amazon Fresh location closer to the order's address than the UPS store.

Is there a limit on how many times you can return to Amazon? ›

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.

Can you get in trouble for returning too much? ›

You could soon be punished for making too many returns at your favorite retailer. Retailers may start punishing serial returners by withholding discounts as returns costs stay high. Some brands have started giving discounts to keep unwanted items or charging to send things back.

How much money does Amazon lose from returns? ›

The dark side of Amazon returns: Boxes getting sent back has metastasized to an $816 billion yearly problem. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. E-commerce may make shopping more convenient, but it has a dark side that most consumers never see.

Does Amazon check serial numbers for returns? ›

That item will then be subject to Amazon's checks and examination to verify the validity of the return. This is the point in the process where the barcode would be scanned. Although, as we've previously mentioned, the company does not check the serial number associated with the returns.

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