People return items to Amazon for a variety of reasons. Maybe the item they received was not what they ordered, or it was damaged in shipping. Maybe they decided that they did not want the item after all, or found a better deal on the same product from another retailer. Or maybe the item was clothing and did not fit. No matter the reason, returning items to Amazon is easy and can be done in a variety of ways. In this blog post, we will discuss the different ways to return items to Amazon and why people choose to do it that way.
Contents
- How to Return Items to Amazon
- How To Mail Back Your Amazon Return
- FAQs about Returning Items to Amazon
- Can I return items to Amazon without a box?
- Do I have to pay shipping to return items to Amazon?
- What items can’t be returned to Amazon?
- How long do I have to return items to Amazon?
- What happens if I lose my Amazon return label?
- What if the deadline has passed to return my item to Amazon?
- What are the most common items that get returned to Amazon?
- What happens to the Amazon returned items?
- Conclusion
How to Return Items to Amazon
The most common way to return items to Amazon is by using the Online Returns Center. To do this, you simply need to log into your Amazon account and go to the “Your Orders” page. From there, find the order that contains the item you wish to return and select “Return or Replace Items”. You will then be prompted to select the reason for your return and whether you would like a refund or a replacement product. Responses to choose from are:
- Item defective or doesn’t work
- Wrong item was sent
- Missing or broken parts
- Product and shipping box both damaged
- Inaccurate website description
- Bought by mistake
- Received extra item I didn’t buy (no refund needed)
- No longer needed
- Item arrived too late
Certain selections will require you to comment about why you picked that response. The only responses that have an optional comment space are “Bought my mistake,” “No longer needed,” or “Item arrived too late.” All other responses require a comment of up to 200 characters.
Once you have made your selections, click on “Continue” and Amazon will ask if you want the amount refunded to your Amazon account balance or refunded to the method of payment that you used.
How To Mail Back Your Amazon Return
There are several options to return your items back to Amazon:
The UPS Store locations
Bring your return to an official UPS Store location that’s convenient for you. Show the return code on your smartphone to a The UPS Store associate who will print your shipping label and package the item up if you don’t have it packed up already.
UPS Drop-off Points
- The UPS Store
- UPS Drop Box (if package is small enough to fit in drop box)
- UPS Access Point
- Retail Chains
- Customer Service Points
- Authorized Shipping Outlet.
If you have a Founder’s Card, UPS will pick up your packages from your house for free!
UPS Pick up
If you don’t plan to be home (or just don’t want to open the door) and have the Founder’s Card for free UPS pickup, use the above option to print the label and leave the package on your porch for a contactless return.
Kohl’s Stores
Amazon Returns are now accepted at all Kohl’s stores (excluding Anchorage, Alaska). If your return is eligible to be returned to a Kohl’s store (you must live within so many miles of a Kohl’s store), you can select the Kohl’s dropoff option, and Amazon will email you a QR code. You then bring the item you’re returning to a Kohl’s store, show the QR code on your smartphone to an associate, and Kohl’s will pack, label, and ship your return for free.
As a bonus, you may even get a reward from Kohl’s for returning your item there. Customers have reported receiving $5 off and/or 25% off coupons to use at Kohl’s. That’s great marketing ploy to get people into their store, especially when Customer Service is at the back of the store!
Staples Stores
2023 Update: Staples now accepts Amazon Returns. Here’s how it works:
- Start your return – Visit Amazon’s return center to initiate and choose Staples as your return location.
- Get your QR code – Look for an email from Amazon and have your QR code ready when you go in and drop off.
- Drop off your return – Show your QR code to an associate and they’ll pack, label and ship your return for FREE.
- Get $10 off $30 at Staples when you return a package in store! This offer is also available when you return a package with Happy Returns by PayPal and Express Returns as well as ship a package, recycle tech or buy passport photos. Click here for more info.
Amazon Locker / Amazon Pickup Up Location
Another way to return items to Amazon is by taking them to an Amazon Locker or an Amazon Pickup Location. This is a great option if you live close to one of these locations (the option will not show if you don’t live close to one). To find an Amazon Locker or Pickup Location near you, simply go to the Amazon website and search for “Amazon Lockers” or “Amazon Pickup Locations”. Once you have found a location, print out the return label and attach it to your package. Then, drop off the package at the location and you will be refunded within a few days.
FAQs about Returning Items to Amazon
People often have questions about returning items to Amazon. Here are some frequently asked questions about Amazon returns.
Can I return items to Amazon without a box?
Yes, you can return most items to Amazon without the original packaging. However, there are some items that must be returned in their original packaging in order to receive a refund. For example, electronic devices and jewelry must be returned in their original boxes in order to receive a refund.
Do I have to pay shipping to return items to Amazon?
Most of the time, you will not have to pay for shipping when returning an item to Amazon. However, there are some cases where you may be responsible for the return shipping costs. For example, if you are returning a large item or if you live in a remote location, you may have to pay for return shipping. Also if you are ordering from a 3rd party seller, they may not offer return shipping for certain return responses. You can check the Return Policy on the Amazon website to see if there are any special circumstances that apply to your return.
What items can’t be returned to Amazon?
Amazon does not accept returns of the following items:
- Computer laptops, desktops, and Kindles more than 30 days after delivery
- Items classified as hazardous materials or that use flammable liquids or gases
- Any product missing the serial number or UPC
- Downloadable software products
- Online subscriptions after they have been accessed
- Gift cards (except as required by law)
- Prepaid game cards (World of Warcraft, Xbox 360 Live, Wii Points, etc.)
- Some jewelry orders
- Some health and personal care orders
- Grocery products
- Open software
- Items with special shipping restrictions
- Live insects
How long do I have to return items to Amazon?
Items shipped from Amazon can be returned within 30 days of delivery, with some exceptions (see list of items above). However, there are some third-party resellers that have different return policies, so be sure to check before returning anything. For example, some items have a 60-day return policy, while others can only be returned within 14 days.
What happens if I lose my Amazon return label?
If you lose your Amazon return label, you can log back into your account or find your email from Amazon and reprint your return label.
What if the deadline has passed to return my item to Amazon?
A last resort way to return items to Amazon is by using their Trade-In program. This is an option if you do not need a refund and would instead like to trade in your item for something else but please note that you will probably not receive credit for the full amount you paid for the item. To use this service, simply go to the Amazon Trade-In website and search for the item you wish to return. If Amazon accepts your item, you will be given the option to choose what you would like to receive in return. You can choose from a variety of items, including gift cards and other products. Once you have made your selection, print out the shipping label and send your item back to Amazon. Amazon’s trade-in program is listed as one of the ways to make money on Amazon.
What are the most common items that get returned to Amazon?
Clothes, electronics, and books are some of the most common items that get returned to Amazon. People might change their minds about the purchase, or they might receive a defective item.
What happens to the Amazon returned items?
When items are returned to Amazon, they are usually inspected to see if they are resellable. If so, Amazon will relist the item for sale. If the item is slightly damaged (opened box, dented box), Amazon may list the item in the Amazon warehouse where they offer quality pre-owned, used and open-box products (some of these items are also from the Trade-In program as discussed above.
Some third-party FBA sellers on Amazon may opt out of having their items relisted even if they item is resellable as they don’t trust Amazon’s judgement and don’t want their account dinged for selling used items. These sellers can choose to have the items returned to themselves, have the items disposed of, or have the items liquidated.
Based on contracted rates, liquidators will purchase inventory for a gross recovery value, which is about 5% to 10% of its average selling price. This doesn’t sound like much money (it isn’t), but it costs resellers money to have their items returned or disposed of, so this is the best option to make money if the item is worthless to the seller.
Liquidators then sell the liquidated inventory to salvage stores when people can buy these items at deep discounts. Find an Amazon liquidation store or Amazon bin store near you. If you’re interested in buying a pallet yourself of Amazon returns, click here on where and how to buy them.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few different ways that you can return items to Amazon. No matter which method you choose, Amazon makes it easy to get your refund or replacement product as soon as possible. So if you ever need to return something to Amazon, don’t hesitate – they will take care of you! Thanks for reading!
