How do returns work at Amazon?

[Muse]

I watched a ~9 minute Youtube video by a woman who bought several sets (~1/2 dozen or more) of packing cubes. She sat cross legged on her bed and demonstrated what she liked and didn't like about each set and explained why she was keeping 2 of the sets and returning the others.

I'm not in the habit of buying things online and returning them if I don't like them. Maybe I should be, it would make life easier and better sometimes. Instead, I often do a ton of research and try to make sure I'll be pleased with what I order in the first place. Naturally some times it's hard to tell until you have the goods in your hands.

I don't have an Amazon Prime subscription. I have bought a ton of stuff on Amazon, currently have an Amazon gift card with over $1100 credit on it. Generally, Amazon customer service treats me really well. A few weeks ago I had problems with an order that didn't arrive on time and they credited me back my payment. When the item finally arrived, they said just keep it, no problemo.

I've seen posts not infrequently where people say they return items, often items they get from (or through) Amazon. I assume they are credited what they paid in the first place, maybe including shipping (I always get $25+ worth of items from Amazon so I get free shipping anyway). When people return stuff to Amazon can/do they just say they didn't like it? Are they allowed free return shipping labels? How do (Amazon) returns work? And how do these things work with other online retailers?

 

[Muse]

Mod... I don't know how this wound up in CPUs and Overclocking... I thought I was in OT discussion forum. Please move there... thank you.

 

[Captante]

It's folks like that woman who ruin things for the rest of us just like they did with Costco and LL Bean's formerly generous return-policies.

And I've never had a problem that Amazon CS didn't fix once I was able to reach them.

As for how to do an Amazon return there are multiple options depending on where you are located. I have a Kohls up the street and there are several drop-locations not too far away.

 

[deadlyapp]

Depends on if the item is sold by amazon, fulfilled by amazon, or is 3rd party. Generally if 3rd party, you'll have to send it back at your own expense. If sold or fulfilled by Amazon, you can usually drop it off at a Kohls (in certain states), or they'll give you a pre-paid shipping label and you just drop it off.

Occasionally, they'll just have you keep or toss it if it's not worth it to them to have returned.

 

[Viper GTS]

I avoid returning at (nearly) all costs, I'm too paranoid about losing my Amazon account.

I know they target people who do shit like buy 5 laptops or SLR and return 4, but losing my Amazon account would be massively life changing for me so I basically return nothing. Even broken stuff if it's cheap enough.

I just did the math my return rate (based on $) is probably something like 0.3%. But I'm still paranoid.

Viper GTS

 

[glenn1]

https://www.theatlantic.com/technol...BpwtjiYstAq1sp-8pLE03OytgFe7KJfItbrmzuEQOQv40

 

[lxskllr]

Closest I've come to a return was for some chainsaw files I contacted the seller about. Both of us made some mistakes, and they told me to keep the files, and they'd refund my account. Otherwise, I choose carefully, and if I got what I ordered, I deal with it one way or the other. "Trialing" stuff online is lame.

 

[Captante]

https://www.theatlantic.com/technol...BpwtjiYstAq1sp-8pLE03OytgFe7KJfItbrmzuEQOQv40

Sorta like Storage-Wars economy version

 

[spacejamz]

the two times I have been to Kohls since they started accepting amazon returns, the line has been like 4 or 5 deep of people returning amazon stuff...the c/s rep said it has been crazy since they started that...

 

[FeuerFrei]

If you make a habit of returns, they'll delete your account and any associated digital media you purchased access to.

I've had to return multiple pairs shoes before that didn't fit.
Also returned a tire once because I bought the incorrect size. They charged me shipping on that.
Recently I bought some drinks (12 pk) through Amazon for the first time ever. One can split open in the mail and arrived empty. Box was dry but misshapen and some items inside had Pepsi on them. I clicked "Return Items" button. Detailed my damaged goods and Amazon auto-decided that I didn't need to return the 12pk and instead informed me a FULL refund would be applied to my card within a certain time. So I got some free drinks.

 

[FeuerFrei]

the two times I have been to Kohls since they started accepting amazon returns, the line has been like 4 or 5 deep of people returning amazon stuff...the c/s rep said it has been crazy since they started that...

Sounds like a crazy policy. Good luck on that, Kohl's.

* OH they're just playing UPS in exchange for foot traffic to stores - I see. Not reselling Amazon goods.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Whan I return something I just rebox it and send it back with a note......

 

[Muse]

It's folks like that woman who ruin things for the rest of us just like they did with Costco and LL Bean's formerly generous return-policies.

And I've never had a problem that Amazon CS didn't fix once I was able to reach them.

As for how to do an Amazon return there are multiple options depending on where you are located. I have a Kohls up the street and there are several drop-locations not too far away.

Yeah, makes me uncomfortable to even think of buying 6 and returning 4 like that lady in the video did. I've seen various posts by people who did a try and return kind of thing but it doesn't seem right to me. I try hard to make sure I will like what I decide to order before hitting the confirm button. And I sure don't want to spoil my Amazon (or Costco) relationship. I've returned a few things to Costco, very rarely!

 

[Muse]

If you make a habit of returns, they'll delete your account and any associated digital media you purchased access to.

I've had to return multiple pairs shoes before that didn't fit.

Also returned a tire once because I bought the incorrect size. They charged me shipping on that.
Recently I bought some drinks (12 pk) through Amazon for the first time ever. One can split open in the mail and arrived empty. Box was dry but misshapen and some items inside had Pepsi on them. I clicked "Return Items" button. Detailed my damaged goods and Amazon auto-decided that I didn't need to return the 12pk and instead informed me a FULL refund would be applied to my card within a certain time. So I got some free drinks.

As far as ordering shoes online, I've never returned any. Usually I only buy New Balance, who make shoes in 4E width. 95% of the shoes I buy are New Balance size 11 4E, and every pair I've bought has fit right out of the box. They stopped making golf shoes some years ago and someone online told me that Footjoy makes wide golf shoes that would fit me. I ordered two pairs some years ago and am using them still. They fit fine. Expensive, but they fit and look fine and are hell of durable/well-made. They shine up pretty decently.

I complained to Amazon that one of a box of ten Kootion 16GB flash drives tested bad, around March of this year. They had me return the box and they sent me a whole 'nother box. That seemed excessive. I couldn't complain (they provided a shipping label!), but I don't know that I'd do it again. The box was around $29. Recently I bought a box of five Sandisk 16GB flash drives off Amazon for about $30 and one tested poorly, but I haven't contacted them concerning it.

 

[snoopy7548]

I think I've only returned a couple of things. Once I ordered some weatherstripping that should have been correct, but the description was wrong and it didn't fit. When I filed a return, they refunded me the money and said to not bother sending it back.

I try to avoid returning things, even to brick and mortar stores. I'll make sure it's what I want, and even if it's not exactly what I thought it was, I'll just keep it and deal with it. There are more important things to worry about, like pepperettes.

People like that woman should get their accounts removed.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I don't return stuff very often but if I do it's always been a fairly easy experience, I like that you can print a prepaid shipping label and that it's Canada Post since the post office is open past 5 unlike Purolator and other couriers. With Ebay you have to return at your own expense and it's usually not worthwhile. It's crazy how shipping from China to Canada is free, but shipping from US costs an arm and a leg and so does shipping within Canada. And of course shipping to China is quite expensive too. So if some $100 item I bought does not work it's not worth paying $60+ to send it back. (if bought from Ebay)

I avoid buying big ticket items from ebay for that reason, but Amazon is a bit safer as long as the item does not have to be returned within 45 days or whatever their policy is. You also get no warranty or support or anything so that is the price you pay for convenience and usually, cheapness.

I'm eyeing a 4000w inverter on Amazon that has good reviews as it would be cool to run big loads like power tools off my solar setup, but it is kinda a risk since if it fails within a couple months I'm on my own and it's still a lot of money. That and it's not UL or CSA certified etc so if it burns my house down my insurance won't cover it. So yeah, probably a bad idea. Actually that goes for lot of electrical stuff off Amazon like even light bulbs, they are rarely certified for use in Canada/US.

There's just lot of oddball stuff that you can't really find anywhere else though so often you have no choice. Inverters are a good example of that. You can find crappy square wave ones at Canadian Tire but if you need anything better even Amazon/Ebay ones will be better.

 

[Muse]

I get a fair amount of stuff from China etc. off ebay, but it's almost never more than ~$10 and usually a lot less (e.g. $0.99), and almost always shipped FREE. I've never even bothered to check out what if any return policy is involved. I just figure it can't be done in any reasonable fashion. I did order some stainless steel shoe horns a few months ago that never came [Estimated delivery: Jun 4 – Jul 16]. I contacted the seller (through ebay's functionality) saying I never got my item. Seller asked me if I'd like a 2nd package sent and I said yes. Somehow I had to confirm that a 2nd time. Presumably it's "in the mail." Should have it by end of September!

By and large I've had great luck ordering from Asia, but it almost always takes a super long time to arrive. Cheap stuff that works.

 

[highland145]

Dockers and shoes. Order 3 pair of pants and they all fit differently. Same for the shoes, @Muse , new balance has been my go to for 20+ years but the last couple of 4e's weren't 4e's. Currently without a decent dress shoe because of the same problem and finding a 12/4e in a store, that doesn't look like shit, is like winning the lottery.

 

[rh71]

I avoid returning at (nearly) all costs, I'm too paranoid about losing my Amazon account.

I know they target people who do shit like buy 5 laptops or SLR and return 4, but losing my Amazon account would be massively life changing for me so I basically return nothing. Even broken stuff if it's cheap enough.

I just did the math my return rate (based on $) is probably something like 0.3%. But I'm still paranoid.

Viper GTS

I have heard stories too but only recently I've happened to have to return a crap-load of things for various reasons. Something to the rate of 18 out of the last 57 items ordered. They have had zero problems with it each time. Amazon has a community reddit and I even asked there but nobody voiced any alarms/warnings.

I do purchase online now with the idea that I can simply send it back - while trying to lower my return rate after this run.

Recent return reasons:
- 32gb SD card, swapped for 64gb instead for dashcam due to fewer rewrite cycles (old one likely failing for that reason).
- propane portable grill - after assembly, tested it and the flame constantly blows out from the fricken wind.
- charcoal portable grill used once but uneven cooking so I cleaned it the best I could and returned it.
- xbox mic issue with a headset so purchased another headset to try - which didn't work at all - and was recommended to buy a mic adapter so we kept that while returning the headset. $40 adapter instead of being able to trust the controller's 3.5mm jack - yay.
- clothes like swim shirts (too small) indicating free returns. Eventually found the right size to keep.
- ipad fix replacement parts - digitizer & lcd - original glass break led to more breakage due to my negligence taking it apart. Accidentally broke the FPC connector simply pulling the digitizer connector out because that's so damn sensitive. Couldn't get that fixed at a reasonable cost so the digitizer/lcd are going back in the same condition they came.

The freedom of having free/quick shipping makes it easy and that has to be the draw for most people since obviously it's better than having to drive back and forth to a store for returns. We ARE paying over $100 for it so you can't feel like you're stuck with what you choose to buy sight unseen. In essence they are same as a brick & mortar only there's a "free" shipping option.

 

[Muse]

Dockers and shoes. Order 3 pair of pants and they all fit differently. Same for the shoes, @Muse , new balance has been my go to for 20+ years but the last couple of 4e's weren't 4e's. Currently without a decent dress shoe because of the same problem and finding a 12/4e in a store, that doesn't look like shit, is like winning the lottery.

I used to pay $$$ for New Balance 11 4E at various sporting goods stores, i.e. where ever I could find them. I'd buy white whatever, tennis shoes, whatever. Then I somehow discovered that Kohl's carries New Balance athletic shoes. Their prices were WAY WAY better plus they usually had sales going on. I have several brand new pairs on hand, some from Kohl's and some I found on ebay. Shoes isn't something I lack. Even dressy looking shoes, if you can call them that. What passes for dressy shoes on me is black New Balance! Who's going to scrutinize black shoes? I hardly ever wear them, just when I'm dressing up.

 

[Muse]

Dockers and shoes. Order 3 pair of pants and they all fit differently. Same for the shoes, @Muse , new balance has been my go to for 20+ years but the last couple of 4e's weren't 4e's. Currently without a decent dress shoe because of the same problem and finding a 12/4e in a store, that doesn't look like shit, is like winning the lottery.

If you don't have Kohl's you can go to or other source for New Balance try ebay. I have yet to find a pair of New Balance 11 4E that doesn't fit me fine, off ebay included. I've gotten real good deals on them off ebay.

 

[highland145]

If you don't have Kohl's you can go to or other source for New Balance try ebay. I have yet to find a pair of New Balance 11 4E that doesn't fit me fine, off ebay included. I've gotten real good deals on them off ebay.

Just looked it up, nearest is about 45 min away but they have a trail shoe online that I might get. I normally use new balance express because they've been good to me in the past.

 

[eng2d2]

I avoid returning at (nearly) all costs, I'm too paranoid about losing my Amazon account.

I know they target people who do shit like buy 5 laptops or SLR and return 4, but losing my Amazon account would be massively life changing for me so I basically return nothing. Even broken stuff if it's cheap enough.

I just did the math my return rate (based on $) is probably something like 0.3%. But I'm still paranoid.

Viper GTS

start another account?

 

[Midwayman]

I've returned plenty of clothes. Order 5 pairs of shoes I'm interested in, and send back the ones I don't like. Or order two sizes If I'm not sure, and send back the others. Clothing is so hit and miss online. Non-clothing- generally only if its defective or deceptive. If I just made a mistake I eat it. If they sold lies, it can go back.

 

[Muse]

Just looked it up, nearest is about 45 min away but they have a trail shoe online that I might get. I normally use new balance express because they've been good to me in the past.

What is New Balance Express??