There’s been a lot of confusion recently on how the return policy at Amazon actually works. Are all returns free? How often can you return something? Do you have to be a Prime member to get free return shipping? All questions that aren’t clearly answered by Amazon. So I figured it was time to do the research and find the answers to these questions. After many phone calls and live chat sessions, here’s how their return policy currently works.

Does Amazon Have an Extended Holiday Return Policy?

Yes.

For 2024, anything bought between November 1st – December 31st can be returned all the way until January 31, 2025.

This is great because it allows you to start your Christmas shopping in early November, knowing that the gift recipient can return items up until the end of January.

What Exactly is Their Return Policy?

Here are the important details:

– You have 30 days from date of delivery to return items for free (for a full refund) if the item is defective, damaged, or the incorrect product.

– Items must be sold and/or fulfilled by Amazon directly, otherwise the customer has to pay for return shipping, MAYBE. See below for details.

Return policy does NOT apply to international shipping.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 30 DAYS?

After the 30-day return window has passed, you can either start a live chat session and plead your case for a 1-time exception (works best when you’re only a few days past 30).

Or you can make the return and accept a partial refund of 80% of the price you paid. If the item you return is damaged, or has missing parts, that refund gets cut to 50%.

Any Exceptions to the 30 Days?

Yes, there are a few important ones…

– 3rd Party Sellers – These sellers sometimes have their own stated return policy which ranges from 7 -30 days.

I recently was denied a return from a 3rd party as they told me I had to deal with the manufacturer directly.

This came as quite a surprise to me and this is a relatively new change.

Because of this, it’s smart to be aware of the sellers stated policy before you make the purchase.

– Wedding Registry Gifts – These come with 180 day return policy from the date the item is delivered.

– Baby Registry Gifts – You get a generous 365 return days for most items purchased from your registry.

See Also: 8 Brilliant Ways to Save Money on Amazon

AMAZON NOW THREATENING RESTOCKING FEES

Have you noticed that Amazon is now issuing a warning on many returns that you may be “subject to a restocking fee”? If you have, you’re not the only one.

While it may only be on certain accounts that make too many returns, or a random threat, they seem to be more bark than bite as the restocking fee rarely comes to fruition.

But in either case, this is something to monitor moving forward as Amazon is getting inundated with a record number of returns and may have to start issuing restocking fees to cut down on the number of returns they receive.

Where Can I Make My Amazon Return?

When it comes to making an Amazon return, you have MANY options theses days.

They include the following 5 options:

– UPS – You can take your return to any UPS Store or UPS Access Point or schedule a UPS Pickup.

– Staples – Last year Staples started taking Amazon returns.

– Kohl’s – You can also take your return to your nearest Kohl’s store and they will process your return for free. No box, label, or packaging supplies required.

– Whole Foods – You can also make free Amazon returns at your local Whole Foods Market during store hours.

– Amazon Hub Locker – Another option is to return your item to an Amazon Hub Locker, follow the instructions here.

PRO TIP: THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF RETURNS AT AMAZON

It’s important to understand that Amazon has 2 types of returns: “Refund on First Scan” and “Refund on Return”. Refund on First Scan means you’ll get your refund as soon as the carrier (UPS in most cases) scans the item into their system, which sends a confirmation to Amazon that they received it. This happens on most returns that are valued under $100.

Refund on Return, on the other hand, are your more expensive items that need to be actually checked and reviewed by Amazon. As you can imagine, this can take some time for Amazon to do, so expect your refund to take between 5-10 days.

Do I Have to Pay Return Shipping Charges?

Maybe.

If items are fulfilled by Amazon, you typically won’t have to pay return shipping charges, especially if the reason for the return is not your fault.

If items are sold by a 3rd party and you try and initiate the return through the Amazon return page, you’ll probably have to pay return shipping fees and a possible restocking fee.

PRO TIP: AVOID RETURN SHIPPING FEES

If you start a live chat and initiate the return that way, you stand a great chance of NOT having to paying return shipping fees. Your chances of success rise greatly if you’re a Prime member and order quite a bit every month.

To prove it the above tip, here’s a screenshot of this exact scenario. I was going to be charged return shipping until I started a live chat and then the operator gave it to me for free.

What if the Item is Opened or Used?

Doesn’t matter.

If the item had been opened or used they’ll take it back within 30 days. Plus, they’ll pay for the return shipping charges.

Keep in mind that the item must be sold and shipped directly by Amazon and not a 3rd party.

Can You Abuse Their Return Policy?

Absolutely, YES.

If you tend to return a lot of the stuff you buy, Amazon will take notice and could flag your account and not let you make any more returns for a certain amount of time.

Also, if you ask for a return, but never actually return the item, Amazon reserves the right to take action against you although I think you’d have to do this a lot for them to notice.

The action they’ll take is to check the “Concessions Limit” of the seller.

For example, it could be a $1000 limit, or it could be $500. Amazon actually has a team that researches your returns and comes up with the specific dollar amount for policy “abusers”.

If you cross this limit, Amazon will mark your account as “Concession Abuse”.

In other words, if you typically only contact Amazon for a refund or discount, and abuse their policy frequently, you’ll fall into this category.

Once your account is marked “Concession Abuse”, no returns will be accepted on any orders made by you in the future.

Worried about getting banned? Amazon will send you a warning notice via email first.

If you keep abusing their policy you’ll get your account banned permanently.

PRO TIP: AMAZON WILL LET YOU KEEP SOME ITEMS YOU TRY TO RETURN

If you order from Amazon regularly, this “Keep-It” policy has probably already happened to you. Amazon will give you a refund, but tell you there’s no need to send it back.

Personally, I’ve also had it happen when I was sent something I didn’t order as they had no record of the order in their system so they told me keep it. It can also happen if they send you too many of an item, the wrong item, or if the return shipping expense makes it not worth you mailing it back.

How Do You Return a Gift to Amazon?

Returning gifts to Amazon is slightly different than a normal return.

Start by visiting the Gift Return Page and enter your order number which is the 17-digit code found on the packing slip.

Next, follow the online prompts and you’ll get a free shipping label which you can print and attach to the box.

PRO TIP ON RETURNING GIFTS

If you DON’T know the order number you can either ask the gift giver or contact Amazon customer service at 1-(888) 280-4331. When calling, make sure you have the “gift giver’s email address, phone number and the package tracking ID ready (if you have it).”

Is the Policy Different for Prime Members?

No, it is not.

Amazon Prime and non-Prime members get to use the same return policy.

Do You Need a Reason to Return an Item?

Yes, you need to state a reason.

It could be you just don’t need or want the item and that answer is perfectly acceptable.

You’ll be asked if it’s broken or the wrong item, but you’re under no obligation to answer.

Does Amazon Limit Your Returns?

As long as your issue or problem with the product is genuine, there is NO limit on the number of returns you can make.

PRO TIP: TRY THIS IF PACKAGE ARRIVES DAMAGED

Not sure if it’s a cost cutting thing or what…but Amazon has been sending me some products NOT in a box, they just put the shipping label on the actual item and send it off. What the heck Amazon?

This is all fine I guess until it’s a gift and it shows up with a damaged box. See the picture above of a Keurig Advent calendar that we ordered as a gift and it showed up with several corners all thrashed.

So I hit up Live Chat and here is how the conversation went:

As you can read, they gave me a FULL REFUND and let me keep it. I thought this was useful information if this happens to you as well.

Get your money back, then you can decide if the item is still “giftable”.

What’s the Return Policy on Electronics?

You can return consumer electronics and computers to Amazon within 30 days of purchase.

If the reason for the return is a defective product, incorrect description, or wrong item sent, you will not have to pay the return shipping fees.

Be aware that you may get hit with a restocking fee if the item is damaged due to misuse, missing parts, or unauthorized tampering.

Can Amazon Ban You For Making Too Many Returns?

Amazon has never come out and said that they can ban your account, or limit your returns, because you made too many returns.

But it goes without saying that they track your return history and absolutely reserve the right to take action if they feel you’re abusing their policy.

I’ve heard of account holders being warned via email if they return 15-20% of all their Amazon purchases but have yet to find any concrete evidence of a specific percentage that triggers a warning.

Can Any Sized Item be Returned?

Yes, any product on the Amazon website can be returned.

It doesn’t matter what size or weight, it can be returned within 30 days.

What About Returning Items Bought via Alexa?

Items bought through Amazon Alexa voice shopping can be returned just like any other non-digital item you buy on Amazon.

Also, if you accidentally buy a digital song or album with Alexa you can request a return and refund within 7 days of date of purchase.

Just contact Amazon customer service and let them know you’d like a refund.

Why Won’t Amazon Let Me Print a Return Label?

In an effort to make your returns “easier” Amazon often doesn’t give you the option to print a label at home and box up the item yourself.

Instead they want to send you to Kohl’s location or a UPS Store and let them box it up for you.

If you’re like me, this is a pain in the butt as I don’t live near a Kohl’s or UPS Store and would rather box up my return myself and drop it off at a UPS collection station.

But a clever workaround is to start a Live Chat session and tell them you need a return label, they’ll email you one and make one available in your account.

What’s the Deadline Once a Return Has Been Initialized?

People in the comments are wondering if items need to be “sent by me” before the deadline, or “received back at Amazon” before the deadline date they give you when you initialize the return.

It’s an excellent question, and the answer is your return needs to be scanned by UPS before the deadline or on the day of your deadline.

See Also: Find an Amazon Return Store Near You and Save a TON

Are Returns Free on a Purchase I Try to Cancel?

Yes.

If you try to cancel an order on something you just bought, but CANNOT, you should not have to pay the return shipping.

From commenter Wendy, she was able to start a live chat and “the response was our account will be credited for the shipping charges after we return it.”

What Items Cannot Be Returned?

Because Amazon sells so many different products this list is quite long.

– Grocery/Prime Pantry products – Perishable produce, dairy, and meats are not eligible for a return.

– Live Insects – Unless your lady bugs or ants show up dead you’re stuck with them.

– Downloadable Software – This keeps people from downloading the program then returning it.

– Gift Cards – Fortunately these are basically like cash.

– Online Subscriptions – This includes Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Student.

– Hazardous Materials or Gas – This includes products like NyQuil and Liquid Benadryl.

– Some Personal Care Items – Not sure what items specifically.

– Pet Food – Not returnable but you’re eligible for a refund if there is something wrong with the food.

– Live Plants/Fresh Flowers – Make sure you really want that house plant before you order it.

– Some Jewelry Items – Think personalized jewelry that can’t be resold.

– Stuff Missing the UPC or Serial # – If an item is tampered with and this information is removed you’re stuck with it.

If you order one of these non-returnable items and it arrives damaged or defective you should contact Amazon to get resolution to the problem.

Can I Make a Return to Amazon Brick & Mortar Stores?

Yes…in most cases.

If you’re lucky enough to live close to an Amazon store you can take “eligible items” bought on Amazon.com there for a full refund within 30 days.

According to their website, items that are NOT eligible for an in-store return are really large items, or stuff that doesn’t meet “safe to ship standards”.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever returned anything to Amazon? Was it a smooth process, not worth the hassle, or somewhere in-between?

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)