Did you order something on Amazon, but didn’t receive what you wanted, or received an item that wasn’t in the same condition as what you saw online? If you need to return an item, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explain when you can return an item, and how to do so step-by-step.
The Amazon Returns Policy
Generally, Amazon allows you to return any item that you buy from them within 30 days of receiving it for a full refund, exchange, or replacement, under their A-to-z Guarantee protection (click here for more on the Amazon A-to-Z Guarantee). Most third-party sellers have this same returns policy, but some have slightly different policies. Be sure to check a third-party seller’s policies if you’re going to buy from them by clicking their name when it’s highlighted in blue or purple (indicating an Internet link) and then clicking on Detailed Seller Information. The seller’s returns and refunds policies should be somewhere on this page, usually near the bottom.
Also note that certain types of items sold on Amazon may have specific stipulations attached to their return policies. For example, certain collectible memorabilia items must be insured or include proper documentation when they are returned, and certain digital-only items or prepaid cards can’t be returned at all. See this help article for a full list of Amazon return policy stipulations on different kinds of items.
One final thing to note is that if you return an item to Amazon and request a refund, and your reason for returning the item is not directly caused by an error on Amazon’s part, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
How to return items ordered on Amazon
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Go to www.amazon.com in your web browser and log in.
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In the “Let Us Help You” menu at the bottom of the screen, click Returns and Replacements.
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Click Return Items.
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Use the drop-down menu on the next screen to search for an item or order within a specific time frame (2 months, 6 months, within the year, or within a year ago). Once you find the order or item that you’re looking for, click Return or Replace Item(s) beside it.
[Image credit: Steve Sherron] -
Click the check box beside each item that you wish to return (if applicable), select the quantity of each item that you want to return, (if applicable), then click the drop-down menu for each item under “Why Are You Returning This?” and select a reason for your return. Then click in the box labelled “Comments” that appears for each item and type in a slightly more detailed explanation of the problem you’re having with the item (up to 200 characters).
[Image credit: NDTV Gadgets 360]When you’re all done, click Continue at the bottom of the screen.
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On the next screen, select how you want to resolve your return issue. You may be able to get a refund, or you may also be able to exchange or replace the item. Click the button beside the option you want, then click Continue.
[Image credit: Steve Sherron](NOTE #1: If you purchased your order or items from a third-party seller, you will click Submit Return Request instead. This allows the seller to review your issue and offer a remedy accordingly. If you have a problem with the seller, such as them not getting back to you within two business days, you can file a A-to-Z Guarantee claim. Click here for more on the A-to-Z Guarantee).
(NOTE #2: If you select to exchange or replace an item, you will be able to create a new order that uses the same shipping speed as the original order; this is probably to avoid confusion with shipping costs. For items such as clothes, if the new item is a different size than the one you ordered, you will not be charged extra if the new item costs more. For any other differences, however, Amazon will charge or refund you if the new item costs more or less than the old one, respectively).
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Now, you will choose how you want to return your item. Click the button beside the method that you wish to use, and then click Continue.
[Image credit: Steve Sherron](NOTE #1: Some return options may require a return shipping label. If you select one of these options, Amazon will email you a shipping label, which you can then print out and attach to the package in which you’re returning your item or items).
(NOTE #2: If you select “Pick-Up,” you will need to also select a date for the item or items to be picked up, and an address at which they will be picked up. Assuming that you’ve already ordered something from Amazon, your shipping address will be used by default, but you can click Change Address if you want the item picked up somewhere else).
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Now, all you have to do is pack up the item(s) that you want to return (along with the receipt or receipts), print out and attach the shipping label(s) associated with each return (if applicable), and then mail them off to Amazon, or wait for a courier service to pick them up and take them off your hands. Then, just wait for your refund or exchange/replacement item to come in.
That’s how to return items on Amazon!
How to return an Amazon gift
If you received an item or order from Amazon as a gift that someone else bought you, and you have a problem with it, you can still return it. However, you will only receive a refund in the form of a virtual gift card (as credit on your account). The process is similar to returning an item or order that you purchased yourself on Amazon, but there are a few differences.
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Go to www.amazon.com in your web browser and log in.
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In the “Let Us Help You” menu at the bottom of the screen, click Returns and Replacements.
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Click Return A Gift.
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Click in the box labelled “Order Number (With Dashes)” and type in the unique number that was attached to your gift order (move your mouse cursor over How Do I Find This? if you’re having trouble locating this number). Then click Search.
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Once your item or order has been found, click the check box beside each item that you want to return (if applicable). Then, for each item you’re returning, click the drop-down menu beside “Reason for Returning” and select a reason why you want to return this item. Then, for each item, click in the box labelled “Quantity to Return” and type in how many of the item you want to return (if applicable). Then, for each item, you can click in the box labelled “Comments” and type in a slightly more detailed explanation of why you are returning the item (up to 200 characters).
[Image source: Amazon.com]When you’re all set, click Continue.
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Click a button beside a method that you wish to use in order to return your item. Then click Continue.
[Image credit: Steve Sherron](NOTE #1: Some return options may require a return shipping label. If you select one of these options, they will email you a shipping label, which you can then print out and attach to the package in which you’re returning your item or items).
(NOTE #2: If you select “Pick-Up,” you will need to also select a date for the item or items to be picked up, and an address at which they will be picked up. Assuming that you’ve already ordered something from Amazon, your shipping address will be used by default, but you can click Change Address if you want the item picked up somewhere else).
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Now, simply re-pack whatever you want to return (along with the receipt or receipts), print and apply any shipping labels that need to go with each return (if applicable), and then send them off to Amazon, or wait for them to be picked up by a courier service. Your gift card should appear on your account shortly.
That’s how you return a gift that someone buys you on Amazon!
