Amazon Prime Day 2024: How to Return for Free

Planning on grabbing as many deals as possible during Amazon Prime Day later this week? You are not alone. Prime Day is one of the most anticipated online sales events of the year, with many looking to take advantage of all the great deals.

However, some buyer’s remorse may occur when the dust settles and you own everything. I wanted it, so it was time to return.

Luckily, Amazon makes it pretty easy to return items, but there are a few things to be aware of or you might end up paying fees. Below, we’ll detail everything you need to be aware of to ensure your return is free.

For more Amazon tips, don’t miss all the pre-Prime Day deals you can get now and the 16 best Prime perks you might not know about.

Give a reason, not an excuse

Try to be honest and accurate about the reason you are returning the product. Amazon and third-party sellers want to resell items if possible (e.g. through Amazon Warehouse Deals), so once the package is received, they will inspect your items based on your reasons.

Some return reasons qualify for free shipping, and some don’t: for example, if you select “No Longer Wanted,” you may need to pay a return fee.

Misclassifying a return will not only negatively impact your account (Amazon has been known to ban shoppers who abuse the return process), but it could also mean you have to pay for shipping in the future.

Here are the various return reasons Amazon offers for you to choose from:

1. No longer needed: You changed your mind and no longer need the item.
2. The website description is inaccurate: For example, the photo shows royal blue, but the product is light sky blue. Similar to but different from “Wrong item sent” (see below).
3. The product is defective or unusable: It may become damaged or simply fail to perform the purpose for which it was designed (e.g. power bank The USB-C port is damaged).
4. Bought by mistake: accidentally bumped into Buy it now Or forget to remove items from your cart before checking out.
5. cheaper price: For example, you find the same thing at Walmart, but for a lower price than you paid on Amazon.
6. The product is damaged but the shipping box is intact: The box has no dents, cuts or scratches, but there is cosmetic or mechanical damage to the contents.
7. Item arrived too late: The product has exceeded the guaranteed delivery time and has missed birthdays or holidays, etc.
8. Missing or damaged parts: Similar to “Item is defective or unusable,” but specifically applies to accessories or other items that come with purchase.
9. Both product and shipping box are damaged: At some point between being boxed and arriving at your door, the package was mishandled and the product arrived damaged.
10. Wrong item sent: If the item you receive is completely different from what you ordered.
11. Received additional items I did not purchase (no refund required): Your order came with something extra that you feel obligated to return.
12. Disagree to purchase: Someone (perhaps a child or a friend) ordered something on your account without asking, and you were charged.

Ordering via Alexa? Returns are always free

If you’re considering purchasing but are really worried about not getting free return shipping if you don’t make it, order through Alexa. Order physical goods with voice shopping using Amazon’s Digital Assistant Always offer free returns no matter the reason. The only exception is Amazon Pharmacy purchases.

To return a product purchased with Alexa, process your return as usual at the Returns Center and Amazon will automatically refund any applicable shipping charges. You should see your refund within 7 days of Amazon taking the item back.

See all available return shipping options

When Amazon asks you to select a return shipping method, Cole’s drop off There may be pre-selected options, but not necessarily the ones you want.

in order to arrive UPS pickup option, which is the only way to return a product without leaving home:

1. Scroll down and maybe even click something like “See more return options”.
2. When you finally see the options UPS pickupit should also show the cost as $0.00 (Unless you choose one of the few reasons for returns that Amazon charges, in which case Amazon will deduct approximately $6 from your refund).
3. Click or click UPS pickup and select Confirm your return.

Tell Amazon where to send refunds

You have to choose how to get your refund back: The quickest way is to request a refund from your Amazon account, and the company will issue the refund as soon as UPS scans your return into its system. However, you can only spend money on Amazon.

You can also deposit funds back to your debit or credit card. But even though Amazon issues your refund as soon as UPS receives your return package, it can still take three to five business days to show up in your account.

Whether you choose points or a refund, you still need to decide how to return the item.

All that’s left is to pack everything up and ship it

Please follow any instructions provided by Amazon, which may be as simple as printing a packing slip and placing it in the package with your return.

Tape the box or even a return label so it doesn’t get damaged, then place the package near your front door so you don’t forget to leave it out the next business day.

You might even want to set a reminder on your phone or using Alexa or Google Assistant so you don’t forget.

If you schedule a pickup and forget to leave your return out, UPS expects to leave a note and try to pick up the item two more times. The worst-case scenario is that the UPS driver leaves a prepaid mailing label that you have to affix to the package yourself, and then you have to wheel the item to the nearest UPS store or UPS drop-off location.

For more information, don’t miss how to sign up for Prime before Amazon Prime Day and Prime Day deals under $25.