Amazon Electronics Return Policy (Here’s EXACTLY How It Works)

Do you know what Amazon Electronics return policy is? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Amazon will allow returns of electronics that arrive damaged or do not start upon being opened. Electronics returned to Amazon in this condition within thirty days of purchase will be eligible to receive a full refund. Any device which is returned in a usable condition will not be accepted for return.

In this article, we look at everything you need to know about Amazon’s electronics returns policy, including what’s covered, whether you can return an electronic opened, and much more.

Table of Contents

What is Amazon’s electronics return policy?

Amazon will accept returns of electronics within 30 days from the date of purchase, as long as the device is unopened or is considered unusable or damaged in some way. This might mean the device has been damaged in delivery or simply does not start when opened. Any customer attempting to return an electronic device in usable condition will be denied a refund.

While electronics can only be returned and accepted for refund if there is something wrong with the device, customers do have options if they simply don’t like the item or aren’t happy with it.

In some cases, Amazon will allow customers to sell their device back through the trade-in program in return for the full amount paid through a gift card.

What is covered in Amazon’s electronics return policy?

Amazon’s electronics return policy applies only to devices which have not been opened, are damaged on arrival, or do not start when they arrive. These items can be returned within thirty days from the date of purchase and are eligible to receive a full refund.

However, there are certain circumstances in which a refund will not be offered.

Amazon sometimes runs tests on returned devices to check that the customer has been honest about the condition of the device. If the device is found to have been damaged by the customer, has parts missing or is returned in an unsellable condition, Amazon may refuse a refund and may also charge the customer a restocking fee.

If tests are undertaken by Amazon and the customer is found to be at fault for any damage of issues with an electronic device, Amazon has the right to refund at a lower amount than the full cost of the device.

In some cases, this might be around half the total amount, while in others it might be even less. This rule also extends to a device that has been used or has parts missing.

Electronics purchased from third-party sellers, like Marketplace vendors, will be subject to different returns policies, as this is dependent on the policies of the individual vendor.

It’s worth checking return policies before making a purchase, especially on expensive items like electronics.

Why don’t Amazon accept returns of usable electronics?

Most likely, Amazon don’t accept returns of usable electronics because it affects whether the item is able to be resold, which can affect how much profit they are able to make.

Amazon isn’t clear on why they won’t accept usable electronics, but there is a chance that it is because they stand to lose money by having to resell the product at a lower price.

Do Amazon accept electronics returns with no receipt?

Amazon will accept returns of electronics without a receipt, usually accepting a refund authorization as a valid form of proof of purchase.

Instead of a receipt, the refund authorization that comes with making a return request is accepted, so long as it is included in the package when it is returned.

Do Amazon accept open box returns?

Open box returns are accepted by Amazon so long as the device itself is damaged or faulty on arrival.

If customers find that their device isn’t working when it is first switched on or has been damaged in some way during delivery, they will have to return an open box item, so Amazon is prepared to receive some open box returns.

So long as the box has been opened carefully, there is no real reason why Amazon should turn away an open box return.

However, it’s important to note that electronic devices must be returned to Amazon in their original packaging, or else the package risks being rejected once it is received by Amazon and a refund will not be given.

How do you make a return to Amazon?

To start a return, you should log in to your Amazon account and navigate to the ‘Your Orders’ page. From there, choose ‘Return or Replace Items’ under the order you wish to return.

You can then select a reason and choose the method of return you want to use. You will then be sent a return label and authorization.

How long do refunds take?

Customers should be prepared to wait up to a week for Amazon to approve a refund request. After Amazon approves the refund request, it can take an average of between three and five days for the refund to be processed and arrive back at the original method of payment.

What happens to electronics returned to Amazon?

Amazon claim that returned products will never be sent to a landfill. Faulty or damaged electronic goods that are returned to Amazon are most likely sold on to be liquidated, where they are probably resold to companies looking to purchase devices at a lower price.

Alternatively, devices might be refurbished to be resold on Amazon’s own website, probably at a lower price.

Pros and cons of Amazon electronics return policy

Pros

One of the perks of making a return through Amazon is that a receipt is often not necessary. Instead, most of the proof of purchase required to validify the order is likely to come from the customer account. Through this account, customers can access a returns authorization, which should act as a receipt in most cases.
Another advantage is how easy it is to initiate and make a return to Amazon. Most of the work in arranging a return request is done online, simply by logging in to Amazon and choosing the return option for the item. With a little more information on reasonings and preferred methods of return, the return is ready to be sent.
Amazon state that returned products will never be sent to landfill and instead will be recycled and repaired in some way. This is great for anyone who is concerned that their electronics might end up in somewhere like a landfill, which is a concern for many people.

Cons

Customers have a limited number of reasons as to why they are making a return of an electronic item. Items which are considered usable once they arrive back with Amazon will not be accepted and customers will not receive a refund. This is a very different approach to returns compared with a lot of other retailers.
Return requests will only be accepted in a limited number of circumstances, and Amazon’s process for accepting requests is typically quite strict. They will run their own tests on a product deemed faulty or unusable by the customer, and a charge may be payable if the test results differ from the customer’s reason for returning.
Refund requests to Amazon can also take some time. Customers can expect to wait up to a week before receiving a response to their refund request, at which point they will only be told if the request has been accepted. A further wait of up to five business days is then required before the refund arrives.

Amazon Electronics Return Policy FAQs

1. Do I Have to Pay Return Shipping Charges?

When returning items to Amazon, you obviously have to return products by shipping the items back to their warehouses. Luckily you don’t have to worry about paying for return shipping.

Amazon offers free return shipping on most of its products. All you have to do is log onto your account, access your purchase history, select the item you wish to return, and they will assist you from there.

The only instance where shipping is not covered is when you are working with a 3rd party seller that is not directly connected to the Amazon company.

While many of them still provide free shipping and returns, they are not required to, and not all do. It is a good idea to read the return policy thoroughly before making a purchase.

2. Is the Amazon Policy Different for Prime Members?

Although there are many perks to being a monthly subscriber to Amazon excellent, a great return policy isn’t specifically for members.

All customers, prime members or not, are offered free returns on most of the items you purchase through their website.

You can quickly return an item if you are not a prime member by logging into your account, selecting the item you want to return, and providing a reason for that return, exactly like members would do.

Once you choose how to return the product, you can print up a pre-paid label and ship it off, or you can pick from one of Amazon’s many return centers, where a label is not needed.

3. Do You Need a Reason to Return an Item?

Yes, you will be asked for a reason when returning any item. This typically doesn’t affect the ability to send your product back; they would just like to know why.

The reasons for returning something you bought from Amazon listed in their return center include,

I received an extra item I didn’t buy (no refund needed)
The product and shipping box were both damaged
Better price available
The wrong item was sent
Item defective or doesn’t work
Inaccurate website description
Bought by mistake
Product damaged, but shipping box OK
Missing or broken parts
No longer needed
Didn’t approve the purchase
The item arrived too late

They do this to keep track of the items coming in and know what to look for once the product makes its way back to the facility.

Remember, when shipping the product back, always include everything that originally came with it and make sure it is in the exact same condition as when you received it.

These details could play a significant role in whether or not you get your refund.

4. What is Amazon’s return limit?

Amazon doesn’t have a strict limit on how many returns each customer can send back. However, they can monitor your account.

If you frequently send back products purchased, the company might take notice and can start taking a closer look at the items you return.

If your reasons for returning your purchases are legit, you shouldn’t have any problems.

5. Can Amazon reject a return?

Absolutely. Amazon, like most other stores, has the right to reject a return for numerous reasons. First, if a product is damaged due to misuse or missing parts, Amazon may reject the return.

Another reason Amazon might reject your return is if you abuse their generous return policy and send boatloads of products back.

In these cases, your account can be flagged, and your returns will not be accepted for a specific period of time.

6. Can Amazon Ban You For Making Too Many Returns?

Amazon has total control over how many returns you make and will start to keep track of your account.

If your returns don’t seem to be on the up and up, or you are sending too many products back in a short period of time, Amazon might ban your ability to return purchases.

You can argue this and attempt to have the ban removed. However, the company doesn’t often do this, so if your account is put on pause from returns, it is usually for a good reason.

7. Can Any Sized Item be Returned?

Of course. If you can purchase the product online and have it delivered to your home, then it is only fair that you can have the item returned.

The catch here is more oversized larger items might require specific pick-up dates and times arranged by Amazon.

This is when they will have a truck come to your home and retrieve your larger items from an easily accessible location.

Items that can be picked up from your home include things like mattresses, large television sets, appliances, etc.

8. What About Returning Items Bought via Alexa?

It doesn’t matter if you bought the item from your Amazon account online, on your smart device, or through Alexa; you will always return it the exact same way by accessing your account and heading to the return center.

All items bought using Alexa will be recorded in your purchase history, giving you quick and easy access to making simple returns.

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

There shouldn’t be a problem with printing your own return label through Amazon.

However, if you selected the option to take the item back to your local return centers, such as Kohls’s, Whole Foods, UPS, or a locker hub, then you won’t be required to print a label.

Another reason you may not get access to a return label is if you choose to return the product your own way.

Amazon offers many options to make returns simple for customers, but sometimes people prefer a different choice not listed. In these cases, you are responsible for returns.

In any situation, you can always contact Amazon’s customer service to figure out why you can’t print a return label.

More often than not, this company has no problems working with you to make the process go smoothly.

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

Amazon owns quite a few companies with brick-and-mortar stores, including book stores and the Whole Foods grocery chain.

You can definitely make returns to these locations with any products you purchase online.

If you are lucky enough to live close to one of the 29 Amazon, Go convenience stores, you can also take your returns there.

With that said, there really aren’t many brick-and-mortar Amazon stores out there quite yet. But this retail giant has big plans to open a few different storefront ventures in the near future, with their sites set on Amazon Style.

11. Will Amazon Ever Give Me a Refund But Let Me Keep the Item?

More often than not, Amazon requires you to send your products back within 30-days of the initial return request. However, there are a few exceptions when the company chooses to let you keep the item and simply refunds you your money.

The most recent example is the 2022 Jif peanut butter recall. A lot of people order their essentials from amazon, with many accounts using subscribe and save, getting a discount and reoccurring shipping without having to remember to go online and buy the product every month.

Those who received the recalled peanut butter were given the option to contact Amazon and receive a full refund.

Due to health concerns, the peanut butter was not allowed to be sent back, and the customers were asked to toss them out.

12. Can you return a TV to Amazon?

Of course. If you bought your TV from Amazon and want to return it for any reason, you can defiantly send it back to the company and, more often than not, for free.

If you have a large TV, as mentioned above, you will be required to set up a date and time to have a truck come out to your home to pick up the item for you.

If you have a smaller television that can be packaged up or is still in the original package that it was sent to you in, you can take it to your local return center or UPS store for free returns.

13. Where do Returned TVs Go?

Where returned TVs go depend on their conditions and why they were returned in the first place.

If the television was not used, still in its original box, and in perfect working order, the product will likely be re-sold to another customer.

If the item was opened, the company would have it looked over for damages or defects, and if it is still in brand-new condition can be reboxed and sold or sold as an Amazon warehouse product.

Lastly, the returned item may sit in limbo for a very long time inside the warehouse, on an Amazon truck, etc.

These products don’t have a place to really go and can hang out for a while before being provided a destination, which might end up just be a worker taking it home.

Final Thoughts

Amazon allows electronics to be returned within thirty days of purchase, as long as the product is damaged, does not start upon arrival, or is unopened.

Electronics that are returned in this period are eligible for a full refund. Items which are returned in a usable condition will not be accepted for return.

References

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=GMZNGRA9B5PCJB5F