# Fast Amazon returns **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957 "2017-05-18T21:01:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/1 "2017-05-18T21:01:56Z")
I returned an item to Amazon today. I took the package to a UPS store this morning and about 3 hours later I got an email from Amazon saying that they’ve issued the refund. They couldn’t possibly have already received the package, could they? Does UPS notify Amazon electronically that the package is in the mail, and Amazon immediately issues a refund, without even receiving the package or seeing what’s inside it? Either UPS is much faster than I would have thought, or Amazon is more trusting than I would have thought. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/2 "2017-05-18T21:07:31Z")
Oh, I just noticed this line at the end of the email: > [@](#): > > - This is an advanced refund. If we don’t receive the item listed above, we may charge your original payment method. So I guess this is due to some electronic notification and they haven’t actually received the item yet. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/3 "2017-05-18T21:14:15Z")
If you use the UPS return label that Amazon provides, they will know as soon as UPS scans the returned package. You can track the progress of the returned package by entering the label number on the [UPS tracking page](https://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US). If you didn’t write down the number, it will appear on the receipt the UPS store gave you (assuming you asked for one). You’ll see that the package hasn’t been delivered yet (assuming you shipped it today). ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/4 "2017-05-18T21:41:37Z")
I had the same thing with something I returned a couple of weeks ago. Whatever we feel about their ethics etc, they sure have got the business model sorted. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/5 "2017-05-18T22:28:02Z")
You will get another email when they actually receive that package and verify the contents. I just got one of those today for something I returned a while ago. ---
**Author:** ![busterpickle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/6 "2017-05-19T00:51:20Z")
Same, today! I’m sure there are factors for this, such as demand for the item, your history of buying stuff vs returns, and the quality of your returns. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the item gets rerouted to another buyer if your history of providing satisfactory returns is such that it’s worth the risk. Makes sense if you think about it for an in-demand item. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-amazon-returns/786957/7 "2017-05-19T20:07:02Z")
Welcome to the world of inbound logistics. The nearly instant payment on an advance return only works because when you requested the return, Amazon generated the label with a UPS tracking number. Once that tracking number was scanned for acceptance at your local UPS store, Amazon is quickly alerted to this event so they can kick off the payment. On a much smaller scale, I can use inbound logistics in the form of UPS Quantum View or My USPS to know what’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow.