# Handling problems with Amazon returns **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 10, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673 "2024-03-10T16:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/21 "2024-03-11T13:54:46Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > TL;DR: Returning unwanted items is not “free,” increases costs across the board as well as pollution, and a very large portion of items returned, especially clothes, are not restocked and resold, but end up in a landfill. > > Moral: think carefully about buying things you may not need, and do not let “free returns” make you believe there is no cost to returning stuff. Unrelated to my earlier post, a few days ago I started the return process on a clothing item I had bought from Amazon. Somehow I had selected the option for Medium on my order but I had intended Small. Oops. In the returns explanation box I said: “I ordered the wrong thing. I wanted Small but selected Medium. You sent what I ordered so this is all my fault, not yours”. I got a message back from a human saying “Do you want us to send you a Small for no additional charge?” I said “Sure.” (Fortunately I had not already ordered a Small replacement). She came back a few hours later with “Your Small is on the way.” Which left me wondering about my “return”. So I asked: “What do you want me to do with this Medium; it’s been worn about a minute and has all the tags still attached. Will you send a return label?” To which she said “Keep it, donate it, throw it away, whatever. We don’t want it back.” The fact the seller is based in England but the package had customs tags indicating it came straight from China may have something to do with her decision. 🙂 So now I have two of these things. The Medium is wearable, so will get some use. Moral of the story: Yeah, most clothing stuff isn't restocked, it's just pitched. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/22 "2024-03-11T14:02:57Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > To which she said “Keep it, **donate it** , throw it away, whatever. We don’t want it back.” FWIW, this seems to be the best outcome, it seems to me. _Someone_ should get some benefit from this. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/23 "2024-03-11T16:15:45Z")
Amazon usually gives a bunch of options. As well as Kohl’s and Whole Foods, they usually have The UPS Store as a drop off location. That’s what we usually use, since they’re all over the place (around here) and one is only a mile from our house. But in any case, you can always mail it back at any post office. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/24 "2024-03-11T16:36:01Z")
I’ve not been there yet but there’s a place nearby that does overstock, scratch & dent and (Amazon) returned item sales. But the model, AIUI, is sell everything CHEAP and, if there’s any left, CHEAPER TOMORROW … except Thursdays when it cycles and they restock. [Treasure Hunt deals Arlington Heights | Facebook](https://m.facebook.com/people/Treasure-Hunt-deals-Arlington-Heights/100088361847070/) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/25 "2024-03-11T17:14:02Z")
There’s a store like that where my parents live. They buy returned goods from Amazon and other retailers (I think in the form of pallets of mixed goods) and then sell them cheap. From an article on the store, “Electronics, household appliances, cosmetics, clothing and other high-end products are sold for $10 on Fridays, $8 on Saturdays, $6 on Sundays, $4 on Mondays, $2 on Tuesdays and $1 on Wednesdays. The store is closed on Thursdays for restocking.” ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/26 "2024-03-12T13:48:07Z")
I used to use the UPS Store for all of my Amazon returns. They never gave me a receipt. I only had an issue once. Amazon sent me an email stating that they hadn’t received the item. I think I replied to the email. I told them what day I returned it and where I returned it. The next day I received an apology from Amazon and that was that. I have no idea if they received it or not. I use Kohl’s now because the UPS Store charges. It’s only $1 but going to Kohl’s instead is not out of my way so why not save the buck? Kohl’s always gives me a return receipt. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/27 "2024-03-12T14:24:20Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I used to use the UPS Store for all of my Amazon returns. It is the rare week when I do not have one or more orders arrive from Amazon, and yet I _never_ return anything. Shoes a size too small? I wear them anyway, hoping they wear out quickly. Pants slightly too big in the waist? I wear a belt. The only time I contacted Amazon about a purchase, it was a battery powered Worx lawnmower and the Amazon page had the wrong description (cutting width was wrong). The description was for the model I wanted. It was a $400 purchase and I was a bit upset because I did not realize the error until I’d fully assembled it. The Amazon CSR quickly saw that my complaint was indeed due to their error. She immediately credited my account and apologized. She told me I could keep the mower, use or donate it! I reordered and received the correct product a few days later. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/28 "2024-03-12T15:22:11Z")
Amazon almost always gives me the option of returning at a UPS store. There was a couple times when for some reason they required I take it to a Kohls which is a pain. Further away, drive around and around in huge parking lot, park far from the store. Walk all the way into the back, etc. With UPS I just take the item (no shipping box or anything required), park near the street entrance close to the store and drop it right off. (Xmas time excepting when there could be a noticeable wait.) They _always_ give me a receipt and have _never charge me_. Unfortunately, the tracking # is not UPS’s but Amazon’s. So when I was worried about a recent return after 10 days not showing up I had no automated way to check on it’s progress. Fortunately, later that night it finally got listed as returned. As to why I return things. That last item was a hard drive. They packed it with a quite heavy item. The delivery idjit _threw_ the box on the porch so hard it bounced on the porch and then against the door sill making two loud bangs. Nope, that’s going back. Not even taking it out of the packaging to test it. (Speaking of Kohls. Those few times I have gone into the one near me to do a return, the store is basically devoid of customers. Lots of employees. No one buying. Why it’s still in business is a mystery.) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/29 "2024-03-12T15:28:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > yet I _never_ return anything. Shoes a size too small? I wear them anyway, hoping they wear out quickly. Pants slightly too big in the waist? I wear a belt. Wow, you are so not my wife. Her modus operandi is: not sure about size or color? Order 8 variations, then return 7. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/30 "2024-03-12T16:30:29Z")
If given the option I always go the Whole Foods route–extremely convenient for me as I’m in between a couple of stores within a 5-minute drive (or if it’s a small item, a 15 minute light rail/walk) away. > [@TRC4941](#): > > I use Kohl’s now because the UPS Store charges. It’s only $1 but going to Kohl’s instead is not out of my way so why not save the buck? Kohl’s always gives me a return receipt The other potential benefit with a Kohl’s return (in my area anyway) is they give you a coupon for 20% off any non-sale item. Once in a while UPS is my only option. My only issue with UPS returns is they don’t ship right away. Sometimes it takes more than a week for the item to make it back and get my refund. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/31 "2024-03-13T13:24:47Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > They _always_ give me a receipt and have _never charge me_. Unfortunately, the tracking # is not UPS’s but Amazon’s. UPS always gives me a receipt and I think it’s a UPS tracking number. But the $1 charge for returning via UPS isn’t something you pay at UPS- it’s deducted from your refund, so if you return a $10 item, you get a $9 refund. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/32 "2024-03-13T13:46:25Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > UPS always gives me a receipt and I think it’s a UPS tracking number. But the $1 charge for returning via UPS isn’t something you pay at UPS- it’s deducted from your refund, so if you return a $10 item, you get a $9 refund. I didn’t know that! But it’s still $1. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/33 "2024-03-13T14:02:39Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > UPS always gives me a receipt and I think it’s a UPS tracking number. If you’d like to check, UPS tracking numbers are 18 chars long with a 1Z prefix. ---
**Author:** ![edouglas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@edouglas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edouglas)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/34 "2024-03-13T14:26:09Z")
Take it to a UPS Store. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/35 "2024-03-13T14:44:49Z")
Yep - I just don’t happen to have a receipt right now but I’m pretty sure I get the 1Z tracking number. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/36 "2024-03-13T16:57:01Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > The other potential benefit with a Kohl’s return (in my area anyway) is they give you a coupon for 20% off any non-sale item. I don’t shop at Kohl’s so on my way out I play “coupon fairy” and give my 20% off to someone who’s browsing the store. Now our Kohl’s has a Sephora and I get an additional coupon for 10% off Sephora so I drop in there and give that coupon away too. It’s a treat! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/37 "2024-03-13T17:20:35Z")
1. I don’t know what people are talking about regarding UPS $1 charge. There is no deduction/charge anywhere for me. I get the full refund, etc. 2. Regarding non-UPS tracking number. The latest return receipt code starts with “D” and many letters (upper and lower) after that. Then it says “Contact Amazon for status.” ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673/38 "2024-03-13T17:38:46Z")
Apparently , every order has at least one free return option and it might be different for everyone. I just checked options for an item I bought Amazon store - free Staples -free UPS store -$1 UPS drop off $6.99 UPS pickup $7.99 On past returns, my free option was Whole Foods [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handling-problems-with-amazon-returns/998673.md?page=1)