The success of large online retailers like Amazon depends on customer loyalty and trust. Being able to return any items you bought is essential for customers to shop with confidence.
That being said, you may have heard that Amazon has a very generous returns policy. But is it so generous that you can return opened items to Amazon? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!
Can You Return Opened Items to Amazon In [currentyear]?
Amazon does accept returns of opened items with certain conditions in [currentyear]. Like all returns, they must be returned within 30 days and they must have been sold and shipped by Amazon. Certain types of items cannot be returned if they have been opened. Items sold by third-party sellers on Amazon must be returned directly to the seller.
To find out more about returning opened items on Amazon, read on. You’ll find all you need to know here!
What Is Amazon’s Return Policy on Opened Items?
Amazon does accept returns, even when items have been opened.
However, there are some conditions and limitations, which are largely the same as Amazon’s general return policy.
The return must be made within 30 days and the item must have been sold and shipped by Amazon.
If it was sold or shipped by a third-party seller, you will have to contact them to find out their policies.
There are some items that cannot be returned at Amazon, such as:
- Hazardous materials
- Products missing the serial number or UPC
- Downloadable software products
- Online subscriptions that have been used
- Prepaid game cards
- Some jewelry orders
- Some health and personal care orders
- Grocery products
- Items with special shipping restrictions
Can You Return an Item to Amazon If You Don’t Like It?
Amazon has a generous returns policy, but like all other retailers, the company does ask for a reason when you return an item.
Even if your reason is just that you didn’t like it, that’s all right. You just have to pick the right option when you process your online return on the Amazon website.
To process a return for your order at Amazon, you must first log in and go to Your Orders. When you click on Return, you will be asked for a reason.
You can choose one from a pull-down menu, with options like:
- No longer needed
- Inaccurate website description
- Item defective or doesn’t work
- Bought by mistake
- Better price available
- Product damaged, but shipping box OK
- Item arrived too late
- Missing or broken parts
- Product and shipping box both damaged
- Wrong item was sent
- Received extra item I didn’t buy (no refund needed)
- Didn’t approve purchase
If you didn’t like the item, you could choose an option like “Inaccurate website description,” as that covers many possible reasons.
You’ll have the choice to get a refund or to have the amount credited to your Amazon account.
Next, you can choose your preferred return method, and print out the return label and authorization.
Afterward, you can pack your item in the box it was shipped in, add the return label, and hand over the package to the carrier.
How Can I Cancel Items I Accidentally Bought on Amazon?
If you accidentally bought something at Amazon and need to cancel, you can do so online, but you have to be quick.
You can only cancel an order or part of an order before it has shipped. To cancel, you must first log in to your Amazon account.
Under “ Your Orders,” select the order you want to cancel and then pick the items you want to cancel. When you hit the Cancel button the items you selected will be canceled.
You should get a confirmation message in your email and also in the Message Center in your Amazon account.
You can also confirm that the order is canceled by making sure it shows in the list of Canceled Orders for your account.
If the order was being shipped by a third-party seller, you may have to contact them to cancel.
In case you don’t see the Cancel option for the order, it may have already shipped. In that case, you can go to Your Orders >Track package > Cancel this delivery.
If it’s not possible to cancel the order or delivery, you can refuse the package when it is delivered, or return it.
Does Amazon Accept Returns Without Original Packaging?
Amazon now accepts box-free returns at many locations like Amazon’s physical stores, Kohl’s, Whole Foods, and the UPS store.
You only need a QR code for the item from the online Amazon Return Center, which you can bring along with you to one of these locations.
For returns by mail, it’s better to have the original packaging, but if it’s not available, you can use any secure box.
However, Amazon may decide to deduct some part of your refund if the item is not returned in its original packaging.
To know more, you can also read our posts on Amazon return warning, how to buy Amazon returns, and Amazon return policy after 30 days.
Conclusion
Amazon’s policy on returning opened items is very similar to its general returns policy. Some items cannot be returned, and orders from a third-party seller must be returned to the seller directly.
