Does Amazon Check Returns? (Expensive, Broken, Laptops, Damaged + Process)

Are you going to have to send an item back to Amazon but you’ve been wondering: does Amazon check returns? Do you want to know if they check expensive returns?

If so, continue reading below and I’ll tell you everything I’ve found out while researching this important topic!

Does Amazon Check Returns In [currentyear]?

Amazon is supposed to check returns, although many workers claim that only the high-dollar items are checked thoroughly, such as gaming consoles in [currentyear]. Additionally, Amazon will check returns more closely if you’ve returned 10% or more of the products you’ve purchased on the website since that could be an indication of fraudulent activity.

Do you want to know more about whether Amazon checks returns, such as damaged returns, and the return process? Well, keep reading because I’ve got all of those answers below!

How Does Amazon Check Returns?

Amazon will look for the serial number of the returned item, and check it to ensure it’s eligible to be returned and for you to get your refund.

For example, if the serial number doesn’t match, you can be denied a refund or be asked to give a reason why the serial number isn’t matching.

Does Amazon Check Expensive Returns?

According to an Amazon warehouse worker on Reddit, expensive items are the most thoroughly checked returned items.

For example, items being returned that fall into the gaming or PC category will be checked for damage and condition, as well as smartphones, tablets, or other gadgets of value.

If the item has had the seal broken, then it must be sent out to the warehouse technical grading department to evaluate the condition and status, even if the device was never used.

Does Amazon Check Cheap Returns?

The same warehouse worker on Reddit said that most smaller value or cheap returns are not checked over, although it’s supposed to be policy to check all items regardless of value.

Does Amazon Check Broken Returns?

Amazon often does not check broken returns, since they are going to be unusable to Amazon and will just be discarded or recycled, depending on the type of broken item being returned.

Does Amazon Check Returned Laptops?

Amazon does check returned laptops, which have a limited return window, and they will test them out to see if the customer has misrepresented the condition of the laptop.

Furthermore, Amazon tries to resell any of these returned laptops, as long as they are in good working condition or can be fixed, which is why they are checked thoroughly.

If you misrepresent the condition of the laptop, Amazon could charge you 15% of the sale price as a fee.

Also, if the laptop has been returned and is now unsellable because of the customer tampering with it, you could be charged a larger restocking fee.

Does Amazon Check Damaged Returns?

Amazon may check damaged returns depending on what the item is, and if it has a possible resale value.

Additionally, returns could be sent to either Kentucky or Nevada, which is where the return centers are and damaged items are checked to see whether the item can be salvaged.

For example, if the item is damaged beyond repair, it will either be recycled or thrown away, whereas a damaged item that’s still usable could be put on the Amazon Deals website.

Also, Amazon could choose to donate the item to an organization, even if it was broken but still usable, so the answer depends on the circumstances surrounding the item and its condition.

What Items Cannot Be Returned to Amazon?

What Items Cannot Be Returned to Amazon?

There are several items that you cannot return to Amazon, which includes:

  • Digital purchases
  • Prepaid phone cards
  • Amazon gift cards
  • Homemade products
  • Customized products
  • Modified products
  • Kindles, desktops, and laptops after the 30-day return window
  • Plants
  • Flowers
  • Certain health products
  • Certain hygiene products
  • Prepaid game cards
  • Items without a serial number
  • Game downloads or software downloads
  • Tickets to a theme park
  • Any dangerous materials
  • Liquor
  • Groceries
  • Amazon Video purchases
  • Digital Music Store downloads

What Is the Amazon Return Process?

Amazon allows you to return an item within 30 days of the shipment, and most of the third-party sellers also follow the same Global Store Return Policy.

If you’d like to return an item to Amazon, simply follow the steps below to get the process started:

  1. Go to the Amazon website or open the Amazon app
  2. Log in to your Amazon account
  3. Select “Your Orders”
  4. Find the order you want to return
  5. Select “Return or Replace Items”
  6. Find the reason from the menu for your return
  7. Choose either “Refund” or “Replacement”
  8. Look for the “Submit Return Request” option if the item was sold through an Amazon seller
  9. The Amazon seller has 2 days to review the request for the return and can either issue a return or replacement at that time
  10. Select which return method you want
  11. Print the return label and then the return authorization form
  12. Put the return label onto the box of the item you want to return
  13. Pack the item into the box
  14. Ship out your returned product

Can I View the Status of an Amazon Return?

You can check the status of your Amazon Return quickly by going into “Your Orders,” and then selecting the “View Return/Refund” option on the order you’ve returned.             

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Refund After Amazon Return?

Amazon has to receive the item at the fulfillment center before a refund can be issued on a return, and it could take 25 days to receive the item at that facility.          

However, once your return has been received and checked in, you’ll receive your refund within 10 business days in most cases.

Can Amazon Ban You for Too Many Returns?

Amazon can ban you if you have too many returns in your account history, which the Amazon representatives can see. However, you’d rarely be banned from the site.

For example, if you’re getting close to the 10% return status, you will probably see an email from Amazon warning you that you’re returning too many items and that you could be banned.

There are situations where someone is committing fraud with returns, and in those cases, Amazon will ban the person if the fraud is obvious or can be proven.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on how to buy Amazon returns, Amazon return policy after 30 days, and Amazon return warning.

Conclusion

The Amazon return process includes checking the serial number of returned items, although not all items are thoroughly checked when they’ve been returned to the return center.

However, items such as expensive products or laptops are checked to see their condition and if they are being misrepresented by the customer returning them.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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