PSA - Amazon Prime Do Not Have Free Returns on Change of Mind

srnoz on 17/10/2023 - 20:02

Just found out that being a Prime member you are not eligible for free returns for change of mind. All this time I had no issues. For this year, I have made nearly 50 purchases and made 4 returns and only 1 is change of mind. So I looked up the return policy. Unless there is a "Free Returns" sign on the listing, change of mind returns will incur a restocking fee. It is clear on their return policy.
This made me thinking whether it is worth to continue the prime membership.

As per Return Policy:

2. Shipping for change of mind returns

For change of mind returns of item(s):

  • To determine whether your item is eligible for Free Returns, look for the "Free Returns" messaging next to the price on the detail page of an item. The Free Returns policy provides information on items eligible for Free Returns and instructions on how to ship these eligible items back to us. Please note that for change of mind returns, original shipping fees will not be refunded.
  • If your item is not eligible for Free Returns, you are responsible for any return shipping costs. If your item is returned using a pre-paid return option, a return shipping fee will be deducted from your refund amount ($7 for Amazon AU orders, $16 for AmazonGlobal orders). For Large items, a $50 return shipping fee will be charged for change of mind returns. Please see below for more information on returning Large Items.
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Comments

  • scrimshaw on 17/10/2023 - 20:14
    +9

    You also generally don't want to return too many things — Amazon will flag your account as 'problematic' and they'll reject future change of mind returns and you'll lose the "perk" permanently. In more serious cases, they'll even send you this warning and close your account permanently.

    • AustriaBargain on 17/10/2023 - 20:22
      +3

      Which is kind of concerning, I have the same Amazon account tied to affiliate income and to hosting services.

    • srnoz on 17/10/2023 - 20:57

      It is right they kick out the abusers for the benefit of the mass who uses it as intended. But my experience have certainly made me thinking whether it worth the cost.

      • GrueHunter on 17/10/2023 - 21:01
        +2

        Your words: 50 purchases, 4 returns, 1 change of mind

        And for the sake of one change of mind issue, you're going to do away with free shipping on the other 49 items where everything was fine

        Do it, I dare you

        You'll sure show them who's boss

        • srnoz on 17/10/2023 - 21:35

          lol. I'm still undecided. But, 37 of them were more than $39, which got free delivery anyway. Just that you wont get it next day or in 2 days.
          I'm not even a size of peanut for their business, so I cannot show them I'm the boss. But I can certainly save $79. I got Prime till next May, so will analyse then and if it is still valuable compared to 2 or 3 change of mind max, then I'll stay on.

          • plmko on 18/10/2023 - 08:34
            +1

            @srnoz: Just stop paying for Prime and start bundling your orders.

            Amazon has started getting really shitty lately. So if you can't live without them then can at least start winding down some of your support.

  • Wiadro on 17/10/2023 - 20:21
    +1

    yeah just mark as incompatible and its free

    • AustriaBargain on 17/10/2023 - 20:23
      +2

      I returned a cheap set of drill bits because one of the bits was missing. And a MagSafe car vent adapter because it wouldn't clip onto the car vent. But I've Laos had bottles of soap that were leaking when they arrived and I just accept it because I don't want another black mark on may count for a buck's worth of spilled soap.

  • JimmyF on 17/10/2023 - 20:23
    +4

    This made me thinking whether it is worth to continue the prime membership.

    Just like ANY retailer in Australia, a change of mind return is totally up to the retailer/seller. There is no 'law' saying they have to do it.

    A change of mind return costs the seller money, they still have to pay for shipping to you and now back, as well as some other fees, then the product that was returned might not be able to be resold if its been opened etc. So that is a total loss to them too.

    So yeah, now you see why.

    FYI a Change of mind return on ebay has you paying the shipping back as well.

    • srnoz on 17/10/2023 - 20:53
      -2

      Agree. But the for me the value of Prime membership is to have that facility. I believe those costs are built in to their business model. Most of the retailers offer full refund for change of mind as far as the item is unopened and/or in sellable condition. Bunnings is the best example. Amazon is not a small business where a change of mind return cost would be significant. I can understand there'll be abusers and amazon has the technology to find the pattern and expel them from their platform.

      • JimmyF on 17/10/2023 - 22:06
        +1

        But the for me the value of Prime membership is to have that facility.

        LOL So you only have Prime only so you can order random things that you don't really want just so you can return them?

        Hmmm ok. Most people have Prime like myself, so they can order random crap at will and not pay shipping costs.

        Most of the retailers offer full refund for change of mind as far as the item is unopened and/or in sellable condition. Bunnings is the best example

        But Bunnings didn't pay 'shipping' both ways as part of you returning that item you changed your mind on and can inspect the item before they give you a refund etc.

        Amazon is not a small business where a change of mind return cost would be significant

        Amazon is really a store front these days, kinda like 'ebay'. Behind the store front is lots of little sellers working away stocking items and shipping them to Amazons mega warehouses so they can be plunked and delivered to you.

        Guess who wears the costs for returns? The mega company Amazon or the smaller reseller?

        Sure free returns for faulty items etc, but I'm with Amazon here, you had all the time in the word to change your mind before you clicked buy.

        • srnoz on 18/10/2023 - 06:26

          LOL So you only have Prime only so you can order random things that you don't really want just so you can return them?

          Well, it is not the only intention and my purchase record shows it. For this year, this is the first change of mind return with Amazon. I have returned to Kmart at least 4 or 5 so far. So I leave that to your interpretation.

          Also Amazon has free shipping over $39 anyway.

          Bunnings and Kmart have stores all over the country with car parks and staff to assist which equally cost them. Also you can return to store if you purchase online. So I'd expect the same with Amazon too.

          Guess who wears the costs for returns? The mega company Amazon or the smaller reseller?

          I don't know whether there is a fee for returns for the seller for buyer's change of mind. But if I'm buying direct from those sellers, I would cop the fee as I don't have to pay annual subscription.

          I agree that I had all the time to change my mind before buying. But if Amazon cannot accept 1 in 50 change of mind return, then Prime is not fit for purpose for me. YMMV :)

    • plmko on 18/10/2023 - 08:44

      FYI a Change of mind return on ebay has you paying the shipping back as well.

      Returns on eBay are free or refunded with Plus even with change of mind. Since we're talking about Prime here there's that.

      • JimmyF on 18/10/2023 - 09:04

        Returns on eBay are free or refunded with Plus even with change of mind.

        True, but to the 'seller' they still appeared paid for by the buyer. Even if someone else is covering them.

        Since we're talking about Prime here there's that.

        True, but Prime doesn't have a blanket free returns policy, up to each seller :)

    • nguyenlucky on 23/11/2023 - 23:51

      I wish we have a change of mind law like EU countries: "If you buy a product or service online, you have the right to return it within 14 days of delivery without providing any justification"

      https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/gua…

      • JimmyF on 24/11/2023 - 08:18

        I wish we have a change of mind law like EU countries

        No thank you, our ACL laws are far better. So would rather have them instead of a buyers remorse policy.

        you have the right to return it within 14 days of delivery without providing any justification

        Cool….or you could just stop and think before you buy it, hey do I really need to buy this? As basically that is what you are doing with a change of mind.

        SO yeah, buyers remorse costs shouldn't be loaded onto the retailer or OEM.

        • nguyenlucky on 26/11/2023 - 21:35

          That's why it only applies to online purchase, in the sense that you don't know how the good actually works until you have your hands on it.

  • Hybroid on 17/10/2023 - 20:28
    +1

    Incompatible or not useful

    ..is such a broad reason for return that it could apply to anything for any reason really. Free returns if you select this and I've returned dozens of items over time. Not an issue.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/10/2023 - 20:38
    +1

    Yeah just say not as described / poor quality. Which a lot of the more whacky and wonderful items are. Have returned a heap of stuff that turned out to be crap on inspection.

  • DingoBilly on 18/10/2023 - 10:15
    +1

    So you've had over 50 successful transactions, 3 easy returns, and then for one purchase you decided you didn't want an item and had to pay $5 or whatever for return postage and want to cancel your whole membership?

    Sounds like a miserable customer to have for any business.

    • srnoz on 18/10/2023 - 12:10

      Well, you can put other way around too!

      While businesses lot smaller than Amazon can accept change of mind return for free from returning customers, a global company that charges subscription for free delivery cannot accept one or two change of mind returns for free from returning customers!

      Who is miserable? If I'm the one for you, so be it! 🙂

  • relentless on 24/11/2023 - 16:05

    Sign of the times more companies getting onboard with removing this option and general downturn in customer service. I've noticed they're requiring more granulated responses as to why you're returning products.

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