Amazon returns

mickey on 27/03/2013 - 19:46

I'm trying to return a $68 jacket I bought from Amazon recently but I was quoted by Australia Post that the shipping would cost $55. Amazon's website states that they will cover up to $15 for return shipping. So I spoke to live chat and they offered me either a $25 refund for the jacket or a $25 refund for the return shipping. I took the $25 refund and will be keeping the jacket. I'm never going to wear this jacket because the style wasn't what I expected so I'm disappointed that I couldn't return it and receive a full refund. Are there any Ozbargainers out there that could offer some advice?

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Comments

  • c64 on 27/03/2013 - 19:59

    one of the trade-offs of buying overseas. flog it off on ebay

  • blablabla23 on 27/03/2013 - 20:59

    they actually offered you a $25 discount on a $68 jacket? That's like, 37% off!

    light bulb goes ding! over my head

    wait till they hear about my $170 jacket.

    ;)

    But seriously, do your homework before buying from overseas retailers. Before i bought my aforementioned jacket, i went to stores, went online, even asked friends to see if they owned jackets of a similar fit to the one i was about to buy. In the end, i was successful in hunting down the exact jacket on ebay (surprisingly much more expensive than on amazon!) which listed the measurements of the jacket. I also read on forums that these jackets were smaller than the usual fit and that purchasers should size down for a better fit. In the end i went with one size down and prayed that the internet was right.

    My jacket arrived; i tried it on- and yes, praise be to the almighty Google.

    Just out of curiosity, what did you write to make them give you the $25?

    • mickey on 27/03/2013 - 21:56

      I haggled with the live chat consultant. He initially offered me a $15 refund but then I told him that I'm a loyal repeat Amazon customer and after a few minutes of silence he increased it to $25.

  • blablabla23 on 27/03/2013 - 21:00

    /double post

  • Daabido on 27/03/2013 - 21:34

    International postage from Australia is incredibly expensive. It's often not worth returning the item.

    • Eivad on 28/03/2013 - 09:27
      +1

      Agreed, Australia Post charges a fortune.

      Costs overseas companies (especially from Asia) next to nothing to send parcels to us.

  • exc3113nce on 28/03/2013 - 08:06

    It's usually expected that the buyer has to pay return costs for items. Most companies however, have a return shipping address.

  • Eivad on 28/03/2013 - 09:30

    That's really good that Amazon offered you a $25 (or even $15) rebate, given the return was for change of mind and not for damaged/incorrect goods. When you said you didn't like the style I'm assuming that the jacket that arrived was what was pictured and advertised on the website, and not another product (and did not in any other way breach of the consumer legislation).

    Retailers don't even have to offer returns for change of mind (sometimes they do, but add a restocking fee) - the fact that Amazon not only allows free returns but actually give you credit AND let you keep your jacket is tribute to the good customer-focused business practices of Amazon.

    Definitely keep in mind when you buy overseas that you almost always will have to cover the cost of return shipping if you change your mind. I recall when buying from Asos they allowed international returns, but would not cover any of it.

  • nubzy on 28/03/2013 - 10:40

    I was very dissapointed in the jacket and sent an email to amazon. I mentioned it would be around $35 to ship the jacket back and they just sent me a return authorization and said to ship it back using cheapest method and we will reimburse. I cannot be bothered, too expensive and a waste of time.
    It is very annoying because the jacket is too large and was a 'Reaction' line not Kenneth Cole proper. So now stuck with $60 jacket which will not get any use..

    wonder if I should try speak to Livechat now for a small refund

    • mickey on 28/03/2013 - 17:22
      +1

      You should because you have to nothing to lose. Just be adamant you want to return the item for a full refund but it's not feasible due to Australia Post's exorbitant shipping fees. Reiterate that you're a loyal repeat Amazon customer and the website description was misleading. Good luck and if you fail the first time just try another live chat consultant. After you receive your refund, take mattgal's advice and try selling it online.

  • cloudy on 28/03/2013 - 12:32

    my experience with online purchases of clothes has mostly been poor.

    And to be honest, im never gonna buy clothes again unless its super cheap that i wouldnt care if it wasn't right.

    Examples of stuff are jackets being too big, hallenstein tees that are too small and too big, inspite of both being labelled "Small"
    Tees from The Hut, which were perfect on arrival, and then shrunk massively after 1 wash, unfortunately i was too happy with my purchase i ordered 2 more before i noticed the fact its shrinks…so now i have 3 undersized tees.

    and on all occasions, the cost of return is simply too high to make it worth while.

    the list goes on for me, clothes are still best bought in store IMHO

  • mickey on 30/03/2013 - 05:45
    +1

    I've got some amazing news, after a marathon live chat session I have managed to score a full refund and keep the jacket as well. I was typing furiously for over 30 mins while she went back and forth to her manager. She kept haggling with me by slowly upping my refund in small increments each time until finally she gave up and surrendered the whole amount. I am now exhausted and ecstatic at the same time.

    • blablabla23 on 30/03/2013 - 12:26

      was the jacket misrepresented in any way on the website? Or did you just not like the fit/colour etc.?

  • nubzy on 30/03/2013 - 10:12

    I want to try talking to livechat not sure how to go though since they already issued me the return authorization a few weeks ago. maybe say I have been quoted by australia post $40 to send back (not sure how much it is, know its not cheap though)and was dissapointed in the brand quality/fit and would like refund??

    • mickey on 01/04/2013 - 02:13

      Do everything you mentioned plus…
      1. Be assertive
      2. Don't take no for an answer
      3. Make sure the consultant speaks to their manager
      4. Tell them you have 'friends' who received a full refund and kept the jacket because the return shipping costs were too expensive
      5. Reiterate that you're a loyal and repeat Amazon customer
      6. If all else fails, rinse and repeat with a new live chat consultant

      Good luck guys! YOU CAN DO IT!

  • scotty on 02/12/2015 - 15:15

    Bought an ASUS Chromebook Flip last week, just got this delivered today. However the keyboard is broken — some of the keys are not responsive (Enter, Backspace, Spacebar, Backslash). I have requested a return and now needs to post the item back.

    Now with a parcel ~2kg, containing lithium battery — what would be the best courier to use to post back to Amazon?

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