When is the deadline for a customer to ship / dropoff a return?
Below is an excerpt of Amazon's return policy, the section I have a question about is in red:
Context: I am primarily an FBM seller, the vast majority of my returns are not subject to refund at first scan. The items I sell are typical physical products that follow the standard 30 day return policy.
My question is when is the *deadline* for the customer to actually ship / hand over the return package to a courier such as UPS? The sentence above in question is vague. To demonstrate this, see scenarios below:
Scenario 1:
Day 1: Order is delivered on the Estimated Delivery Date
Day 30: Customer requests to return the item, Amazon automatically authorizes the return.
Day 45 (AKA "15 days after the return window closes"): Customer drops off the return package at their local UPS store.
Day 50: Seller receives the return package.
Scenario 2:
Day 1: Order is delivered on the Estimated Delivery Date
Day 30: Customer requests to return the item, Amazon automatically authorizes the return.
Day 40: Customer drops off the return package at their local UPS store.
Day 45: Seller receives the return package.
For each of the above scenarios is the customer within policy or not?
Personally I think in both scenarios the customer should be considered late / out of policy. I believe the deadline for the customer to ship / hand over the return package either is or should be day 31. The reason for this is:
1. Common sense, this is consistent with the spirit of a “30 Day Return Policy”
2. When the customer initiates the return Amazon shows the customer a deadline / Return by date which is usually Day 31. See example below, this order was delivered to me on July 8, 2024.
@SEAmod @Rose_Amazon @Dominic_Amazon @Michelle_Amazon
When is the deadline for a customer to ship / dropoff a return?
Below is an excerpt of Amazon's return policy, the section I have a question about is in red:
Context: I am primarily an FBM seller, the vast majority of my returns are not subject to refund at first scan. The items I sell are typical physical products that follow the standard 30 day return policy.
My question is when is the *deadline* for the customer to actually ship / hand over the return package to a courier such as UPS? The sentence above in question is vague. To demonstrate this, see scenarios below:
Scenario 1:
Day 1: Order is delivered on the Estimated Delivery Date
Day 30: Customer requests to return the item, Amazon automatically authorizes the return.
Day 45 (AKA "15 days after the return window closes"): Customer drops off the return package at their local UPS store.
Day 50: Seller receives the return package.
Scenario 2:
Day 1: Order is delivered on the Estimated Delivery Date
Day 30: Customer requests to return the item, Amazon automatically authorizes the return.
Day 40: Customer drops off the return package at their local UPS store.
Day 45: Seller receives the return package.
For each of the above scenarios is the customer within policy or not?
Personally I think in both scenarios the customer should be considered late / out of policy. I believe the deadline for the customer to ship / hand over the return package either is or should be day 31. The reason for this is:
1. Common sense, this is consistent with the spirit of a “30 Day Return Policy”
2. When the customer initiates the return Amazon shows the customer a deadline / Return by date which is usually Day 31. See example below, this order was delivered to me on July 8, 2024.
@SEAmod @Rose_Amazon @Dominic_Amazon @Michelle_Amazon
1 reply
Joey_Amazon
Hi @Seller_nB3lJtgLDe5Ww,
Thank you for utilizing the forums and sharing your sentiment about Amazons Return policies.
As per Returns Guidelines orders can be returned within 30 days of the EDD. Once the return request has been authorized the buyer has 15 days after the return window closes.
To answer your question and utilizing the example form scenario 1, the buyer is allowed to hand over the product on day 45.
If you have a specific order you'd like me to review, please feel free to share the order ID.
Thanks,
Joey
