Buyer return timeframes
The amount of grey-area and conflicting information I am reading on the forums is annoying… what is the actual policy for the amount of time a buyer has to return an item?
Example: Buyer orders an item July 1st. Estimated delivery is July 10th. Order is delivered July 4th. Buyer initiates a return request on August 3rd (exactly 30 days after delivery).
Does the buyer have 30 days from August 3rd to MAIL the return? On what date can a late-return restocking fee be charged? On what date can the late return be refused (if ever)?
Buyer return timeframes
The amount of grey-area and conflicting information I am reading on the forums is annoying… what is the actual policy for the amount of time a buyer has to return an item?
Example: Buyer orders an item July 1st. Estimated delivery is July 10th. Order is delivered July 4th. Buyer initiates a return request on August 3rd (exactly 30 days after delivery).
Does the buyer have 30 days from August 3rd to MAIL the return? On what date can a late-return restocking fee be charged? On what date can the late return be refused (if ever)?
11 replies
Danny_Amazon
Hey there @Seller_1ZjQmvBmVkYSs- thanks for posting to seek some clarification! Per our Returns, refunds, cancellations, and claims help page:
"Most items bought on Amazon.com, including those that are seller-fulfilled, can be returned within 30 days of the Estimated Delivery Date. However, the timing may vary based on the product category in accordance to Amazon’s Return policies. To determine if a product has a longer return timeline, go to Amazon.com Returns Policy.
Following authorization of a return request, the buyer has 15 days after the return window closes, allowing for transit time for a buyer to return an item."
So, from when the return window closes for the item in question, the buyer would have 15 days to return the item. If the return is received after the 15 day window, then applying that re-stocking fee would be appropriate!
You can read more at Manage seller-fulfilled returns, but I don't think refusing a return would be advantageous as the item would need to be received and graded in order to apply any restocking fees, or in case a SAFE-T Claim becomes necessary.
I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!
