Clearification on Jan 31st Holiday Return Policy. Is this the date customers need to start the return request by, have it in the mail by, or received back by the seller by date?
I just had another customer start a return this morning, for Christmas decorations that they purchased on Nov 1st, 1 item, $200, claiming they no longer light up. My experience in the past had been that this item was used outside for 3 months, abused, and will be returned dirty and broken. I always have a handful of customers that try and game the system by buying their Christmas decoration on Nov 1 and returning used on Jan 31.
I was just hoping that I could put an end to this particular customer nonsense before they get it in the mail. I know today is the last day, but is it the last day for them to start a return, get it in the mail, or have it delivered back to us?
Clearification on Jan 31st Holiday Return Policy. Is this the date customers need to start the return request by, have it in the mail by, or received back by the seller by date?
I just had another customer start a return this morning, for Christmas decorations that they purchased on Nov 1st, 1 item, $200, claiming they no longer light up. My experience in the past had been that this item was used outside for 3 months, abused, and will be returned dirty and broken. I always have a handful of customers that try and game the system by buying their Christmas decoration on Nov 1 and returning used on Jan 31.
I was just hoping that I could put an end to this particular customer nonsense before they get it in the mail. I know today is the last day, but is it the last day for them to start a return, get it in the mail, or have it delivered back to us?
19 replies
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
The deadline you mention is for the buyer to indicate they wish to return something. Nothing to do with when they send it back.
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
Things are never consistent here.
You will still get some returns authorized when they no longer should be, and you will get some things dumped on you after the supposed cut-off date.
The only solace is in knowing that the quantity of returns will start to taper off. Nothing else is good and/or consistent about Amazon's returns policies.
Seller_gatjkdfPmzT4O
Based on my understanding, January 31st is the last day they can request a return / open a return request. Generally, they have 30 days to send the item back. Any return that was opened last year and had passed 30 days as of yesterday I closed. No reason to be on the hook when they had all that time to send it back and I'm sure if you buy from Amazon themselves the same thing applies. Usually from what I've seen Amazon keeps return requests open for 50 days then after that will close them automatically.
I had one guy buy an item once few months back, claim it was not as described in the listing, but refusing to open a return request and demanding a refund through the messaging system and trying to trap me into agreeing with his false statement. Then he bought the same item again during the holiday window, waited over 50 days to open the request claiming performance or quality not adequate, and literally shipped it back January 31. I should get it back today so we'll see what it looks like. Just unbelievable what it's become on here. The buyers are like 5 year olds when it comes to reading a listing and Amazon created this environment by giving them zero consequences for their actions.
Seller_tcwwJM3S0wBFE
Are you able to charge a restocking fee? I have the option to charge a 20% for "Outside the return window". I would charge them if they shipped after January 31st (not requested, but shipped), but I don't know if I would win or lose a potential A to Z claim if they don't like this 20% restocking fee.
Seller_QjYfjZwWH8D0l
Amazon's return policy clearly states that merchandise must be returned in original condition. If a buyer returns something used, you have a right to a restocking fee, even if it's received within the return window.
Of course, assuming the buyer gets a Refund at First Scan, you'll have to convince the agents or bots hiding behind the SAFE-T Claim curtain to give you what you're due. The inconsistencies in SAFE-T Claim administration are worsening. Decisions are all over the map.
Today, we discovered a return request from a buyer who had previously scammed us with a switcheroo back in September. At that time, I was granted a partial reimbursement through a SAFE-T Claim (nowhere near the amount I was due), and I also filed a detailed violation report through the Account Health link. If I remember correctly, I think I filed a mail fraud report with USPS.
Yet, four months later, the same buyer is at it again. Clearly, Amazon did nothing. I expect we'll get another switcheroo return, and I'll have to fight for months to get crumbs from the king's table.
This is getting old.
Seller_4gowSIOqYgkJL
If the order is over 30 days on January 31st then the label will not be available for them to print anymore I think. Because I had a person open one on January 28th and they said Amazon told them it had to be returned by January 31st and they were upset they didnt have enough time to return it. So if they havent printed the label you may be good.
Seller_ICE4Ps48S5aso
dates are arbitrary here. If a customer pushes hard enough, amazon will refund them... with YOUR money.
Tatiana_Amazon
Hi @Seller_VLB93SOhkHsZs,
Tatiana from Amazon here. I just wanted to jump in and clarify that Jan. 31st was the last day customers had to request a return. Typically, we allow a buffer for buyers to get the returned item to the necessary drop off location.
That being said, I did want to provide this link regarding Safe-T claims for any orders that you might receive damaged, used, or in a materially different state than what was shipped.
Tatiana
