Amazon making it nearly impossible to return items

A_Mother_First ↓

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 9:48 pm

I am an Amazon prime member for many years. I purchase almost everything on Amazon due to the convenience and great customer service. But things have been going downhill with customer service and returns, and it is a huge hassle and waste of time to return items recently.

When I try to return a product, after I write the reason etc. it often only gives me the option to replace the defective item with an identical one, instead of giving me the option to return it. In order to return it, I have t o request additional help and either chat with an associate or request a phone call. Who has time for that? Even after I get an associate online, they start asking questions about why I am returning the item, and then attempt to charge me for the return of an item that is sold AND shipped by Amazon, and is stated as returnable! what a nerve. I would take my business elsewhere but I don't think that there is a true alternative with such diverse merchandise.

Have you had similar experiences? Any thoughts?

amother

SandyBrown

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 10:05 pm

Yup I so want to never buy from them again but the shipping convenience is too enticing.
But returns have become a huge hassle, sending us to multiple locations etc

↑ A_Mother_First ↓

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 10:31 pm

HonesttoGod wrote:

No. You have to choose a valid reason and drop off at an ups or staples.

I have returned many things in the past few weeks and had zero issues.

You got lucky. I am having inconsistent responses from them. And if I buy shoes and they are too big or small -- that's a valid reason. I did not exactly get the chance to try them on. If they want customers to stop buying from them, they should continue to make things a hassle. At some point people will get annoyed enough and search for alternatives.

amother

Seablue

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 11:10 pm

I was just on the phone with them for a good few minutes explaining how hard the returns are! People say Amazon is so easy, it is not! He said we’ve been getting a lot of complains lately and we’re trying to fix it. Send them your complains!

amother

Violet ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:07 am

amother Seablue wrote:

Unfortunately the Filipino agent making $3/hour cannot fix any of this, these are corporate decisions

amother

Obsidian ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:10 am

HonesttoGod wrote:

No. You have to choose a valid reason and drop off at an ups or staples.

I have returned many things in the past few weeks and had zero issues.

Lately they have been wanting me to pay $6.99 to drop off at a ups location. In a box with a label. The fro off scans it and processes it immediately.
they make me go to staples or kohls which is not near me. I have a ups drop off 2 min from my house. I am so frustrated.

This is trying to return an opened rd box 2 days after ordering.

causemommysaid

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:13 am

NewStart wrote:

Shopping in real stores is better for society.
Supporting Jewish stores is even better.
Consider putting real life errands back into your schedule.

What kind of nonsense answer is this?

Some of us work and have no time to run around to 10 stores to buy glue, shoes, and a slotted spoon.

Why is walking into a physical Walmart better than shopping online at Amazon?

Also, many of us don't live in frum area with a 13th Ave frum shopping area.

amother

↑ Eggshell

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:15 am

amother Obsidian wrote:

They usually give a few options. Some are free and some they charge for

imaamy

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:16 am

I presented a countertop ice machine that didn’t work well. They made me return it to a college campus return center. The address listed was just the main campus street number. There was no parking and I was lugging this bulky box around looking for the place. After 3 tries and wasted gas (and fear of a parking ticket), I was able to return it. I’m very careful about ordering such items from Amazon now.

amother

Raspberry ↓

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:20 am

amother Eggshell wrote:

They usually give a few options. Some are free and some they charge for

Except if you live in a city and don't have a ups store (only drop off boxes), kohl's, staples, whole foods, amazon, near you and its impossible to choose any of the free options.

Amelia Bedelia

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:23 am

amother Violet wrote:

Unfortunately the Filipino agent making $3/hour cannot fix any of this, these are corporate decisions

Exactly. I doubt the agent has any idea what Amazon is trying to correct. He's probably just trying to appease you.

tweety1

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:26 am

amother Obsidian wrote:

If you want ups pickup it's $6.99 or something. I just initiated a return for a ups dropff. No label needed just qr code. No charge. Item arrived too late. No issues whatsoever.

amother

Clover

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:33 am

I just chat with customer service and they give me a free UPS return label every time. I don’t have a staples, Whole Foods or ups store in my immediate area and I’m not paying for a prime membership if there’s no free returns.

amother

Burlywood

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:34 am

amother Clover wrote:

Ya but the having to go on and chat is annoying. Ain’t no one got time for that

Bnei Berak 10

Sun, Nov 24 2024, 6:37 am

amother Calendula wrote:

I have had issues both with quality and time it takes to arrive. I started buying from target and Walmart instead.

What was the delivery time?
I live in Israel. Ordered from Amazon and also from iHerb. It took almost a month until arrival. There aren't too many flights these days.
Very grateful I succeeded to get the items at a bargain rate compared to Israelis prices.