Buying things from Amazon couldn’t be easier, but what about returning them?
The good news is that Amazon has fairly liberal return policies. In most cases, you have 30 days to return items shipped from Amazon.
But there are some things you won’t catch a break on: Certain items are “non-returnable,” as Amazon puts it.
Here are several examples of purchases that you won’t be able to return to Amazon.
1. Grocery items
You can buy food or beverages through Amazon, including options from Amazon Fresh. Unfortunately, these goods can't be returned.
In some situations, you still might be able to get a refund or replacement, like if an item shows up damaged, spilled or spoiled. Amazon explains:
“If you aren’t satisfied with the condition of a grocery product that you receive from us, we’ll issue a refund up to 30 days from the date of delivery.”
2. New automobiles
You can now buy new and used vehicles through the Amazon Autos program, which launched in late 2024.
But make sure you’re good with your new car purchase through Amazon, as it will not be eligible for return. The retailer explains on its Amazon Autos Help page:
“New vehicles ordered on Amazon.com are not returnable once the vehicle has been picked up, though you can cancel your order for a full refund any time before you sign the final paperwork at the dealership.”
Some used and certified pre-owned vehicles may be returned as determined by the dealership.
3. Gift cards
Once you buy a gift card, it’s yours. Amazon won’t take returns on them unless required by law.
However, you can sell them on a marketplace like GCX.
4. Customized handmade items
You can buy an array of items handcrafted by artisans on Amazon Handmade, a section of Amazon that competes with the likes of Etsy.
In some cases, you can have a handmade item customized — engraved with an inscription or embroidered with a particular design, for example.
Sellers on Amazon Handmade are not required to accept returns or exchanges of customized items, however, unless the item arrived damaged or defective.
5. Most digital products
If you bought any of the following types of digital downloads, you can’t return it to Amazon unless otherwise specified:
- Games
- Software downloads
- Online subscriptions once you’ve accessed them
6. Products with missing UPCs or serial numbers
If you remove a product’s serial number or universal product code (UPC), the item cannot be returned to Amazon.
7. Hazardous materials
If you’re in the market for flammable liquids or gases, keep in mind that they’re yours once you buy them. Amazon doesn’t accept returns on hazardous materials.
“Contact the manufacturer directly for service, warranty, return, and refund information,” Amazon says.
8. Live insects
Live insects can’t be returned to Amazon. However, you might be able to get a refund for those purchases.
9. Pet food and medication
Your pet’s food isn’t returnable; nor is your pet’s medication. However, you might be able to get a refund for either if there’s an issue with delivery or the packaging.
10. Prepaid cards
Pay-as-you-go phone cards and game cards — such as those for World of Warcraft, Xbox and Wii — are not returnable to Amazon.
11. Prescriptions
Medication from Amazon Pharmacy cannot be returned, even if you purchase a six-month supply of a prescription that changes before you run out. Exceptions might be made for orders with evidence of tampering if immediately reported.
12. Some health and personal products
Once you open health and beauty items and break their safety protection seals, you cannot send them back to Amazon for a refund, as they can pose potential health risks.
If an item shows up damaged, you can contact Customer Service, though.
13. Bulk liquidations
Third-party sellers or Amazon can sell overstock inventory in lots at steep discounts through Amazon Bulk Liquidation. A lot may include returned items that are new and unopened or damaged and returned.
These orders are sold as-is, and as Amazon clearly states, you cannot return these lots:
“All sales are final and not eligible for return or refund.”
14. Final sale items
Anything on Amazon’s site that is marked as “final sale” cannot be returned. That includes trading card games, as well as Funko Pop figures and accessories.
Note that if you make a purchase from Amazon Haul — Amazon’s “shopping experience dedicated to offering customers affordable prices on a wide range of everyday products” — that’s $3 or less, it’s also considered a final sale and ineligible for return.
Things that are returnable under limited circumstances
Some items are returnable only under more restrictive terms than most items. For example, they might have a shorter return window or the return process might require extra steps. Examples of these items include:
- Digital books: You have seven days to return unread digital books that you purchased in error, as well as digital textbooks and educational content. For more information, visit Amazon’s Kindle books return page.
- Accidental music purchases: If you use Alexa and make an accidental music purchase through the voice-controlled artificial intelligence assistant, you have seven days to contact Amazon to reverse the transaction.
- Certain tech products: You have 15 days to return Apple and Boost Infinite products that are in new, unopened condition.
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