11 Things That Amazon Won’t Let You Return

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 “not 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 wine through Amazon, including options from Amazon Fresh. Unfortunately, these goods can't be returned.

In some situations, though, you still might be able to get a refund or replacement. For example, Amazon says:

“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. Tickets

If you bought theme park tickets through Amazon, you might’ve scored a great deal. Unfortunately, you can’t return theme park tickets to the retailer.

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 Raise.

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
• Purchases from the Amazon Appstore
• Purchases from the Amazon Digital Music store
• Purchases from the Amazon Video store
• Purchases from the Amazon Luna store

6. 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.

7. Live plants and insects

Fresh flowers, live indoor plants and insects can’t be returned to Amazon. However, you might be able to get a refund for those purchases.

8. Pet food

Fido’s kibble isn’t returnable, either, but you might be able to get a refund for it.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Some beauty products

Beauty products containing flammable liquids or gases are not returnable. This would include hair sprays, nail polish, perfume and many other cosmetics items.

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:

• E-books from the Kindle Store: This type of digital product can be returned within seven days of purchase. For more information, visit Amazon’s Kindle books return page.
• Collectible coins: You can return collectible coins if you contact the seller within 14 days of receipt and the return is postmarked within 30 days of receiving the item. Also, the coins must not have been damaged after receipt and must be returned in their original packaging and with any supporting documentation.
• Jewelry, fine art, and sports and entertainment collectibles: Returns of these items also will be rejected unless they are accompanied by all product packaging and any certificates of authenticity, grading or appraisal. The items must not have been damaged, and jewelry must not have been resized after receipt, either — Amazon even says to photograph the items for your records before you ship them back. Depending on an item’s value, you might also be required to use trackable shipping or insure the package. Other conditions apply, so be sure to check Amazon's return policies page for details.