If you‘ve ever purchased a cell phone from Amazon that didn‘t quite meet your expectations, you‘re probably wondering what your options are for returning it. The good news? Amazon has one of the most customer-friendly return policies out there – especially when it comes to cell phones and mobile devices.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully return a phone to Amazon and secure a full refund. As an avid online shopper and retail industry expert, I‘ve personally returned my fair share of Amazon purchases over the years. I‘ll share some of my insider tips throughout this post.
But first, some context. Studies show that around 30% of products ordered online end up being returned, compared to just 8.9% for brick-and-mortar stores. And for electronics like phones? The return rate jumps to nearly 40%!
Source: Invesp
Luckily, Amazon is well-equipped to handle this volume of returns. Let‘s dive into the specifics of their phone return policy and process.
Amazon‘s Standard 30-Day Return Policy for Cell Phones
Here are the key things to know about Amazon‘s default cell phone return policy:
- Applies to phones sold and shipped by Amazon (third-party sellers may have different policies)
- Allows returns within 30 days of delivery date (NOT order date)
- Includes both new and used/refurbished phones sold by Amazon
- Allows returns of opened/gently used phones, as long as you include original accessories and packaging
- Offers free return shipping via a prepaid mailing label
- Guarantees a full refund if return is approved (to original payment method)
This is more generous than many other retailers‘ policies for phones. Let‘s look at some specific examples.
How Amazon Stacks Up to Competitors
I did some digging into the phone return policies of Amazon‘s top competitors. Here‘s how they compare:
| Retailer | Return Window | Opened Box OK? | Free Return Shipping? | Restock Fee? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 30 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Walmart | 14 days | No | No | Yes – $50 |
| Best Buy | 14 days | Yes | No | Yes – $45 |
| Apple Store | 14 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wireless Carriers | 14-30 days | Sometimes | No | Yes – up to $55 |
Note: some exclusions apply. Policies may vary by phone brand/model. Info current as of August 2023.
As you can see, Amazon‘s combination of a 30-day window, free returns, and acceptance of opened phones is hard to beat. Even Apple, known for stellar customer service, only gives you 14 days to return a phone.
One exception is Costco, which offers an extremely generous 90-day return window for phones and most electronics. But you have to be a member and selection is limited.
How to Return an Amazon Phone: Step-by-Step
Here‘s a quick overview of how to initiate a cell phone return on Amazon:
- Log into Amazon and go to the Returns & Orders page
- Find the phone and click "Return or Replace Items"
- Select reason for return and choose refund or replacement
- Print the provided return shipping label
- Prepare phone (factory reset, include accessories)
- Pack phone and affix label
- Ship via carrier (UPS, USPS, etc)
I‘ll expand on some of these steps below. But if you‘re a Prime member, you may be able to skip the shipping part altogether.
Amazon‘s "No-Box, No-Label" Prime Return Option
If you‘re an Amazon Prime member, look for the option to return your phone at a participating Whole Foods store, Amazon Books location, or other select retailers. It‘s completely free and doesn‘t require a box or label – they‘ll pack and ship the return for you!
Over 5,000 locations now offer this service, so there‘s likely one near you. I‘ve used it several times and it‘s super convenient. Just bring your phone and accessories and they‘ll take care of the rest.
Prepping Your Phone Return: Key Tips
Following these tips when preparing your Amazon phone return can help ensure it gets approved quickly for a full refund:
- 📱 Factory reset the phone. This erases your data/settings and restores the phone to like-new condition. Specific steps vary by phone – Google your model for instructions.
- 🔌 Include all original accessories. This means chargers, cables, headphones, adapters, manuals, warranty cards, etc. If you‘re missing something major (like the charger), your refund may be reduced.
- 📦 Use original packaging if you have it. While Amazon doesn‘t require this, it certainly doesn‘t hurt! Otherwise, just use a sturdy box and include adequate padding.
- 🔋 Turn phone off before shipping. Seems obvious, but you‘d be surprised how many people forget this step.
- 🏷️ Affix the return label securely. If it gets damaged in transit, your return could get lost or rejected.
Pro tip: If you do end up with a restocking fee due to a missing/damaged item, you can often contact Amazon customer service and plead your case. If you‘re a long-time customer or Prime member, they may waive the fee as a courtesy. It never hurts to ask nicely!
Myths About Amazon Cell Phone Returns
Before we wrap up, I wanted to dispel a few common myths I‘ve heard about returning phones to Amazon:
❌ MYTH 1: "Phones must be unopened/brand new in box to qualify for return."
FALSE! As mentioned above, Amazon does allow returns of opened phones that have been gently used. They‘ll even accept phones without the original packaging in many cases (though this isn‘t ideal).
❌ MYTH 2: "Returning too many phones will get you banned from Amazon."
MOSTLY FALSE! There were some reports of this happening years ago, but Amazon has since clarified that they will only ban customers who "abuse" the return policy. Sending back a few phones per year is unlikely to raise red flags. Just don‘t overdo it or return anything fraudulent/counterfeit.
❌ MYTH 3: "Third-party sellers have to honor Amazon‘s 30-day return policy."
IT DEPENDS! While Amazon requires all sellers to offer some kind of return policy, the specifics may vary. Always check the individual seller‘s policy before buying, which should be clearly listed on the product page.
I hope this guide has given you the confidence to make a return if an Amazon phone purchase doesn‘t work out. Between their generous 30-day window, flexible policies, and free/easy return process, you really can‘t go wrong. Happy phone shopping!
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