12 Items That Can’t Be Returned to Amazon

When it comes to convenience for online shopping, it's hard to beat Amazon, a retailer that seemingly has everything. But what if you need to return an item? Despite its liberal return policy, there are some key items that you can't send back to the e-commerce giant.

12 Items That You Can’t Return to Amazon

Computers (After 30 Days)

Once 30 days have elapsed, you can no longer return computers; that includes laptops, desktops and Kindles, the retailer says.

Hazardous Materials

Items that are classified as hazardous materials, including those with flammable liquids or gases, are not returnable. Amazon wants you to contact the item’s manufacturer for any refund information.

Items Without Tracking Numbers

If your product doesn’t have a serial number or UPC, Amazon says you cannot return it.

Downloadable Software

Any digital products that you have to download are not returnable.

Online Subscriptions

Any digital subscriptions that you’ve downloaded cannot be returned.

Gift Cards

Amazon does not allow you to return gift cards unless you live in a state that has a "cash back" law pertaining to gift cards.

Prepaid Game Cards

Prepaid cards bought in games are not returnable. An example of a game for which you can buy prepaid cards is World of Warcraft, which works on gaming platforms like Xbox 360 Live. Wii Points, a form of gaming currency, are also not returnable, according to Amazon.

Some Jewelry Items

Jewelry with a value of $35 or more must be returned via trackable shipping, according to Amazon. To be accepted, the jewelry can't be resized or altered in any way.

Some Health and Personal Care Items

The majority of health and personal items, including hygienic products, are returnable. However, some items that are “health hazards or may pose safety concerns” based on their contents or ingredients, are not returnable, an Amazon customer service representative confirmed to Team Clark.

Grocery Products

While Amazon does not accept the return of grocery items (including those ordered via Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods), you can ask for a refund or replacement for unsatisfactory items.

Open Software

While in most cases, items in opened boxes can still be returned to Amazon, that is not the case with software. Once the software has been used, it cannot be returned, an Amazon customer service representative told Team Clark. Amazon says you can contact its technical department for tech support.

Live Insects

Amazon says live insects are not returnable to Amazon but your purchase may be refundable.

What Is Amazon’s Return Policy?

In general, Amazon allows you to return items within 30 days of receipt of shipment.

For the 2021 holiday season, if you bought an item between October 1 and December 31, it can be returned until January 31, 2022, in most cases.

Note that the general return policy applies only to items bought directly through Amazon. Many third-party sellers use Amazon as a platform. If you buy from such a vendor, you’ll have to abide by that company’s return policy.

It’s always a good idea to note before you buy an item whether you’re getting it from Amazon or a third-party seller. That information will be displayed just under the “Buy Now” button.

How To Know Whether an Amazon Item Can Be Returned

According to Amazon's website, you can quickly tell whether the item you've bought can be returned if you see a message that says so when you select Return or Replace Item in the Your Orders section of your account.

“If the item is not returnable per the Amazon return policy, you will not see any message,” it says on Amazon.com.

How To Return an Amazon Item

There may be several ways to return an item bought on Amazon.com depending on the seller, the reason for the return or what the merchandise is.

To return an item in general, here are the steps:

Go to the Your Orders section in your account.
Click on the item you want to return.
Here is where you will see whether it is returnable or not. As mentioned, if it is returnable it will be indicated by a Return or Replace link.
You can print the return labels and check the status of your return at Amazon's Return Center.

If you buy a nonreturnable item and discover that it is damaged or defective, Amazon wants you to request a refund or replacement in the Your Orders section of your account. If you don't see a refund or replacement option, contact Amazon.

Love shopping at Amazon? Here's how to save.

More Shopping Resources From Clark.com:

This article was originally published on Clark.com

The post 12 Items That Can't Be Returned to Amazon appeared first on Clark Howard.