Amazon return: No need to return?

shaun_from_Africa

jon81uk said:

If you have used the bag then you can't return it anyway.

I know, but even if the bag hasn't been used but simply returned as unwanted or unsuitable, I'm sure that it would need disinfecting before Amazon would resell it.

GabbaGabbaHey

It will probably depend to some extent on whether Amazon can re-sell the item as "used" as a Warehouse item. There's probably little chance of them selling a "used" lunchbag, whereas a "used" padlock would be easy to sell. (I'm sure that Amazon must also have some other routes for getting rid of returned items - possibly through a third party bulk buyer? - but the same logic would probably apply).

Spoonie_Turtle

Purely speculation but I wonder whether covid protocols for social distancing in the warehouses (as well as possibly staffing levels) make it simpler just not to bother for some things.

Also disinfection-wise as someone pointed out - presumably it's been taken out of any packaging and disinfecting porous materials is much harder and time-consuming to do thoroughly (and then dry them) than something non-porous than a metal padlock.

BelMalinois

This was in the media a few years ago but the value then was £10, maybe the value is now higher. There were a few reports and one such one is below:

https://metro.co.uk/2017/05/14/amazon-loophole-lets-you-get-refunds-without-returning-the-item-6636975/

custardy

Ironically. Unlike my usual low value refund when the item is scanned by RM.
They are making me wait till the padlock is received back before I get my refund 

custardy

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Purely speculation but I wonder whether covid protocols for social distancing in the warehouses (as well as possibly staffing levels) make it simpler just not to bother for some things.

Also disinfection-wise as someone pointed out - presumably it's been taken out of any packaging and disinfecting porous materials is much harder and time-consuming to do thoroughly (and then dry them) than something non-porous than a metal padlock.

I'm pretty confident Amazon wont be disenfecting anything

RFW

As a seller on Amazon I use that option quite a lot for returns. It can cost more for something to be returned and put back in stock.
There doesn't seem too much rhyme or reason with Amazon though, some things they insist on a return no matter the cost.

martindow

I suppose from a Covid point of view storing stuff for a week or so is sufficient with no need for disinfecting.  For a company like Amazon I imagine putting returns back in warehouses is more trouble than it's worth.  Presumably they sell bulk pallets of returns to market traders and the like to deal with.

custardy

martindow said:

I suppose from a Covid point of view storing stuff for a week or so is sufficient with no need for disinfecting.  For a company like Amazon I imagine putting returns back in warehouses is more trouble than it's worth.  Presumably they sell bulk pallets of returns to market traders and the like to deal with.

Amazon warehouse exists pretty much to churn out returns and damaged items.
Many warehouse buyer reports would show they do very little testing/checking on returns that get put on sale in the warehouse

Spoonie_Turtle

martindow said:

I suppose from a Covid point of view storing stuff for a week or so is sufficient with no need for disinfecting. 

Yes, that's true.