Amazon has added free return shipping on all items by bringing it to Kohl’s or to a UPS store. Select items like clothing have free shipping where Amazon will give you a free shipping label. For other items, you need to pay for the shipping. However, most/all items can now be returned free by bringing them to a Kohl’s store or UPS store.
Another advantage of using the Kohl’s or UPS option is that you don’t even need to label it or box it. You do need to begin the return online to get a return shipping code. Show this code on your smartphone at Kohl’s and they’ll box it and label it for you.
They added the UPS return option about a month ago (ht Dansdeals) and today they’ve added the Kohl’s option as well.
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Always nervous returning stuff to Amazon because of a warning I received some years back due to buying a whole bunch of branded yet sub-par outlet quality clothes. I ultimately returned all of it including some that had fallen apart in a single wash. Since the warning I refuse to anything from Amazon I am not 90% certain I’ll keep. I’d much prefer they got better at identifying true return fraudsters vs people that simply don’t like what they receive due to poor sellers and mixed reseller inventory. Alas I still read posts indicating they love indiscriminately swinging that customer ban hammer around. Making it easier to return stuff just sounds like a trap.
I tried returning an Amazon Echo Show 5 via Kohl’s but I did not have the option to select Kohl’s dropoff during the return process. Another item from that order gave me the Kohl’s option though. Weird.
Can confirm that the return to UPS works flawlessly. Ordered a belt that was too big on Amazon a few weeks ago. Initiated the return online, got a code via email on my smartphone, and brought the belt only rolled up in the little plastic bag it came in to UPS today.
The UPS worked scanned my code on my smartphone, took the belt, and gave me the receipt. 3 hours later I received a refund in my Amazon account. Super smooth and effortless return process with Amazon with this new option!
I’ve been using the UPS option for awhile now (no label, box), so it’s not new here, anyway.
Addition: recently I selected “item no longer needed” and Amazon gave me a full refund! That might be a relatively new/rare feature as well, as I’ve always had to give a portion of the refund back by paying shipping costs when selecting this option.
For some items, Kohl’s is not even an option. UPS dropoff is an option but with a fee of ~$9. The only totally free option for all items is Amazon dropoff. This has happened for Bose headphones and Ring Devices.
I just returned stuff today using the Koh’s method, and they gave me a 25% discount to shop at the store that expires in 7 days.
Kohl’s has been an option for a long time now, maybe close to a year. It’s just wasn’t available for all items.
Keep in mind that many ups location will ignore this and pretend like they don’t know . Dyson has same thing with UPS where you can just bring the items show the code No need to pack or label. But UPS employees kept saying they don’t know blah blah . Dyson re had to call the ups location and finally they accepted the return
There’s a difference between UPS Store, UPS Customer Center, and UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet.
UPS Store= franchised, often in strip malls, can scan QR codes for returns and do free Amazon returns, most likely to nickel and dime you if it’s not a free return
UPS Customer Center= corporate owned, attached to UPS shipping hubs, can’t scan QR codes or do free returns, some don’t accept cash, limited or no weekend hours.
UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet= within another business such as Staples, or a multi-carrier shipping store. Can’t scan QR codes or do free returns.
yup the UPS stores have wildly divergent experiences for the customers….another reason why I avoid them and use FedEx
Small items don’t seem to be eligible for this if you put “no longer needed” as the return reason.
Kohl’s is their preferred method.
I rarely returns anything but just tried this out yesterday since I happened to have one item to return. It’s nice to not have to print the label and ups gave me the tracking number on spot.