Amazon and Walmart Quietly Change Return Rules in Arizona

Shopping online is convenient and saves a lot of time. Except when it doesn't. If you have to return an item for any reason, then the convenient time savings quickly goes out the window and can turn into a giant hassle.

What is Amazon and Walmart's New Return Policy?

Giant online retailers like Amazon and Walmart know this can be a downside of online shopping. It's a hassle for them, too, and they've quietly adjusted their policies in Arizona to improve the online shopping experience.

Amazon and Walmart both implemented a new policy called "Refund without Return." This policy, also known as a returnless refund, allows customers to receive a refund without having to send the item back. That means no jumping through hoops, printing a shipping label, and spending your lunch hour at the shipping store to get the thing back to Amazon.

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This doesn't work for every item, though. This policy is typically used for certain products in specific situations. If the cost of shipping an item back is more expensive than the value of the item, or if it's just impractical, there's a good chance Walmart or Amazon will just tell you to keep the item but issue a refund anyway.

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Why is Amazon Issuing a Refund, Without Requiring the Product to Be Returned?

Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers are adopting this return policy to cut costs. Processing returns can get expensive. The cost of shipping fees, determining if the item can be restocked and resold, and other associated costs can add up to much more than the item is worth. If the item is broken or damaged, returning the item doesn't make sense.

Allowing customers to keep certain items just makes sense. The new policy saves money and boosts customer satisfaction.

What Items Are Likely to Be "Refund without Return"?

Not every item is eligible for a refund without a return. Here's a list of some of the most common items:

• Low-Cost Products: If the cost to ship an item back to the retailers is more than it's worth, the retailer may decide to apply a refund without requiring the item to be returned.
• Damaged or Defective Items: If an item arrives broken or doesn't work correctly, the customer might get a refund without needing to return it.
• Consumables: Items like food, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies usually can't be restocked and resold, so there's a chance this type of product will just be refunded.
• Incorrect Items: If a customer gets the wrong item and the correct replacement isn't available, they may be refunded without needing to return the incorrect product.

Refund without Return Policy: The Good and The Bad

This policy saves everyone time, money, and hassle, which makes everyone, especially the customer, happier.

Of course, some will take advantage of the policy, which could impact the manufacturer or the retailer. For now, the advantages outweigh any downsides.

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What Companies Have a "Refund Without Return" Policy?

A few other companies offer returnless refunds for certain products, at least on a limited basis. Target, Wayfair, Chewy, and Best Buy all have variations on this policy depending on the circumstances.

This policy could help increase consumer confidence and help keep online shopping convenient and cost-effective.

Sources: Expert Beacon | Marketing Scoop | Walmart | Amazon