When purchasing a product online, it is fairly typical for the consumer to return it if it doesn’t meet their needs, is broken, or is the wrong size, as is the case with clothing and accessories. Have you ever returned something you bought on Amazon because you weren’t happy with it? What happens to returns, do you know?
This is a common problem with eCommerce businesses; the return policy is simpler and more lenient when purchasing clothing or shoes as opposed to electronics. Therefore, the fundamental procedure is that once you purchase a product and return it, the item is received at the Amazon Fulfillment Center and a refund is given to you. What transpires at the Amazon facility with the returned goods? Do they dispose of it cheaply or sell it back? Learn more about what Amazon does with returns in this section.
Amazon, Image Credit: Joe Mabel
What Happens To Returns?
What happens to all of those returned goods at Amazon? Some of them are in perfect condition but were returned due to incorrect specifications, such as problems with fit or size. The majority of these items are the property of independent sellers that market them on Amazon Fulfillment Center. According to the return policy, which typically guarantees 30 days for purchases, Amazon is very kind to its consumers when it comes to returns. Have you wondered whether Amazon will resell these products online or donate them to a charity, which is doubtful because the corporation would suffer significant losses? Let’s understand the process!
Products Received by Fulfillment Center
In most cases, the returned products can’t be sold back to the customers. There are different approaches to dealing with it based on category, quality, etc. So the first step is sorting out the products based on their condition, like used- new products, used- very good in condition, used-good or, used- average acceptable condition.
Sending Returned Products to Amazon Warehouses
Products are then sent to various sections of Amazon’s website following this sorting. As an example, Amazon has warehouses where it offers reconditioned goods, overstocked goods, and used goods. Through these divisions, independent businesses can buy the goods and offer them for sale at a discount on their websites or in their physical stores.
Liquidation Sites
Products that Amazon returns are offered for sale in bulk on a liquidation site. Many merchants and liquidation firms buy back the items that are divided into categories, which they then market on their own websites for less money. These categories can be used by businesses and individuals to search and explore liquidation sites to find the products they require. Businesses and e-commerce sites can benefit greatly from these liquidation warehouses.
Returns are given to charity
Since products are sold in bulk and include both useful and unuseful items, many items from these liquidation websites and enterprises are donated to charities. Products may occasionally be returned due to a scratch or partial flaw; in these cases, they are sorted so they can be sold again or donated.