Amazon has just quietly added free return shipping via UPS Store dropoff on millions of items.
I haven’t seen any press releases on this, so this may be a test, but this is amazing news for consumers and hopefully it sticks around. It’s certainly great timing for Prime Day as I know that I often grab some deals that my wife wants to ship right back 😀
This comes on the heels of Amazon adding one-day free shipping for Prime members on most items they sell.
It also comes just after Fedex has ended its relationship with Amazon for express packages.
Amazon has always offered free returns on defective items, but people who abused that were subject to have their accounts closed.
Amazon has also offered free returns on baby items, clothes, and on other select categories.
But Amazon has now added free returns via UPS Store dropoff on tons of other items!
For example, JJ bought this Slow Cooker a couple of weeks ago. He wanted to return it, but Amazon wanted $13.16 for return shipping so he hasn’t returned it yet.
The product page now shows free shipping on the same line as the price:
Sure enough he clicked on the “Returns and Orders” tab and now he is able to return it via UPS Store Dropoff with free shipping:
I also tested this out an a recent order for a universal power adapter and was offered a UPS dropoff option as well. I don’t even have to pack the item or print a label, I just need to show them the return code:
It’s not just kitchen items and power adapters that now have free returns.
Other items include laptops, computer monitors, faucets, outdoor furniture, kitchen items, thermostats, toothbrushes, and even pens.
If you are looking at an item offered with a subscription discount, you’ll have to click on one-time purchase to see if it is eligible for free returns.
For example Banana Boat Ultra Sport 100SPF Sunscreen Spray is on sale for just $4.60-$4.89 with the $1 clip coupon and subscription discount. It doesn’t say free returns if you have Subscribe & Save checked, but if you switch to one-time purchase you will see the free returns offer. The free returns will apply even if you subscribe to the item. This also applies to other subscriptions items like Febreze Car Air Freshener, Paper Towels, etc.
Will free UPS Store returns from Amazon influence where you shop?
Amazon offers free shipping with $35+ orders or get free next-day shipping on all orders with a free trial of Amazon Prime. Prime members can share benefits with a Household member here, allowing them to double up on Amazon Prime promos! A 6 month trial and discounted Prime membership is available with Amazon Student. EBT/Medicaid Cardholders can save on Prime Membership here.
Leave a Reply
55 Comments On "Amazon Adds Free Return Shipping Via UPS Store Dropoff For Millions Of Items!"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
I’ve been doing this for months.
This is not new and they didn’t just release it
It was offered on previously limited categorizes or on defective items or orders where you indicated there was a problem. Now it’s on nearly everything and for any return reason!
That certainly was not the case previously, at least for me in CLE and JJ in MIA.
I’ve returned everything from sunglasses, jewelry, groceries and video games.
It’s been around since last year.
Just bring the item and they do the rest by just scanning phone
Sunglasses and jewelry have always been free as they are apparel.
What was the reason you listed for the other returns?
This certainly has not been on widespread categories and available nationwide and not just in a test market until now.
You don’t have to pack it? No box?
Yup, pretty awesome!
This is good. I recently had to return something to Amazon and was expecting to have to pay shipping when I noticed they offered free drop off at my local Amazon book store. It was a good option that I didn’t know existed. Obviously UPS store would be even better as it’s closer and I wouldn’t have to park and go into the mall to get to the Amazon store. It was a little annoying. Do people still shop in malls?
Malls today are only used for returns.
I think the future of malls is to save on UPS return costs!
This doesn’t make any sense. It costs more for Amazon to go through the UPS store than UPS Dropoff. Why wouldn’t they offer free returns via UPS completely?
Whos to say its more expensive.
I’d vouch it’s cheaper, as UPS prob can just dump it in one big box and ship one pakage in the place of 35 small ones.
Sounds cheaper to me
Exactly.
That is what I believe they did, I returned an item which they were going to pack for me which was 0.3lb and the return tracking showed the package with a different tracking number and being 30lb. So I am guessing they put everything in a box and shipped it out..
Maybe they signed a deal with UPS such that this is not true anymore?
They dump a week’s worth of returns into a box and return it all at once. As long as you’re not at the end of your return window it’s amazing!
I was amazed by this. No label or box needed on many items. Just walk in with item and walk out without it!
Best thing about it is no box or label needed. They package it for you
Is it only the ups store? or any authorized ups dealers like the ups access point locations that are listed on ups website when you search for locations.
Unfortunately no, only the UPS store
Not even staples that has ups service?
I think only UPS stores. I tried this at a different UPS center a few months ago, and they didn’t allow.
I have had 100% success in the past going through Amazon customer service (chat) to give me the UPS dropoff option for free when it was not an option. Nice to see that this will be supported more broadly. If anyone still doesn’t see the option for free, I recommend heading to chat — just takes a few minutes
They can do all kinds of goodwill via chat, though you need to be careful not to abuse it and do it too often or else you may find yourself without an Amazon account.
Can i use this option without having a smart phone?
If it is like kohl’s drop off, you can print an email to use also.
I did this a few weeks ago, though the ups store clerk did charge about $3 for a packing envelope at a ups store as I no longer had ship box. Maybe they were not supposed to charge for that?
The only reason they can afford to offer this service is because there are no UPS stores in Flatbush, Boro Park, Lakewood or Monsey
LOL
the closest one to monsey is a little further down from the nanuet mall
about 20-25 min. drive during the day (including traffic)
https://goo.gl/maps/QFNZxWcGc9sFi6m88
3 in lakewood actually, have used them
There is one in Lakewood and I was able to return something small a few weeks ago without having to package it.
Which store?
In Lakewood? Or is it the one in Tom’s River or Brick?
Is this not a UPS store, 226 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215?
Couple things to note – may be an issue for those that don’t have smartphones, do they let you print out code to scan at UPS store?
Also, I believe this only works at UPS stores, not other UPS centers that usually take returns such as the UPS customer center in Lakewood on Vassar Ave (I once tried doing this there, and they didn’t let). That is important because I don’t believe there is any actual UPS stores within Lakewood (I think there is in Tom’s River and in Brick).
THIS IS AMAZING ! FINALLY! I JUST RETURNED AN ITEM I BOUGHT AND THOUGHT I WOULD BE STUCK WITH. I WILL BE A LOT QUICKER TO BUY THINGS FROM AMAZON NOW
I’ve been dropping my returns at the Amazon Locker in the nearby 7-11.
is there an option to print the label?
Yes, but it’s foolish to do that. Once you do that you have to pack it yourself and put the label on. If you just choose the first option, “don’t have a printer”, or something like that, you just take the item to the store, hand it to them and give them the return number, and that’s it. They pack it, box it, label it and ship it, and that costs you nothing. HARD to beat that.
I lately heard that most amazon returns go to one of the big garbage dumpster in every UPS plant, so that answers the $$$ question…
Thanks, had an item that the 30 day window closed on June 29 and wasn’t getting free returns so I was gonna keep. Checked back and now am getting FREE RETURN!
Good timing!
Beware…. some ups stores will charge for packaging materials (envelopes, boxes). I called Amazon, told them the charge amount and they reimbursed me.
amazon still has a relationship with fedex they just dont use their express services anymore they didnt totally cut off with them
Returned a micro SD card today via the UPS drop off. No packaging required and credit for the return item text arrived shortly after UPS scanned the barcode.
Nice!
I tried to return an item through the ups with the barcode and when I got there they told me they can’t take it because it needs to be returned to a ups store not a ups center. So for me personal it easier with a label.now I need to call in every time after requesting a return to get a label instead of a barcode.
Is there any UPS store somewhere around Flatbush that does this?
Do where can we go in Lakewood to return? Does the UPS center on Vassar do this or if not, where can I go?
no, not vassar. go to the one in the stop &shop plaza near td bank on rt 9 by lakewood/toms river border
Also free returns at Kohl’s. So if your near one that may pop up now in your return options.
I am not aware of a UPS store near the frum community in Baltimore, does anyone have info about one? The one behind Goldbergs closed.
As per Google, there’s one in the shopping complex on Reistertown and Hooks.
1777 Reisterstown Rd W-22, Pikesville, MD 21208
What about us who live in small towns without a UPS store or a Kohls? Just 2 weeks ago I could return Amazon items with a shipping label. No longer! Amazon has found yet another way to increase their profits, at our expense. I am forced to travel a great distance to a UPS store. This and the low wages Jeff Bezos pays his employees: I will shop at Ebay from now on.
^ This exactly! My nearest UPS store is about an hour away in any direction. It that case it is cheaper to pay the return shipping but totally not worth it to pay $5.99 to return low priced items. Those that live in more rural areas buy a lot of stuff off Amazon because stores are often much further away. This just makes it more expensive for rural customers. I’ll definitely be shopping locally more even if it means a very limited selection of items.
DID THE UPS DROP OFF option and still haven’t recieved my credit prefer the KOHLS drop off option get credited much faster!
We’ll, UPS store in Lansing said they would have to charge me $8 for a box? This is not a convenient option and not free. Then when I contacted Amazon about the issue they emailed me a return label and deducted it from my refund amount. Where is anything about this FREE???? THE UPS store was less than helpful and clueless on the QR code and that they were suppose to pack and label and ship at no charge.