Amazon Return Fees  – Class Action Investigation

Chimicles Schwartz Kriner Donaldson-Smith is investigating a potential class action related to reports of Amazon charging return fees on certain return methods including mailing back the item using UPS. For many years, Amazon has heavily promoted the fact that returns on items purchased through their website is both free and easy and that you have the option of shipping it or dropping it off, whatever is most convenient for you.

Amazon is now charging fees for returns made using UPS shipping methods. For certain items, Amazon is only offering free returns for in-store drop-off at Whole Foods, Staples, or Kohl’s locations. Dropping-off returns at these stores carries the risk of a returned item getting lost in transit since consumers are not provided any kind of tracking number like they would receive if using UPS to ship returns back. Choosing to return the item by mailing it back via UPS will now incur a fee ranging from approximately $1 for UPS store drop-off or $6.99 for shipping it back with a UPS label.

Despite Amazon’s statements that mailing back returns will only carry a fee if there is Whole Foods, Staples, Kohl’s location nearby, consumers have reported that they are being charged fees even though the closest location of one of these approved store locations is several miles further than a UPS drop-off point. Many other consumers with disabilities have no real options and are forced to pay a fee for the return option that is realistically the most convenient for them.  Most important, these fees are not disclosed at the time of purchasing an item.

If you are an Amazon shopper who has had to pay a return fee for a return of their item, please fill-out the form provided below.