One of the best selling points to buying on Amazon has been the ability to return almost anything for free. Now Amazon is slightly changing the rules as it tries to cut back on the cost of returns.
Soon Amazon will start charging a $1 fee to return items to a UPS store if there is an Amazon Fresh store, Kohl’s, or Whole Foods closer to you. It seems Amazon wants to drive customers to return products at locations that are cheaper for them rather than paying UPS to return products that could have gone through other options, according to a report from The Information.
A local UPS store here in Michigan told Cord Cutters News that over half of what they do now is handle returns for Amazon. The exact terms of Amazon’s and UPS’s return deal are unknown, but Amazon is likely paying more to UPS than other options.
This is one more step in Amazon’s push to crack down on the costs of returns. Recently Amazon started putting warnings on some products that they are “frequently returned” to warn customers.
Amazon is not alone in its efforts to cut back on returns, as a growing number of stores have been charging fees or limiting return windows. One store that is making returns easier is Walmart, as they recently announced a new at-home return option for Walmart+ customers where Walmart would come to you and pick up items you want to return.
Would paying a fee to return at UPS stores push you to pick a free option? Leave us a comment and let u know what you think.