Can I return opened headphones to Amazon? (Explained)

Buying electronics online is convenient, but it can be difficult to know what the quality of the product will be. You don’t get a chance to test out headphones before you buy them, or try on clothes before they arrive at your door. That’s why many people are hesitant to buy items like these online.

You can return opened headphones to Amazon. You just need to file for a request return so you’ll get the refund you need. If you bought the item from a third-party seller, you must ask the seller about it because some sellers won’t allow you so it’s important to ask.

Can I return headphones on Amazon?

You can return headphones on Amazon if they pass the two conditions stated in Amazon’s return policy. The first condition applies if the seller is Amazon and the other condition applies if the return window of the third-party seller is open.

You need to take note that not all items on Amazon are under Amazon’s inventory. Many items sold on Amazon come from third-party sellers, which follow a different return policy.

So before you click the checkout button, you must check whether the seller is Amazon or a third-party seller. If the headphones is sold by a third party seller and it is fulfilled by Amazon or eligible for Prime, then you can easily return it.

Amazon.com Return Policy

If the items you buy were shipped from Amazon.com and Amazon Warehouse, you can return them within 30 days of receipt.

You can get a full refund as long as the item is in good condition. On the other hand, if you buy a non-digital product using Alexa, you can return it through the Returns Center, which is eligible for free returns.

If the items you return come from Amazon’s Global Store, you need to wait up to 25 days before an item reaches Amazon. Then you need to wait up to a week to show up the refund on your account once Amazon received the returned item.

When you apply for a return from the global store, you must check if the item is eligible for pre-paid return. When it’s eligible, you’ll receive a pre-paid UPS return label where you can return the item to any UPS drop-off point.

But when it’s not eligible, you need to return the product at your own expense. Yet, you can get an automatic refund for the postage cost. You can request a refund if the postage costs exceed $20.

Third-Party Seller Return Policy

Third-party sellers have the right to decide on their return policy. They can make their guidelines or offer a return policy equivalent to Amazon.com. Because the items are not controlled in the Amazon warehouse, Amazon won’t accept the return.

So, it’s important to check where does the item comes from. If your order is fulfilled and shipped from the seller’s facility, you must ship it back to the seller.

However, you must be careful when you make a transaction with third-party sellers. When you request a return, you must receive a return address within the US and you must receive a prepaid return label.

You can also get a full refund from the seller without requesting the item be returned. However, if the seller didn’t send you any of the things I mentioned, you must file an A-to-Z Guarantee claim on Amazon.com.

You must be cautious when having a transaction with third-party sellers because some may not play fair when items are needed to be returned.

You must also check if the third-party seller is included in Amazon Prime because some seller’s listing is Amazon Prime eligible. If this is the case, the return policy applies the Amazon.com’s return policy.

Also, if the headphones are fulfilled by Amazon, the headphones are shipped by Amazon and in an Amazon warehouse, then the order follows amazon’s return policies.

Can I return the headphones if I opened them already?

If you purchase it directly from Amazon, you can return it within 30 days of receipt of shipment. You can see it in the Your Order part of your Amazon.com account.

If the item is returnable, you’ll be able to see a message instructing you to return or replace an item. However, if it’s not returnable, you won’t be able to see any message.

If the headphones have a serial number or UPC, you must ensure that there it’s not missing when you return it. Without it, Amazon won’t allow you to return it. So, after unboxing your headphones, it’s the first thing you need to check. If it doesn’t have, you don’t need to worry about it.

If it arrives damaged or it’s not working, but it’s not returnable, you can request it to Amazon to be refunded or replaced. However, if the options are not available, you must contact Amazon.

On the other hand, if you bought the headphones from a third-party seller, you must check if it allows you to return them. You can see that information on the Your Orders portion of your Amazon.com account.

You must also take note if the headphones have a special shipping restriction. Most of the time, if you buy items under this condition, you can’t return them to Amazon.

Do I have to return Amazon in original packaging?

You don’t have to return a product in its original packaging if you’re returning it to Amazon. However, if you’re returning it to a third-party seller, you must ask the seller about it.

It’s not an issue for Amazon if you’ll send back an item without the original box. As long as the item is complete, that’s not a problem at all.

However, you must expect a deduction from the refund because of the incomplete packaging. You can ask the customer service about such charges.

On the other hand, if you bought the item from a third-party seller, you must inform the seller about it. It’ll give you a clear idea of how much refund you’ll get if you don’t send the item with the original packaging. You may receive partial refunds or restocking fees depending on the condition of the product.

How many returns does Amazon allow?

There’s no exact number on how many returns does Amazon allows you. Fortunately, there’s a percentage that you can use as a basis. Your account stays open if the rate of your return is below 10%. However, if it goes higher than 10%, there’s a chance that it may get banned. Don’t worry, Amazon will contact you to warn you about it.

When you receive the warning, you must be cautious about your activity. You must also check if there’s an unusual activity going on with your account.

It’s also a big help if you have documentation of all your returns. Documentation means is that you must have a photo of the damaged item on your file. So, when Amazon warns you, you can use it as a reference to show that the return is valid.

You can always raise your concern with Amazon if there’s a problem with your returns. But it’s a lot easier if you’re mindful about the percentage of return you’re doing. Amazon wants to earn from you. If you make a lot of returns, it serves as a red flag to Amazon.

If you keep on returning a product and it surpasses the 10% threshold, you must expect a banned account. It means that you won’t be able to access your account at this point and you need to talk to customer service.

However, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to access your account again even you talk to customer service. The best thing to do is to avoid returning items too often.

You can use the Download Reports on your account so you can get the summary of your purchases and return. It’s helpful to have a downloaded file so you have a document handy when you file for a dispute.

Conclusion

You have the right to return an item if it’s defective. So it’s necessary to check for defects right away once you receive it. If it’s not in good condition, take a photo so you’ll have a copy of the damaged product.

For headphones, you must be able to check if it’s working. If it’s not working, you must take note of the problem. Don’t hesitate to return it or talk to customer service about your problem. You paid for it so you must ensure that you get the product in good condition.