Amazon Starts Charging Fees for Some UPS Returns — Retail Bum

Amazon is charging an additional fee for certain returns made at UPS Stores to reduce the costs associated with handling returns.

Customers are now liable to pay an additional fee if the return options at Whole Foods, Kohl’s, or Amazon Fresh stores are equidistant or nearer than a UPS Store return location. This new fee for UPS store returns complements the current charges for returns picked up by delivery drivers.

Amazon emphasized that the fee modifications were minor and said that the company remains committed to providing hassle-free returns to its customers, offering one or more alternatives for free returns that do not require labels or boxes, according to The Information.

The move to impose a new fee comes as a response to the current inflationary environment, which has resulted in higher operational costs across various areas, including shipping, materials, and labor.

By urging customers to return products in person at nearby Whole Foods, Kohl’s, or Amazon Fresh stores rather than UPS stores, Amazon is seeking to consolidate the returns process and potentially reduce the expenses associated with additional transportation and handling. The company also recently began labeling “frequently returned” items on its marketplace to help customers avoid buying a poor-quality item and then having to return it later.

Amazon’s move to charge additional fees for some returns follows H&M and Zara, who have both implemented such fees. Meanwhile, many other brands are also rethinking their return policies and looking to implement tactics like shortened return windows and return and/or restocking fees.

Originally published at https://retailbum.com on April 11, 2023.