Amazon has recently expanded the company’s box-free and label-free returns options to more locations around the country. In fact, four out of five Amazon customers now have access to at least one of the company’s 10,000+ drop-off locations within five miles of their homes, which now includes all FedEx Office locations.
Amazon Is Making Returns Easier Than Ever
In a recent post on the company’s website, Amazon announced that it has expanded free returns with no box, tape, or label needed to over 10,000 locations across the USA, which includes all FedEx locations in the country.
The company says that now four out of five Amazon customers have a drop-off location within five miles of where they live. This makes it much easier for most Amazon customers to complete returns on eligible products without having to worry about printing labels, packing the item, and shipping it themselves.
The latest addition to the company’s network of return drop-off points is the 1,500+ FedEx Office locations. In addition to these FedEx Office locations, Amazon customers can also drop off these returns at Whole Foods Market, The UPS Store locations, Kohl’s, Staples, Save Mart, Winn-Dixie, and Goodwill.
Many of these may just have return counters where people can make returns, but some of them, such as some Whole Foods Market locations, have self-service return kiosks where customers can complete their own returns incredibly quickly.
In addition to making returns easier, Amazon also improved the delivery process by adding new rapid delivery options for customers. Soon after, FedEx also did the same, showing that both companies are committed to improving the speed and simplicity of all parts of the shipping and delivery process.
How it Works
The process for starting a return for eligible items is incredibly easy. Customers begin in their Amazon account, choose a drop-off location nearby, and receive a QR code. Once they have the code, the customer simply needs to bring their unpackaged item and QR code to the location they selected.
From there, the item is scanned and prepared for shipping, without the customer having to do any of the work to find a box, print a label, tape the box up, or ship it themselves.
This move makes returns seamless, and it’s likely going to be popular among consumers, as it saves them plenty of time and money. But in addition to benefiting customers, it also benefits many of the merchants who sell on Amazon.
It simplifies return logistics for ecommerce brands, while also improving customer satisfaction and trust going forward. For example, if the customer was able to return an item without a hassle or much work on their end, they may be more likely to buy from the seller again in the future.
As a result, I think this expansion of Amazon’s free return network is a win-win for everyone involved.
Also, while fast and free delivery often gets most of the attention, many online purchases end up being returned. Because of this, a company making it easier and less stressful for customers to initiate and carry out returns is always a welcome addition to the industry.
