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callihan_44

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 13, 2016
136
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been thinking about purchasing the new pro on amazon, however reading various reviews Ive come across some posts stating it's a pia to return one to amazon , Im not sure if these people have a history of repeat returns but curious if it's an issue?
 
I recently did this with the reduced priced iPad mini 6. They sent me one that was sold as new but not shrink wrapped. They required UPS to pick it up from my house. It took UPS a few business days to come get it and an extra phone call from me. I tracked it carefully and had to chat with a rep once or twice, but ultimately received a full refund within a few weeks of that iPad delivering to me. Obviously not as smooth is regular Amazon returns but it did work fine for me.
 
For me the return is a nightmare, the only option is UPS pick up. The UPS drivers always said attempt was made, but they never came. Then my return was cancelled by Amazon, I started another return again. UPS never pickup up. 3 days later, the first return label was dropped off by driver, I used that label to drop it off at a UPS store. But the funny thing is even though amazon received the package, they were unable to refund me, they let me wait until 12/7 and contact them again. (Return was received at 11/7)
 
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I have returned a couple airs to Amazon. The process is better if you have Prime but it is not fast. Even after my second air had been shown as delivered back to Apple it took them a while to actually credit my account.

However they always gave me my money back.
 
Yeah they demand that you stay in and wait for UPS home collection but I rang and said that was super-inconvenient. I wasn't waiting in between 9-5 for a couple of days with no exact date nor am/pm collection spot given! They let me send it back under my own steam using my own courier and refunded me the cost of doing so.

If I had to go through it again I would just post it to their returns dept of which the address is available online and suffer the cost myself. So long as they receive the item back and you have a tracking number that's all that matters.
 
I had this happen with an Apple Watch. I had to wait for a UPS pickup. The driver left a notice after a week of “attempts”. It took almost a month to get a refund. Turns out the package was lost in transit even though Amazon initially said it wasn’t. I had to wait for a specific date to call back to confirm I still haven’t received a refund. They made me fill out a form to send to their cs dept. I received my refund the next day. It was very inconvenient and annoying!
 
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If you’re buying with the intention of possibly returning it after an evaluation period or whatever your best bet would be buying from Apple. Amazon has about the best return policy but not as good as Apple’s no hassle 14 day return it if you want policy. The only thing I’ve returned to Amazon was a GPU and it was relatively hassle free. I took it to the UPS store and they printed the label and used the original box.

Just as a note if you buy on Amazon make sure it’s from Amazon and not a third party seller on Amazon.
 
The only thing I’ve returned to Amazon was a GPU and it was relatively hassle free. I took it to the UPS store and they printed the label and used the original box.
That was my experience as well when returning an item to Amazon. They apparently have an arrangement with UPS. I got a return code from Amazon which got scanned at my UPS store and they did everything else, they boxed it up because it came in one of those disposable envelopes. I just left it with them. As soon as they scanned the return code I got my refund.
 
That was my experience as well when returning an item to Amazon. They apparently have an arrangement with UPS. I got a return code from Amazon which got scanned at my UPS store and they did everything else, they boxed it up because it came in one of those disposable envelopes. I just left it with them. As soon as they scanned the return code I got my refund.

Amazon returns are really easy here because of the numerous Amazon drop-off points available. I just drop the item off at a Wholefoods a mile away, where they scan the return barcode on your phone. I usually get a refund notice the same day.
 
Amazon returns are really easy here because of the numerous Amazon drop-off points available. I just drop the item off at a Wholefoods a mile away, where they scan the return barcode on your phone. I usually get a refund notice the same day.
High value items are different. Amazon insist on UPS collection (not drop off).
 
I've returned a $900 item this way - cutoff at $1K?
I wish it worked like that. My iPad air wasn't a $900 item, it was a lot less and I always ask for return in credit to Amazon account for faster processing but they would only credit my payment method and for that I had to wait for them to get the iPad back.

It got delayed in the shipping process back to them after I dropped it off. I had to call a few times before I got my refund.

I will add if you send it back at a UPS store or other type of location make sure you get a receipt that you dropped it off and carrier received it.
 
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I wish it worked like that. My iPad air wasn't a $900 item, it was a lot less and I always ask for return in credit to Amazon account for faster processing but they would only credit my payment method and for that I had to wait for them to get the iPad back.

It got delayed in the shipping process back to them after I dropped it off. I had to call a few times before I got my refund.

I will add if you send it back at a UPS store or other type of location make sure you get a receipt that you dropped it off and carrier received it.

Must be something baked into the relationship between Apple and Amazon, then. And yeah, whenever I ship anything by any carrier, I make sure to get a receipt and, if possible, a tracking number.
 
What happens with an AppleCare purchase associated with the iPad from Amazon? Is it also refunded automatically? Or does one have to seek a refund through Apple instead?
 
I decided to order one on best buy, they had a black friday deal going on the m1 12.9 pro and have it delivered to the store ..I have a feeling if there was an issue with the amazon purchase they would want me to wait on ups to come get it which is not an option
 
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I decided to order one on best buy, they had a black friday deal going on the m1 12.9 pro and have it delivered to the store ..I have a feeling if there was an issue with the amazon purchase they would want me to wait on ups to come get it which is not an option

Yeah, if you have a Best Buy nearby, that's a good option. They're excellent on returns in my experience.
 
I have never had to wait on UPS to pick up an item. I notify Amazon I want to return, print out a shipping label and drop it off at the UPS store around the corner and get a printed receipt.
 
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I have never had to wait on UPS to pick up an item. I notify Amazon I want to return, print out a shipping label and drop it off at the UPS store around the corner and get a printed receipt.
Yeah but the point here is that Amazon aren’t offering that option, certainly not when it comes to returning iPads. They are stating that the only method of return is waiting in at home for UPS to come and collect the item.
 
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Yeah but the point here is that Amazon aren’t offering that option, certainly not when it comes to returning iPads. They are stating that the only method of return is waiting in at home for UPS to come and collect the item.
I guess I have not experienced this. I remember returning a Leica camera and several lenses, long ago, over $6k+ and it was just putting a lable on it and taking it to the UPS store, but that was years ago.
 
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to add some background info to this thread, when I lived in the city I had multiple return options- kohls-ups dropoff- or ups pick up. I recently moved farther away in the middle of nowhere so my options of returns have changed even though I could still dropoff at those same locations of the past...I assume your shipping address triggers options from amazon
 
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I will not buy any Apple devices from Amazon. Their handling is shoddy, and packaging just gets worse — I have had multiple packages show up open (in bags). It is not worth it.

Echo'ing this.

I bought and returned 2 iPads over 1.5 months ago. I returned them unopened, untouched, everything still sealed because I found a better price at Target.

I had only UPS pickup option as well and it was picked up over 1 month and 1 week ago and STILL no refund. 3 chats so far and I've gotten nowhere. My last chat said they're issuing the refund and still nothing on the card. I really don't want to do a chargeback because then they'll close my account and I'll lose my order history, return window on other items and my Amazon prime memberships that I paid for. My other few items I returned post holidays were refunded instantly.

There's definitely something amiss between Amazon and Apple products. There must be a ton of fraud since refunds don't come instantly, I get that, but when something is sealed in its original packaging, come on....
 
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Echo'ing this.

I bought and returned 2 iPads over 1.5 months ago. I returned them unopened, untouched, everything still sealed because I found a better price at Target.

I had only UPS pickup option as well and it was picked up over 1 month and 1 week ago and STILL no refund. 3 chats so far and I've gotten nowhere. My last chat said they're issuing the refund and still nothing on the card. I really don't want to do a chargeback because then they'll close my account and I'll lose my order history, return window on other items and my Amazon prime memberships that I paid for. My other few items I returned post holidays were refunded instantly.

There's definitely something amiss between Amazon and Apple products. There must be a ton of fraud since refunds don't come instantly, I get that, but when something is sealed in its original packaging, come on....
I've never had a problem returning defective items to Amazon. I've returned a $700 graphics card and all I had to do was drop the old one off at the UPS store. The biggest thing is you have to check if it's sold and shipped by Amazon. If it's sold by a third party then it's covered under a different return policy.

As to returning something because of buyers remorse or changed mind I've never done that so I can't say. I will always tell someone if you're not sure you'll like it then buy from Apple because they will accept returns pretty much no questions asked. Of course you pay extra for that service over Amazon or B&H because returns cost money but it can be a nice option. In the USA Walmart is the closest thing you will get to a no questions asked return but I think it's limited to twice or three times a year. The one near me will carry the iPad Pro but it's usually the base configuration.
 
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