Tutorial : Processing Returns

There will be times when you need to return the items for various reasons. Some of the common ones include -

• Items are defective or damaged
• Items do not matched what you've ordered
• You regretted

There might be others, but the process is exactly the same. The easiest method is for you to chat up with an CSO. Describe to them politely the problem. I know it can be very frustrating when you get damaged/wrong items but venting your anger at the CSO won't speed things up.

The CSO might offer you a return label from UPS. There is a problem with this approach. You have to send the item to UPS Singapore. The address given is within the security zone in the Airport Cargo area. I wouldn't want to go there.  So if they do, tell them it's very inconvenient to return the items at UPS. Note that not all offers this return method.

The next option will be likely for you to return it via the most economical method. With this method, the CSO will create the return label for you, which is essentially an 'RMA' number and the Amazon address where the returns will go. You'll receive an email from the CSO, giving you instructions on what to do next. Essentially, there'll be a link for you to click to print out the return labels. There are 2 parts to it. The first part is for you to include it INSIDE the package. It basically says what you are returning. The second part is the actual address for you to paste OUTSIDE the package, for the postman to deliver it.

Next, go to your nearest post office and get those bubble envelop or the shipping box. Ask for standard registered parcel. It cost about $10 to ship an SSD, about $12-$15 to ship back a boxed DVD/BD set. Get receipts for both items (the box and postage). Fill up the postal form which you're going to get back a copy of it, as well as an RA number. Scan both the receipt and RA number and email it back to the Amazon CSO. Just reply to the original return label email will also do. For me, Amazon took a total of 5 minutes to respond and start the reimbursement process.

What will happen next varies. In my case, the moment the return label is created by the CSO, he went ahead and ordered a replacement for me straight. According to Amazon's own SOP, they need to receive the returned items first before they ship out the replacement. So YMMV here. You can try to ask for priority shipping but I personally feel it's bad form to do this if you did not pay for priority shipping originally.

It take about 2 weeks for the parcel to go back home. When Amazon received it, you'll get an email telling you so. And that completes the returns procedure. The replacement order is treated like a new order.

A few thoughts -

• I don't really advocate harassing the CSO for a speedier replacement. Just let the process run its course.
• This applies only for items shipped directly to Singapore, and for items fulfilled by Amazon.
• If you're returning due to reason #3 (as in, You regretted), please man up and pay for the return shipping. I don't think it's fair for Amazon to foot the return postage because you bought the items on impulse.
• If the items are shipped to you via a forwarder, you'll likely need to pay the return postage as their return label is valid only in US for items shipped domestically. They have no other options.

I hope this is useful information to you and also hope that you don't really have to go through this. I also want to appeal to my readers to not kick up a rookus due to minor cosmetic defects or packaging defects which do not affect the product itself (which is very common). Amazon, as a company, takes your words for it most of the time, so don't abuse this trust.

Read my other articles and tutorials starting with Shopping at Amazon Starts Here!