Amazon, Walmart and other companies have started a policy that has left their customers puzzled, they refund your money… without making you return the product. It sounds like a bargain, but no, it’s strategy. More and more chains are applying what are called “refunds without returns”: if you’re not happy with the order, they refund you… and tell you to keep the item. Just like that. But behind that generous gesture there’s a very well-thought-out calculation: it’s cheaper for them than processing a return.
And be careful, because this is not new. It’s been used for years in certain cases, but in 2024 it has spread more than ever. Especially with cheap products, hard to resell, or shipped from far away.
Why do they prefer that you keep it?
Every time you return something, the company has to handle the transport, the packaging, checking if it’s in good condition… and all that costs money, and not a small amount. So much, that when it’s about items under 20 or 30 dollars, it’s cheaper for them to just give you your money back than waste time and money trying to get it back.
Think about it: is it really worth it for them to pay to transport a $15 t-shirt just to throw it away later because it can’t be resold? Nope. That’s why, in many cases, they prefer to say: “We’ll refund your money… and you keep the product.”
Earning your trust pays off
But it’s not all about logistics. These kinds of gestures also help build customer loyalty. If you had a problem and they solve it without complications, you’re much more likely to shop again. It’s a cheap (and effective) way to keep your trust without having to invest in big ad campaigns.
When do they apply the refund without return?
It’s not for everyone or for all products, don’t think you can return an iPhone and keep it for free. This only happens with cheaper products, with no resale value or difficult to handle, like underwear, makeup, kitchen accessories or things that come from very far away.
It’s also not something they announce on the website, and it’s not automatic, so taking advantage of this return policy will be tricky. Usually, they offer it when you start the return process, if your case meets the conditions we just mentioned. And that’s when the notice pops up, once the return is processed.
Amazon has been applying it since August… and it’s growing
Since August 2024, Amazon allows sellers to use this system on products under 75 dollars. They’re also starting to apply it to items shipped from China that, logistically, would be crazy to return.
Walmart has done the same with products from its marketplace. And other platforms like Target, Chewy, Temu or Shein are also applying it more and more often. Aliexpress, for example, has been handling returns this way for years.
Can I ask for it? Do they have to offer it to me?
It’s not a right and they don’t have to offer it. It’s something the brand does because when they do their calculations, it’s cheaper for them. In fact, be careful, if you return a lot of items one after another, the platform can flag you and end your little bargain.
And what do I do with the products I don’t want?
That’s up to each of us. The ideal is to donate it, give it away, or sell it on second-hand apps, anything to avoid throwing it away and adding to the planet’s problems.
In Chewy’s case, they even encourage customers to donate the product to animal shelters if they no longer need it. A way to score points with the community and save a lot on returns.
Refunds without returns sound like a gift, but they’re not. They’re a calculated move that works for both the customer and the company. You save yourself the hassle. They save costs. Everyone’s happy. And even if it doesn’t happen to you every time, knowing that this option exists might change the way you shop online. Because in the end, beyond the price or the product, what we value most is that if something goes wrong… they make it easy for us.
https://unionrayo.com/en/return-refunds-walmart-amazon/
