As the world’s number one online retailer, Amazon now has a huge share of the tech market and sells pretty much every piece of modern tech you could ever want.
This includes the full range of games consoles such as:
- Xbox Series X and S
- Playstation 5
- Nintendo Switch and
- Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets
If you’ve purchased a gaming console from Amazon but are looking to make a return; perhaps it’s a mistaken order, an unwanted gift or you’ve changed your mind, you may want to process a return and will need to know what Amazon’s policy is.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered and will take you through how long you have to return your console, how to initiate a return, what to do outside the returns window, and much more.
What is Amazon’s Console Returns Policy? The Short Answer
In short, Amazon allows you to return consoles to them up to 30 days from receipt for a full refund or replacement. Return your unit in a like-new condition with all its accessories.
Amazon is very flexible with the reasons it allows for returns which include:
- The item is an unwanted gift
- If you’re not happy with the performance
- If you ordered by mistake
- Duplicate orders
- If your item is defective
- If you’ve changed your mind
Pretty much any reason will do.
Amazon actually provides a list of reasons when you go to initiate your return:
How to Return a Console to Amazon
There is only one way of returning items to Amazon and that is by using their online returns process.
This is what you do:
- Head over to your Amazon account
- Look for the orders and returns section which is in the top right corner on desktop or on the bottom row of the app (click the little man icon and click orders)
- Select your order and select the option to return or replace
- Choose an option from the drop-down menu (see our photo above) as to why you want to return your product
- Complete the text box
- Select your preferred method to return
- Print off the prepaid returns label
Will it Cost to Return a Console to Amazon?
The good news is that Amazon provides at least one free returns method for most of the items it sells, even if you’re not a Prime member, provided the item is under 50lb in weight (and most consoles will be).
There is also no restocking fee to pay like some companies charge which is great news for those of you who like to return things quite often.
Do I Need Packaging, Boxes, and Accessories to Return a Console to Amazon?
Amazon asks that you return consoles in a like-new condition with all of the packaging, boxes, and accessories.
However, in our experience, you will be unlikely to encounter any issues if you’ve misplaced minor packaging.
However, if you’ve lost the main box or key components such as chargers, cables, or games that come with the console then we’d recommend speaking to someone over at Amazon’s help center.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Refund from Amazon?
Expect to wait for anything up to 14 business days before you see the money in your account.
This is because Amazon requires time to receive the return, check it, and to issue the refund to your account.
Your mileage may vary depending on your bank or card issuer but 14 days is usually the max in our experience. Often it’s a lot quicker.
What to Do Outside the 30-Day Window?
If the 30-day window has already lapsed by the time you’re reading this, don’t worry.
There are still a few options open to you.
Firstly, we would head over Amazon’s help center and try and speak to an Amazon adviser to see if they can extend the window for you. This may work if you’re only just beyond it.
There are some products that Amazon specifies they categorically won’t accept after 30 days, laptops for example, but consoles are not mentioned.
If your console has developed a fault then you will still likely be covered by the product warranty within the first year of purchase. Here is a breakdown of the warranties provided with the main consoles:
A final option is to sell your console. PS5’s particularly, have excellent resale value still and you’re only likely to lose 10-20% of the original purchase price by selling in the used market.
How Does Amazon’s Console Returns Policy Stack Up?
We’ve taken a look at some of the competition to see how Amazon’s policy holds up in the market.
Here is what we found:
| Competitor | Returns Policy |
| Walmart | 30 days |
| Target | 30 days |
| GameStop | 30 days |
| Costco | 90 days |
| Best Buy | 15 to 60 days depending on whether you’re a member |
Final Thoughts
Amazon’s 30-day returns policy is not the best out there but not the worst either.
It’s fairly middle of the road but let’s be honest, most people will be willing to turn a blind eye just because of the convenience of using Amazon.
On top of that, Amazon also offers free returns, no restocking fees, and often provides free next-day delivery (especially for Prime members).
Could i refund a ps5 with a videgame included? (dvd that was in the bundle)