As the world’s number one retailer, Amazon is a powerhouse when it comes to the sale of shoes which it sells over $2b worth of every year.
They stock thousands of different pairs including everything from designer and well-known brands, right through to their own designs.
If you’ve purchased a pair of shoes from Amazon or are thinking of doing so, you might be wondering what their returns policy is in case they don’t fit or you’re not happy with your purchase.
To help you with that, we’ve covered Amazon’s returns policy in detail.
Keep reading to find out what their returns window is, how to make a return, whether they accept worn shoes, and much more.
What is Amazon’s Shoe Returns Policy? The Short Answer
In short, you can return shoes purchased from Amazon within 30 days of receiving them for a full refund or exchange. The shoes should be returned in an unworn condition with the original tags and packaging for your return to be accepted (subject to some exceptions below).
How to Return Shoes to Amazon
To return your shoes to Amazon take the following steps:
- Log in to your account
- Go to your Orders section
- Find the shoes in your recent orders
- Choose the reason for return from the menu
- Choose which method you would like to use to return your shoes
- Print the returns label off and include it with your shoes
- Drop them at your local Amazon drop-off point or place them in the mail
Can I Return Shoes to Amazon for Free – Do they Provide Free Returns Delivery?
Amazon provides free return shipping with most of their returns and this will normally be mentioned on the item listing.
However, bear in mind that if you have shipped your shoes internationally then Amazon’s policy is that they may not refund returns costs.
Can I Return Worn and Used Shoes to Amazon and Do I Need the Packaging and Tags?
On the strict wording of Amazon’s returns policy, shoes must be returned in new condition with all of the original tags, packaging, boxes, and instructions.
If you’re unable to return your shoes with these items, then Amazon reserves the right to refuse your return.
However, even if you have worn them, you should still be fine provided you don’t return them with blatant marks and damage as long as you return them within the 30-day returns window.
If you have any queries about this we’d recommend speaking to a member of staff via Amazon’s help center about your return.
Can I Return Defective Shoes to Amazon?
If your shoes develop a defect or break, then Amazon will attempt to repair them but if that is not possible they will send you a replacement or issue a refund even if the 30-day returns window has expired.
However, Amazon may refuse to do this if it’s clear the damage has been caused deliberately, accidentally, or through general wear and tear.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the original packaging or tags as this won’t be expected if you’re returning defective shoes outside the returns window.
Most items sold on Amazon are by third-party manufacturers so you should also check your warranty for your shoes if Amazon refuses to exchange or issue you with a refund.
What Does Amazon Do With Returned Shoes?
If you’ve returned your shoes to Amazon, then they will carry out a detailed inspection of them and if they’re in good enough condition, they will retag them and relist them for sale.
Many items invariably end up back in the Amazon warehouse.
However, you should note that Amazon does have fairly substantial wastage so many products are disposed of or recycled including shoes.
Related Article:
Amazon Exercise Equipment Return Policy
How Does Amazon’s Shoe Returns Policy Stack Up?
If you’re in the market for a new pair of shoes but are undecided about where to purchase them from, it’s worth considering Amazon’s returns policy next to its main competitors.
Let’s take a look:
| Competitor | Returns Window Length |
| Costco | 100% satisfaction return any time policy |
| Walmart | 90 days |
| Saks | 30 days |
| Rack Room | 60 days |
| Dillard’s | 30 days |
| Nordstrom | 100% satisfaction return any time policy |
| Puma | 45 days |
| Macy’s | 90 days |
| Saks | 30 days |
It’s clear to see that Amazon’s returns policy is nothing to write home about and is fairly limited, especially compared to Costco and Nordstrom’s shoe return policies which allow you to return shoes at any time.
Final Thoughts
Amazon provides a fairly underwhelming 30-day returns window for returning shoes but many people will forgive this just for the convenience of using Amazon which we all love.
If you’re outside this window, but your shoes have developed a fault, then you should still be able to secure a refund or replacement by contacting Amazon’s help center.
Failing that, other options include:
- Claiming off the shoe manufacturer’s warranty
- Sell them on somewhere like eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Craig’s list
- Claim from your insurance (we’d recommend only doing this for particularly expensive shoes otherwise you risk increasing your premiums and paying out an excess).
