AMAZONS SECRETS REFUND LOOPHOLE

Thousands T are using it – but will it last?

British shoppers are enjoying a secret Amazon loophole that gives them a refund for an item without having to return it.

The unofficial policy tells buyers not to bother returning items that cost under £10. Retail experts believe that the company does this because it’s uneconomical for it to handle a large number of returns and store them in their warehouses.

Buyers don’t have to prove to Amazon that the item is faulty. They just have to ask for a refund in the normal way, explaining why they are returning the item. Amazon then sends the message: “We are processing the refund. You don’t need to return the item to us!”

US shoppers have enjoyed the loophole for some time, but only in the past few weeks have Amazon started applying it to purchases made in the UK.

It’s unclear what types of item are covered by the policy, but buyers have reported on social media getting refunds for a variety of products, such as toys, pens, bikes, accessories and hose connectors.

However, while the loophole may be delighting shoppers, consumer groups said that it demonstrates the size and power of Amazon. Unlike smaller companies, Amazon, worth £290bn, can absorb these small refunds.

Annual UK sales are £6bn, making it the world’s third largest market, behind the US and Germany. Jeff Bezos, who founded the company in 1994, is now the world’s second richest man (behind Bill Gates), with a personal fortune of $81bn.

Amazon doesn’t mention the policy on its ‘About Refunds’ page ( www.snipca. com/24440), and has declined to comment on the reports. Customers have been warned not to abuse the loophole because it may lead to Amazon closing it.