Returning items purchased from Amazon has never been all that hard, so when I heard you can now make Amazon returns at Kohl’s I was kind of thinking, Why? But then I realized, getting to the post office or repackaging a return if you don’t have supplies on hand can be a hassle for a lot of parents.
So, I wanted to try it out the new Amazon returns at Kohl’s service to see how it worked and let you all know, in case it might make your life easier.
So, I ordered a book on Amazon — just the first one I saw — knowing full well it would be returned at Kohl’s. Here’s how it went.
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How a typical Amazon return works, which you probably already know.
First, let’s talk about how an Amazon product return would typically work if I were sending it straight back to Amazon the conventional way: I’d log into my recent orders, choose the item I was returning, and provide a reason for the return.
If the return is my “fault”— I just didn’t want it anymore, or ordered it by mistake — then I’d pay the shipping. If the problem was Amazon’s responsibility, say, it was damaged in shipping or wasn’t what I originally ordered, then they’d pay for the return shipping.
Next, I can either take it to UPS and have them print a label, or print a shipping label myself at home and leave it for pickup, or drop it off at the post office.
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How an Amazon return at Kohl’s works
If you’re going to return your product through Koh’ls, the first step is the same; you still have to log into your Amazon account and choose an item to return and give a reason.
But now, when you choose “How you will mail your return?” the first option that shows up is…drop it off at Kohl’s.
Now, just show up at Kohl’s with the item (it doesn’t even need to be packed, which is fantastic) and head straight to the customer service desk. The signage for Amazon returns is very well-marked.
Show them the return shipping code via your Amazon app on your phone, and they’ll scan the code, take the item, pack it, and ship it for you.
Easy!
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When to use Amazon returns at Kohl’s
For me, getting to Kohl’s isn’t exactly convenient. So, I’d use this service only if I had an Amazon return that required me to pay shipping.
However if you’re really close to a Kohl’s, or you live in a city where getting there is on your way to/from work or school, this could be a great alternative for you.
The process is incredibly easy; you literally just have to walk in and drop it off. In fact, if I had a Kohl’s nearer to my house I’d use it more often.
In my experience, it was 100% hassle-free.
Tip: Just be sure to check in your item at home before you go. I arrived at Kohl’s without having checked in my return at home first, and I learned that Amazon was going to refund my purchase without requiring me to send it back to them. I am guessing the product wasn’t worth the cost of return shipping for them.
Why is Kohl’s even doing this?
I really never shop at Kohl’s. It just isn’t on my radar or that convenient to where I live. But when I went in to make my return, I did notice some cute tops that I thought my daughter might like for back to school season. We came back to Kohl’s later with Grandma, and ended up spending $200 on new clothes for school.
So, yeah, this is working for Kohl’s.
Amazon does not give me the option to return an item through my local Kohl’s store (less than 10 minutes away). My local Kohl’s has and Amazon return desk, so I’m not sure why my Amazon account won’t let me use the Kohl’s option.
I’m a Prime member, if that makes any difference.
Very frustrating that Kohl’s and Amazon are advertising this when the option is not available.
The Kohl’s site states that it is available “at all Kohl’s store locations excluding Anchorage, Alaska.”
If you aren’t in Anchorage, have you called the manager of your local store?
I took an Amazon return to Kohls store Feb 3. I am still trying to track the package. It is impossible to do so, even checking every web site I am directed to. I will never do that again.
I had the same problem with 3 items, worth over $200, none made it back to Amazon. I’ll let you know if I make any progress and would appreciate any more help.
I know from an Amazon books employee that sometimes return locations are “over capacity,” so Amazon won’t offer you the option to return there. The employee recommended trying to initiate the return again to see if I could get the drop off location I wanted (I was literally in Amazon books trying to return something, and had a different product that Amazon did allow me to return there that day) and if still didn’t show my preferred location, choose a different return drop off location and then contact Amazon customer service (which I do by chat) — customer service will arrange for a UPS label and pick up (like normal Amazon returns) but you don’t have to pay for the return shipping. This was all before Kohl’s was a return option, but returns at Amazon books locations work as described for Kohl’s, so I’m assuming it’s all the same system.
Im frustrated because Kohls was not an option for my return
I am having the same issue.
Same here, Kohl’s just isn’t a return option for no apparent reason.
I don’t have a kohl’s option either. This is the first time this has happened.
I’ve tried the Kohl’s return system twice. Both times it seemed like all was well; my refund came through just fine. Then much later—maybe a month—I got an email from Amazon saying my return wasn’t received and my credit card was being charged again. Both times I was able to get the charged refunded after an online chat with customer service, but I’m not sure the convenience of Kohl’s makes up for glitches in their system that I have to spend time resolving. I’ll probably do future returns in the traditional way.
Wow, thanks for that feedback!
I was told today that I didn’t see the option because my home address is more than 8 miles from the store. I got a distgusted look and told to go to nearest UPS location. So not an oprion, even though drive by one on the way to work.
I live less than 5 miles from a Kohl’s and it will not give me the option to return it there. Had to drive further to a UPS facility.
Feels like we should start making a crowdsourced map of Kohl’s that will/won’t accept returns!
I live 3 1/3 miles from my nearest Kohls. It has been an option for Kohls in the past. I’ve had no problem for returns. Now when I want to do a return the Kohls 3.5 miles from does not show an option just to return to UPS. I talked to a Kohls employee and I was told they are an Amazon drop off for returns. How can I get that option again. Remember the store is 3.5 miles from my home.
I just had something similar happen as well. I returned two items within a day of each other and neither of them showed up as “shipped” for 6 days after. I had to call customer service and they had to look them up on their end. Looks like BOTH items were “lost in transit”, unbelievable..
I used Kohl’s to return two identical items that were purchased together because I assumed UPS would be swamped with pre-Christmas shipping. It’s now almost a month later and one of the items is showing “in transit” but not yet received and the other is apparently “waiting” to be returned. The Kohl’s employees don’t seem too thrilled with the new practice and I can’t blame them one bit. Makes me wonder if that’s the cause of all the “glitches” or whether there are just too many cooks in the kitchen now. Either way, I’m using UPS only from now on. Since shipping is their thing, I feel like I can count on them to actually DO that over Kohl’s who did I-don’t-know-what with my return.
I did this on a broken heater. $90. They lost it. NEVER AGAIN
I returned 6 CDs that arrived damaged. This was in late November. Amazon still doesn’t have items and emailed me that they will be charging me. Of course I ASSUMED that since I dropped them at Kohls the returns would make it to Amazon, and I threw my receipt out in January. NEVER AGAIN.
I always get a receipt from Kohl’s or UPS so that if the item does not get to Amazon I have proof that it was returned. And a tracking number is on the receipt.
The closest UPS store is located 60 miles from us and a Kohl’s is only 20, so it is disappointing that Amazon will not let us leave the return item there
The closest Kohl’s store is a 45 minute drive and yet this is the ony choice Amazon offered me to return a pair of shoes that were too big! I would like to mail it through my local post office instead. Does anyone know how I can do that.
The Kohls option doesn’t come up for a return. Does that mean I can’t use Kohls as an option
Be very careful returning Amazon items at Kohl’s. I recently returned 3 items. The clerk scanned all 3, and I was given 1 return receipt. I thought nothing of it at the time. Well, the first item showed up in my account info. as returned, the other 2 did not. Now I’ve been billed over $80.00 for items I don’t have. Word of advice: stand at the return counter, and make the associate return each item separately (multiple receipts). This was an expensive and infuriating lesson about the incompetence of Kohl’s employees.