Amazon India's 'No Questions Asked' Return Policy Fraud: Part 1

Amazon India loudly proclaims an 'easy' 'No Questions Asked' 30 days return policy. Unfortunately it's a fraud.

  

Within one click we get to discover that only two category sections are covered by the 30-day policy - everything else is only 10 days.

If you thought that was their only subterfuge, you are in for another nasty surprise. You gain a totally new understanding of the term 'No Questions Asked' courtesy of Amazon India. Unfortunately, gaining that knowledge comes at a cost - the cost of becoming an Amazon India customer. [I gained that knowledge the hard way when I bought a brand new Nokia Lumia 525 mobile phone from Amazon India in early April 2015.]

While Amazon states clearly that "Sellers have an equivalent return policy and the above mentioned timelines and conditions apply for all seller fulfilled items sold on Amazon.in" that is QUITE SIMPLY A LIE.

This is what a real amazon.in seller actually says: "Restocking fees applies on any and all returns ranging from 20%-80% depending on the return condition." And .."Buyer is responsible for shipping and handling charges incurred both ways with a minimum of INR 950 charge for each item being returned as shipping and handling charge excluding the restocking fees being applied." Some simple math will show that 20-80% added to a MINIMUM of Rs.950 means that for a typical product of Rs. 2000-5000 you will end up paying almost the entire amount EVEN WHEN FAULT IS FULLY THE SELLER'S.

The hapless buyer will still lose his shirt EVEN IF THE SELLER DELIBERATELY SENDS YOU A NON-FUNCTIONAL ITEM. In fact the No Questions Asked policy suddenly becomes "Any merchandize return without service center report against Dead on Arrival claim won't be refunded we need service center report as a validation of the claim."

'No Questions Asked' indeed!!

videos and pictures of the incredible Amazon India experience coming soon!!

Amazon India, You Can Keep My Money

An Open Letter To Amazon India head Amit Agarwal

Hi Amit,

I have long admired the social and business potential of Amazon. Which is why I bought a Nokia Lumia phone at amazon.in though it was 10-15% cheaper at snapdeal and paytm.

Even when your item reached me dead-on-arrival [or is it a coma?!] I was irritated but never doubted the Amazon No Questions Asked refunds policy, especially after two separate Amazon India employees assured me I just needed to return the item.

However, the next day I was informed that there will be NO REFUNDS without a 'service center report'. It was no longer a No Questions Asked refund - and suddenly no emails from Amazon had a human name. order 403-8734840-****507

The mails from Amazon had an additional threat: 'Failure to provide requested information within 3 business days may result in your claim being closed'. Really?! Really??!! 

Where exactly do you get the arrogance to demand that a customer who has paid in full and in advance should drop all her commitments and within 72 hours search for some crowded service center and get you some certificate BECAUSE YOU SCREWED UP AND SENT A CLUNK PRODUCT?

If MY money had been dead on arrival - oh yes, I understand if you asked me to close things in 3 days. But hey MY money worked just fine for you - it was your product that was dead on arrival.

How exactly do you promise a 'No Questions Asked' return policy [where "Sellers have an equivalent return policy and the above mentioned timelines and conditions apply for all seller fulfilled items sold on Amazon.in"] and then INSIST ON CERTIFICATIONS AND RESTOCKING FEES 'ranging from 20-80%' AND A 'MINIMUM of INR 950 charge for each item being returned as shipping and handling charge'. I admit that is actually very funny - and I promise to laugh as soon as I am done thinking about it.


You can keep my money, your dead product, your fraudulent refunds policy and your anonymous scripted emails.

Sometimes thieves steal your money. You might have experienced it too, Amit. It's unfortunate. It happens. But we live with it. But I will be damned if I give them my money AND dance to their tune. I am sending back your non-functional product and placing an order for the same product with S******.

You can keep my money, your dead product, your fraudulent refunds policy and your forthcoming fake apologies. I will dance to my own music.

Thank you for the awesome Amazon.in experience,

LP

videos and pictures of the incredible Amazon India experience coming soon!!