Have you ever ordered something online that you regretted shortly after? As online shopping grows more ubiquitous, more consumers experience that sinking feeling after an impulse buy. Canceling orders quickly can alleviate some stress around accidental or hasty purchases.
Fortunately, Amazon provides options to cancel items that haven‘t entered the shipping process. This step-by-step guide will explain how to cancel orders placed on Amazon‘s website and mobile app.
We‘ll cover likely scenarios you may need to cancel something, with detailed processes for both desktop and smartphones. I‘ll also answer common questions around order status, refund timing, Amazon‘s cancellation policies compared to other retailers, and best practices around managing online purchases.
Let‘s dive in!
When You Might Need To Cancel An Amazon Order
Here are some typical situations where consumers want to cancel orders placed on Amazon:
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Impulse purchases – Data shows over half of Americans have buyer’s remorse after impulse buys online. Heat of the moment decisions can sometimes be regretted shortly after.
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Accidental/one-click purchases – Amazon enables quick one-click buying through saved payment methods. Accidental clicks do happen, so easy cancellations are useful.
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Changed your mind – Even after thoughtful purchases, some consumers change their minds given a little space from the buying decision.
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Double orders – It‘s easy to lose track and double order items as Amazon usage increases. Immediate cancellations help avoid returns.
Especially approaching the holidays, fast cancellations can alleviate financial or purchase regret stress when shopping volumes increase.
Step-By-Step Guide To Cancel An Amazon Order Online
Amazon allows approximately 30 minutes to cancel an order through their website or mobile app once placed. This can vary a bit depending on processing volume, but generally 30 minutes is the cutoff.
Here is the process to cancel Amazon orders via desktop:
And now step-by-step with visuals:
1. Log Into Your Amazon Account
visiting Amazon.com and signing in ensures you can access order details:
2. Navigate to Your Orders Dashboard
You can view all orders under your account by clicking Accounts & Lists > Orders:
Or just search "your orders" on Amazon as a shortcut.
3. Locate the Order and Select Cancel Items
On your Orders page, find the order you wish to cancel and click Cancel items:
If you don‘t see the order on the first page, utilize the search bar to locate it.
4. Confirm Cancellation
On the next page tick items you wish to cancel and select Cancel checked items:
Amazon will cancel the order and email a confirmation as long as items are not already shipping.
And that‘s it for cancelling on desktop! Now let‘s cover mobile…
Cancel An Amazon Order Via Mobile App
In just a few taps, you can also cancel orders through the Amazon mobile shopping application:
1. Launch Amazon App and Open Profile
First open the latest Amazon Android/iOS app and tap your profile icon:
2. Go To Your Orders Section
From your profile, choose Your Orders to view recent orders:
You can also search orders by keyword here.
3. Select Order and Tick Items To Cancel
Tap into the order details then check items you wish to cancel:
Tick all to cancel everything or individual lines.
4. Confirm Cancellation
finalize, tap Cancel checked items to complete based on selections:
And that covers mobile cancellations! Easy when you know how.
Now let‘s get into some common questions around managing orders…
What To Do If Order Already Shipped
If items have already shipped from Amazon, the Cancel Order option disappears. You then have two options:
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Refuse delivery – Reject the package upon arrival or mark as return to sender. Once returned to Amazon, they will cancel order and refund.
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Return order – Accept package, then initiate return via Your Orders within 30 days. Print provided return label, ship back, and await refund after about 3-5 days.
Though extra steps are involved once shipped, you can still get money back either way.
Here is a breakdown by order status and recommended actions:
| Order Status | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Not Yet Shipped | Select Cancel Order option |
| Shipped | Refuse delivery or process return post-receipt |
| Delivered | Initiate return within 30 days and ship back per provided return label |
Receiving Refunds On Canceled/Returned Orders
As long as you cancel before Amazon ships anything, you get a complete refund including any taxes or shipping paid. This usually processes within 3-5 business days after cancellation.
If you return items after delivery, refund timing is similar – just ensure you follow provided return shipping labels. Here are typical timelines:
- Canceled Orders: Full refunds within 3-5 days after successful cancellation
- Returned Orders: Refunds usually within 3-5 days after Amazon processes return at fulfillment center
Refund methods depends on original payment type:
- Credit card payments are refunded to that same card
- Debit cards get refunded to the linked bank account
- Gift cards/gift balances refund to that original tender type
To check status, go to Your Orders and find the canceled/returned order. Messaging indicates if refund has completed or is still in progress.
How Amazon Policies Compare To Other Retailers
Amazon‘s cancellation policies are in line with most major retailers. However they set themselves apart in speed, convenience, and timeline flexibility:
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Cancellation Window – 30 minutes is on low end for post-purchase cancellations. Walmart allows only 1 hour, so Amazon gives a bit more time for impulse control.
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Return Window – 30 day post-delivery returns fairly standard, but Amazon offers free printable labels for fast processing. Other retailers may charge return shipping which discourages buyers.
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Refund Speed – 3-5 day turnaround outpaces some competitors. Kohl‘s mentions 14 days just to start processing returns. Quick refunds provide cashflowrelief.
While Amazon isn‘t an extreme outlier with cancellations or returns, their streamlined self-service options provide less friction through the process.
Best Practices For Managing Online Orders
Utilize these tips and tools for smoother ordering and cancelling:
- Use price trackers like CamelCamelCamel to avoid overpaying in haste
- Add items to Wish Lists or Cart first rather than instantly purchasing
- Disable one-click checkout settings to prevent accidental orders
- Review order confirmations closely right after purchase
- Set text/email alerts for large purchases or account changes
Building guardrails helps mitigate common missteps like duplicate orders or impulse buys. But when needed, lean on this guide to swiftly cancel problematic Amazon purchases!
Let me know in comments if you have any other questions.
