As a major online retail giant, Amazon goes the extra mile to provide its customers with the best possible service. In fact, the company had one of the most liberal and generous refund policies and you could get a refund no questions asked on almost anything.
But a few years ago the policy changed and now there are some limitations. To answer the question right away, you probably won't be able to get a refund for a price change on Amazon.
That said, there are still some price-protected items that you can get a refund for if they drop significantly. That's why it's worth taking a closer look at the refund policies on Amazon.
Brief History of Price Protected Refunds
At first, Amazon offered a 30-day price guarantee on any item sold and shipped. Shortly after, the warranty period was reduced from 30 days to just 7 days, then it was suspended. This means you can hardly get a price change refund these days, but there is a silver lining.
This type of refund is still valid for TVs you buy through Amazon and some users report being able to get a refund on other items as well. So it's worth a try at least, but you have to be careful because Amazon closely monitors all refunds and returns. Some users have been banned for exceeding request limits.
How to request a refund
The refund request process on Amazon is quite simple. Go to the Returns and Refunds page, navigate to the Help section and select "Need more help". There you will find a “Contact us” link.
On the other hand, it's even easier when you log into your account. Go to the order for which you want to request the refund and put it in the request. Choose Returns and Refunds from the drop-down menu, then "Other return or refund issue" to provide more details. Type “partial refund, price change” in the appropriate box and choose the method of contact – email or chat.
Things to remember
The refund email should be firm but in a friendly tone and try to briefly explain the price change. No need to stay, you must be very polite, whether your request is refused or accepted.
It is quite possible that you will receive a denial email as soon as your request is processed, but all is not lost. Do not hesitate to contact customer service by phone and tell the agent about your problem. And again, you have to stay calm and composed, heated arguments are of course out of the question.
Remember there is a 7 day window to start the refund process. If the item price drops after 7 days, partial refund is not eligible.
Alternative methods
Aside from Amazon, you may be able to get a refund from your credit card company through its price protection policy. You must file a complaint (with the credit card company, not Amazon) and request a refund on the price change.
In general, this works for online purchases if the price drops within a specified time (60-90 days after purchase). This way, the credit card company refunds your money. On the other hand, you can also request a full refund from Amazon.
Return the item and buy it again at the reduced price. However, you should be careful about full refunds, because if you do it too often, Amazon might ban you.
Why did Amazon change the price protection refund policy?
There's no official statement on the reasons for the change, but it's safe to assume that the growing number of requests is one of the culprits. For example, partial returns may increase around Cyber Monday, Black Friday, or Prime day.
Additionally, the company has reported some issues with processing this type of refund. On top of that, some customers abused the liberal policy asking for illegitimate returns which, in turn, cost Amazon a pretty penny.
How to Track Amazon Prices
There are many tools and browser extensions that help you monitor price fluctuations on Amazon. They save you time searching for the best deal. You also receive a notification when the price changes on the item you are interested in.
Come, see, visa
Despite the fact that Amazon has tightened its return policy, there might still be a way to get a partial refund. And if you're denied, you always have the option of filing a claim with your credit card company.
However, it is better to save yourself the trouble and avoid impulse purchases. Take the time to follow the prices and shop around once you come across a good deal.
