How to Cancel an Order on Amazon

This article explains how to cancel Amazon orders. It covers situations where you buy a product by mistake and immediately want to cancel, as well as situations where the item has already been dispatched or received, and where you've bought from an Amazon Marketplace seller.

How to Cancel an Order on Amazon When It's Not Yet Shipped

1. Log into Amazon.

2. Click the Orders button on the right-hand side of the menu bar.

3. Click the Cancel items button situated alongside the order you wish to cancel.

4. Choose a Reason for cancellation (optional).

5. Click the small checkbox alongside the items you wish to cancel.

6. Click Cancel checked items.

How to Cancel Order on Amazon When Items Are Being Prepared for Shipping

Can you cancel an Amazon order that's being prepared for shipping? Well, it depends. The process itself is virtually identical to the one above, but instead of being able to cancel an item immediately you have to place a cancellation request, which may or may not be accepted.

1. Follow steps 1-5 above.

2. Click Request cancellation.

It's hard to say what exactly determines whether Amazon will accept the request, although it depends mostly on just how close an item is to being dispatched. If it's on the brink of being dispatched, then your request may be declined.

How to Cancel an Amazon Marketplace Order

If it's been less than 30 minutes since you ordered an item through a Marketplace seller, you can cancel an order immediately, following the steps outlined in the first section of this article.

However, if it's been more than 30 minutes since you placed an order, you have to send a cancellation request, following the same process as shown in the section above.

Once again, whether or not your request is accepted depends on the seller. For example, it might be that you place the cancellation request just before they ship the item (meaning that, technically, cancellation should be possible). However, by the time they see the notification of the request, it could be the case that they've already dispatched the package.

How to Cancel Order on Amazon Once It Has Been Shipped or Received

In cases where canceling an Amazon order before shipment isn't possible, there's only one thing customers can do: return the item and claim for a refund. Amazon gives you the option of refusing delivery of the package you're sent, in which case the courier is essentially forced to return it to Amazon on your behalf. If you accept the delivery of the package, then you'll have to send the item back to Amazon yourself (search "Amazon Returns Center" for guidance on how to do this).

In either case, you should take the following steps, which apply to both returning and replacing items.

1. Log into Amazon.

2. Click the Orders button on the right-hand side of the menu bar.

3. Find the order you wish to return (or replace) and click Return or replace items.

4. Choose a response for why you're returning or replacing the item. Leave a Comment if desired (optional).

5. Click Continue.

6. On the following page, review return info and then click Submit return request.

The process itself is simple enough, but you should bear in mind that a number of rules apply. The first is that Amazon offers full refunds only if the item you return is unopened. Secondly, it must be returned within 30 days of delivery. This latter condition is relaxed for holiday shopping, however, when Amazon allows any unopened item bought between November 1 and December 31 to be returned by January 31.

In other words, an item can't be returned if you open it, realize that you don't particularly like or want it anymore, and decide to push for a refund. However, opened items can still be returned within 30 days if they're faulty or damaged. If they develop problems after 30 days, you'll need to contact Amazon's customer support.

How Long Does Amazon Take to Refund a Cancelled Order?

According to Amazon, when a cancel order goes through, it takes minutes for a refund to be applied to the buyer's credit card. However, it may take 3-5 days for the relevant sum to appear on his or her credit card statement, while it can be up to ten business days for debit cards.