Amazon introduces warning labels for “Frequently Returned” products

Amazon has taken a step to inform consumers about products frequently returned on its platform. The company has introduced a warning label for such items, encouraging customers to conduct thorough research before purchasing. 

The move aims to help shoppers avoid misleading or substandard products and reduce unnecessary returns.

Amazon's return policy allows customers to return new and unused items within 30 days of purchase, often free of charge, except for non-returnable items. However, returning products remains an inconvenience for customers, especially considering the prevalence of counterfeit, low-quality, and deceptively marketed products supported by fake reviews on the platform. 

Excessive returns not only affect customers but also have environmental and financial implications. They occupy warehouse space and lead to increased costs for storage and disposal. By prominently displaying a warning that these items are frequently returned, Amazon aims to discourage buyers and encourage retailers to improve their listings and address factors leading to higher return rates.

The warning labels have already appeared on select third-party listings fulfilled by Amazon, such as the one in the image above. Although these items have positive star ratings, a closer look at customer reviews reveals issues such as incorrect sizing or previous damage.

This new warning label complements another recently released feature by Amazon, which publicly displays the approximate number of units sold (we talked about it here)

While Amazon has not specified the timeline or availability of the "frequently returned item" tag beyond the US, this initiative demonstrates the company's commitment to improving the shopping experience and enabling customers to make informed choices.