Have you ever received a parcel and discovered that the contents were missing?
When it comes to orders from Amazon, this happens more often than you might think. The company distributes thousands of parcels each day, and sometimes boxes are shipped without their contents. The company boasts huge fulfillment centers, which are very busy environments packed with products. While mistakes can happen, you shouldn’t have to suffer.
So, let’s find out what to do when you receive an Amazon Empty Package…
Contents
What Is An Empty Package?
If the contents of your parcel are missing when you open the box, it is usually because a mistake was made. Unfortunately, you will still be charged if the seller is unable to be held accountable. Therefore, you need to take certain steps to resolve the issue as soon as possible to avoid paying for fresh air and packaging materials.
Why are empty parcels shipped?
There are several reasons why this issue can happen. The most common reason is that Amazon handles a high volume of parcels every day. Fulfillment center employees forget to include the contents when prepping the box. This is because they have to work quickly!
However, there may be times when the contents were deliberately not included to scam a customer. If you believe that this is the case, you will need to report the issue. It is best to contact the Federal Trade Commission and the Amazon customer service team.
How To Fix The Issue?
There are several different ways of tackling this problem and hopefully resolving it. The steps you take will depend on the circumstances. It is best to try and rule out human error before making a complaint and taking the issue further.
1 Check the Parcel Status
First, you need to check the delivery status of your parcel. Even though you received an empty box, your parcel might still be on its way to you. An extra empty box could have been sent to you by mistake.
Log into your account and tap or click on Returns & Orders. You can confirm the status of your order by selecting ‘Track package’ and copying the tracking number. You then need to head on over to the shipping company’s website.
Use the tracking tool…
Find the tracking tool on the website and paste the number. You will be able to view the delivery information and find out if the parcel has been recorded as delivered. If the status shows the parcel is still on its way, all you need to do is wait for it to arrive.
2 Contact the Seller
If the status shows that the parcel was delivered successfully, you need to take additional action. It’s best to reach out to the seller first. In most cases, the third-party seller will be happy to resolve the issue themselves. Log into your account and click or tap on the Your Orders section. Choose the order and tap or click on Problem with the order. Choose the correct issue from the dropdown menu and select Contact seller.
It is best to keep the message as brief and polite as possible. The issue could be a genuine mistake. However, it may take a few days for the seller to get back to you. If they offer an appropriate solution, there will be no need to take the issue further.
3 Contact Amazon
If you can’t resolve the issue any other way, it is best to contact Amazon’s customer service center. Especially if the seller doesn’t get back to you or provide a solution, it’s time to take things further. You should also do this if you believe the problem occurred at the fulfillment center.
You need to log into your account and tap or click on the Your Orders section. Find the order and tap or click on Problem with order. You can then select the issue from the dropdown menu.
They will investigate!
Next, you need to select Request refund. You will have the opportunity to provide additional comments to fully describe the issue. When you click Submit, it will be officially reported, and a member of the customer service team will investigate.
However, it can take up to a week for your request to be processed. While you are waiting, check your spam folder regularly to make sure the reply isn’t misdirected. You can also monitor the status of your claim in the Problem with order section.
Give them a call direct…
Alternatively, you can call a member of the customer service team to discuss the issue with you. This is a good idea if you believe you have been scammed. You will have the chance to explain that you think the issue is serious.
Refunds
You can expect to receive a refund from Amazon if it is confirmed that an ordered item is missing. However, you need to be able to present proof of purchase for the refund to be granted. This can be tricky if the transit status hasn’t been updated or the placed order isn’t recent.
Even if the issue wasn’t directly caused by Amazon, it is best to report it. This is particularly important if you think you’re the victim of a scam. Reporting the issue can help stop other people from getting scammed by that specific third-party seller.
Replacements
If the product was ordered directly from Amazon, the customer service team will investigate the issue. If the mistake occurred at the fulfillment center, a full refund will be issued. Alternatively, you can ask for a replacement item if you want.
However, the company’s fulfillment centers do not handle packing and shipping from third-party sellers. In this case, the company cannot offer a replacement item. The third-party seller is responsible for this. If the seller fails to get in touch, you can file an A to Z Guarantee against them.
How To Avoid Getting Scammed?
Amazon works hard to vet third-party sellers and penalize anyone who doesn’t follow the rules. From time to time, scam artists make it through the screening process. These scammers make money by sending customers empty boxes and keeping the money from sales.
Choose sellers carefully
The best way to avoid this is by taking the time to check out third-party sellers. It is best to stick to people who have received several positive reviews from satisfied customers. Ideally, there should be photos of the products customers have received.
Contact the seller
New sellers may have few or no reviews, and you need to work harder to make sure they’re legitimate. You can do this by contacting the seller and asking for a photo of the product. It is sure to be a red flag if the seller is unwilling to do this.
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Final Thoughts
Amazon has an excellent reputation for securely packing and shipping parcels. However, the company ships thousands of parcels to different parts of the United States every day. Mistakes can happen, especially in the weeks approaching a major holiday like Christmas when employees are working extra hard.
If you receive an empty or incomplete package from Amazon, it is best to report the issue straight away. You need to work out where the package came from and who is likely to be responsible. Amazon will only issue a refund or exchange if the parcel came from one of their distribution centers.
Hope your package arrives safely!