Anyone return an Amazon.com purchase through Kohl's?

[bcla]

My wife asked me to help her with a bunch of Christmas presents that arrived after Christmas and were too late to give as gifts. As well as something she sent her brother that he didn't want and shipped to us (we actually shipped it to him). However, she already started with one return where she had already selected a return through Kohl's even though we usually go to an Amazon return facility (our closest is on the UC Berkeley campus). I thought the UPS Store used to be free, but it said there was a $7+ fee to use them for each package.

However, since she had already approved one return through Kohl's I figured the others would too. When we got there there were clear signs pointing to where Amazon returns were. There was a sign at the door, at the escalator, and a big sign where they were accepting returns. Two Kohl's employees handled the returns. I suppose the big advantage is that they accept returns even without a box. They have all the packaging, tape, and a label printer. All the customer needs to do is show a QR code (usually on a phone) and then they print up a label and put it in a box. I came in with everything already boxed up and where we already printed/attached the labels, but I can see the advantage of letting them do most of it. I was given a single confirmation receipt with all the tracking numbers.

https://www.kohls.com/feature/amazon.jsp
It seems pretty obvious they're doing this to bring in potential customers. The receipt included a coupon for 25% off purchases at Kohl's for the next week, although the employee noted that there were lot of exceptions like Levi's and Nike. I think they're also doing this as a promotion where they're selling some Amazon electronic devices.

 

[gwynne]

It's a pretty easy way to process an Amazon return. The coupon was a bonus. The coupon brand exceptions OP noted are very standard w Kohl's.

 

[SG131]

Ups store was free if a product is being returned because it was damaged or late or something else that’s Amazon’s fault. At least here if you were returning it simply because you didn’t want it they charged you to use UPS. So I was really glad when they took returns for free for any reason at kohl’s. It’s been so convenient!

 

[twinkles777]

I live in rural area and the closest Kohl’s (and UPS store) is an hour away. A few returns I’ve had the past few months require drop off at one of them instead of a label to send back myself (there’s a hardware store that we can drop prelabled packages off at where the UPS driver just picks up at the end of the day). This has really made me question what to order from amazon in case I need to return, since I can’t use a code. Makes me wonder if other rural places will reduce ordering or not.

 

[Squirlz]

We did, even though we hate Kohl's. There is always merchandise all over the floor, no matter which store we go to. The employees simply don't care. We went to Big Lots just before and found Dearfoam slippers for $12. Went to Kohl's to do our return and walked by the same Dearfoam slipper sale display with slippers 30% 0ff. Off of 40 dollars! So still way over twice the price we paid at Big Lots.

 

[bcla]

I live in rural area and the closest Kohl’s (and UPS store) is an hour away. A few returns I’ve had the past few months require drop off at one of them instead of a label to send back myself (there’s a hardware store that we can drop prelabled packages off at where the UPS driver just picks up at the end of the day). This has really made me question what to order from amazon in case I need to return, since I can’t use a code. Makes me wonder if other rural places will reduce ordering or not.

How are items delivered though? At least around here there's a small army of Amazon delivery vans. Mostly Mercedes-Benz Sprinters but also some Ford Transits. I've passed by one of the local Amazon distribution centers (it's near a Costco), and there's a long line of delivery drivers waiting to pick up deliveries. Some are independent contractors in unmarked vans.

I haven't had an Amazon package delivered via UPS or FedEx Ground in a while. However, Amazon can justify an army of drivers for the suburbs. Not sure if that makes much sense for rural deliveries? Do you get Amazon deliveries through UPS or USPS? I heard that Amazon does a lot of USPS shipments to get packages from regional distribution centers.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have used several times. Works great. Even a special parking area for Amazon customers.

 

[twinkles777]

How are items delivered though? At least around here there's a small army of Amazon delivery vans. Mostly Mercedes-Benz Sprinters but also some Ford Transits. I've passed by one of the local Amazon distribution centers (it's near a Costco), and there's a long line of delivery drivers waiting to pick up deliveries. Some are independent contractors in unmarked vans.

I haven't had an Amazon package delivered via UPS or FedEx Ground in a while. However, Amazon can justify an army of drivers for the suburbs. Not sure if that makes much sense for rural deliveries? Do you get Amazon deliveries through UPS or USPS? I heard that Amazon does a lot of USPS shipments to get packages from regional distribution centers.

Lately, it’s been mostly USPS but occasionally UPS. We’re definitely way too far out for anything else. We’re not even close to anything considered a suburb. I guess it’s lucky we even get prime delivery? I wouldn’t mind, if they just kept the returns like they had them before with a UPS slip to print. Some of them still do, but not all.

 

[bcla]

Lately, it’s been mostly USPS but occasionally UPS. We’re definitely way too far out for anything else. We’re not even close to anything considered a suburb. I guess it’s lucky we even get prime delivery? I wouldn’t mind, if they just kept the returns like they had them before with a UPS slip to print. Some of them still do, but not all.

Do you still get 2 day delivery? Around here there are warehouses. I remember way back when Amazon resisted setting up shop in California (they did it just over the border in Nevada) because of a fear that having to charge sales taxes for their biggest customer base would hurt sales. It hasn't really hurt and now they can do same-day delivery for some items.

And these Sprinter delivery vans are a common sight around here:

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz......

 

[twinkles777]

Do you still get 2 day delivery? Around here there are warehouses. I remember way back when Amazon resisted setting up shop in California (they did it just over the border in Nevada) because of a fear that having to charge sales taxes for their biggest customer base would hurt sales. It hasn't really hurt and now they can do same-day delivery for some items.

And these Sprinter delivery vans are a common sight around here:

While I suppose there are advantages to that high roof (most drivers can stand up), there are downsides.

Yes, we get the 2 day delivery. I’ve noticed the more they shifted from UPS to USPS, the more likely it is to be late. But, not a huge deal. So, other than the return changes, I’m still happy with prime. And, oh my, that picture doesn’t look good.

 

[bcla]

Yes, we get the 2 day delivery. I’ve noticed the more they shifted from UPS to USPS, the more likely it is to be late. But, not a huge deal. So, other than the return changes, I’m still happy with prime. And, oh my, that picture doesn’t look good.

Sounds like they just target it for a one day delivery to the distribution center and then another day through UPS or USPS. Might be tougher for 1 day though.

I was just trying to find a good photo of one of those vans. They're so common around here that I've seen two at the same time on my street going in different directions. But that one was too crazy to not post. The story is that it collided with that fire truck and flipped over. The article mentions that another Amazon vehicle came to pick up the packages inside the van.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea...-Up-On-Roof-After-Colliding-With-13658939.php

 

[twinkles777]

Sounds like they just target it for a one day delivery to the distribution center and then another day through UPS or USPS. Might be tougher for 1 day though.

I was just trying to find a good photo of one of those vans. They're so common around here that I've seen two at the same time on my street going in different directions. But that one was too crazy to not post. The story is that it collided with that fire truck and flipped over. The article mentions that another Amazon vehicle came to pick up the packages inside the van.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea...-Up-On-Roof-After-Colliding-With-13658939.php

Wow! Although I appreciate the quickness, it’s not worth stuff like that happening.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I used it back in early January. I was surprised at how easy the whole process was.

 

[mjkacmom]

I did it once because I was going to kohl’s anyway. I used the coupon right away because I needed a pair of sunglasses. Our kohl’s is always spotless and tidy. I usually just print our a label and drop it off at a store a mile away, kohl’s is 2 miles.

 

[bcla]

Wow! Although I appreciate the quickness, it’s not worth stuff like that happening.

The fire truck broadsided the delivery van though. Still, I’ve always thought that those vans seemed unnecessarily tall.

The way they do it is convoluted. They’re not Amazon employees, but rather employees of many small, local delivery companies. Amazon helps them out with the vehicles and uniforms (might even be provided for free?). This has reduced the use of UPS, FedEx, and OnTrac (a regional package delivery company) around here. Not sure how it affects their bottom line because the rumor was that Amazon negotiated rates that didn’t make UPS much money. But the big thing was that Amazon has exclusive access to their own delivery fleet.

 

[mumto3girls]

I have used Kohl’s for amazon returns a bunch of times. Kohl’s is only 10 minutes from my house and in an area where I typically do a lot of shopping errands. It has always been quick and easy.

My store is generally clean and organized. I shopped there a lot more when my kids were little. My girls don’t really like Kohl’s clothes anymore, but I still buy household items there.

 

[Christine]

I've used Kohl's once or twice for Amazon returns. It's fine. Just before Kohl's took over doing this, our local UPS stores were doing the exact same thing: just bring the item, unpacked, your QR code and drop off. Once the QR code is scanned, the item is considered returned so I didn't really care what they did with after. The UPS store employee told me it's a great savings for Amazon to do it this way because the UPS store would just package all the items that they could into one shipment. I'm guessing Kohl's does the same thing.

I preferred going to UPS to drop off because there are 3 of these stores within 5 miles of me and it's always quiet there with easy parking/access. Kohl's is close too, but not so great at certain times of the day or days of the week.

 

[Missy1961]

I work for Kohl's, often at the Amazon return spot. I'm glad that you started this thread, so maybe more people will realize what they have to do.

A lot of people assume they can actually do the return at Kohl's, and then we're the bad guys that tell them they have to do the work. I've had people want to talk to the manager after we tell them that.
Also, the gift QR code isn't the same as the Kohl's QR code, you have to do the return first. And the UPS code isn't the same and we don't ship it to UPS first. And you have to wait for us to process it, and you will get a receipt. We have had people just "drop off" the item and leave! (during the busy holiday season)

And I'm sorry some of you have Kohl's stores that are messy. We are always cleaning up racks and shelves during the day in the store I work in, and we don't get to leave at the end of the day until things are in order.

 

[Squirlz]

And I'm sorry some of you have Kohl's stores that are messy. We are always cleaning up racks and shelves during the day in the store I work in, and we don't get to leave at the end of the day until things are in order.

It's so odd because I have been to 4 different locations and they all have clothes just laying on the floor under the racks. Haven't seen it like that in any other stores. One time they had a small appliance on sale that we wanted. Got there and they had none in stock, but I noticed a discarded fast food cup sitting on a shelf. We went back twice over the next week trying to get the item and the cup was still there!

 

[firefly_ris]

I do my best to avoid Kohl's (sorry just not a fan and none of their clothes fit me right!) So I prefer to drop off at the (less chaotic) UPS Store, very easy and have done it two or three times when I've accidentally ordered the wrong item.