Download Article
Download Article
Online shoppers are no strangers to “buyer’s remorse.” If you’re regretting a purchase you recently made, you can usually cancel the order and get your money back. There are some general rules for canceling online orders and getting your money back.
Steps
-
Keep copies of all order confirmations. Take screenshots of important customer service numbers and links. If you need to cancel the order, you will have easy access to the company’s cancellation procedure. -
Know your merchants. Some e-commerce websites are better than others for canceling orders. Most big name retailers and Amazon has a cancellation procedure in place, while some consumer-to-consumer sites, like eBay may not allow order cancellations on some purchases. [1] X Research source- If the retailer doesn’t list a cancellation policy, but you follow up, courts and credit card companies often still file in favor of the customer. If the company says that cancellations are not accepted, it is unlikely that you will receive support through your credit card company. [2] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source
Advertisement -
Try to cancel the online order as soon as possible. Your best bet for a full cancellation and refund is to catch it before it ships. -
Search for an online form on which to cancel your order. Sign into your account and find your order listed. Then, click “Cancel” or fill out the cancellation form with your name, email, phone number, confirmation number, order number and a reason for the cancellation. -
Write an email that includes these details to the customer service department if the website instructs you to do so. Make sure to include your name, email, phone number, confirmation number, order items, order number and a reason for the cancellation. [3] X Research source -
Call the customer service number provided on the confirmation email or order page. This is faster than email if the website has a 24-7 customer service line. It is a good idea to try both the email/order cancellation form method and call to ensure your cancellation is received. -
Look for a cancellation confirmation email. The customer service rep may give you a confirmation number by phone. Keep this for future reference. -
Check your credit card bill to ensure that you have been refunded the money if you successfully cancelled the order before shipping. Note that some refunds take 30 days to show up on your billing statement.- Follow up if the money is not credited within 15 to 30 days.
Advertisement
-
Call the customer service number if you get an email that says that the order can’t be cancelled because it has already shipped. In some cases, the customer service representative can stop the shipment in transit. -
Ask the customer service number how they will process your cancellation. In most cases, it will be treated as a return and shipping costs will be deducted, but you will get a full refund when the merchandise is returned. [4] X Research source -
Refuse the shipment if it is “Sign on Delivery.” If you haven’t been able to reach the company, you can try waiting for the UPS, USPS, DHL or FedEx person and telling them that you refuse to receive the delivery. It will be sent back to the return address. -
Contact the customer service department by email and phone asking them to return the merchandise and stating that it was unused and unopened. Keep records of the date and the tracking number so that you can use them if the package is not properly returned. [5] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source -
Wait for your refund. It should arrive within 30 days.
Advertisement
-
Receive the box if the order has been completed and shipped to you. Sometimes the box will be left at your shipping location, so you will not have a choice to refuse the package. -
Open the package. Look for instructions on how to return the merchandise. -
Make a copy of the return receipt for your records. Enclose the return request in your package. -
Ship it with the pre-addressed shipping label and drop it off at a shipping agent location or ship it via the local post office. Request a receipt so that you can prove that you shipped the box.- It is a good idea to get a delivery signature and a tracking number when making returns.
- The shipping costs to receive the goods and send them back are usually the responsibility of the buyer. Check the returns section of your packing slip to see if the company offers free returns. If they do, ensure you drop the package off at the location they use for free return shipping, such as FedEx or UPS.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow to I cancel an order for goods not yet delivered?KwikiCommunity AnswerThat depends on the merchant's policy and whether or not the item has been shipped. If you contact the merchant before shipping, they may be able to stop the order process.
-
QuestionWhat can I do if a company shipped my package after I cancelled my order, but they have no contact information on their website for returns?Community AnswerThe specific return policy depends on the company, but if there is no contact information on their website, I would suggest just keeping the package.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- In the case of consumer-to-consumer e-commerce, you will need to email the seller and negotiate a cancellation or return. This is the preferred way to handle Etsy and eBay transactions. Be courteous and ask for a full refund. After they have given the refund and cancelled your order, leave a positive review on their site to reward good customer service.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Postage
- Credit card
References
- ↑ https://www.moneyunder30.com/retailers-with-the-best-and-worst-return-policies
- ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0176-buyers-remorse-when-ftcs-cooling-rule-may-help
- ↑ https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-do-i-cancel-an-online-order
- ↑ https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/shopping/buying-online/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2010/09/your-rights-as-a-consumer/index.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
X
The process of canceling your online order depends on the website you used. Some websites like Amazon have a cancellation procedure where you should be able to cancel for free if your order hasn’t shipped yet. However, other websites like eBay might not allow cancellations on some purchases. Look for the seller’s cancellation policy on their website or search for it online. Some websites have an online form while others require you to email them. If you get the option, call the company for the quickest and safest way to cancel. If your order has already shipped, it might be classed as a return and incur shipping charges. You can also refuse the delivery when it arrives so your package will be sent back to the seller. For more tips, including how to return or exchange an item you bought online, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 318,771 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Relevant and detailed information geared for the consumer - great help!"
Advertisement
"Relevant and detailed information geared for the consumer - great help!"
