# Instant replacements are available for seller-fulfilled returns **URL:** \ **Category:** Amazon Announcements\ **Tags:** amazon-announcement, returns, fbm\ **Created:** [February 9, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337 "2024-02-09T15:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wadeorcas](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/wadeorcas/32/6762_2.png) [@wadeorcas](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/wadeorcas)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/1 "2024-02-09T15:14:36Z")
Lovely šŸ˜  # News - [Policies](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/headlines.html?category=policyupdates&ref=nslp_at_GWEDSNQ2ATXT2H7Z_en-US_ct_policyupdates) > [@](#): > > February 8, 2024 > > ### Instant replacements are available for seller-fulfilled returns > > Starting on February 12, 2024, buyers will be able to request an instant replacement for items sent using the [Prepaid return label program](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G202072200?ref=nslp_at_GWEDSNQ2ATXT2H7Z_en-US_nslnk_1). > > If buyers receive an item that is damaged, defective, or different from what they ordered, they may be able to select a free, instant replacement during the returns process. > > Buyers are required to return the original item within 30 days of receiving the replacement. If they donā€™t, youā€™ll be eligible for an automatic reimbursement. > > If the buyer returns an original item that was used, damaged, or different from what was sent to the buyer, then you can go to [Manage SAFE-T Claims](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/safet-claims?ref=nslp_at_GWEDSNQ2ATXT2H7Z_en-US_nslnk_2) to file a claim for reimbursement. > > With this change, buyers will have a consistent process for returning products across all our fulfillment options. > > To learn more, go to [Replacements for seller-fulfilled returns](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G9675EJHNZ2ZE3M5?ref=nslp_at_GWEDSNQ2ATXT2H7Z_en-US_nslnk_3). ---
**Author:** ![Old-Timer](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/old-timer/32/11020_2.png) [@Old-Timer](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Old-Timer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 3:26pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/2 "2024-02-09T15:26:54Z")
I have been expecting this change for quite some time as it aligns FBM with how FBA works for buyers. I would not have voted for this change, but I do understand why it has happened. ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/3 "2024-02-09T15:52:25Z")
This actually sounds like a good thing for FBM sellers, next step will be instant refund, and you can get reimbursed if they donā€™t actually return it. This will be consistent with how FBA operates and will reduce negative feedback and A-Zs while the item is in-transit from people wondering why they havenā€™t gotten a refund yet. ---
**Author:** ![joebcrafts](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/joebcrafts/32/488_2.png) [@joebcrafts](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/joebcrafts)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/4 "2024-02-09T16:21:37Z")
The next iteration: Pre-emptive Returns - All FBM and FBA will be required to send (2) separate duplicate orders just in case something happens to one of them. Customer not required to return the ā€œback-upā€ if both received OK. ---
**Author:** ![aerides](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/aerides/32/159_2.png) [@aerides](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/aerides)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/5 "2024-02-09T16:28:16Z")
it looks like it only applies on pre-paid return eligible categories, so, by default, that would exclude Handmade and Custom (except for SFP on those). ? ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/6 "2024-02-09T16:37:32Z")
I really donā€™t see whatā€™s so bad about this. If I received a defective item and had to wait a week for the return to get processed, and then wait another week for the replacement to arrive, and I didnā€™t know the difference between FBM and FBA policy (which most buyers donā€™t), Iā€™d probably just return for a refund, leave a negative feedback or review and buy from someone else whoā€™ll ship the item immediately. Thatā€™s a BAD customer experience and itā€™s why FBA sends a replacement immediately and rebills you later if you donā€™t return the original. Bad customer experiences are bad for the customer, bad for the brand, and bad for your ncx/ODR rate. Remember most buyers donā€™t know the difference between FBM and FBA and expect a consistent buying experience across both, so if they get inferior service from an FBM seller theyā€™ll just think itā€™s the sellerā€™s fault (or Amazonā€™s fault, since some of them donā€™t even recognize that thereā€™s 3P sellers) ---
**Author:** ![Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lost_my_marbles/32/2919_2.png) [@Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Lost_My_Marbles)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/7 "2024-02-09T16:57:40Z")
Letā€™s hope this is so ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![booknut7](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@booknut7](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/booknut7)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/8 "2024-02-09T18:46:59Z")
I would not have a problem with this, **IF** it were not Amazon doing it. Their track record with Safe T claims (andā€¦) is not one that instills confidence in this plan working for both buyer and seller. ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/9 "2024-02-09T18:54:01Z")
This is something that the bot will actually handle well though. Whether a shipping label shows as picked up/in transit/delivered is pretty clear cut and thereā€™s no room for the bot to make errors. When thereā€™s a dispute about whoā€™s fault (buyer or seller) it is, thatā€™s not straightforward for the bot to assign blame.. ---
**Author:** ![booknut7](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@booknut7](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/booknut7)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/10 "2024-02-09T18:58:53Z")
> [@GGX](#): > > When thereā€™s a dispute about whoā€™s fault (buyer or seller) it is, thatā€™s not straightforward for the bot to assign blameā€¦ And since this Never Happensā€¦(see the NSFE). šŸ™ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/lost_my_marbles/32/2919_2.png) [@Lost\_My\_Marbles](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Lost_My_Marbles)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/11 "2024-02-09T19:05:38Z")
> [@GGX](#): > > thereā€™s no room for the bot to make errors Yes for that ā€¦ No for this ā€¦ Oopsie ā€¦ the programmer forgot that and it wasnā€™t meant for this ā€¦ Bot can not connect a dot that isnā€™t there or go around a misplaced dot that is there ā€¦ Bot is only as good as itā€™s programmer ā€¦ Programmers are human (or so one would think) ā€¦ Humans make errors ā€¦ And there is the wiggle room for a bot to make an error ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/hobbesismytiger/32/8000_2.png) [@HobbesIsMyTiger](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/HobbesIsMyTiger)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/12 "2024-02-09T19:29:51Z")
> [@GGX](#): > > If I received a defective item and had to wait a week for the return to get processed But you donā€™t. With RFS you only have to wait until your returned item is scanned as on its way. Now buyers donā€™t even have to do that. If you think buyers wonā€™t file negative feedback when they get charged for a replacement item a month later because they never returned the original, you clearly have different buyers than I have. Additionally, any process that requires me to fight to get my money back in inherently slanted against me, especially on Amazon. Safe-T claims are notoriously unreliable, and even when the claim is granted the amounts refunded are capricious. Even when the claim is granted at the correct value, filing the claim is an extra time tax I donā€™t want to pay to get back money that should never have been deducted from my account to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/13 "2024-02-10T02:45:59Z")
I have never experienced a high problem rate with customers, either with ebay, Amazon FBM, or Amazon FBA. The categories Iā€™ve sold/sell are poor targets for scams though. I get the typical return a different / used / empty item crap, but everybody gets that to some extent. Even still, a replacement because defective request should be a low risk transaction. Most of those requests are likely because there actually is a problem with the product, and you want to provide the best customer service when thatā€™s the case. Scammers donā€™t typically try to buy one, get a free replacement and skip out on returning the original. They would just buy two and get a refund for both. ---
**Author:** ![we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/we-sell)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/14 "2024-03-12T18:54:05Z")
Thanks Much @wadeorcas & SAS! I guess I somehow missed this in the Announcements & News.(This is what actually got me to complete my signup & registration to SAS.) I knew I can count on the Seller Community (that we all know well from the days there was actually **Seller Support available by Amazon** via the **Forums**. ---
**Author:** ![we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/we-sell)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/15 "2024-03-12T19:11:22Z")
@GGX Your absolutely right, those mesups we all hate are NOT ERRORS > [@Lost\_My\_Marbles](#): > > Bot is only as good as itā€™s programmer ā€¦ > Programmers are human (or so one would think) ā€¦ > Humans make errors ā€¦ May I Attemp To Correct this satement for our specific scenario? Programmers are Things Or Beings - Designed, - Created, & - Maintained by Amazon which are here toā€¦ **help sellers** sell & do business, by **offering Customers the world (For Free)** ---
**Author:** ![we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@we-sell](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/we-sell)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/16 "2024-03-12T19:24:31Z")
> [@GGX](#): > > Most of those requests are likely because there actually is a problem with the product OK, ā€œMostā€ that is. Now please note that the remaining minority of returns Return for Replacements are easily valuated at few thousand dollars a month, for some/many sellers. So why do we NEED (so importantly) To Replace before buyers hand their return back (to carrier) for its return journey? Aside from the FACT that many Return requests, can easily be resolved without anything being returned at all. And numerous other Return (for Replacement) CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY A REPLACMENT at all. (like the classical, switcheroo aka: sent wrong item return, where in truth Customer ordered Wrong Item, and a replacement will just be a repeat. [These are truly an issue with the Prepaid Label program, the way it was designed, IMO. Not with RFS, nor Instant Replacement which are built on-top of that & amplify the said issues.) ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/17 "2024-03-12T20:11:20Z")
> [@we-sell](#): > > So why do we NEED (so importantly) To Replace before buyers hand their return back (to carrier) for its return journey? Mostly because FBA does this, so Amazon wants to create a more uniform buying experience on the platform irrespective of whoā€™s fulfilling it. The thought process is correct, itā€™s just that the implementation is a mess, as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/dogtamer/32/4766_2.png) [@Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Dogtamer)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/18 "2024-04-13T19:09:28Z")
> [@booknut7](#): > > ā€¦ > I would not have a problem with this, **IF** it were not Amazon doing it. Their track record with Safe T claims (andā€¦) is not one that instills confidence in this plan working for both buyer and seller. Color me unsurprised by Robertoā€™s reply here: [https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb) > [@](#): > > ##### Roberto\_Amazon > > In reply to: [Roberto\_Amazonā€™s post](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=5a7c3f0b-2be8-438f-a99a-c384b9a9df9c) > > 21 hours ago > > @TekRefurbs @SFA\_123 > > We have been advised by our SAFE-T claims team that the auto-refund kick[s] in 30+7 days after the shipping of the replacement order. > > Can you please double check in your Payment reports if a refund has been made after the mentioned time-frame? > > Thanks, > > Roberto As is true in various other circumstances with Amazonā€™s published policy, a specification of 30 days (or any other ā€˜blanketā€™ assertion, in black and white, re: time frames) does not always reflect the additional processing time that Amazonā€™s automated mechanisms will require. Thereā€™s a reason why Amazon is so beholden to the execrable ā€œDefective By Designā€ model of provisioning Customer Support. ---
**Author:** ![GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@GGX](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/GGX)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/19 "2024-04-14T20:44:22Z")
One thing that you could always do.. Keep a detailed record of every time you believe Amazon owes you a reimbursement and denied you (whether that be for an FBM claim, FBA losing your inventory, or whatever else), and then when youā€™re done with your selling career, take them to arbitration for all of it. For a big seller this would be a sizeable amount, but would also require a sizeable amount of time to keep these records (youā€™d likely need to hire someone to do so). I believe in arbitration you would have a good chance at winning a % of your claims. ---
**Author:** ![Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/user_avatar/sellersasksellers.com/dogtamer/32/4766_2.png) [@Dogtamer](https://sellersasksellers.com/u/Dogtamer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337/20 "2024-04-15T18:06:16Z")
> [@Dogtamer](#): > > https: [//sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb) > > > [@](#): > > > > ##### Roberto\_Amazon > > > > In reply to: [Roberto\_Amazonā€™s post](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=5a7c3f0b-2be8-438f-a99a-c384b9a9df9c) > > > > 21 hours ago > > > > @TekRefurbs @SFA\_123 > > > > We have been advised by our SAFE-T claims team that the auto-refund kick[s] in 30+7 days after the shipping of the replacement order. > > > > Can you please double check in your Payment reports if a refund has been made after the mentioned time-frame? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Roberto A happy ending: > [@](#): > > ##### TekRefurbs > > In reply to: [Roberto\_Amazonā€™s post](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb) > > 6 hours ago > > Thank you! We see the credit for both orders now. > [@](#): > > ##### SFA\_123 > > In reply to: [Roberto\_Amazonā€™s post](https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/6351cd84-2229-424a-8611-a49f2fec2168?postId=7509ef6c-b03a-4d58-a35a-e71bbdb2c4fb) > > 4 hours ago > > It looks like the reimbursement has been applied for the order. Thank You! [Next page](https://sellersasksellers.com/t/instant-replacements-are-available-for-seller-fulfilled-returns/3337.md?page=2)