Ever placed an Amazon order and wished you could cancel it? We’ve all been there. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to canceling an Amazon order after it’s been placed.
Whether you’ve made the wrong choice, changed your mind, or aren’t ready to commit yet, the process for canceling orders can be a bit confusing—and it may take some time to figure out where to start. Fortunately, we’ve done all the hard work for you.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of canceling a pending Amazon order. I’ll show you how to do it in a few simple steps and provide helpful tips along the way. Let’s get started!
What to Do Before Canceling an Amazon Order
Before you jump in and start canceling your Amazon orders, it’s important to do a few things first.
The most important of which is confirming the status of your order. Has it already been processed and shipped? If so, you’re out of luck and can’t cancel it. Double check the order history page to make sure there’s still time to cancel the order before it ships.
If the item is still within the timeframe to cancel, consider these key points:
- Check the estimated delivery date: You may not need to cancel an order if it’s arriving later than expected.
- Search for customer service contact information on the product page: This can help you get a question answered directly from Amazon.
- See if there’s an option to replace or upgrade: You may be able to get exactly what you want without having to go through canceling a current order.
- Read customer reviews and product specs: These can prove helpful in making sure you made the best decision.
How to Find and Cancel Pending Orders
Canceling an Amazon order is easy and can be done in a few steps. First, you’ll need to locate your pending orders on the Amazon website. To do this, log into your account and navigate to the “Your Orders” page. Here, you should see a list of all of your orders. You can also sort them by Order Status, to make it easier to find the pending ones.
Once you have identified the orders you want to cancel, click on their order number and it will take you to the order summary page. On this page, select “cancel items” next to each item or select “cancel entire order” at the top if all items are eligible for cancelation. You’ll then see a confirmation letting you know that your order(s) has been canceled.
If possible, it’s best to cancel orders as soon as possible before they enter the shipping process as there may be fees associated with canceling an order after it’s been shipped or delivered. However, you can still cancel some orders after delivery for up to thirty days after the original purchase date if eligible for return or refund under Amazon’s returns policy.
The Difference Between Canceling and Returning an Item
Canceling an Amazon order and returning an item are two very different things. Although they both result in you not having the item in your possession, canceling an order is much easier and quicker than returning a product.
When you cancel an order, you are essentially voiding the transaction between you and Amazon. Your account will no longer be charged for the item and the item will not ship to your address. As long as your order is still “pending”, you can cancel it at any time, free of charge.
When you return an item, the transaction itself is not voided – you will still be charged for it. However, if Amazon issues a refund for your returned item, then the amount charged for it will be deducted from your total amount due. In addition to this, you’ll need to pay to ship the item back, as well as wait for Amazon’s returns policy processing time before receiving any money back from them.
Canceling Pre-Orders on Amazon
If you ordered something from Amazon and changed your mind, you can cancel pre-orders on Amazon too.
Here are the steps to do so:
- Head to Your Account & Lists within the Amazon app.
- Tap Your Orders & find your pre-order item.
- Tap Cancel Item next to the pre-order item you want to cancel and follow instructions on the screen to confirm cancelation.
- You’ll receive an email confirming that your pre-order was canceled and telling you when your funds will be available in your account balance (usually within 1-2 business days).
It’s easy to change your mind if you’re not sure about an order, so don’t be afraid to cancel those Amazon pre-orders if necessary—just follow these simple steps!
Canceling Orders With a Third-Party Seller
Sometimes, you may have placed an order with a third-party seller on Amazon. If that’s the case, canceling can be a bit more complicated—here are the steps to take:
- Go to “Your Orders” on the Amazon website.
- Look for the order you want to cancel and select it.
- On the “Order Details” page, click on “Problem with this order?”
- Select either “Contact Seller” or “Return or Replace Items” from the drop-down menu.
- Follow the instructions based on your selection and communicate directly with the seller about your cancelation request.
- Be aware that if you selected “Return or Replace Items,” there may be charges associated with your return, depending on the seller’s policy, which is outlined in Amazon’s Conditions of Use for Third-Party Sellers.
- If you’ve already received an item from a third-party seller, don’t forget to take advantage of Amazon’s returns process to get any applicable refunds or replacements in a timely manner!
What to Do if You Can’t Cancel Your Order
If you’re having trouble canceling your order, don’t panic. In most cases, you should be able to get it sorted out. Here are some possible solutions:
Check Your Order Status
If your order status is still “Pending,” there’s a good chance that it hasn’t been processed yet and you may still be able to cancel it. Check the status of your order in the ‘Your Orders’ section on Amazon’s site and contact Amazon customer service if you need help.
Contact Customer Service
If you’re still unable to cancel your order, try contacting Amazon’s customer service team. They can help you with almost any issue related to an Amazon order, including canceling one. You can reach out either by phone or online chat—choose whichever method is more convenient for you.
Use Amazon Returns and Refunds
If all else fails, don’t worry—Amazon has your back. You may be able to return the item for a refund once it arrives at your door. Check the product page for any additional return information or policies before getting started.
FAQs
Still have unanswered questions about canceling an Amazon order? Well, here are some frequently asked questions that might help.
What if I can’t cancel my order?
If the option to cancel isn’t there, it’s because your order has already been processed and shipped. The best solution would be to wait for the shipment and then return the items once they get delivered.
Can I cancel a digital item?
Absolutely! Whether you purchased a movie, a book or music, you should be able to cancel your digital item within 24 hours of ordering—as long as it hasn’t been downloaded.
How long do I have to cancel?
It depends on if you ordered an item from a third-party seller or from Amazon directly. For those from Amazon directly, you have until the time the package is shipped out — usually within 1-2 days of ordering. But for those from third-party sellers, you’ll have up to 30 minutes after checkout, depending on their processing times.