With the entire world using Amazon, mistakes do happen. The most common of all is the misdelivered package. Yes, losing your package in a sea of couriers is stressful. But, have you ever received someone else’s mail? That has its own dedicated variation of stress. Read more What Happens If I Get Someone Else’s Amazon Package?
There aren’t any strict regulations on steps to take when you receive someone else’s package. Yes, that means that technically you can keep that package to yourself without getting into any legal trouble. You can treat it as a free gift. However, there are various ways to return an Amazon package.
Receiving someone else’s package can be daunting and stressful. However, you don’t have to keep pondering over those packages. There are some simple ways through which you can help the package reach its original destination. Keep reading to learn how!
About Amazon Delivery
Amazon’s delivery process includes multiple steps. Customers can keep track of their packages through the “track your order” option on your Amazon account.
On average, an order fulfilled by Amazon will reach you within a week at most. However, some orders are “fulfilled” by third-party sellers.
“Fulfilled by Amazon” means that your item has been packaged, dispatched, and delivered by Amazon itself. On the other hand, items sold by sellers may not rely on Amazon for delivery and may be in charge of delivering packages themselves.
Why was the order misdelivered?
Amazon is highly mechanical and precise in its delivery. However, despite their neat record, mistakes do happen. It’s quite natural, and there are various reasons why a package can end up at the wrong doorstep.
Firstly, instead of a technical fault, the delivery person might’ve accidentally switched your package. If you hadn’t ordered anything, then the person might have confused the address.
A human error is more likely than a mechanical one. Nevertheless, the latter isn’t entirely impossible.
It is possible that due to a minor glitch, the system switched-up package addresses. Check the address given on the package: if the address is yours, but you’re sure you haven’t placed an order, then it is most likely a technical error.
In any case, such cases aren’t intentional. Delivering a package consists of multiple steps. Error at one level can ruin the entire order.
What steps should I take?
Now, granted that keeping someone else’s package isn’t illegal. However, that doesn’t make it right. It is still considered morally incorrect and may end up eating at your conscience.
If you’ve received someone else’s Amazon package and wish to return it, you can take various steps. Some of them are more direct, while others may end up being lengthy.
- Check the address
Sounds simple, right? However, many people completely forget to do that. Addresses can reveal a lot- like was the package for you? You might’ve ordered something accidentally. Or if you have children or elder parents, then they might’ve ordered something instead. It is best to talk to them first.
If everyone denies placing an order, then you should ask your neighbor. GPS’s are accurate, but they too can mess up sometimes. It is possible that your neighbors’ package ended up at your door.
If the address is not yours, just return it to the correct address, as given on the package.
- Approach Amazon
Approaching Amazon is the most logical thing to do. Even if you don’t wish to return the package, you should still consider informing them so the mistake doesn’t repeat itself in the future. Also, the original owner of the courier will really appreciate your help.
You can call up Amazon and let them know of the error. Give them some time to come and pick off the package and make sure that they pay for all expenses- returning and delivering. It is illegal for them not to pay for these charges. You don’t have to spend a penny.
Contacting Amazon shouldn’t be hard. You can write an email to them or reach out to customer support services.
Conclusion
With Amazon’s growing consumer base, mistakes, too, increase. While such mishaps remain scarce, they can still cause a lot of trouble.
If you ever find yourself in such a situation, consider returning the package. The original owner might need it urgently. If not that, then consider informing about their error. That will allow them to amend their mistake and resend a new package to the correct address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can this be a scam?
Unfortunately, yes. Amazon also hosts third-party sellers, so scams aren’t entirely new. Your best bet would be to directly get in touch with Amazon and learn the details of the package.
Q2. Will Amazon force me to return the package?
No, they won’t. According to FTC guidelines, a misdelivered order is yours to keep. You can think of it as a gift. Technically, you have the right to think of that package as your own and not return it.
Q3. What should I do if I keep receiving misdelivered packages?
It is possible that the previous tenant of the place is yet to change their default Amazon address. In such cases, you can either reach them personally or contact your nearest postal service.
