[Electronics-Talk] Amazon disability and 2-factor authentication

Tue Apr 2 13:23:51 UTC 2024

Hi.

Next time, suggest the 3 orders thing as a way to authenticate and see 
if they'll have an aha moment and let you do that.

Having said that, returning orders is reasonable on the computer, and 
I've done it on Android phones before using the Amazon Shopping app.

go to https://amazon.com/orders

Ensure signed into account. On this orders page, there are two edit 
boxes, the first one is the normal global amazon product search, the 
second one is to search your orders and you don't need it if this is a 
recent order. Down arrow from the second one until you find your product 
you will return and click where it says return items some time with a 
few down arrows after you hear the name of the product. If the order 
contained multiple purchases, don't worry just hit return items and you 
should get some check boxes for all the things you need to return.

Next it will ask why you're returning. Note that if it is their fault, 
you want to indicate this in the combo box for the product that it is 
not your fault so that you place the burden of shipping costs on them. 
For example, one that you often applies for us blind customers is 
inaccurate website description. If you select that and then in the edit 
box for your explanation, you'd put something like, "description says 
vacuum cleaner is a stick vac, but this is actually a big and bulky 
standard upright." You'll get free return shipping usually. If you 
ordered it by mistake and you choose that, they'll probably make you pay 
to ship it, which honestly for most products that aren't overly large is 
not too expensive. The Item is defective or doesn't work option tends to 
be on them to pay it, etc.

h

You'll have to choose the reason for every item you are returning. Once 
you finish that, it'll ask how they can make it right. You'll have some 
ways they can take care of it like refund to your original payment 
method, refund as a gift card balance to the Amazon account, replace 
item with exact same item (note this one they ship the replacement as 
soon as possible rather than waiting for your return to arrive, so it's 
kind of the same as you ordering a second one on the spot and then 
returning the first. They will charge your account again for the second 
item if you don't end up returning the first one. depending on the 
product there may be fewer or more options

Once you select the option you need, it'll ask about how to return your 
items. These change depending on where you are and what the items are. 
Some items, such as large batteries for portable power stations, can't 
be returned, some products that should be perfectly returnable the 
seller doesn't want you to return possibly for sanitary reasons for 
personal products or what ever reason they may have. For these, you'll 
just be refunded and that's that, keep the item or discard it, etc. 
Otherwise, you'll get to select shipping methods. Amazon Locker dropoff, 
UPS drop off, mail it yourself via USPS, UPS pickup, USPS pickup, etc.

These days, USPS isn't available too often in my area, I think Amazon 
decided the new prices are too high. Government shooting itself in the 
foot again. Anyway, you're probably familiar with these options from 
doing returns over the phone. Just know that the Bring to a UPS store 
location no label needed requires that you have an actual UPS store, and 
won't work for dropping it off at kohls or Advance Auto Parts etc. For 
this no label needed option, the UPS store worker will scan a qr code 
that must be displayed on your phone to create the label on the spot. 
UPS Dropoff, (printer required) is preferable if you do have a printer, 
since you can just drop it off at Kohls or Advanced Auto Parts. Kohls is 
especially nice because you don't even have to box it up yourself. Also, 
if the package is small enough, you can shove it into a UPS Drop Box and 
go on your merry way. UPS Pickup will send a UPS driver to the address 
to retrieve the package. You must be alert and meet the driver when they 
arrive and hand them the box all taped up and ready to go. I believe 
they can provide the label. You'll know because the information on this 
return method will tell you. USPS pickup is similar but you have to make 
your own label. In my rural area where everyone knows everyone, they 
tend to know there's a blind guy and if I just left a package with 
shipping label showing my own address as the from address on the door 
step they'd grab it and go, but normally you're supposed to greet them 
and hand them the box similar to the UPS pickup option.  If you know 
when the mail man or woman is coming, you can do your own pickup option 
anyway by giving it to them when they deliver your mail, or if it's 
small enough you can put it in your mail box with the flag up.

good luck

Cheers:
Aaron Spears, AKA Valiant8086 General Partner at Valiant Galaxy Associates "we make (VERY GOOD AUDIOGAMES) for the blind comunity" http://valiantGalaxy.com

On 3/30/2024 11:49 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> My husband had a lot of trouble with Amazon disability yesterday.  He wanted
> to return something, and we couldn't figure out how online, so he called the
> disability line.
>
> We both turned on 2-factor authentication a while ago, because it's supposed
> to be safer.  But two of the disability people told my husband they couldn't
> help him because of the 2-factor.  The day before, I also wanted to return
> something, and Amazon emailed me a code, then the disability person asked me
> for the code, but the people my husband got said Amazon was giving up
> 2-factor, and they couldn't do that.  They said they couldn't help him until
> he disabled 2-factor.
>
> It was all very confusing, and he kept needing to hang up, deal with the
> emails and stuff, and call back.  Finally he got someone who could help him.
> The person asked him to name 3 things he'd ordered in the last 3 months, and
> that served as his authentication.  But his helper said not everyone knows
> how to do that route.
>
>   
>
> Anyway, it was all  very weird, and I thought people should know.
>
> Tracy
>
>   
>
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