Resolving Those Frustrating Empty Amazon Boxes – A Seller‘s Guide
As an experienced Amazon seller, I know few things are more irritating than eagerly opening a package only to find…nothing inside! While empty Amazon boxes are unavoidable at their scale, this guide will walk you through exactly what to do step-by-step to get a refund or replacement. I‘ll also share insider tips to minimize these issues and avoid scams using the perspective of someone who‘s managed hundreds of seller accounts.
Let‘s start by examining the common reasons you may receive an empty package from Amazon.
Why It Happens – Understanding Amazon‘s Fulfillment Challenges
To comprehend why empty packages occur, it helps to grasp the immense scale of Amazon‘s operations:
5 billion+ – Amazon ships over 5 billion packages globally each year. That‘s over 13 million per day!
1,000+ facilities – Their fulfillment network includes over 175 warehouses and 150 smaller delivery stations.
750,000 employees – Amazon employs around 750,000 warehouse workers to process orders.
With this volume, even 99.9% accuracy still means thousands of mistakes daily. Here are the main culprits behind empty packages:
Fulfillment Errors
The leading cause of empty Amazon boxes is human errors during the picking and packing process in their chaotic warehouses. An associate simply forgetting to place your item in the box or putting it in the wrong order.
Theft/Tampering
Unfortunately, theft does occur occasionally along the delivery chain. Drivers, sort facility workers, and even porch pirates might be tempted to pilfer valuable items.
Damage/Spills
Although rare, packages can be damaged in transit allowing contents to fall out. Or in the case of liquids, a leaky seal could cause spills leaving just an empty box.
Scams
While not widespread, some dishonest sellers intentionally ship empty packages to defraud buyers. Often new sellers using "brushing" tactics to boost ratings.
Misdeliveries
Another possibility – your package could have been delivered to the wrong address. Always check tracking confirms delivery to your location.
Now that you know the common causes, let‘s move onto action steps for resolving these frustrating situations…
Getting Help – Contacting Amazon and Sellers
Upon discovering an empty box, immediately take these steps to get assistance:
Verify The Order Details
Check the tracking number matches an order in your account history.
Confirm the status shows delivered specifically to your address.
Match the seller name on the package to your order details.
Contact The Seller
Locate the seller profile in Your Orders and select Contact Seller.
Explain you received an empty package and politely request they resolve the issue.
If unresponsive after 2 days, escalate by contacting Amazon support directly.
File an Amazon Complaint
From Your Orders, click Get help with order to contact Amazon customer service.
Select the missing item option and provide order details.
Request a refund or replacement due to an empty package.
If you suspect a scam seller, also report them for investigation.
Getting a Refund – Amazon‘s Policy on Empty Packages
Amazon‘s famous customer service will address empty package issues promptly, but refund eligibility depends whether it was Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) or the seller directly (FBM):
FBA Orders
Amazon will issue a full refund for any FBA orders with missing contents. Their A-to-Z guarantee protects buyers from non-delivery.
FBM Orders
For seller-fulfilled orders, the seller is initially responsible. But if unresponsive, Amazon may still provide a courtesy refund as an exception.
| Fulfillment Method | Refund/Replace Policy |
|---|---|
| Fulfilled by Amazon | Refund guaranteed by A-to-Z policy |
| Fulfilled by Merchant | Seller responsibility, appeal to Amazon |
For high-value items, you may need to file a police report to prove missing contents to the seller. But Amazon will still assist FBA buyers.
How To Avoid Empty Package Scams
While most empty boxes from Amazon are innocent mistakes, sellers running scams do exist. Here are my tips to identify and prevent them as an experienced seller:
Research Sellers Thoroughly
Scrutinize a seller‘s profile before purchasing:
Review recent feedback and ratings. Many negatives? Red flag.
Suspect if the account is brand new with no history.
Check for a high percentage of verified purchases in reviews.
Are prices dramatically lower than other listings? Too good to be true?
Monitor Your Orders Closely
Frequently check pending orders for any unfamiliar transactions.
Enable delivery notifications to monitor packages arriving.
Verify package tracking shows delivery to YOUR address.
Inspect Packaging Upon Arrival
Carefully examine box condition looking for any re-taping or damage.
Are there Amazon branded security seals intact? Missing seals indicate possible tampering or returns fraud.
Document unsealed or damaged packaging by taking photos.
Install Security Cameras
Deter package theft by having outdoor cameras to record deliveries and capture porch pirates in the act! Video evidence helps police reports.
Help Other Buyers by Reporting Scams
If you received an empty box you suspect was a scam attempt:
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission reporting the seller.
Contact Amazon again and explicitly state your concerns about a potential scam seller.
Leave negative feedback for the seller explaining the empty package issue to warn other buyers. But keep language factual.
By reporting fraudulent sellers, you help Amazon investigate and shut them down to prevent further victims. We all benefit from keeping our shared marketplace safe!
What To Do If You Receive an Empty Amazon Package:
If you open an Amazon delivery only to find nothing inside, stay calm and follow these steps to resolve:
Check the tracking number matches an order in your account history.
Verify the package was delivered specifically to your correct address.
Compare the sender name to the seller for your order.
Contact the seller first and give them a chance to make it right.
If no response in 2 days, file an Amazon complaint for missing item.
Request a refund or replacement due to the empty package.
If you suspect a scam seller, report them to Amazon and the FTC.
Leave feedback about the issue to warn other buyers.
Review prevention tips in this guide to avoid empty package scams.
By reporting empty packages and following Amazon‘s policies, you can usually get the situation resolved promptly. Let me know if you have any other questions!
