Amazon Empty Package: Why and What Should You Do?

Have you recently had a bad experience receiving an Amazon package? Reports of packages being stolen, damaged, or arriving late are not unusual. Some customers have even reported receiving an empty package. What do you do in such a case? Read on to find out.

Most people find shopping on Amazon to be an enjoyable experience. However, several circumstances sap the enjoyment of it—for instance, getting your package stolen or misplaced. Additionally, even though it only happens on rare occasions, you may receive an empty package or one you didn't even order. This can be nerve-wracking, right? So, what should you do if you receive an empty package? Fret Not! This post provides you with all the information needed to handle the situation in the best way possible.

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Amazon Empty Package

If you take once you have received an empty package, we recommend contacting Amazon Customer Support. When contacting Amazon, you make it as clear as possible that you received an empty package or replacement; otherwise, Amazon will not issue you a refund. If you, however, bought the item from a third-party seller, you should contact the seller directly instead.

This is primarily because there have been reports from Amazon of buyers abusing the return system. Buyers do this by swapping the new items with old defective ones so that they can receive a refund. In such cases, Amazon marks the item as defective, therefore, not issuing a refund.

Why Have I Received An Empty Package From Amazon?

There are several reasons why you may have received an empty package. For instance, it's possible that you received someone else's package, or worse still, you may have fallen victim to a fraudulent third-party vendor. The following situations could make it easier for you to figure out why you received an empty package.

Have I Received The Wrong Package?

Even though it happens rarely, you may receive the wrong package from Amazon. We, therefore, recommend checking if the package is indeed yours. Amazon sends out over a million packages a day, and it may happen that you have received the wrong package. To track your package:

Step 1: Log in to your Amazon account.

Step 2: Go to the “Your Orders” section.

Step 3: Click on “Track Page” next to your orders.

Step 4: To view all updates, click on “Select all updates.”

From there, you can see whether or not your package has been delivered. If, according to tracking, your order has been delivered, you should contact Amazon and report the error immediately. Amazon has a favorable return policy allowing customers to return packages and receive a refund. You should also check and confirm that the package is yours.

It is possible that someone else might have entered your delivery address by mistake. Even more likely, the delivery driver might have left the package on your doorstep by mistake. If it seems that the package isn’t yours, contact Amazon directly and return the package immediately.

Am I A Victim Of A Fraudulent Seller?

Even though Amazon is generally considered a safe place to shop online, there are reports of fraudulent activities on the platform. For instance, some vendors create phony accounts and make phony purchases to boost their own ratings. It is, therefore, likely that a fraudulent seller may ship an empty order to you. Luckily, if you ever received an empty package, you can always contact Amazon Customer Support or the Federal Trade Commission for further assistance.

What Should I Do After Receiving An Empty Package From A Third-Party Seller?

If you think you are a victim of a fraudulent third-party seller, it would be helpful to report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC makes reporting fraud, scams, and bad business practices easy. To report a fraudulent third-party seller, follow the guide below.

Step 1: Visit the FTC official website.

Step 2: Click on “Report Fraud” on the top navigation bar.

Step 3: You will be navigated to a new page. Click on the “Report now button.”

Step 4: You will be asked to pick the best fitting scenario. Click on the “Online Shopping” option then “A problem with an online purchase or sale.” Once done, click on “Continue”

Step 5: You will be navigated to a new page requiring you to share as much information as possible about your order. Make sure not to leave any vital information. Once done, click “Continue”

Step 6: Fill in all the details about yourself, then click “” to make the report.

That’s it! You have successfully made a report to the FTC, and you should wait to hear from them. It is important to note that you can make the report in any country. This is excellent since it ensures that all foreign Amazon users may file reports and are so protected.

Does Amazon Refund Empty Packages?

You may wonder if Amazon will give you a refund if you return the package as empty. In most cases, Amazon will issue you a refund. You must, however, prove that the package arrived as empty and there were no alterations. This may seem like a rather challenging task all in itself, so how do you do about it? A quick solution could be sending images as proof.

Most customers send images as proof to report items being damaged. The seller could then analyze the photos and maybe issue you a refund. Even though the cause of getting an empty package is unknown, more often than not, it is an error on Amazon’s or the seller’s side. For further assistance, make sure to contact Amazon Customer Support or the FTC.

How To Protect Yourself From Fraudulent Sellers On Amazon

To prevent yourself from going through the hustle and bustle brought about by receiving an empty package, it is best that you make purchases from genuine sellers. A common way of doing this is checking the seller’s ratings and previous comments made by other buyers. If the seller is genuine, then customer ratings and comments will show it. You will also have fewer problems when dealing with genuine sellers. Therefore, before making a purchase, we advise learning a little about the vendor.

Bottom Line

Receiving an empty order on Amazon is nothing to worry about. For one, it happens very rarely, and if it ever happens, it is due to a clear mishap on Amazon or the seller's side. As a result, it is likely that after reporting the issue to Amazon, you will receive a refund. In the event that you are a victim of a fraudulent third-party seller on Amazon, it is best to report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission.