How to Cancel an Order on Amazon: Simple and Quick Steps Explained

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Whether you ordered the wrong item, found a better deal, or your circumstances changed, needing to cancel an Amazon order is a common situation. The good news is that the process is usually quick and straightforward, if you act fast.

How To Cancel An Order On Amazon, Infobeam Solution

This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for both buyers and sellers on how to cancel an Amazon order, explaining the crucial time limits and what to do if the cancellation option is unavailable.

Table of contents

For Amazon Buyers: How to Cancel Your Own Order

You can only cancel an order before it enters the shipping process. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to Your Orders

  1. Log in to your Amazon account.
  2. Click on Accounts & Lists in the top right corner.
  3. Select Your Orders from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Find and Select the Order

  1. Locate the order you want to cancel.
  2. Check the order status. If it says “Not Yet Shipped” or “Order Received,” you can cancel it.
  3. Click the “Cancel Items” button.

Step 3: Confirm the Cancellation

  1. Select the box next to the item(s) you wish to cancel.
  2. Choose a reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu (this helps Amazon improve).
  3. Click “Cancel Checked Items” to confirm.

What Happens After You Cancel?

  • Refund: Amazon will process a refund to your original payment method immediately.
  • Refund Timing: While the refund is instant from Amazon’s side, it can take 3-5 business days for the bank or credit card company to post it to your account.
  • Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation of the cancellation.

What If the “Cancel Items” Button is Gone?

If the order status is “Preparing for Shipment,” “Shipping Now,” or “Shipped,” the cancellation option will disappear. At this point, you cannot stop the order. Your options are:

  1. Refuse Delivery: When the package arrives, you can refuse it. It will be returned to Amazon, and you will be refunded.
  2. Accept and Return: Accept the delivery and then initiate a return through the “Return or Replace Items” section in Your Orders. Returns are typically free for eligible items.

For Amazon Sellers: How to Cancel an Order

Sellers may need to cancel an order if they are out of stock or encounter an address error. Use this power sparingly, as cancellations hurt your Order Defect Rate.

  1. Go to Seller Central: Log in to your account.
  2. Navigate to Orders: Click on Orders > Manage Orders.
  3. Find the Order: Use the search filters to locate the specific order.
  4. Cancel the Order: Click the “Cancel order” button.
  5. Select a Reason: You MUST choose an accurate reason from the list (e.g., “Buyer canceled,” “No inventory,” “Problem with address”).
  6. Confirm: Confirm the cancellation. The buyer will be notified and refunded automatically.

Seller Warning: A high cancellation rate (above 2.5%) will severely damage your account health and can lead to suspension. Only cancel orders as a last resort.

Key Takeaways to Remember

  • Act Fast: The window to cancel an order is very small, only between when you order and when Amazon prepares it for shipment.
  • Check Status First: The “Cancel Items” button will only appear for orders that are still cancelable.
  • Returns are Always an Option: If you can’t cancel, you can almost always return the item for a full refund.
  • Sellers, Beware: Canceling orders as a seller has serious consequences for your metrics. Always prioritize maintaining inventory accuracy to avoid this scenario.

Conclusion

Canceling an Amazon order is a simple process designed for buyer flexibility. By understanding the short cancellation window and knowing where to click, you can easily undo an order within minutes of placing it. If that window has closed, Amazon’s generous return policy provides a reliable safety net.

Are you a seller struggling with order management and inventory issues that force cancellations? InfoBeam Solution’s account management services can help you streamline operations, sync inventory, and protect your valuable Order Defect Rate.

Learn How We Can Help You Avoid Costly Cancellations. Contact us: +91 96545 53640 or email sales@infobeamsolution.com.

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