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How to Return an Item to American Apparel

Budget Fashionista provides this overview of how to return an item to American Apparel for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. Since all American Apparel goods are now sold through Amazon, you can find the official return policy here.

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American Apparel return policy

Timing: 30 days

You can normally return American Apparel items you purchased on Amazon within 30 days of receiving the shipment. Amazon does have an extended holiday season return period, however. Most items purchased between November 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 can be returned until January 31, 2024.

Restocking fee on late returns: 20%

If you miss the 30-day window for your return, you can usually still return that item. The thing is, you’ll probably pay a restocking fee of 20%.

What can be returned (or not)

Amazon’s return policy is pretty forgiving, particularly with respect to clothes. Still, it’s smart to avoid wearing or washing your American Apparel garments unless you’re sure you want to keep them. Make sure you keep the tags and any serial numbers or UPC codes.

Return shipping

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If you use Amazon’s shipping label, you’ll see a deduction on your refund for the cost of shipping. That deduction may be $0.99 for one item or $3.99 for multiple items.

Amazon often provides free return options, though. You may have to take your American Apparel product to an Amazon locker or UPS store — but that spares you the return shipping fee.

Refunds

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You may have the option to select an “Instant Refund” on your American Apparel items. That means Amazon will refund your credit card or award you an Amazon Gift Card credit right away.

If that’s not an option, you’ll wait for Amazon to receive and process your return. Amazon then refunds the purchase to your original form of payment. That usually takes between three and 10 days. If you used a prepaid credit card, it will take longer — up to 30 days.

How to return an item to American Apparel: Next steps

How to return an item to American Apparel.

Here are the steps to return an American Apparel item on Amazon:

  1. Go to Amazon and log into your account.
  2. Look for the Returns & Orders link.
  3. Find the order. Tap on the option: Return or replace items.
  4. Select a reason for the return and then tap Continue.
  5. Amazon will display the options you have for getting that item sent back. The easiest is usually dropping the item off at a UPS store. You don’t even have to package it up. Simply take the item to a UPS store and show the cashier your return code.