Amazon is continually finding new ways to make shopping as seamless and stress free as possible for their 168 million subscribers (and other shoppers). That led the retailer to add Amazon Hub Counters to their Hub family in 2019. Counters, along with Hub Lockers and Apartment Lockers, are another way to serve customers who prefer to get packages shipped to a location other than their homes or offices.
Amazon Hub Counters are located inside retail establishments where there’s a store associate available to help you. Whether you’re looking to pick up your package or you need to return an item to Amazon, an Amazon Hub Counter is a safe and convenient option.
Here’s everything you need to know about how Amazon Hub Counters work — and all the services they offer.
What Is an Amazon Hub Counter?
Amazon Hub Counters are located inside certain retailers and markets across the country (such as some Amazon-owned Whole Foods). They primarily serve as a place to pick up and return your Amazon packages in person. Hub Counters are staffed by sales associates who can help you. In addition to having a real person to potentially help you with your pickup or return, you can avoid the risks of porch pirates — and know you’re helping the environment (Amazon often packages items going to its Counters, as well as returns dropped off there, together, which means fewer boxes and fewer trucks on the road).
What Do Amazon Hub Counters Do?
Amazon Hub Counters are staffed locations within retailers, such as certain drug stores, groceries and other stores, where you can pick up or return Amazon packages with the help of a staff person.
It’s easy to choose to ship to an Amazon Counter near you when you’re checking out online, but there is some fine print to keep in mind about what can and can’t be delivered to a Hub Counter. According to the retailer:
- Your package cannot exceed 33 lbs or have dimensions larger than 36 inches (h) x 24 inches (l) x 24 (w) inches.
- You are not ordering any items requiring special handling.
- You can’t have your Subscribe & Save items sent to a Counter.
- Your order must not contain Release-Date Delivery items.
- All your items must be available for shipping within 24 hours. (For items that ship within 24 hours, look for a message similar to Want this item by tomorrow? Order in the next 30 minutes on the product detail page.)
Where Are Amazon Hub Counters?
Amazon Counters are located in retailers across the country. To find the one near you, go to amazon.com/counter and enter your ZIP code, address or even a landmark. Your search will return both Amazon Hub Counters and Amazon Lockers.
How to Pick up From An Amazon Hub Counter
Once you’ve filled your cart and are ready to check out on Amazon.com, select a Counter pickup point available in your ZIP code as your delivery location. When the Counter receives your package, you’ll get an email confirmation from Amazon with a barcode to get your item (as well as information on the Counter’s hours of operation and location). If you want, forward your friend or family member your confirmation email with the barcode and they can pick up your item for you instead. Pay attention to the pickup deadline (it will be in your email confirmation). If you don’t pick up your package by the deadline, it will be sent back to Amazon and your account will be refunded.
Amazon Counters are only open when the retailer is open, of course, but they may not have the exact same hours of operation. For example, many Amazon counters at Whole Foods have different hours than the store itself, often opening later than the store does and closing a few hours earlier.
How to Return an Item at an Amazon Hub Counter
Want to drop off your return at an Amazon Counter? Start your return online on Amazon and search for and choose the Counter near you as your dropoff spot. Bring your item to the store along with the QR code you received once your return request was submitted.
Though you don’t have to have your item packaged and labeled as if it’s going into the mailbox, Amazon does say that you should return your item in the original packaging and use protective packaging on fragile items before you drop it off at the Amazon Hub Counter.
What’s the Difference Between an Amazon Hub Locker and an Amazon Hub Counter?
Amazon Hub Lockers are self-service kiosks that you unlock yourself with a special six-digit code. These are not staffed, whereas Counters have a customer service staff person there to help you.
Do You Need to Be an Amazon Prime Member to Use an Amazon Counter?
Amazon Prime customers can use Counters for pickup or dropoff for free as part of their Amazon membership perks. Non-Prime members can use this service, but there are fees associated with it. (Those vary, and are added at checkout.)
Is the Amazon Trade-In Program Available at Counters?
Yes, at certain counters.
Through the Amazon Trade-In Program, you can trade in older tech for a discount on a new device or an Amazon credit, either by shipping your item back or by going to an authorized trade-in location, including Amazon Counters. Though some trade-in locations are also Counters, not all Counters are trade-in locations. To find an in-person trade-in location near you, visit here. You’ll also see trade-in-eligible Amazon Counters appear when you initiate your trade-in process.
The advantage to using an Amazon Counter to complete your trade-in, is that you don’t have to package the item up yourself. Just start the process online (you’ll receive a QR code), and bring in your item to the Counter. Show your QR code to the employee, and they’ll box up and ship back your trade-in item for you. Remember to check the hours of nearby Amazon Counters to see when they’ll be staffed, to avoid showing up at your local Whole Foods with your old Echo device in tow only to find the Counter closed.
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