Amazon issues late refunds to customers years after returns, including a $1,798 payout to agency founder Steven Pope for a TV returned in 2018.
With 63% of U.S. consumers expecting same-day refunds, retailers face pressure to deliver fast service not just at checkout, but also at the point of return.
That’s why Steven Pope’s experience is so surprising: Amazon refunded him $1,798 in 2025 for a return made back in 2018. His post went viral, highlighting a growing concern over delayed refunds.
Amazon is now issuing late refunds tied to a broader $1.1 billion charge and process overhaul, aiming to resolve old errors and meet the standards today’s shoppers demand.
TodayPay"37% of U.S. consumers would prefer a trip to the dentist over waiting seven days for a refund."
Amazon: Where your refund matures like fine wine
Steven Pope, founder of our Amazon agency My Amazon Guy, sparked widespread discussion after a viral LinkedIn post revealed he received a $1,798.81 refund in 2025 for a return made in 2018. His post, which called attention to the 7-year delay, was picked up by multiple news outlets and fueled consumer concerns about Amazon’s refund process.
According to an email from Amazon, the delay stemmed from unresolved returns where the company couldn’t confirm whether the correct item had been received. Amazon admitted communication breakdowns and stated they failed to properly notify affected customers.
The company has since launched an internal review, identifying a “very small subset” of returns that were improperly handled. As part of this initiative, refunds are now being processed regardless of verification outcomes.
Amazon confirmed that refunds are being issued to the original payment method or, when unavailable, as Amazon Gift Card credits. Customers are not required to take action, and the company has promised updated procedures for faster resolution moving forward.
Key details from the refund email include:
The issue involved unresolved returns with verification gaps.
Amazon chose to finalize refunds in favor of the customer.
Refunds are being processed automatically within 3–5 business days.
Changes are being made to improve customer contact and reduce future delays.
Pope’s post highlighted a broader issue—many shoppers prioritize refund speed, and long delays can erode trust. With expectations set by “the Amazon effect,” the pressure is on for retailers to keep pace with rising consumer standards.
Why Amazon issues late refunds years after purchase
Pope’s story quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and consumer backlash. His story was the first to be featured in major media coverage, starting with a report by Bloomberg.
Bloomberg journalist Spencer Soper reported that Amazon has been issuing these long-overdue refunds alongside apologies. The company acknowledged a “very small subset” of unresolved returns and chose to finalize refunds without further verification due to the significant time lapse.
The full scope of the refund wave is unclear, but Amazon disclosed a $1.1 billion one-time charge in Q1 2025, partially tied to these historical customer returns. That charge also included costs related to inventory buildup in anticipation of tariffs.
Key details from Bloomberg’s coverage:
Amazon is refunding returns dating back as far as 2018.
The refunds are part of a $1.1 billion Q1 charge disclosed on May 1.
Customers do not need to take any action to receive the refunds.
Refunds are being processed either to the original payment method or via Amazon gift cards.
Amazon claims to have implemented new procedures to address and prevent future unresolved returns.
The situation comes as the company is also fighting a lawsuit alleging it improperly reversed refunds after customers followed its stated return process. The court denied Amazon’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, which centers on alleged refund reversals for items dropped at designated kiosks.
With returns and warranty fraud costing U.S. retailers over $100 billion in 2024, Amazon’s policy changes and internal review signal a broader industry challenge. Steven Pope’s viral post has now become a touchpoint in that larger conversation, illustrating how even tech giants can fall behind in meeting rising consumer expectations.
USA Today – Amazon is issuing refunds to a “very small subset” of customers for returns made as far back as 2018, including Steven Pope’s viral case; the decision follows a class-action lawsuit that a judge recently allowed to proceed.
NBC 5 Chicago – Amazon confirmed it is refunding returns from as far back as 2018; Steven Pope’s experience, in which he received a refund seven years later, adds a personal angle to the growing coverage.
Cybernews – A customer received a $1,800 refund from Amazon for a return made in 2018; that customer was Steven Pope, whose story quickly gained traction online and in major media.
AARP – Amazon customers are finally receiving long-awaited refunds for returns from years ago, with Pope’s 2018 refund shining a spotlight on the issue.
Newsweek – Refunds are being processed for old, unresolved Amazon returns, and Steven Pope’s nearly $1,800 credit for a 2018 return helped highlight the unexpected payout wave.
Entrepreneur – Some Amazon customers are getting refunds for returns made as early as 2018, with Steven Pope’s high-profile case bringing renewed scrutiny to the company’s past return practices.
LiveNOW from FOX – Following an internal review, Amazon has begun issuing refunds for years-old purchases; Steven Pope’s viral post about a 2018 refund led the wave of public attention.
The Economic Times – Amid a $1.1 billion charge tied in part to unresolved returns, Amazon is refunding purchases from 2018 and beyond, with Steven Pope’s case emerging as an early example.
Blavity News – Amazon is paying back customers for years-old returns, and Steven Pope’s viral LinkedIn post about a delayed $1,800 refund helped bring national awareness.
Yahoo News – Amazon is making headlines for processing refunds on unverified customer returns from as far back as 2018. Steven Pope, who heads My Amazon Guy, an agency assisting Amazon businesses, revealed he was among those compensated, receiving almost $1,800 for a television returned in late 2018.
Rolling Out – E-commerce giant Amazon is addressing long-standing customer complaints by issuing refunds for years-old returns. Steven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, received a delayed payout for a 2018 return and called the seven-year wait “extraordinary.”
MSN – A surprising cashback effort by Amazon has sparked attention after Steven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, received nearly $1,800 for a TV returned in 2018. His LinkedIn post helped bring broader visibility to what may be a wider pattern.
Independent – Amazon is refunding customers for unverified returns going back to 2018. Steven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, shared his experience of getting nearly $1,800 back for a TV he returned in November 2018, expressing disbelief at the seven-year delay.
News X – Following internal reviews and legal pressure, Amazon is refunding customers for unprocessed returns dating to 2018. The issue gained traction after Steven Pope of My Amazon Guy revealed on LinkedIn that he had just received a refund for a 2018 television return.
FOX 5 Atlanta – Amazon is paying back customers for purchases made years ago, including a $1,798.81 refund to Steven Pope for a TV he returned in 2018. Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, shared the surprising development via LinkedIn.
The Arizona Republic (AZCentral) – Amazon is issuing old refunds, including a recent payout of nearly $1,800 to Steven Pope for a TV bought in 2018. Pope, who leads the consulting firm My Amazon Guy, received his refund on May 20, years after the return was submitted.
ChannelNews – Amazon is reimbursing customers for returns dating back to 2018. Steven Pope, who purchased a 55-inch smart TV in 2018, was refunded nearly $1,800 last week, seven years after initiating the return.
AOL – Customers are now receiving refunds from Amazon for returns dating back to 2018. Steven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, was refunded nearly $1,800 for a TV return and highlighted the delay in a viral LinkedIn post.
Late refunds: Amazon customer service or legal evasion?
Amazon’s delayed refund revelations have sparked fresh scrutiny beyond the already-publicized class-action suit. In response to a viral post by Steven Pope detailing his $1,800 refund for a 2018 return, former Amazon employee Jon Derkits pointed to another pending lawsuit that may explain the timing.
A separate class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington accuses Amazon of systematically withholding or reversing refunds, even when customers followed its 30-day return policy.
The lead plaintiff, Holly Jones Clark of Kentucky, claims Amazon either failed to issue refunds or later charged customers again, leaving consumers to spot discrepancies on their own statements.
The complaint argues that Amazon’s stated return policies do not align with actual customer experiences, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The suit awaits class certification, which would determine whether other affected consumers can join and potentially seek compensation.
If certified and successful, the case could result in payouts to customers who returned items on time but were never properly refunded or were recharged.
Economist highlights financial implications behind Amazon's delayed refunds
Economist Daniel Altman weighed in on Steven’s story, analyzing the financial cost of Amazon’s delay through the lens of interest earnings and comparative benchmarks.
Pope received $1,798.81 in May 2025 for a television originally purchased for $1,696.99 in November 2018—a difference of roughly $102 over six-and-a-half years.
Altman calculated that this refund reflects an annualized interest rate of about 0.9%, significantly lower than common financial benchmarks over the same period.
During those years, the S&P 500 averaged a return of around 12% annually, while inflation rose about 3.7% per year, meaning the value of the refunded amount likely diminished in real terms.
Entities like the IRS and credit card companies typically charge late payment interest rates ranging from 8% to over 20%, making Amazon’s effective rate appear especially minimal.
Amazon’s own vendor policy charges 1.5% monthly—equivalent to an 18% annual rate—for late invoice payments, a contrast that raises questions about the fairness of its customer refund practices.
Had Amazon applied its own standard late fee, Pope’s refund could have totaled nearly $3,700, more than double what he received.
