Do you know what’s an even worse problem for online retailers than customers who never get their packages? Shipping back the items that customers did receive, but don’t want. Fortunately, Amazon has found a way around this problem: since late last year, they’ve using their lockers designed for deliveries to send products in the other direction.

If they can get a small proportion of customers to bring packages to a locker instead of using a shipping label to return items, that could save Amazon quite a bit on shipping costs. Carriers will be able to simply pick your packages up from a locker site in a public space or convenience store where they’re probably leaving other packages for your neighbors on the same visit, instead of picking up items from homes.

It’s not clear what the benefit is to consumers if they also have a UPS store nearby, since they still must securely package and label the item being returned.

Return a Package at an Amazon Locker [Amazon]

PREVIOUSLY:
Walmart To Test In-Store Lockers For Pick-Up Of Online Orders

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.