When will Amazon charge you? (Everything from Prime to pre-orders!)
Amazon is a massive retailer that ships to millions of customers every day. If you’ve ever placed an order, you’ve probably noticed two separate charges on your credit card.
Why is this happening? When exactly does Amazon charge you for items you’ve checked out?
When will Amazon charge you in 2021?
Amazon does not charge customers when an order is placed, but only when the order fulfillment process begins. However, Amazon marketplace third-party sellers may charge fees at the time of purchase or when the item is ready to ship. This may vary by retailer.
If you want all the details about when Amazon charges you, read on…
When are Amazon orders charged?
When ordering products from Amazon, such as Amazon Basics, your card will only be charged when the order begins the shipping process.
It can be before or after shipping, depending on your specific product and order size.
Many Amazon orders are filled very quickly, so in some cases the time between placing the order and being charged may be as little as an hour or two.
This is especially true if you have opted for a shorter delivery time, such as overnight shipping.
If you use Amazon to subscribe and save or purchase a backordered product, Amazon will send you an email a few days before notifying you. Again, they won’t ship the product until it reaches the shipping stage.
However, there is no distinction between Amazon products and Amazon Marketplace items sold by third-party retailers.
Third-party retailers can charge your card immediately, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the product has already started the shipping process.
Some third-party sellers do wait until they ship your product before charging you. This protects them from chargeback issues and unfulfilled orders.
This is completely different from Amazon products like Amazon Basics or Kindle, where you will only be charged at the beginning of the shipping process.
Does Amazon charge before shipping?
Amazon tends to charge as soon as the shipping process begins, usually no more than a few hours a day.
This protects them from regulations set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that govern credit cards and their use by merchants. It’s not illegal for companies to charge for items before they ship, but they must ship within a set time frame.
If retailers fail to ship within this time frame, they must notify customers and give them the option to accept new package arrival times or cancel the order for a full refund.
So, to avoid headaches and legal issues, Amazon waits until an item is about to ship before charging a customer’s credit card.
Third-party sellers on the Amazon marketplace follow their own policies and procedures when charging customers for products. Some people charge immediately when they buy an item, while others follow Amazon’s lead and wait until the shipping phase begins.
How often do you pay for Amazon Prime?
Depending on what you choose when you sign up, your Amazon Prime membership may be billed monthly or annually.
When you first sign up for Prime, your card is charged immediately, after which your specific Prime settings determine when your next payment is due.
If you want to cancel your Prime membership, you need to make sure to cancel before the next charge. If not, it can be difficult to get a refund, especially if you purchased Prime items during that time period.
However, if you haven’t used your Prime membership at all, you may be eligible for a full refund of your membership.
Only works if you haven’t ordered anything at all since the charge date
Make sure to note your Amazon Prime billing date in your calendar in case you want to cancel or suspend your membership early.
When does Amazon charge for pre-orders?
Pre-orders will not be charged to your card immediately, but a few days before the release date. Usually when the product ships or is about to leave the warehouse.
Pre-orders on Amazon are a popular way to ensure you get the latest video games, tech gadgets, and books as they become available.
They are available for many unreleased projects.
In your “Orders” tab, you can track your pre-orders and see when you are expected to be charged (usually 2-3 days before launch.)
When does Amazon charge credit cards?
Amazon charges credit cards when shipping. This applies to all credit card types, whether you use Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, or their own Amazon gift card.
Third-party marketplace vendors can charge your credit card at the time of ordering or before shipping. This varies by retailer.
When does Amazon charge for debit cards?
Amazon treats debit cards the same as credit cards and charges the item immediately before it ships.
In fact, all retailers treat debit and credit cards the same. The only difference is that the fee is charged directly to your bank account, not as a credit card.
Third-party marketplace sellers can choose to charge your debit card immediately or wait until the item begins the shipping process.
What if an Amazon product is out of stock?
If a product is out of stock, Amazon will wait until the item is back in stock and charge your card after the shipping process begins.
This is one of the main reasons why Amazon and retailers wait until they ship the card before charging for it. It protects them from unhappy customers and having to offer refunds.
Amazon will send you an email notification to let you know the status of your order. That way, you’ll know when the item is in stock and expect to be charged.
If you want to learn more about Amazon, you can check out our related post on Amazon delivery delays.
in conclusion..
On Amazon products such as Kindle, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Basics, Amazon will not charge your card at the beginning of the shipping process and/or in transit.
Marketplace retailers can choose to charge immediately when the order is placed, or wait until the order is about to ship and then charge your credit or debit card.
Amazon Prime membership fees are charged monthly or annually, depending on your preference. You can change this setting in Amazon Prime settings.
