How to Easily Cancel Your Amazon Preorder in 3 Steps?

Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling of buyer’s remorse after placing a preorder for the latest gadget, video game, or book on Amazon? We’ve all had those “Ugh, why did I buy that?” moments. The great news is that canceling an Amazon preorder is totally doable, and oftentimes completely free.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer the question: How can you easily cancel a preorder placed on Amazon?

The straightforward answer is that you can cancel most Amazon preorders in just a few clicks through your account as long as the item has not shipped. There are also some additional considerations around refund timing, fees, and troubleshooting order issues. We’ll break down step-by-step what to do, what to expect, and how to handle any preorder cancellation challenges that arise.

Throughout this post, we’ll specifically cover:

• When You Can Cancel an Amazon Preorder
• How to Cancel an Amazon Preorder in 3 Steps
• The Effects of Canceling an Amazon Preorder
• Refund Policies and Potential Fees
• Troubleshooting Errors and Common Preorder Cancellation Issues
• Frequently Asked Questions About Canceling Amazon Preorders

Let’s start by understanding the ideal timing and rules around preorder cancellations with Amazon’s policies.

When Can You Cancel an Amazon Preorder?

The ability to cancel a preorder on Amazon depends on its current status and whether the expected release date has passed. Here is an overview:

• Preorders can be canceled at any time before the item’s official release date
• Once released, preorders can only be canceled by contacting Amazon customer service
• Delivery status also matters – orders already shipped can no longer be canceled online

So ideally you want to cancel within your Amazon account before release day and definitely before shipping. This ensures it is free, easy, and refunds can process automatically.

If it seems complicated, don’t worry – we’ll outline the simple cancellation process next. Just remember you have the most flexibility and options to cancel preorders early on.

How to Easily cancel an Amazon preorder in 3 Simple Steps

Let’s walk through exactly how to cancel a preorder on Amazon while avoiding any hassles or fees:

Step 1: Log In to Your Amazon Account

First, you need to log in to your Amazon account via the website or mobile app. This gives you access to manage existing orders.

• On the Amazon website, hover over “Account & Lists” and select “Sign In”
• Or in the Amazon app, tap the menu icon to access account options

Once logged in with your email and password, you’ll have full access to preorder cancellations.

Step 2: Navigate to “Your Orders” and Find the Preorder

Amazon keeps all your order history including preorders in “Your Orders” – easily accessible from the dropdown menus.

• On Amazon.com, under “Account & Lists” select “Your Orders”
• Or in the app, choose “Your Orders” under “Account” in the main menu

Browse your orders – preorders are clearly marked with an orange tag that says “Pre-ordered” along with the expected delivery date.

Step 3: Select “Cancel Item” to Cancel the Preorder

When you locate the preorder you want to cancel in your orders, there will be a “Cancel Item” link or button.

• Web: Choose “Cancel Item” for the preorder
• App: Tap the preorder, then tap “Cancel Item”

After clicking this cancellation option, Amazon will have you confirm that you definitely want to cancel this preorder.

• Simply click “yes” or “confirm” to go through with canceling your Amazon preorder.

And that’s it – your preorder cancellation is now being processed!

Overall, the steps to cancel a preorder on Amazon are very quick and straightforward. But next let’s get into the aftermath – what happens after you cancel an Amazon preorder?

The Effects After Canceling an Amazon Preorder

Once you successfully cancel your preorder in Amazon’s systems, here is what you can expect:

• The seller will be notified of the cancellation request
• A refund will be issued to your original payment method
• The expected delivery date will be removed from your orders
• Preordered bonuses or discounts may be forfeited

Do note refund timing varies depending on factors like where you are in the preorder-to-delivery cycle. Let’s break that down next.

Understanding Refund Policies and Potential Fees

As we learned initially, the timing for when you cancel an Amazon preorder can impact your refund as well as whether fees apply. Keep these preorder cancellation nuances in mind:

• Early cancellations typically process refunds within 1 to 5 days back to your gift card or payment method
• Preorders cancelled post-release often take longer – up to 14 days
• Check for restocking fees – some preordered items charge cancellation fees
• You’ll forfeit any preorder perks or discounts applied to the order

So for quick, free cancellations – act fast and cancel preorders early. Amazon can begin processing most refunds within a few days when cancellations happen pre-release.

Later cancellations come with more caveats, longer refund times, higher risk of fees, and forfeiting preorder perks associated with the item.

Troubleshooting Errors and Common Preorder Cancellation Issues

While most of the time canceling an Amazon preorder is quick and headache-free, there can be occasional issues that arise like:

• Delivery seems imminent so preorder is locked
• Refund doesn’t show on your credit card statement
• Item is now out of stock so cancellation denied

Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into challenges cancelling your Amazon preorder:

If shipment is already en route: You likely have to wait until delivery, then go through Amazon’s return process afterwards if wanted.

No credit card refund showing: It can take 7-14 days post-cancellation for funds to be added back to accounts. Check later.

Preorder locked, cancellation unavailable: For bizarre issues like this, contact Amazon customer service for human assistance.

So don’t panic if small snags happen – with the above guidance you can handle many preorder cancellation problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canceling Amazon Preorders

We’ve covered a lot of ground explaining how to cancel preorders placed with Amazon. To wrap up, here are answers to some of the most common FAQs:

Can I cancel a preorder anytime before release?

Yes, Amazon allows cancellations at any point pre-release up until stock is shipped. Once delivery commences, preorders must be returned instead.

If I cancel late, will I still get charged or fees?

It depends – some items with restocking fees might incur charges. Typically no fees if cancelled before release day.

What happens to my preorder perks or discounts if cancelled?

Unfortunately any preorder bonuses, special pricing, or extras tied to the order are forfeited if cancelled.

Can I get a refund if I already received the preorder?

Yes, you can initiate a return post-delivery through Amazon’s Online Return Center to get an refund.

We hope this guide gives you confidence handling Amazon preorder cancellations using their simple cancellation process. Just remember to act quickly pre-release and reach out for troubleshooting odd issues. Happy (guilt-free) preordering!