Different experience here in Germany. Amazon is often 2-10% more expensive than cheaper alternatives on most goods (just check a random product on idealo.de). People are still buying at Amazon, frequently citing the "hassle-free returns" experience. I'm satisfied with the alternatives (no issues with returns so far) and rarely use Amazon. Also, most shops have guest checkout, no need to open an account on all of them.
I don't think Amazon's return policy is matched by anyone in my country. I dread even thinking of purchasing something and make use of the warranty, it's usually a pointless exercise that deprives you of your purchase for months.
Compare that to Amazon that will easily refund a purchase made 18 months earlier no questions asked.
I almost never buy from Amazon, but there's no denying I feel much safer ordering there than elsewhere. My last expensive non-Amazon purchase got me an opened box (either a return or plain used item). Even PayPal didn't care to do anything about it.
You don't need Amazon's return policy if the country has decent pro-consumer laws. In Netherlands, for example, you can return an item purchased online. For that you need to notify the seller within 14 days of receipt and then send it back within next 14 days.
Oh yes you definitely have rights, but also you have to make sure they're not infringed. They could easily just say "you damaged the box" or, very commonly, withhold shipping fees as well as making you pay for that shipment. So for no fault of your own, you're 15€ down on a 50€ product.
Hell even Apple has been fined by Italy for not properly disclosing that customers have 2 years warranty from the seller. I even had to tell customer service about it just last year, who acted like they didn't even know.
Amazon -> 30-day return policy, they cover shipping costs, no questions asked, doesn't matter how much you used the item.
Law -> 14-day return policy, you pay for shipping, the shop will make it as difficult as possible to let you return the item (even if it's illegal), they don't have to take the item if you opened it (which makes no sense - how do I know I don't want it if I can't try it?)
Your mileage may vary. I've had horrible experience with German shops, when you have an issue they do whatever to make it look like it's your own fault. And you can only call them or send them snail mail, which is still quite common.
Amazon has their chat, which replies immediately and you get your money back pretty easily.
> I've had horrible experience with German shops, when you have an issue they do whatever to make it look like it's your own fault.
That's just the usual experience of German customer service. The consumer is expected to quote the relevant paragraphs to explain customer service why they need to cover cost of return shipping or whatever and they will fight you every step of the way (or try to ignore you). It seems to be a cultural thing.
Edit: and what makes this so annoying is that I really want to be a nice guy for the customer service, not an asshole. And when they treat me like this, I turn into a monster and I'm not happy about it.
