Amazon Hub Locker requires customers to pick up or drop off their packages using a pickup code or the Amazon shopping app on a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone depending on their locations. Amazon Hub Counter requires customers to pick up or drop off their packages with the help of the store assistant. At the Counter, you won’t have to show an ID when you go for your package.
Key Takeaways
- You will find Amazon hub lockers in 3rd-party retail stores or malls and the Amazon Hub counter in 3rd-party retail stores
- Amazon Hub Lockers are self-serviced and completely unstaffed
- Amazon Hub Counters provide assisted services and are normally staffed by the employees of the retail stores
- When your package is delivered by the carrier to a Hub Counter, you will receive a collection barcode to your email
Comparison Chart – Amazon Hub Locker VS Amazon Hub Counter
The table below contains the major differences between Amazon Hub Locker and Amazon Hub Counter.
| Parameters | Hub Locker | Hub Counter |
| Located in | 3rd-party retail stores or malls | 3rd-party retail stores |
| Format | Lockers | Open counters |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Hours | Some are open 24 hours Some close at night | Close at night |
| Staffed? | No | Yes |
| Assisted services? | No | Yes |
| Self-services? | Yes | No |
| Available to | All Amazon shoppers | All Amazon shoppers |
| Available for | Amazon packages only | Amazon packages only |
| Days to pickup package before it is sent back | 3 days | 14 days |
| Accept returns? | Yes | Yes |
| Provide return shipping boxes? | No | No |
| Provide return shipping labels? | No | Yes |
Amazon Hub Locker
Amazon Hub Lockers are typically found in most 3rd-party retail stores or big malls. These lockers are self-serviced and completely unstaffed, which allows customers to pick up or drop off to return their packages at a time that is convenient for them. In the United States, there are numerous Amazon Hub Lockers in more than 900 cities and towns. These Lockers are found in easily accessible places like convenience stores, gas stations, malls, and Whole Foods Market stores.
Pick Up Packages At Amazon Hub Locker
You can use the Hub Locker location in your neighborhood as your shipping address and ask Amazon to deliver your order there instead of your home or office if the order meets the requirements of Hub Locker.
As an Amazon customer, your orders are eligible for Hub Locker delivery. However, your order must meet the following conditions to qualify for Hub Locker delivery.
1. The shipping weight is less than 10 lbs.
2. The product dimensions are smaller than 16 x 12 x 14 inches.
3. All items are sold or fulfilled by Amazon.com.
3. The total value is less than $5,000.
4. The shipment contains no hazardous materials.
5. The order does not contain Subscribe & Save items.
6. The order does not contain items shipped from other countries.
7. The order does not contain items for Release-Date Delivery. Source: Amazon.com
Return Items at Amazon Hub Locker
Apart from their main purpose of serving as package pickup locations, Amazon Hub Lockers are used as product return drop-off locations. All customers should know that certain items can’t be dropped off at a Hub Locker. By the way, Amazon Hub Locker will appear as a drop-off option when you’re applying for the returns on the website. Follow these steps to use your local Hub Locker location as a return drop-off spot:
1. Go to the Returns Center
2. Submit a return request
3. If your return item is eligible, you will see the option to return it at an Amazon Hub Locker
4. Select the Amazon Hub Locker return option
5. Choose a nearby Locker from a map
6. Amazon will send you an email containing your drop-off code
7. Pack up your return item
8. Print out the return shipping label and put it on your return package
9. Take your return package and your drop-off code to your chosen Locker
10. Enter the drop-off code on the touch screen display
11. Follow the on-screen instructions. Source: Amazon.com
Amazon Hub Locker Operating Hours: Most Amazon Hub Lockers are open 24 hours a day while others close around 7 or 9 pm. The opening hours of each Hub Locker location is normally displayed next to the name on Amazon Hub Locator. Check it out!
Amazon Hub Counter
These Counters are open counters mostly in retail stores. They are normally found in big retail businesses like drug stores, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Besides, they provide assisted services and are normally staffed by the employees of the retail stores. Every Amazon customers are free to use Hub Counters for package delivery in as much as they are sending only Amazon packages. Furthermore, customers can drop off return items at a Hub Counter. Just like Hub Locker+, Hub Counter is a network of staffed locations used by Amazon shoppers for the pickup and return of Amazon products
A customer’s order qualifies for delivery to an Amazon Hub Counter if the following applies.
1. All items are sold or fulfilled by Amazon.com.
2. Items do not exceed 33 lbs. or have dimensions larger than 36 (h) x 24 (l) x 24 (w) inches. Note: Some retail partners have more restrictive limits.
3. The order does not contain items that require special handling.
4. The order does not contain Subscribe & Save items.
5. The order does not contain items for Release-Date Delivery.
6. Be available for shipping within 24 hours. (For items that ship within 24 hours, look for a message similar to “Want this item by tomorrow? Order in the next 30 minutes” on the product detail page.) Source: Amazon.com
Pick Up Packages At Amazon Hub Counter
Amazon sends an email with a collection barcode to their customers once their packages have been delivered by the carrier to a Hub Counter. To pick up your package at an Amazon Hub Counter, follow these steps.
1. Go to the Hub Counter with your collection barcode
2. Show your barcode to the store attendant at the location to receive your package
Note that you’re given nothing more than 14 days to pick up your package from a Hub Counter. If it exceeds 14 days, then your package will be returned to Amazon and you will be refunded on your purchase.
Return Items At Amazon Hub Counter
Amazon Hub Counters do not offer self-services but do provide assisted return services. To return an item at an Amazon Hub Counter, follow these steps.
1. Initiate a return in Your Orders
2. Then, you will see the option to drop off your return at an Amazon Hub Counter if your location and the item you are returning are eligible.
3. Select Choose an Amazon Hub Counter to return your item to view a map and select an Amazon Hub Counter location
4. Amazon will send you an email with your Amazon Hub Counter returns QR code and instructions
5. Take your item to the Amazon Hub Counter and show your return QR code to the Amazon Hub Counter associate
6. The Amazon Hub Counter associate scans the QR code to accept the return
7. The Amazon Hub Counter associate puts your item into a polyethylene bag, applies a return label to the package, and sends it back to Amazon
8. You can now track your return in Your Order. Source: Amazon.com
Note that Amazon Hub Counters will not offer packaging material for your returns. Customers are to return their items in the original packaging and appropriately keep the items with protective packaging before going to the Amazon Hub Counter.
Amazon Hub Counter Operating Hours: Every Hub Counter has the same operating hours as the retail store that hosts it. So, it operates according to the closing and opening times of the store.
Final Words – wrapping it up!
The major difference between Amazon Hub Locker and Amazon Hub Counter is clear and precise. Amazon Hub Lockers are typically found in most 3rd-party retail stores or big malls. These lockers are self-serviced and completely unstaffed. Only Amazon packages can be sent and picked in these Hub Lockers, and all Amazon consumers can use Hub Locker for package delivery.
On the other hand, Amazon Hub Counters are typically found in retail stores such as drug stores, convenience stores, and grocery stores. These Counters provide assisted services and are staffed by the employees of the host retail stores.
References:
https://www.lifewire.com/amazon-lockers-and-hubs-4154922
https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazon-introduces-counter-us-where-customers-can-pick-their
Last Updated on November 15, 2022 by Magalie D.
Magalie D. is a Diploma holder in Public Administration & Management from McGill University of Canada. She shares management tips here in MGTBlog when she has nothing to do and gets some free time after working in a multinational company at Toronto.
