Products returned by Amazon are not long-lived. The e-commerce giant is said to be destroying products on a large scale in Germany.
This is reported by German broadcaster ZDF's television programme Frontal21. The broadcaster relies on product lists, photos and statements by employees. These would show that Amazon not only destroys returns, but also new products.
Refrigerators, mattresses and furniture
An Amazon employee claims she has destroyed goods worth tens of thousands of euros every day. These include products such as clothes and mobile phones, but also refrigerators, mattresses and furniture. Other employees also claim that Amazon destroys new, usable products in many cases.
'Destroy'
Moreover, Frontal21 suspects that Amazon also destroys products from third-party sellers. Retailers using Amazon Shipping can dispose of their unsold stock at Germany's largest online retailer. Internal product listings show hundreds of products, including headphones and children's shoes, labelled 'Destroy'.
Read also: Amazon bans buyers who send too many returns
Amazon does not deny allegation
The retailer does not deny Frontal21's allegations, but says it works every day to improve its processes "to discard as few products as possible". "If products cannot be sold, resold or donated, we cooperate with scrap buyers who use these goods."
'A huge scandal'
German politicians are also dealing with the issue. Germany's environment ministry calls it "a huge scandal" and demands that Amazon further clarify the issue. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth: "Such an approach simply does not fit in these times. I am convinced that many consumers are shocked by such behaviour and will not accept it."
