Amazon Prime Days Next Week

Do you have a Columbia store or outlet in Austin? They have reasonably priced waterproof coats and shoes that work well. Stop and think if you really need your waterproof jacket to be lined. Most of us use a layer approach instead. Base layer (shirt or top) Warmth layer (fleece or sweater) Waterproof layer with hood. This combo gives the most flexibility.

I second the non-lining version or at least one you can remove.
I actually got my waterproof jacket (a Columbia one nonetheless) at my local Ross Dress for Less. You never know what they might have. Same with Marshalls/TJMaxx. I wasn't looking for one, but they had a great selection so I picked it as I knew I would eventually need one. And sure I did. I also tried it on with a light sweater underneath and ended up going up a size on the jacket.

Last time I bought on Prime Day (couple years ago), products took longer to be delivered than regular purchases. I am a Prime member.

Just a comment on returning Amazon items. I have been finding that very easy if you have a Whole Foods store nearby, which I'm sure you do in Austin. Also Kohl's does the same thing. On Amazon, choose Orders and find the item you want to return. It asks you a few questions and then sends you an email authorizing the return. If I need to fudge that reason a little, I do so but then I am honest in the comments section. Take your phone with the email loaded on it to the Whole Food store, and take the item you want to return. In short order a clerk will receive your item and tell you that a confirmation email will be sent. Which it is. The refund comes in advance of them actually receiving it. There's no need to repackage the item or bring the box it came in. Just take the item in its original packaging if you have it. So not so hard.

The other suggestion is good too, as I like brick and mortar better for something like clothes or shoes.

Our Whole Foods parking lot is a nightmare. I have actually found that our Staples store is the best for returns.
Some products don't qualify to be returned there, I think because of size. But most clothing and shoes have the option to be returned at Whole Foods or Staples (in my area) which don't require packing.

I agree with the others — look for a non-lined waterproof jacket with a hood. Mine hits about the middle of my thigh, has internal and external zipped pockets, and is slightly oversized (to fit a sweater or fleece underneath). I got it on clearance from LLBean and it has come along on every trip, no matter the season, for 25 years now.

Hi Folks

Thanks for all your answers.

Why should I buy a waterproof windbreaker that is NOT lined? Does that include wearing it in Iceland and Norway? I am buyng it for Iceland and Norway,

Another hello folks

I do not drive and it can be very difficult getting around Austin by bus. It can take over an hour each way depending on where you are going. I usually have to take two buses.

To make it more challenging, we are now in the 90's. Tomorrow is going to be 95.

I would like to hit the thrift stores but usually they put away any winter clothes since e are now in the 90's.

Winter clothes will not be coming back out until maybe September or October but I have plenty of time since I am not traveling until September 2027.

Besides having gift cards with Amazon, the free delivery is so nice for me.

nancycantravel

Whole Foods began in Austin and we still have the original.

But the closest Whole Foods to me is a 30 minute walk. There is no bus service and I do not drive. The temps are now in the 90's.

I can take a return to Fed Ex or UPS. Can not remember which one but they are both close.

However I have to pack it up and tape the box closed. Then I have to print out a label on plain white paper, cut it down and tape it on the box. I do not have label paper.

Once I requested a label from Amazon. It cost me $1 and I got the label on plain white paper. I would still have to tape it onto the box.

BostonPhil, buying a lined waterproof jacket reduces the versatility of the piece of clothing. It works for cold and wet but not warmer and wet. Perhaps you don’t need rainwear in Austin so only thinking about this trip works for you.
Layering is just a more flexible way to dress in changing weather. Those of us that live in wet weather moderate climates (what you might experience on your trip) layer as a way of dressing most of the year.

Once I requested a label from Amazon. It cost me $1 and I got the label on plain white paper. I would still have to tape it onto the box.

I order from Amazon a lot and return the occasional item and I have never been charged for a return label. I don’t understand why they would charge you for one.

And I agree with the others about getting a jacket that is not lined. The whole point of layers is to add something when it’s cold but take it away when it’s warm. If you have something with a lining, it’s going to make it too warm and you can’t take the lining away then.

One thing you might consider doing is getting an inexpensive puffer vest that you wear under your rain jacket. 32Degrees sells them very inexpensively. They probably don’t have any in stock now but once fall comes they will start carrying their winter gear. I found them for as low as $10 apiece. And they’re nice and warm for the cold weather, they pack up very small, and you can easily remove them if it gets too warm.

Thank you Carol NR

We need rainwear in Austin. We sometimes have torrential rains, most especially after droughts.

I usually just stay home when we are going to have heavy to torrential rains but sometimes I have a doctors appointment.

The last several days has seen some heavy rain in the area.

Mardee

I have bought from Amazon a lot and have returned some items over the years.

Amazon has recently changed how they accept returns, at least here in Austin.

Once I was able to request pickup. Amazon still offers it but now they charge something like $7.50

I can return free but i have to put item in box that it arrived in and tape it. I have to tape the label to the box. I am responsible for printing out. label or writing it very clearly and neatly on. a piece of paper.

I had the option of having. label sent to me but it cost me $1 and the label was on regular white paper. I still would have had to tape it to the box.

I do not know when Amazon changed its return policies. I do not return very often but just before I went to Paris, I bought several items. I wanted to return one of them and that is when I discovered the change. I decided to keep the item rather than return. The item cost $20 and was not what I expected but I could live with it.

But I diid not return it because of Amazon's changed policies. It was too much trouble to return.

I think that there are customers who excessively return and Amazon has to reduce excessive returns.

I do not know what the "magic" number is but if Amazon believes you to be abusing their return policies, they flag you and then I can not remember what happens. There is a penalty if Amazon believes that you are returning excessively.

ADDED. and after preparing the retuned item, I still have to take it somewhere such as UPS or Fed EX. I can not remember which one. And remember that I do not drive.