Helping someone shop online: set it up once, together

Before you start

• Ask what they want to do alone, and what they want help with.
• Do not take over. Let them press the keys. You read and explain.
• Their screen reader or magnifier comes first. Do not change its settings without asking.
• Go slowly. One new thing per visit is enough.

Set up once (about 30 minutes)

1. One card, one address. Keep one default payment card and one default address in their account. Fewer choices mean fewer mistakes. No credit card? See paying without a credit card.
2. Delivery notices. Turn on shipment notifications in the Amazon app, so they hear when a package is on the way and when it arrives. Steps are in delivery problems.
3. Alexa voice code. If they have an Echo, turn on a 4-digit voice code for purchases. Then nobody can order by accident. Source: Amazon help: Require a voice code.
4. Things they buy often. Show them "Buy Again" in their Amazon account. It lists items they bought before, so a repeat order is quick.
5. Optional: Subscribe & Save for items that run out on a schedule, such as batteries or coffee. Write down how to cancel it. See subscriptions.
6. Their own help line. Show them Amazon's support team for customers with disabilities. Details are in creating an account.
7. A button for this site on their phone. Put an EZ Find Fast icon on their home screen, so the site opens with one tap. There is no app to download. On an iPhone: open ezfindfast.com in Safari, tap Share (on newer iPhones it is inside the More button, three dots), then "Add to Home Screen", then "Add". On Android: open ezfindfast.com in Chrome, tap "More options" (three dots), then "Add to home screen", then "Add".

Practice one order together

1. Pick something small they really need.
2. Use our Search Amazon page. It is made for screen readers.
3. They do every step. You only listen.
4. Before "Place your order", they listen to the item and the total.
5. Afterwards, open Your Orders together and check the item, total and delivery date.

If a button is hard to find, that is not their fault. Write down what worked, in their words.

Safety: what to tell them

• Amazon never asks you to pay with gift cards. Anyone who does is a scammer. Source: Amazon help: Identifying a scam.
• Never read a one-time code to someone who calls you.
• When in doubt, stop. Hang up, and call you or Amazon's support team.

More in signing in safely and delivery scams.

When they call you

Short answers you can read over the phone. Each one links to the full guide.

"I ordered the wrong thing."

If it has not shipped, cancel it in Your Orders. If it has shipped, return it when it arrives. See cancelling an order and returns and refunds.

"It says delivered, but I cannot find it."

Check the porch, the back door, the mailroom and with neighbors. A package marked delivered sometimes arrives up to 48 hours later. If it still has not come, report it in Your Orders. See missing packages.

"I want to send it back."

Many items can be returned at a store or drop-off point without a box or a printer. See Amazon returns.

"Someone called about my account."

Hang up. Do not share codes or buy gift cards. Then check Your Orders together.

Print and share this page

• Print the one-page shopping card: large print, with a space for your name and phone number. Leave it next to their computer or phone.
• You can also print this whole page with your browser's Print command (Ctrl+P on Windows, Command+P on Mac).
• Send this page to other family members or volunteers by email or text message.