Amazon COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC — Sample processed in lab — Results in 24 hours from lab receipt — FDA Authorized PCR Test — Ages 18+

The test is a great deal for a PCR test (a highly sensitive and specific test). The tests were processed within 4-5 hours of being received.Having facilitated a number of these tests for others now, the only error someone has made is not realizing that there is liquid in the tube the swab goes into and spilling the liquid-- take care with that!My biggest frustration with the Amazon test is that you need to have a separate Amazon account for each individual being tested. You can't even register a test to another Amazon account-- you must log into each Amazon account separately to register each test.For this reason, the Amazon test is very inconvenient if you want to test a group of people who may not all have Amazon accounts or who may not want to login and register the tests themselves. (Most other testing services that allow you to register a test to a name, email and birthday, which is a much easier process.)Basically, Amazon completely missed the use case where one person helps to register tests for someone else or for a group of people. This is important because many people who could be influenced to take a test by a family member, or our might be willing to take a test to attend a gathering, may not be willing to go to the effort to register the tests themselves. (AmazonDx product team: you should really copy Color Health's flow to register tests to just names, emails, and birthdays.)The test also does not allow you to use the test for anyone under 18 years of age, which limits the use for testing families.Overall though, it's great to see Amazon getting a quick test available at this price point for people that are willing to do the test registration themselves.

I tested at 2:30 PM on a Monday and went to a UPS location right after that. I received a confirmation message the next morning that the box had been received by the lab and I had my test results by 5PM on the Tuesday. So from test to drop off to results was 26.5 hours. This worked out really well.To start, you open the kit, open a website, link to your amazon account, take a photo of the code on the sample container, test using the enclosed swab, drop the swab into the container, put the container in a bag which goes into the box, seal up the box with the included tape and then drop it off at Mailboxes Etc. Very easy.I used the test results to enter Canada where a PCR test within 72 hours of entry is required. The results were accepted and I was allowed to enter. However, as Covid tests are a new area for Amazon, the officer at the border was unsure if this test would be acceptable. One reason was that the result is only on one page without more information about the lab or the results. Amazon should correct this by giving more information about the lab and test beyond the name and contact information. Secondly, the test was from Amazon and this caused some surprise. Lastly, I did the swab myself and they were unsure if this was ok. I had to go into the office (it was a land crossing) to have a health expert come to review the test. He did ok it since all of the information he needed was there. However, I wouldnt use this test again, despite its convenience. It really came down to an opinion if this test was ok and it did go in my favor this time, but I dont want to risk a different outcome next time.Overall, super convenient and easy and inexpensive compared to other tests. However, there is a risk the results wont be accepted.

Both times I sent it in, I got a result, but not in the time frame promised.It says within 24 hours, but expect within 48 since they rely on UPS to deliver it overnight, which might not happen. Also, you have to take it to a UPS store, which can potentially be inconvenient to you.They need to receive it on a weekday, and UPS is closed on Sundays, and as I said above it may actually take 2 days, so basically you have to take the sample and drop it off on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (check the time online for the last air pickup at the particular UPS location), then wait 1-2 days.You can't deal with UPS customer service because Amazon paid for the shipping, so you have to go through Amazon customer service, which is actually pretty decent if you go through the process of chatting with a representative through the returns/refunds flow.A rapid test is generally going to be good enough and takes 10-15 minutes. I recommend you just do that.On the bright side, both times it was late I was able to get a refund.

The lab won't process the sample if it takes too long to get there. I have used 2 of these so far, followed instructions to a T, hand delivered the sample box to the UPS store immediately after taking the sample, and so far it's all been for nothing. Neither was done on a holiday blackout date. First took 5 days to get to the lab, and the lab wouldn't process. Hand delivered the 2nd to the UPS store, same thing, and, 2 days later, AmazonDX doesn't even show that UPS got it. So this sounds like a great option, but UPS has to be able to get it to the lab timely and can't seem to, at least not for the 2 I've tried to use since mid-December.Updated to 4 stars because the 2nd test, while it took 2-3 days to get to the lab, was processed and I did get my results. I did not think these oils process anything received that late, but apparentlyThe cut-off is a bit more generous than I thought.