Are Amazon Warehouse Deals worth it? A Review & Guide

As you may or may not know, Amazon offers a pretty generous 30-day return policy, and that is where the warehouse comes into play. 

Returns are a natural part of any business, and Amazon is no different. When returns are made that have not been opened by the customer they can easily be resold as new on Amazon after they are returned. 

But what about those returns that arrive not in the original wrapper? Ones that the customer opened to look at and review but then realized it was not what they wanted?

For example, I recently purchased a camera bag for my DSLR and even though I carefully reviewed all the sizing from the manufacturer I found I could not fit all my gear in the bag. In an effort to make sure of this I had to open the sealed box and the plastic bag that the camera bag was in as well. So even though I returned it in the original box – and even the plastic bag, they could not resell it as new.

So, this is the type of item that is a perfect candidate for sale in the Amazon Warehouse Deals area. While I may have paid $60 for that bag, they may now sell it for $40 as an example. The bag is brand new – never been used but you are getting it for a lot less money!

Pretty awesome right?

1. Go to the Amazon Warehouse page
2. Use key words to search for a brand or product.
3. Narrow your search by selecting “Prime delivery eligible.”
4. Check the description of the condition of your chosen item.
5. Order your bargain, if the price is right.
6. Make sure you inspect it on arrival and return immediately if unsatisfactory.

Amazon Warehouse Deals are goods sold at a reduced price on the main Amazon website. Warehouse deals are a shipping division of Amazon, not an independent marketplace seller. They are listed in their own category on the drop-down menu of departments.

There are several reasons for items being sold as a warehouse deal.

• Damaged outer packaging
• Lost instruction manuals
• Small scratches or other insignificant damage
• Short expiration dates on food

Amazon gives a detailed description of each item sold as a warehouse deal so you are aware of its condition before you buy. Worst case scenario: if you are not happy with a deal when you receive the item, you can return it under Amazon’s 30-day return policy.

These online bargains get the thumbs-up from me. I recently moved house and bought all my new curtains as Warehouse Deals. The packaging was slightly damaged but the fabric was unmarked. They cost me one-third less than the usual retail price.

I bought a kitchen table and chairs which were described as having a slight mark on the inside of one of the legs. I had to search really hard to find a tiny scratch. It was less than half-an-inch long. Who looks under the table when having a meal anyway? The damage meant the set was marked down to half-price.

I’ve had a negative experience too. I bought some short-dated biscuits, but when they arrived the expiry date was actually five weeks previous. However, Amazon’s excellent customer service meant that once I emailed them a photo of the poor expiry date, my money was refunded immediately.

Amazon places its warehouse deals into one of four categories.

• Used – Like New
• Used – Very Good
• Used – Good
• Used – Acceptable

These descriptors are only as good as the human that places them into a category. What they consider “good”, I may find to be only “acceptable”. On the other hand, their “very good” may be “like new” in my eyes.

I find it is more useful to read and take note of the accompanying detailed description of the item’s defects. Remember, you get what you pay for. Unless you want to be regularly disappointed, I recommend you only buy warehouse deals that are marked as “Used – Very Good” or “Used – Like New.”

These definitions are from the Amazon.com website.

A “like new” item sold on Amazon Warehouse is in perfect condition, however, due to the condition of the packaging, it does not meet Amazon.com standards for new product. Returned items with minor packaging defects are classified as “Used-Like New.”

If an item has cosmetic damage or blemishes, shows slight signs of use, has minor accessories missing, or the packaging has been replaced to better protect the item, we will assign the condition of “very good.”

The screenshots above demonstrate the kind of savings that can be achieved in 2018. The Samsung S8 smartphone is shown as retailing for US $724 if bought new, but priced at just US $538.81 if bought via a Warehouse Deal.

In this particular example, no damage is listed and it comes in its original packaging. This is a bargain and represents a considerable saving on the normal retail price. The usual Amazon returns policy applies which means you have 30-days to examine the item and return if unsatisfactory. In addition, if you are an Amazon Prime member, all their Warehouse Deals are eligible for next day delivery just like any other Amazon item.

To find these bargain buys make sure the seller is listed as “Amazon Warehouse Deals.” Do not confuse them with used items sold by other market-place sellers. Other sellers use their own definitions of an item’s condition and they also will not offer a no-quibble return guarantee of satisfaction.

About twice a year Amazon offers an extra 20% discount to Prime members. This sale applies to all goods sold directly by Amazon including their Warehouse Deals. So, if you time it right, a good buy becomes an exceptional buy.

One thing to be aware of is that prices of deals can fluctuate. I have no inside knowledge of how or why the prices change, but it seems to be tied to the time of day as well as day of the week. Amazon monitors when most sales occur and alters its prices to encourage you to spend. For example, I find that if I log onto the site in the middle of the night, prices on deals are lower than if I view them the following morning. If I am patient, the price has usually dropped down again by the evening.

Yes, any item offered by Amazon as a warehouse deal is covered by their 30-day returns policy. This gives you time to examine your purchase properly and make sure the damage (if any) is no more than was described on the product page.

You have the choice to either accept it, or if you are not happy with the item, you can return it in the same condition as it was received.

The date by which you need to return it will be marked on the email you received confirming your order. If you have deleted this, you can check the order details in your online Amazon account.

Smartphones are included in this generous return policy. However, you should check that all the phone’s functions work properly as soon as you can. You will not be able to get a refund if you find the phone is faulty once the 30-day return period has passed.