What are Amazon Warehouse Deals?
Amazon Warehouse is a business of Amazon that sells quality used products and rents out used textbooks.
In this article we will cover:
1. What are Amazon Warehouse Deals?
2. Are Amazon Warehouse Deals owned by Amazon?
3. How do Amazon Warehouse Deals work?
4. Listing conditions for Amazon Warehouse Deals
5. What does Open Box mean?
6. What sellers should know about Amazon Warehouse Deals
7. Risks of buying via Amazon Warehouse Deals
What are Amazon Warehouse Deals?
Amazon Warehouse Deals is a part of Amazon.com that specializes in offering deep discounts on returned, warehouse-damaged, used, or refurbished products that are in good condition but do not meet Amazon.com’s rigorous standards as “new.” They also offer products in new and open-box condition.
Not all returns to Amazon go back into seller inventory; those that don’t — but are still in “good” condition — may be sold as an Amazon Warehouse Deal.
Since Amazon specializes in returned, warehouse damaged, used or refurbished products, they can’t predict future availability for any item, so inventory continuously changes. Check back often and order quickly.
Are Amazon Warehouse Deals owned by Amazon?
Yes, Amazon Warehouse Deals is part of Amazon.com and owned by Amazon. Amazon chooses which products qualify to be sold as warehouse deals, as well as which listing conditions the products fall into.
How do Amazon Warehouse Deals work?
Amazon Warehouse resells millions of like-new, open-box, and pre-owned items that have been returned by customers at a great discount.
All items listed as an Amazon Warehouse Deal are inspected and graded using Amazon’s 20-point quality inspection process and sold at a discount. Purchases are also Prime-eligible and backed by Amazon’s 30-day return policy.
Listing conditions for Amazon Warehouse Deals
Product listings are displayed on the offer listing page for each product and are grouped to allow buyers to sort and select offerings by condition or price.
Amazon thoroughly tests the functional and physical condition of each item and gives the product one of 5 listing conditions:
- Renewed
- Used – Like New
- Used – Very Good
- Used – Good
- Used – Acceptable
Here’s how Amazon defines the different listing conditions:
1. Renewed
Renewed items have been inspected and tested by Amazon, and work and look like new. These products may come repackaged but will include all accessories. These products come with the “Amazon Renewed Guarantee,” which offers buyers a replacement or refund within 90 days of purchase if the product doesn’t work as expected.
2. Used – Like New
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” products. Returned items with minor packaging defects are classified as “Used-Like New.”
3. Used – Very Good
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, Amazon will assign the condition of “very good.”
4. Used – Good
If an item has large cosmetic damage or blemishes and/or missing accessories, Amazon will assign the condition of “good.” It’s possible the packaging has been replaced to better protect the item.
5. Used – Acceptable
If an item shows signs of wear including scratches, dents, and other aesthetic problems, we will assign the condition of “acceptable.” It’s possible the packaging has been replaced to better protect the item, manuals may be missing, and the item may contain third-party attachments.
What does Open Box mean?
You might see an Amazon Warehouse Deal listed as “Open Box” in addition to one of the listing conditions above.
Amazon Warehouse Deals return policy
Most Amazon Warehouse Deals products don’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty, but all items are backed by Amazon’s return policy (90 days for Renewed items, and 30 days for all Used items). If you would like additional protection, you can purchase a warranty from SquareTrade to cover certain items.
What sellers should know about Amazon Warehouse Deals
One of the biggest questions many sellers have is “Can I sell to Amazon Warehouse Deals?” Amazon Sellers cannot sell to Amazon Warehouse Deals; only Amazon can sell items through Amazon Warehouse Deals.
Amazon Warehouse Deals shipping policy
Eligible items sold by Amazon Warehouse Deals qualify for Prime Shipping, free 2nd Day Shipping, or Free Super Saver Shipping — it depends on the details of the individual offer. Amazon Warehouse Deals don’t ship to international addresses.
If a buyer returns an Amazon Warehouse Deal and Amazon is responsible for the error, Amazon will pay the return shipping cost.
Amazon Warehouse reimbursements
According to Pat Petriello, Director of Amazon at Tinuiti, per FBA’s Lost and Damaged Inventory Reimbursement Policy (below), Sellers will be reimbursed only for products that are lost or damaged when under Amazon’s control.
FBA Lost and Damaged Inventory Reimbursement Policy
When your inventory is either lost or damaged when it is under Amazon’s control (damaged by an Amazon partnered carrier, in the fulfillment center, or during delivery to a customer), they will either:
- Replace the item(s) with one with the same FNSKU, or
- Pay the Seller the evaluated replacement value of the lost inventory, less any applicable FBA and Selling on Amazon fees
Replacement value for products damaged by Amazon
Amazon considers several factors when determining an item’s value, including:
- Your sales history
- The average FBA selling price on Amazon
- The sales history of the specific ASIN
If they don’t have enough information to establish a reasonable value for an item, then the replacement value is determined based on the default replacement values from the table below. If you received the default replacement value as reimbursement and request a reevaluation, Amazon may request additional information, such as a receipt or an invoice, from you.
The replacement value for a single item will not exceed $5,000. For items valued at more than $5,000, Amazon recommends that you consider purchasing third-party insurance. If Amazon finds items in their network that are the same FNSKU and in the same condition as those you reported lost or damaged, Amazon may transfer those items to your inventory in lieu of reimbursement.
What is covered by this policy?
- Items damaged while in an Amazon fulfillment center
- Items lost within an Amazon fulfillment center
- Items missing within an Amazon fulfillment center for 30 consecutive days
- Items lost or damaged by the carriers and distributors that we use to deliver products to the customer
- Important: Small parcel items shipped using Amazon partnered carriers that are damaged due to inadequate packaging are not covered. Always follow our prep, packaging, and shipment requirements when you ship to an Amazon fulfillment center to avoid damage in transit.
- Items lost or damaged while being shipped to an Amazon fulfillment center using Amazon partnered carriers (small parcel, less than truckload, and full truckload)
What is not covered by this policy?
- FBA prohibited products
- Products that don’t adhere to FBA inventory requirements
- Restricted products lost or damaged during removal order processing
- Defective products or items lost or damaged by customers, distributors or sellers
- Expired items
- Defective items that arrive at the fulfillment center damaged
- Small parcel items shipped using Amazon partnered carriers that are damaged due to inadequate packaging
- Important: Always follow our prep, packaging, and shipment requirements when you ship to an Amazon fulfillment center to avoid damage in transit.
For more information, see the FBA Service Terms.
As seen below, for how Amazon handles returns, this can be set within Seller Central under Settings → Fulfillment by Amazon. Customer returns are categorized as “unsellable” and must be either returned to the Seller or destroyed by Amazon.
Can Amazon Warehouse Deals win the Buy Box?
Amazon Warehouse Deals can’t compete for the Amazon Buy Box; to find Amazon Warehouse Deals, buyers need to either navigate directly to the Amazon Warehouse Deals section of the site or click into the “Available from these sellers” link on a product listing.
For more important information for Amazon sellers, check out this step-by-step guide to How to Sell on Amazon.
Risks of buying via Amazon Warehouse Deals
Is Amazon Warehouse legit?
The Amazon Warehouse seller profile has a seller rating of 78% positive in the last 12 months. (You can see the Amazon Warehouse reviews here.) Many buyers seem content with their purchases, but because there are so many different factors involved — different ship times, conditions, and brands — it really depends on the individual product you buy.
What is Warehouse Deals, Inc.?
Don’t confuse Amazon Warehouse with Warehouse Deals, Inc., a third-party seller posing as Amazon Warehouse Deals with a deceptively similar name. Warehouse Deals, Inc. is a known scam; buyers report long ship times, receiving the wrong items, a complete lack of customer service, and receiving items in bad condition — just to name a few issues.
While Warehouse Deals, Inc. no longer has a seller profile, a new Pro Warehouse Deals Inc. account recently launched, which seems like a similar scam. When buying from a third-party seller on Amazon, always make sure to check the seller profile and reviews.
You Might Be Interested In
