It's no secret that Good Housekeeping readers love to shop and save on Amazon, so naturally, we couldn't wait to share with you our newest Amazon discovery that's all about saving money: Amazon Warehouse.
What exactly is Amazon Warehouse?
Amazon Warehouse is a section of Amazon that offers discounts on some of the (seriously) most sought-after items and brands out there, including Apple products, Instant and Ninja small appliances, Amazon devices (Fire TVs, Echo, Kindle), and viral products. These products are on sale because their condition is "like-new, open-box or pre-owned," according to Amazon Warehouse's FAQ page.
But sometimes, shoppers can get an even sweeter deal. "I’ve had major luck getting steep discounts on brand new products sold directly by Amazon," says Lexie Sachs, Textiles Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She randomly found the site one day when purchasing balloon sets (normally $30) for her kids and noticed a “new from $20.50” option with the Amazon Prime logo next to it. Sachs clicked through just to find out that the packaging was slightly damaged and decided to give it a shot. "When my order showed up, the box looked like it was in perfect condition," she says. After that, Sachs says she was hooked.
How do I get to Amazon Warehouse?
You can click the button above or right here. From the Amazon.com homepage, you can simply click the dropdown arrow to the left of the search box and scroll to "Amazon Warehouse." Then, you can look up and browse items, from any category, specifically from the Warehouse.
How does Amazon Warehouse work?
According to Amazon, all items are evaluated and graded using a 20-point quality process. The site uses the labels below to give shoppers a quick understanding of the product's condition, along with detailed comments unique to that item. Look out for these labels when shopping Amazon Warehouse:
- Renewed: This is Amazon's version of refurbished. All renewed products have been inspected and tested by Amazon to work and look as good as new. It should have minimal to no signs of wear and comes with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee which gives you 90 days to request a replacement or refund.
- Used – Like New: An item in perfect working condition. The packaging may have minor damage.
- Used – Very Good: The item has seen limited use and remains in great working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.
- Used – Good: The item shows wear, but remains in good working condition. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.
- Used – Acceptable: The item is fairly worn but continues to function properly. The packaging may be damaged or it may come repackaged.
If you're unhappy with your purchase, Amazon Warehouse offers free replacements within 30 days when there is a product with the same listing condition available in their inventory.
As for scoring a great deal, it's first-come, first-served. "It's not like there are multiple units in inventory," explains Sachs, "it’s something you should keep an eye out for, and you have to be quick because it’s usually a one-off item at a time." She suggests adding your selected item to Amazon's "Save for Later" so you keep tabs on markdowns.
And to give you an idea of what "damaged packaging" might look like, Sachs kindly provided us with pictures of a recent purchase she made on Amazon Warehouse, and if you ask us, it's barely noticeable!
Sachs has since made more purchases on Amazon Warehouse and claims most of the time, there is usually zero noticeable damage. "I honestly would’ve still given some items as a gift," she says. "Today I got a new tie-dye kit, and the edges did look a bit dented. However, the contents were perfect."
Is Amazon Warehouse legit and safe to shop from?
To be extra safe, make sure to only make your purchase when your item is labeled "Fulfilled by Amazon." You can see this on the far right of the page, under the price. "Knowing it’s fulfilled by Amazon, I know it’s legitimate and I can easily resolve any issues if they come up," says Sachs. "I don’t think I’d feel safe if it was a third-party seller that I had to deal with separately if there was an issue."