Bob Niedt
With Amazon Prime Day coming up on July 8, some shoppers are already scouring the site for early Prime Day deals and impatiently waiting to score some savings. The good news is there are tons of ways to save money shopping with Amazon, so you don't have to wait for the major sales event to shop.
One of the best-kept secrets for year-round savings is Amazon Resale. It's basically a deal hunter's paradise for scoring secret savings on smartphones, appliances, laptops and tons of other big-ticket items. The catch? All of it is either used or open box (meaning the product is new, but it's been taken out of the box).
If you've ever bought something new on Amazon only to return it days later because it wasn't quite what you were looking for, that item likely ended up on Amazon Resale. It's the online retailer's one-stop shop for discounted used or open-box items. If you've never used Amazon Resale, here's how the process works and some tips for shopping the platform.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
How Amazon Resale works
Amazon Resale(formerly called Amazon Warehouse) is the home for many of the returns that the retailer processes. A lesser-known Amazon Prime perk to score a bargain — if you don't mind like-new, open-box or pre-owned items.
Unlike Amazon Outlet, with its plethora of overstock new items, Amazon Resale items have likely been in someone else’s mitts, grubby or not.
Here's how it works:
When you land on the Amazon Resale page, you'll find that you can shop by category: Computers and tablets, kitchen and housewares, unlocked cell phones, digital cameras, Amazon-brand devices (Echo, Ring, Roomba, etc.), TVs, kitchen appliances and more.
According to Amazon, all of the items are "quality used, pre-owned, or open-box products." But all of the usual perks of buying on Amazon apply. You get the same delivery promises (typically two days for Prime members), the same customer service and the same ability to return the item, which would make your return the return of the return.
Amazon inspects and grades every product's condition
All products on the Amazon Resale page go through a quality check prior to being listed.
According to the FAQs, the retailer thoroughly tests the functional and physical condition of each item and gives the product a specific grade before selling it. During this process, Amazon also inspects the products for missing accessories or packaging damage.
The quality check determines which of the following five grades is used to describe the overall condition:
- Used – Like New: The product fully functions and all of the parts and accessories are there. Packaging may be damaged.
- Used – Very Good: The item is in very good shape and likely has been only used to a limited degree. It may arrive in damaged packaging and may have slight cosmetic imperfections. Non-essential accessories might be missing, but, if so, they will be noted.
- Used – Good: The item is considered in good condition and it may show some wear from use. It fully functions. There may also be some cosmetic imperfections and accessories may be missing. Again, if anything is missing, it will be noted.
- Used – Acceptable: It still serves its main functions, but you'll likely see indications of use. There also could be significant dents, scratches and other signs of wear. Valuable accessories, like charging cables, may be missing so you might have to purchase spare parts to get this used item in full working order.
- Used - As Is: Similar to the grade above, this item still serves its main function, but will likely look even more worn or used than something graded as "acceptable." Important parts or accessories might be missing, and will be noted if so. If an item is given this grade, Amazon includes images of the exact condition so you can judge for yourself if it's worth buying.
Find deals across all categories
As you can guess, the further down the condition list you go, the bigger the bargains. Because, well, missing pieces, scratches, dents, etc.
With that said, even if you're only willing to shop for "like new" or "very good" items, you can still find some impressive savings on sought-after name brands like Apple, Samsung, Ninja, InstatPot and more.
To see what kind of savings are possible on Amazon Resale, here are a few great deals we found recently:
Amazon Warehouse Limited
For even bigger bargains – many that won't be around for long – visit Amazon Warehouse Limited(or just Warehouse Limited), which offers blowout discounts.
However, you won't find consistency in products because once they're gone, they're gone. It's also rare to find any tech or products from many of the categories found in Amazon Resale. But you can usually find pet supplies, home goods and cleaning items on deep discount.
Related Content
-
Quiz: Do You Know What Medicare Gives You for Free?This quiz tests your knowledge of the services that Medicare provides at no cost to you.
-
5 Multibagger Stocks With Amazing Returns in 2025multibagger stocks As the term suggests, multibagger stocks multiply your money – gains of 1,200%, for example. Here's where to look for that kind of performance this year.
-
T-Mobile's Free iPhone 17 Deal: A Smart Switch or a Hidden Catch?Receive a free iPhone 17 when you switch to T-Mobile. We'll explain whether the deal is worth it.
-
How an Expired Passport Thwarted Blackmail (and What Other Important Documents You Should Keep)An optometrist produced his expired passport to foil a blackmail attempt by the daughter of a former employee. After proving he was out of the country on the date of a forged diary entry, he took it a step further.
-
Confused About the New COVID Vaccine and Medicare? What You Need to KnowGetting the new COVID-19 vaccine covered by Medicare isn't as easy this year as it was in the past. Here's what you need to know before you take a trip to your pharmacy.
-
How Digital Platforms Are Changing the Way You Invest in GoldInvesting in gold is easier than ever thanks to digital platforms. Learn how online tools are lowering costs, increasing transparency and making gold accessible to all investors.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams NowBeyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on RetirementWhile some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
-
How to Plan Your First International Trip After RetirementRetirement paves the way for a world of exciting (and intimidating) experiences. An overseas journey can be an ideal way to embrace this new phase of life.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired Magazine Editor, 70, Boise, IdahoEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
