Looking to score a great deal on an open-box or gently used item? Amazon Warehouse is the retail giant‘s online store for discounted products that have been returned, used, or refurbished. You can often find some amazing bargains, with items sometimes listed at half the price (or less) of buying brand new.
But before you get too excited and start adding Warehouse deals to your cart, it‘s important to understand what you‘re getting in terms of warranty coverage. After all, you‘re buying an item that has already been opened or used to some degree. What happens if something goes wrong a few months down the road?
Here‘s what you need to know about warranties when shopping the virtual aisles of Amazon Warehouse:
Don‘t Expect a Manufacturer‘s Warranty
The most important thing to be aware of is that items purchased from Amazon Warehouse generally do not come with a manufacturer‘s warranty. This is the warranty provided by the company that originally made the product, and usually covers defects in materials or workmanship for a certain period of time after purchase (typically 1 year for electronics and appliances).
When you buy an item brand new from a store or the manufacturer, this warranty automatically comes with it. But for Warehouse purchases, the original warranty is usually already voided since the product has been opened, returned, or used.
So if you buy a laptop from Amazon Warehouse and the screen stops working 6 months later, you likely won‘t be able to make a claim under the standard 1-year manufacturer‘s warranty from Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. The same goes for that stand mixer, cordless drill, or robot vacuum – once the factory seal is broken, the original warranty no longer applies in most cases.
There are a few possible exceptions to this rule:
- If the Warehouse item is sold as "new" (not used or refurbished), the manufacturer‘s warranty may still be valid. Be sure to check the listing carefully.
- For certified refurbished items sold through Amazon Renewed, a limited warranty may be provided by the refurbisher (more on this later).
- Some manufacturers will make exceptions and honor their warranty even for open-box/returned goods. But this is not typical.
Amazon Warehouse Return Policy Has You Covered
While you shouldn‘t count on having a manufacturer‘s warranty for your Amazon Warehouse purchase, that doesn‘t mean you‘re completely on your own if something goes wrong. Amazon provides a generous return policy that adds a layer of protection for Warehouse items.
You have a full 30 days to return your Warehouse purchase for any reason, whether it arrived not working, got damaged in shipping, or you simply changed your mind. And unlike buying used goods from a private seller, you don‘t have to worry about filing a dispute or chasing someone down for a refund.
To start a Warehouse return, just visit the Returns Center in your Amazon account and follow the regular process for sending an item back. As long as the product is returned in the same condition as it arrived, you‘ll receive a full refund. You don‘t even have to pay for return shipping in most cases.
This return policy is a key reason why many people feel comfortable rolling the dice on a discounted Warehouse deal. Knowing you can easily get your money back if you‘re not satisfied provides valuable peace of mind. Consider it a 30-day "trial period" to make sure the item looks and works as expected.
Replacements for Defective Warehouse Items
Let‘s say you receive your Amazon Warehouse order and find that the product has a defect or isn‘t working properly right out of the box. While you can certainly opt to return it for a refund as described above, you may prefer to receive a replacement instead, especially if you got a particularly good deal.
Fortunately, Amazon makes the replacement process just as easy as returns. When you visit the Returns Center, just choose the option for "defective/damaged item" and indicate that you want a replacement rather than a refund. As long as the same item is still in stock in the Warehouse, Amazon will send out a replacement at no extra charge.
This replacement policy is a nice perk that isn‘t always available when buying used goods from other marketplaces or sellers. It provides an additional layer of protection in case you happen to get a lemon. Just remember that the replacement item will also be a Warehouse product, so it‘s possible (though unlikely) that the new one could have issues too.
One important note – be sure to inspect your Warehouse purchase thoroughly and test it out as soon as it arrives. You only have 30 days to request a return or replacement, so you don‘t want to discover a problem after the window has closed.
Understanding Warehouse Item Conditions
Not all Warehouse deals are created equal. Before making a purchase, it‘s crucial to check the specific condition and description for the item you‘re considering. Amazon uses a grading scale to give buyers a general sense of what to expect:
- Used – Like New or Open Box: Minimal wear, includes all original packaging and accessories, may have slight cosmetic imperfections.
- Used – Very Good: Light wear, may be repackaged, small cosmetic damage possible, includes key accessories.
- Used – Good: Moderate wear and blemishes, may arrive repackaged and be missing minor accessories. Still fully functional.
- Used – Acceptable: Very well-worn with obvious blemishes, likely repackaged, may have missing parts/accessories or require repair.
As you can see, the "Used – Acceptable" products carry the most risk. These are items that have usually seen heavy use and will almost certainly show signs of wear and tear. There‘s a higher chance of defects, missing pieces, or compatibility issues (i.e. wrong cables or chargers).
On the other hand, "Used -Like New" items are usually returns that were barely used, if at all. Most still have the original packaging and all accessories present, and may only have a damaged box or slight shelf wear. For all intents and purposes, these products are practically new and are the best candidates for Warehouse deals.
The bottom line – pay close attention to the item condition before buying, and weigh the potential risk/reward of the various gradings. Sticking to "Like New" and "Very Good" products can help minimize the odds of receiving a defective item not covered under warranty.
Warranties for Refurbished Products
In addition to open-box and used goods, Amazon Warehouse also sells refurbished items. These are products that were returned or used, then repaired and tested to ensure they‘re in full working order. They‘re usually sold at a slightly higher price than used Warehouse items.
A subset of these refurbs are sold through the Amazon Renewed program. These items are refurbished directly by Amazon or a third-party company approved by Amazon. They‘re held to a higher standard in terms of cosmetic appearance and functionality.
Here‘s the key difference – Amazon Renewed items come with their own 90-day limited warranty. If the product stops working or doesn‘t meet your expectations, you can return it at any point during this 90-day period for a full refund or replacement. This warranty acts as a guarantee of sorts for renewed items.
Regular Warehouse refurbs, on the other hand, are covered by the same 30-day return policy as used items. Some refurbishers may offer their own short warranty, but this isn‘t always the case. Be sure to thoroughly read the details of the listing.
The Bottom Line
To sum it all up, here are the key takeaways regarding warranties for Amazon Warehouse purchases:
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Most Warehouse items do not come with the original manufacturer‘s warranty, so you won‘t have that protection if something breaks down the road. There are a few exceptions.
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Amazon provides a 30-day return period for Warehouse products, during which you can send back the item for a full refund if you‘re unsatisfied for any reason. Test the item as soon as it arrives to catch any defects.
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Amazon also offers free replacements for defective Warehouse items within the 30-day window. But the replacement product will also be a Warehouse item.
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Pay close attention to the item‘s condition rating before purchasing. "Like New" and "Very Good" items tend to be the best deals with the lowest risk.
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Certified refurbished products sold through Amazon Renewed come with a separate 90-day warranty for added peace of mind. Regular Warehouse refurbs have the standard 30-day return policy.
Overall, buying from Amazon Warehouse can be a great way to save money on everything from electronics to home goods to outdoor gear. You just have to go in with the understanding that you‘re trading off the security of a full manufacturer‘s warranty in most cases.
But by carefully checking item conditions, taking advantage of Amazon‘s generous return policy, and making smart decisions, you can definitely score some incredible Warehouse deals with confidence. Happy bargain hunting!
