We all love finding a great deal—and these days, more and more consumers are discovering the joys (and savings) of buying used products online. Leading the charge is e-commerce giant Amazon, which has quietly become a go-to destination for thrifty shoppers looking for everything from used books to pre-owned electronics, open-box home goods, and much more.
As a self-proclaimed bargain hunter with years of experience navigating the virtual aisles of Amazon, I‘ve scored some incredible deals on high-quality used merchandise. And today, I‘m going to share my insider knowledge with you. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know to confidently shop for used goods on Amazon, get the best possible prices, and avoid potential pitfalls.
By the time you‘re finished reading, you‘ll be ready to find amazing deals on used items that are just as good as buying new. Let‘s dive in!
Why Buy Used on Amazon?
So what‘s the big appeal of buying used products from Amazon anyway? Here are a few of the biggest benefits:
1. You can save a ton of money
This is probably the #1 reason most people buy used. Depending on what you‘re shopping for, opting for a pre-owned product vs. a brand new one can easily save you 20%, 30%, 50% or sometimes even more compared to the retail price. This allows you to stretch your budget further and get more bang for your buck.
2. It‘s better for the environment
Buying used items gives perfectly good products a second life and keeps them out of landfills. It reduces waste and is a more sustainable, eco-friendly way to shop compared to always buying new. So when you buy used, you can feel good knowing you‘re doing a small part to help the planet.
3. You can find rare/discontinued items
Looking for an out-of-print book, a hard-to-find collectible, or replacement parts for an older gadget? Buying used on Amazon is often the way to go. The site is a treasure trove for rare, unique, and discontinued merchandise you might not be able to find anywhere else.
4. There‘s less pressure
Buying used takes some of the pressure off your purchase. You won‘t feel as bad if you don‘t end up using the item as much as you thought, or if it gets a little scuffed or dinged up, since you didn‘t pay full price.
Of course, buying used isn‘t for everyone or for every purchase. There‘s an element of unpredictability since you can‘t see the exact item you‘re getting. And some people just prefer the feeling of being the first owner.
But for many shoppers and many types of products, buying used on Amazon can be a smart way to save money without sacrificing much in terms of quality. As long as you know what to expect and how to find the best deals, you can score some real gems. Speaking of which…
What Types of Used Products Does Amazon Sell?
You might be wondering what kinds of used merchandise are even available on Amazon. The short answer is: Almost everything.
Seriously, the selection of used goods on Amazon is staggering. While certain categories like books, media (video games, DVDs, CDs, etc.), and electronics are the most popular for used items, you can find pre-owned versions of products in nearly every category of the entire site.
Here is a quick sampling of some of the used products commonly available on Amazon:
- Books (hardcover, paperback, textbooks, etc.)
- Movies and TV shows on DVD/Blu-Ray
- Music (CDs, vinyl records)
- Video games and gaming consoles
- Laptops, tablets, and desktop computers
- Cameras and photography gear
- Phones and accessories
- Audio equipment like speakers and headphones
- Power tools and hardware
- Musical instruments
- Sports and outdoors gear
- Baby/kid gear and toys
- Collectibles
- Home goods and kitchen appliances
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
The depth and variety of used inventory fluctuates, so you won‘t always find a used option for every single item. But chances are, if it‘s sold on Amazon, there‘s a decent chance you can find a pre-owned version being offered by a third-party seller or Amazon itself (more on that later).
Decoding Amazon‘s Used Condition Guidelines
When you‘re shopping for used products on Amazon, pay close attention to the listed condition, which indicates what kind of shape the item is in. After all, "used" can mean a lot of things, from "like new" to "well-worn."
To help take the guesswork out of it, Amazon has standard condition guidelines that sellers must adhere to. Here‘s a general breakdown:
Used – Like New or Open Box: An item in perfect working condition with no visible wear. Original protective wrapping may be missing, but the original packaging is intact. Instructions are included.
Used – Very Good: A well-cared-for item that has seen limited use and remains in great working condition. Item may show limited signs of wear. Packaging may be damaged.
Used – Good: The item shows wear from consistent use, but remains in good condition and functions properly. May be marked or have minor cosmetic damage.
Used – Acceptable: The item is fairly worn but continues to function properly. May have scratches, dents, or cosmetic issues. Missing accessories, instructions, or parts.
In general, I recommend going for items in "Very Good" condition or better if you want the item to look and feel new. "Good" and "Acceptable" items can be okay for certain products, but think twice about buying anything expensive in those conditions unless saving money is your top priority.
Buying Direct from Amazon Warehouse
One of my favorite ways to get great deals on Amazon is by shopping their Warehouse section. This is where Amazon sells its own inventory of open-box and pre-owned items at deep discounts.
Most of the products are returns, damaged box items, or used goods that were traded in by customers. Amazon inspects and grades each item, cleans and repackages it, then resells it at a significant markdown compared to a brand new version.
Perks of Amazon Warehouse:
- All items are handled directly by Amazon and stored in their warehouses
- Condition of items is generally very good
- Backed by Amazon‘s stellar customer service and return policies
- Prime shipping is often available
- Bigger savings compared to buying new
To find Amazon Warehouse deals, you can either search for a specific item and look for an option that says "Used – [Condition] from Amazon Warehouse," or you can visit the dedicated Amazon Warehouse section of the site and browse by category.
In my experience, Amazon Warehouse offers some of the best used bargains around, especially for bigger-ticket items. Just be aware that inventory fluctuates rapidly and you may need to stalk the listings and act fast to snag the best deals.
Tips for Finding the Best Used Deals on Amazon
Ready to start hunting for great used finds on Amazon? Here are some of my top tips:
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Use the filters. When searching for a used product, click on "Buy Used" to see all the used offers from various sellers and easily compare prices and conditions.
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Read seller ratings and reviews carefully, especially if the seller isn‘t Amazon. Look for sellers with high marks for items matching their description. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
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Factor in shipping costs. Many third-party sellers charge for shipping, which can eat into your savings. Whenever possible, opt for Amazon Prime listings for free, fast shipping.
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Look at the original price/discount. Just because an item is used doesn‘t mean it‘s a bargain! Compare the used price to the price of the same item new.
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Ask the seller questions if you‘re unsure about anything related to an item‘s condition, what‘s included, their return policy, etc. Most sellers are happy to clarify.
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Beware of items with no returns allowed. Try to stick with items that can be returned if you‘re not happy with them.
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Compare prices from multiple sellers. Prices and conditions can vary significantly, so it pays to shop around.
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Consider setting up deal alerts for specific items you‘re interested in using a price tracker tool like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa. That way you‘ll get notified when an item becomes available used at the price point you want.
Amazon‘s Return Policy for Used Items
One of the biggest hesitations people have with buying used products online is the worry that they‘ll get stuck with something they don‘t want. Fortunately, Amazon offers solid buyer protection for most used purchases.
In general, used items fulfilled by Amazon and most third-party sellers come with the same 30-day return policy as brand new Amazon purchases. That means if you‘re unhappy with your used purchase for any reason, you can return it for a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
Amazon Warehouse items are even backed by Amazon‘s standard return policy, which allows returns for any reason within 30 days. In some cases, Amazon Warehouse items are even eligible for free replacements or exchanges if you receive a defective item.
Of course, policies can vary if the item comes direct from a third-party seller that doesn‘t fulfill orders through Amazon. Always check the seller‘s specific return policy before buying.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Used
While buying used on Amazon can be a great way to save, there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
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Used items don‘t come with a manufacturer‘s warranty. If something breaks, you likely won‘t be able to get it repaired/replaced for free unless you buy from a seller that offers their own warranty.
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Cosmetic and minor functional defects are to be expected with used products, especially in lower listed conditions. Read item descriptions carefully so you know exactly what you‘re getting.
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It can be harder to find exactly what you want in a used item. You may need to compromise on factors like color, specifications, included accessories, etc.
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You can‘t always count on getting used tech items that are in perfect working condition. Stick to highly-rated sellers and don‘t be afraid to return items that don‘t work properly. Consider buying from Amazon Renewed for refurbished tech.
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Packaging is usually not original or attractive for used items. Don‘t expect any fancy unboxing experience.
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You won‘t be the first owner and the item may have picked up smells, stains, or signs of wear that bother you. Again, buy from reputable sellers and don‘t hesitate to return anything you‘re not happy with.
My Own Used Gems from Amazon
To give you a taste of the kind of amazing used deals you can score on Amazon, here are a few of my own personal best finds over the years:
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A Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 multi-cooker, still in the original box, for 40% off the retail price. Works perfectly and has been a total kitchen workhorse for slow cooking, pressure cooking, air frying, and more.
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A pair of lightly used Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones for more than $100 less than buying new. I saved a bundle and you‘d hardly know they were pre-owned.
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A like-new hardcover copy of an out-of-print photography book I wanted for about a quarter of what I would have paid for a new copy, if I had been able to find it elsewhere at all.
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A classic Weber charcoal grill that was missing the instruction manual but was otherwise in great shape, and cost half as much as buying new.
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Countless new release and classic video games for Xbox and Switch at 25-50% off in "Very Good" to "Like New" condition.
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Several popular, current model unlocked smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and Google in pristine used condition, sometimes with hundreds in savings.
The bottom line is that if you‘re willing to be a little flexible, do your homework, and act quickly when you spot a deal, buying used on Amazon can help you save big without giving up much compared to buying new.
Conclusion
Whether you‘re a frugal shopper, an environmentally conscious consumer, or simply someone who loves finding treasures, buying used products on Amazon is a smart strategy to keep in your deal-hunting tool belt.
As long as you understand what you‘re getting into, know how to separate the best offers from the junk, and take advantage of Amazon‘s generous buyer protections, you can feel confident buying all sorts of pre-owned items and save yourself a bundle in the process.
So go ahead and give a second life to some used products from Amazon. Your wallet (and maybe even the planet) will thank you.
