What does Open Box mean & Should You Buy It on Amazon, eBay?

Have you ever encountered a situation when, having received the goods, you open the box and understand that you don’t need it? Probably, yes. Spontaneous purchases, especially during large sales, often cause impulsive purchases. Major marketplaces like Amazon and eBay have come up with a great way to help customers in this case. They provide 30-90 days to return the item and get a full refund.

What does open box mean?

“Open box” just means somebody opened the package, maybe to test it in a store or because it was sent back, but the actual item still works like new. These products get checked over and then put back on the shelf for less money. Sometimes the box is kinda crinkled or a manual is missing, and a few extra pieces, like cords or the full warranty, might not be there. Before you buy, look over what the seller wrote about the item and how easy it is to return.

What does open box mean on eBay?

When you spot “open box” on eBay, think of it as almost new. The item works perfectly, hasn’t been used, but maybe the box has been opened or is missing. You should still get all the original extras that came with it. Before you click buy, check the listing’s condition notes to see exactly what you’ll get. In some categories, you’ll also see a badge that says “Certified Open Box,” making sure the item came from a trusted seller who knows how to check it over.

Is It Safe to Buy Open-Box Products? Here’s What to Double-Check First

Snagging open-box deals can be a savvy way to save cash, and they can be safe if you keep a sharp eye out for a few signs:

• Check the return deadline. Amazon’s Renewed deals usually come with a solid 90-day guarantee for swaps or refunds, so you can test out the item and return it for a refund if it doesn’t measure up. That 90-day window is your safety net.
• Find out about the warranty. Shoot the seller or the brand a quick message and ask if the original warranty is still running. If the original warranty expired, see if the store offers a backup warranty—some, like Best Buy, will give you a 90-day grace period or bump it up to a full year for “Open-Box Excellent” ratings.
• Inspect the box when it shows up. Make sure the serial number on the box matches what’s on your receipt, power it on to see if it boots correctly, and do a quick inventory check: all cables, manuals, and extras listed on the item page should be included.
• Look for warning signs. Be cautious if the price is slashed to rock-bottom with blurry images, if the listing says “no returns,” or if any manufacturer labels are scuffed or missing. If a seller dodges your warranty questions, walk away and find a different listing.

Keep this short guide handy so you can score open-box savings without any nasty surprises later.

Before we dive in, let’s understand What does Used Like New mean from Amazon?

Used – Like New : An item in perfect working condition. Original protective wrapping may be missing. The original packaging may have minor damage, or the item may come repackaged. Package damage is clearly defined for each item.

Used –Very Good : The item has seen limited use and remains in good working condition.

On Amazon is “Used like new” worth Selling as dropshipping?

The products pass Amazon’s quality check and only then they are available to customers. You really get value for money, items and scale your profit.

On the one hand, it is customer-oriented, and customers are always satisfied. But marketplaces are the losers in this case. The markets began to sell used goods, not to be at a loss. So different categories of goods appeared, depending on their condition. Naturally, the cost of returned goods is several times lower than new ones. The most demanded category is an Open box. As the name implies, this is a product with open packaging.

At the same time, the product is brand new. It is in perfect condition. But since this is an open box, the product is already used and, accordingly, its price falls. Many eBay buyers are using this option successfully and making super bargains.

More than 80% of Open box products are opened by the first owners solely for the sake of curiosity. Often people open the package already knowing that they will return the goods.

The most popular goods in the Open box category are electronics and household appliances. The second place in popularity is children’s goods.

TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and game consoles and accessories are returning to Amazon. After returning to Amazon, the product receives an automatic 30-40% discount.

Some buyers return items if they don’t like the color or shape. As a result, the most prominent experts in the trade advise buying Open box products after Black Friday or Christmas (New Year’s Day). This period is the only one when customers can buy goods below the purchase price. Even the supermarket won’t make a dime on the special offer.

An Open box is a great way to boost your eBay dropshipping sales.

Discounts work like this: let’s say that the laptop initially cost $1,000. As part of the promotion, it lost $300 in price and was sold for $700. But to sell the returned copy, the store needs to reduce the cost of the goods relative to the selling price – this is how a fabulous computer loses another 40-50% in price. In total, its cost will be only $350 – less than half of the initial price.

Amazon, as well as eBay, has its Open box category. Most often, it is called “Like new.” In addition to this, there are other categories on Amazon. Let’s consider them in more detail.

The division of not new or damaged Amazon goods into categories from best to worst:

New (New) – means that the item is brand new. These products usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This information is indicated in the product card. At the same time, the packaging of the goods is intact and not opened. Amazon offers the Frustration-Free Packaging option, a more compact package from Amazon itself.

Renewed (Updated) – goods returned to Amazon after use or were initially defective. Amazon has repaired and tested the operability of the goods. So they look “Like new”. However, minor chips or damage may occur. Accessories may not be original. Amazon provides a 90-day return policy for Renewed items for such an item. For some products, Amazon provides a Renewed Guarantee. Used and Open box items are often placed in the Renewed category.

Used – Like New or Open Box – Item in excellent working condition. Like new usually means very little damage to the packaging or an unjustified return. However, the original packaging may be missing. Screen protectors and cords are also often missing. An instruction manual may be included, but not always. Sometimes Amazon offers to use electronic instructions.

Used – Very Good (Used in excellent condition) – a product that is close to Like new, but the product’s condition will be slightly worse. Some accessories may be missing. Non-critical damage to the packaging scratches on the surfaces of goods or snags on textiles is possible, which affects the performance of the goods. The packaging is either damaged or replaced with Amazon packaging. All information about damage or missing accessories is indicated in the listing details.

Used – Good (Used in good condition). Cosmetic flaws are already much more noticeable. Probably something is pressed in, or a decorative part is broken. This item has been in constant use and shows signs of wear. The packaging is also damaged or replaced. The difference from Very Good is in the general condition of the goods. It is more worn and damaged. Some parts and accessories or manuals may be missing.

Used – Acceptable – The item is in working condition but visibly worn. There are scratches, chips, spots. There are clear signs of previous long-term use. In general, Acceptable is a category in which goods are usable but with significant defects. For example, a thermal mug with a hole or a tablet with inconspicuous wear is possible – there is no chance to predict.

The store assures that it does not sell unusable products and carefully checks them. A sticker or tape guarantees this with the word “Amazon inspected” directly on the product’s packaging. But still, advise you not to play the lottery and choose things from the Very Good and Like New categories to add to your eBay dropshipping store.

Especially for Easync users, we have added a section to select these categories when adding listings.

We will pay special attention to the category Refurbished (renewed)

It included previously used items (turned on and didn’t work; opened, turned on, changed their minds; broke on someday) and returned to Amazon. They fall into the “Amazon Renewed” section. After the product has fallen into the hands of its employees, it is qualitatively repaired, cleaned, eliminated defects, and put up for sale. The Renewed logo in the listing description speaks for itself. These are refurbished items. The name of the refurbished products will have the inscription – Certified Refurbished. Note that the Refurbished products can be returned to Amazon in the same way as a new one.

How do you know if an Amazon Open box listing is proper for you to add to your eBay dropshipping store?

To do this, study the information in the “Condition” column on the listing page. Then, for more information, click on the “Details” link, which is located next to the status column. Often these blocks are filled with different details so that the information may differ.

The difference between Refurbished (Renewed) and Used products is that Amazon employees take some responsibility for the renewed goods. They were repaired or upgraded and again hit the market with a good discount. Yes, their quality will be lower than new products, but the cost is much lower. Used goods are those goods that came to Amazon from buyers. Amazon does not manipulate such products but only evaluates their quality and assigns the appropriate subcategory.

eBay as well as Amazon vouchers for Refurbished items. The essence is the same, only the name differs. However, it is worth paying attention to the one engaged in the repair – the manufacturer or the seller. Often sellers indicate manufacturer refurbished (refurbished by the manufacturer), while the goods are repaired by the seller (seller refurbished).

Refurbished items are cheaper than new and unused items. Therefore, they are much more willing to buy, albeit with a bit of caution. Nevertheless, we are still inclined to believe that you should pay attention to the categories of goods described above when doing dropshipping from Amazon to eBay.

People love discounts, promotions, savings, and bargains. If your reputation as a seller on eBay is high enough, then buyers are more likely to buy non-new products from you. You, as a dropshipper, in turn, need to look for a supplier of goods on Amazon very carefully. Below we will discuss what signs you should be guided by when choosing products on Amazon.

What to choose: Open box or Refurbished items?

Many Amazon sellers claim that the Renewed and the Open box are identical products, and there is no difference between them. But it is not so because these items are not interchangeable. Renewed goods are usually broken or defective goods. Yes, they were put in order and repaired, checked. But not the fact that they will work properly. And Open box goods have never been broken. In most cases, nobody has ever used these items. That is, their quality is beyond question.
Buyers can get lucky with any goods. But as statistics show, Open boxes are more popular.

Before adding Amazon Open box products to your eBay store, pay attention to the following points.

• A return policy. You need to be sure that your customers will return the goods if they wish. Amazon usually has no problem with returns. However, some items are non-returnable. It is also essential that the return is free. Sometimes Amazon only provides paid labels for returns. Take care of this in advance so as not to lose money.
• A product warranty. Often Amazon gives a guarantee for Renewed or Used products. But there is also the reverse situation. Pay attention only to listings with a guarantee.

It would be ideal for clarifying the reason for the return. Ask your Amazon supplier for this information. It will tell you a lot about the condition of the item.

Study the product photos on the listing page as carefully as possible, especially for Used listings. So you will understand how much the product has worn out and whether there are significant external defects. If the photos on the site are not enough for you, contact the supplier and ask him to send you more high-quality product photos. It will help you and your potential buyers. And therefore, it will have a beneficial effect on your reputation as a seller.

Make sure that the product has all the necessary components and accessories, as well as an instruction manual. If an electronic version can often replace the instructions, you will have to supply the buyer with cables and similar parts at your expense. And this can reduce your profits.

Easync team has one more tip for you: focus on the item’s value. Don’t go for too significant discounts. It may raise the suspicion that the product is badly damaged. Often the discount is not worth the risk and lost money.

Of course, the buyer can return the goods, but this will most likely negatively affect your reputation as an eBay seller.

If at least one of the points listed above makes you uncertain, it is better not to take risks and not add the listing to your store. The lack of a return option may be a warning to you since the Amazon supplier may not be sure of the quality of the goods initially and therefore charged too low a value for him, compensating for the impossibility of a return.

If the same product is in Open-box and Used, choose Open box. It, though small, is a guarantee that the product has not been used.

The biggest reason to consider the open box option is cost. However, be sure to check out this discount before purchasing. There is always some risk of receiving a damaged item, so if the discount is not great (or there is no return policy), you might want to reconsider. On the other hand, since the products can be brand new, they can be a great buy – and as long as the return policy is in place, there’s not a lot of risks when buying in an Open box.

Open box products can bring your customers a discount of up to 20% and a good profit. As we said earlier, the most popular products in this category are electronics and home appliances. Their cost is rather considerable, which means that the percentage of your margin will be significant.

Amazon Open Box vs. Renewed vs. Brand-New (Quick Table)

Program / Condition	What you’re buying	Guarantee / Warranty	Return window	Packaging & accessories	Best for
Amazon Resale (open-box & used)	Customer returns, pre-owned, or display units graded Used — Like New (Open Box), Very Good, Good, Acceptable. Amazon performs a basic quality check.	Manufacturer warranty: generally not included.	30 days (via Amazon).	May be repackaged; accessories may be missing — check the condition notes.	Lowest price if you can verify parts/accessories.
Amazon Renewed (refurbished)	Professionally inspected & tested by qualified suppliers to work and look like new.	Amazon Renewed Guarantee: 90 days; 1 year for Renewed Premium (and many Automotive).	Covered by the Renewed Guarantee window above.	Accessories equivalent to new (may be non-original); boxed in original or clean Amazon packaging.	Savings + extra protection versus Resale.
Brand-New	Factory-sealed, unused item.	Manufacturer warranty (varies by brand; Amazon Devices: 1-year limited warranty).	Most items: 30 days after delivery (category exceptions apply).	All original accessories and materials included.	Full warranty support and hassle-free gifting.

Open-Box Finds at Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and More

• Amazon—“Used—Like New” and “Amazon Renewed”

  Check the “Buying Options” section of a product or visit the “Amazon Warehouse” link. If you see “Used—Like New,” you’re looking at a return that barely got touched. “Amazon Renewed” items were checked out by experts and come with a 90-day warranty. Prices can be 15-40% lower than brand-new.

• Best Buy—“Open-Box Excellent/Satisfactory/Fair”

  Head to a product page and find “Buying Options” or filter for “Open-Box” under the category you want. Best Buy has three grades—Excellent, Satisfactory, and Fair—and gives up to a one-year warranty on Excellent gear. Discounts start at 10% off for Excellent and go up to 50% for Fair.

• Newegg—“Open Box” and “Refurbished”

  Use the “Condition” filter in any electronics or component section. Open-box gear usually comes from customer returns and has all the original parts. Refurbished items were repaired by the maker or a certified partner. You can save 10-30%, but be aware that return policies can change by seller, so always check the listing.

• eBay – “Open Box” Filter

Pick “Open Box” under the “Condition” menu on the left. Since any seller can post items here, check pictures and seller ratings closely. Lots of sellers offer 30-day returns, but warranty terms can vary widely.

• Walmart – “Open Box” through Walmart Restored

Choose “Restored” when browsing electronics. Items are inspected, cleaned, and come with all the main accessories. They offer a solid 90-day return window, which matches up nicely with the pricing on Amazon’s Renewed section.

• B&H Photo – “Open Box / Demo”

On the product page, look for a blue sticker that says “Open Box.” These are mostly demo items from the store and they include a full manufacturer warranty. You’ll usually save 10-20% on camera, audio, and video gear.

Best-Deal Snapshot:

• Biggest savings: Best Buy’s lower-grade open-box items and select eBay finds.
• Easiest returns: Amazon Renewed items and Walmart Restored, both with 90 days.
• Longest warranty: Best Buy “Open Box Excellent” packs up to a full year, plus some B&H demo gear.

How much you’ll save & when to shop

Open-box gear isn’t always priced the same, but you’ll see real discounts more often than not—sometimes just a slight drop, other times a big cut when extra stock piles up. Your best bet is to shop just after the big sale seasons – right after holidays, at the end of back-to-school, or during Prime-like events – when stores are processing a fresh batch of opened but still-perfect items. Look for the steepest cuts on hot electronics and on stuff that’s about to change seasons, then always check the price of a brand-new version to see how much you’re really saving.

Returns, guarantees, and small print (don’t let costs sneak up)

Open-box stuff usually has a shorter safety net than a brand-new version. On Amazon’s Resale or Warehouse pages, you’re usually looking at a 30-day return period, and the maker’s warranty often doesn’t kick in. Amazon Renewed items come with a separate 90-day promise (sometimes longer for certain categories). Always check the condition notes for missing cables, extra dents, or cosmetic issues, those tiny gaps in the box can turn into big costs if you need to buy a lost part or pay for extra help.

Open box ≠ used (and why it happens)

“Open box” just means the seal got broken, maybe the buyer didn’t like the size or color, the box got dinged in transit, or it was a store display model. The actual product itself is usually in great shape, probably used for a minute or two at most. You might spot a tiny scratch on the outside, the box might be scuffed, and sometimes a manual or small accessory is missing, but the gadget itself works just fine. That’s why condition notes are key; they’re your guide to whether it’s basically new or just pretty good.

Checklist before you list Amazon open-box items on eBay

Before you list, double-check what’s in the box – cables, manuals, any little adapters and make sure it all fires up like it should. Snap clear pics of any minor dents or scratches so buyers know what they’re getting. Match the Amazon condition to eBay’s lingo, and figure out how much a new part costs if something is missing. Peek at the Amazon return window and set your eBay returns to a level you’re comfy with. Keep a digital file with photos of the box, the serial numbers, and the shipping labels so you can settle any swap or serial number disputes that show up later.

How to Spot Amazon Open-Box Steals (One Step at a Time)

1. Go to Amazon’s Warehouse Deals section and pick a category, like Electronics or Home. Then set the filter to “Used—Like New/Open Box.”
2. Next, sort the results by “Discount” or “Price” to see the biggest savings at the top.
3. Click on each item to check the product page. Read the condition description closely, look for tiny scratches, missing manuals, or any parts that aren’t included.
4. Look up the price of the same item in “New” condition to double-check that the open-box deal is actually a deal.
5. Choose items that come with all parts and a clear returns policy. These sell the quickest and mean fewer headaches with returns or missing cords.

FAQ about Open Box 

1. What does “open box” mean on Amazon?

On Amazon, open-box items typically appear under Amazon Resale as Used, Like New (Open Box). The product is fully functional, may have been opened or briefly handled, and can show minor packaging wear. Accessories or manuals may be missing, so always read the condition notes.

2. Do Amazon open-box (Resale) items include a manufacturer warranty?

Usually no. Used/open-box items sold via Amazon Resale generally do not include a manufacturer warranty, but they are backed by Amazon’s 30-day return policy.

3. What is the return window for Amazon open-box items?

Amazon Resale items are typically returnable within 30 days of delivery. Check the individual listing for any category-specific exceptions.

4. How is Amazon Renewed different from Amazon Resale?

Amazon Renewed products are professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new and include the Amazon Renewed Guarantee – normally 90 days, and up to 1 year for Renewed Premium and many Automotive items. Amazon Resale items are used/open-box with a 30-day return policy and typically no manufacturer warranty.

5. Do Amazon Renewed products come with accessories?

Yes. Renewed items ship with accessories equivalent to those that came with the product when new. They may not be original, but they’re compatible and fully functional.

6. How can I find Amazon open-box deals?

Browse the Amazon Resale storefront and use filters by condition (e.g., Used—Like New/Open Box). Read the condition notes for what’s included and confirm the return window before buying.

7. Can I return a brand-new item bought on Amazon?

For most categories, brand-new items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Some categories have different windows; check the Returns Policy.