[RegBarclay]

My son worked the returns line at an Amazon facility. I can 100% guarantee that stuff gets restocked and resold - including stuff that shouldn't be resold. My son can look at the packaging on newly delivered purchases from Amazon and tell you before you open it that it's been returned and resold.

[mountainb]

Yes, there are split incentive issues here. The worker is incented by FBA's systems to repackage it for return unless the item completely destroyed. The seller is mad because they will get an angry alert from another automated tentacle of Amazon accusing them of selling inauthentic or damaged merchandise once the damaged return is discovered by another customer. The unit is considered by Amazon to have been in the seller's custody the entire time even if the unit has been maltreated by the first customer and by the warehouse worker who repacked it.

[gruez]

>My son can look at the packaging on newly delivered purchases from Amazon and tell you before you open it that it's been returned and resold.

what are the things to look for?

[RegBarclay]

I believe there's a certain sticker, but I don't recall the specifics.

[ClumsyPilot]

"The unit is considered by Amazon to have been in the seller's custody the entire time "

While it was actually i. amazon's custody.

I understand we have freedom of contract, but contract that directly contradict physical reality should be considered invalid or fraudulent.

[mountainb]

Indeed there are many funny things in the Business Services Agreement that may be illegal and unconscionable, and such arguments can only be brought forth in binding arbitration.

[sokoloff]

I intentionally buy returned items from Amazon Warehouse for many cases. They’re cheaper and for a lot of items, it doesn’t matter in the least.