It appears that Amazon has been having troubles recently with sending out the wrong items to consumers ordering products on the website. Specifically, sending used (versions of) products in place of items ordered as new.
This is something that we ourselves have noticed twice in the last few weeks. Therefore, we can back some of the claims going around recently surrounding mishaps created by Amazon’s fulfillment centers. The issue seems to be completely random and only affects orders shipped and sold by Amazon. So it isn’t the sellers trying to pull a fast one on you.
What happens is that the consumer orders a product, like normal from Amazon. The product is listed as “new” (not used, or coming from the Amazon Warehouse Deals section). However, the product that comes in might be enclosed in the Amazon Warehouse Deals bag with a sticker showing that the item has been gently used but verified by Amazon as just fine. In other cases, it may be enclosed in a plastic bag by UPS from a previous return still (with the return label/address information of the previous buyer clearly exposed).
The item would come shipped in a normal Amazon-themed padded envelope, so the consumer won’t know what they have until they open it to reveal the product inside (and whatever bag it is tucked away into).
Personally, of the two experiences we ourselves have had in the last two weeks, we noticed one of each situation. One from Amazon Warehouse Deals, and one from a customer return with the previous label and everything. In both situations, the products were ordered as new (this includes going back to verify the order information on the site to make sure we weren’t losing our minds).
Amazon has not commented on if this is a system issue affecting multiple fulfillment centers or if it is simply an uptick in unfortunate user-error here or there. However, it is suspect when we alone experience it more than once in such a short window of time.
Update: Amazon has reached out for comment and is currently looking into some of the events to determine the cause behind these experiences.
Thankfully, if you have experienced this, there is no reason for concern. Amazon is really good about its return process. In fact, it is one of the company’s strongest selling points that has allowed it to reign so quickly over others. So if you have run into this, simply start a return via Amazon’s website within your orders section and explain that they sent the wrong item. Describe it in detail in the box they provide and choose to have it swapped out with the same exact item.
The chances of receiving another used item are quite unlikely. However, if you do or have experienced this a number of times recently, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to Amazon via their contact section. Let them know by chat or phone about what is going on so that they can investigate it.
25 Comments
It’s 2023 and they’re still doing it. It’s happened to me more then 5 times. Opened packages and possibly used items.
This happened to me yesterday. I ordered a pair of $70 in-ear monitor earphones, and was sent a set that had clearly been previously used (yes, it was kind of gross). This was a Prime purchase, and the listing was tagged as “Small Business.” I wonder if some of Amazon’s partners are selling used items as new. Am reconsidering my Prime membership.
This has happened to me 4-5 times over the last few months. There is no indication that it was shipped and returned; however, the package has been opened (sometimes deceivingly glued back together which is harder to detect, and the item may even have fingerprints or other signs of use on it. On one recent square hole punch, I decided it worked well enough, so I disinfected it and kept it. The time right before that, I was shipped open Ranger ink, the pad held together with a rubber band! I sent that one back. I believe it is the sellers that Amazon partners with. I will leave a bad review, explaining what happened, in the hopes Amazon will chastise that seller. A couple of times, Amazon refused to publish the bad review. Their response to my protest: This is a review of the Seller, not the product. Crazy..
It happens a lot. So often I can’t even tell you. I have ordered sheet sets-brand new, I never even look at their marketplace or warehouse. I have received a clear bag, with no description of size of sheet set or anything, and used. That is unexcusable and I believe Amazon is trying to clear their warehouse of returned items to make even a bigger profit. I could care less about the return policy-it’s the act itself. I can tell you I have received 2 sets of bed related products obviously used(stained, crumbs etc.,) one of which I did not prepare to set up until past the return date when I went to wash before putting on bed and saw it was used. I was so peeved, I couldn’t return and just tossed it . I am sick of amazon. Pencils sent in clear bags, no description sent in their padded prime bags. Who do they think they are fooling???
Happened to me last year. Paid over 750 for a new paint sprayer. The one that was delivered had paint in the tube and all the attachments were attached with baggies and taped to the unit. Box obviously opened prior. And today I had a lost package that they charged me for on the 28th through Prime Chase Card. I have been trying to get shipping information. Called 3 times to find out status of shipment. They finally contacted shipper and it is lost. In their mail they stated blatantly that they would not issue credit for the purchase until package was found. I made the customer service rep from South Africa re right until It stated that I would receive credit for unreceived product. Read the fine print people. The seller is responsible for the lose when package isn’t received. They tried to put that on the consumer (me) today.
It happened to me for this first time today.
I ordered a brand new outdoor security camera.
The box was shipped in one of those plastic bags.
The box already had a shipping label on it.
The label had the address for the previous buyer’s address in North Carolina.
The box had been opened.
The bag of anchors and screws was opened.
Truly pathetic.
I bought a sony alpha 7r iv for $3000 on a deal ($3500 was regular price) , they sent me a used sony a7s. They accepted return but don’t price match or exchange for a new one. Now I should pay $500 more to buy the same thing. Screw you amazon
It happened to me I reported before I returned with a bunch of pictures and they verified images now after 20 days still no refund I talked over the phone and sent emails so between two department nobody is helping.
Cs-reply@amazon.com and buyer-return@amazon.com they both just copy and paste responses and just pass me to team or Cis.
I disputed the transaction from my credit bank so I will update this post.
Don’t trust Amazon go to local stores if you want to buy an expensive item like me I ordered $1000 espresso machine they sent me an old 2 generation older used dirty machine.
I recently bought a bunch of blouses and some of them were the same style but different colors and I got someone else’s returned top and a man’s turtleneck shirt, both were clearly worn and completely different than what I bought but in the “right packaging!” I am noticing that this is becoming more of an issue with some of the stuff I purchase through Amazon… Seriously, what is going on that I am buying a brand new top only to get something else and that completely used/worn!!!! Eeewww!!! Especially during this whole pandemic time! Yuck!!
This happened to me yesterday 3/21 with a pair of Apple Headphones. I don’t care how big you are, it’s wrong. I’m happy to join a class action for this particular issue.
We just got into it with customer service over headphones too. First they said it was “used-mint” when I ordered new, and when I sent pics of obviously dirty used headphones, they told me I should have double checked the cart. “NEW” means new, not used
Why do you people keep buying from this horrible company, and further enriching Space Vampire Jeff Bezos? Just stop being so lazy and find other sources.
Stop buying from this horrible union busting scam company.
amazonsucks …lol -along with a few other characters and numbers is my password, I never forget it no matter how long it has been since I ordered… I do this with other companies too-don’t need to write down just the “company name and sucks” with other letter and number combinations. It’s getting easier and easier as I change passwords when I get peeved. Some of the services are for household utility things that I can’t change because of where I live or like comed…lol-lots of things suck since covid hit and everybody including big companies-AMAZON- try to cheat customers but I am so on it, so if there is ever a class action suit I have my proof in documents, camera and screenshots. PLUS COPIES,PICTURES OF EVERYTHING RETURNED AS USED….UPS is a big one-if I know the company uses ups I don’t order from them.
Just got my TV today after waiting 2 weeks. It’s used. The screen is cracked and someone colored all over the inside with crayon. I would like a replacement since it was on sale but Amazon refuses to do that, just a canned “refund only” response every time I try to contact them.
I will never order from them again.
Yup… Just happened to me. Bought a Hubistat Home Automation device…. Seal was cut in, clearly opened before…. Then when I hooked up the device, it had the users name and device IP address in the settings. I paid for NEW one not USED. Luckily, the return process is easy and they mailed out me a new one next day. Had to ship the used one that they paid for.
“…there is no reason for concern. Amazon is really good about its return process.”
Which is exactly why we have this problem. Amazon will gladly take all returns because they just put it back on the shelf for resale and pass it to the next person.
Today I received an open food product with a note on the box (in big red letters) that says “BAD QUALITY”. There’s no way they didn’t see that note but the minimum wage package jockeys simply don’t care.
Which is where the real problem lies. When you hire people for as cheap as possible and make them work crazy hours and make them resent you, you’re going to have problems like this.
I just ordered a new computer part and it is used! It was not even packed properly. Although it has the original plastic packaging, the item was not inside it. The seal was ripped apart so during the shipping process, the plastic opened and the item came out. It has another code over the original with an LPN. I’m returning it and also cancelled the same item I ordered but awaiting shipping.
I know I have another item that has an LPN but can’t remember which one. I kept it because it looked like new. Did not know at that time that LPN is returned used item!
I ordered a nearly $400 car seat from Amazon. My package arrived today and I’m furious! From the looks and location of a stain, a child must have had a diaper explosion or was potty training and couldn’t hold their #2. There are scratches all over it. And it’s clearly been threw the wash a time or two as the tags are shredding and the seat has pills all over.
I called customer service and this is what I was told… An Amazon specialist will be sending you an email within 24-48 hours. Once, you receive that email, you need to reply back with a description and pictures. Then, we will
start the return process and you need to send the product back. Not until after we receive the used car seat back will we send you a new one. IS THIS A JOKE AMAZON!!
Oh, did I mention it is ILLEGAL TO SELL USED CARSEATS!! For good reason too…
What if that car seat had been in a crash? What if it’s internally damaged? How do I know if all the straps and mounting parts are there? How would I know if the car seat is now defeated and will kill a child if there is a crash in the future?
I guess I’m lucky I can so clearly see that the car seat was used for those reasons. But I’m still extremely upset!
Yep! Me too
Several times I have received used merchandise from Amazon. This month it was a mixer with scratches and dried food on it and an Aerogarden that wasn’t even re-packaged properly and pieces were missing. So disappointing.
I’ve heard about this from a friend. He kept it tho as there was nothing wrong with whatever he got.
This happened to me last month
+1 here
I just ordered a $2000 denon receiver and they sent me a used one. Time for an honest seller to put Amazon out of business