How to Score Amazon Returns For a Steal… Like $2,000 Off a 65″ TV!
Curious about what happens to Amazon open box and returns items?
Most would agree that Amazon has made it pretty easy to return and exchange items, which is convenient for us as consumers but has also fueled another interesting world of reselling. Some items end up on Amazon warehouse for a discounted price, but ultimately many end up on large liquidation websites that sell huge pallets of returned items like liquidation.com.
But – for the average consumer who doesn’t want to buy an entire pallet, yet simply score a great deal on stuff… what then?
Over the last year, we have discovered an exciting local retail internet auction in my city called Nellis Auction where you bid on all types of household items online and then pick it up at their location after the auction is over. They are located in the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas, and I have now seen a few other brands like them pop up that are also selling online returns.
Hip Tip: Search “online returns auction in [your city]” or “liquidation auctions near me” and ask around in your local Facebook buy/sell groups if anyone knows of the ones in your area. Also, check out your local auction and estate sale businesses too. You may have to do a little detective work, but I think you’ll be able to find a similar business in your area!
Let’s talk about this incredible Samsung Frame 65 inch TV. I first saw it on home design sites, because it looks like a painting or framed photo when it’s on “art mode”, but it is actually a nice TV that has a completely flat-mount.
This TV satisfies the home aesthetics design part of me and also my husband’s desire to have an excessively large 4K TV! You can even swap out the artwork for other options to fit your taste.
So we won the auction bid at $800 which was still quite a bit of savings over the current Amazon listing of $2,799.99. When we picked it up the person loading it said it was from a huge lot of returned TVs from Amazon. It came in the original box and we quickly came home to plug it in to make sure it worked and yep – it’s pretty awesome!
I feel like it looks so great in our living room! The art is fun to look at instead of a black screen, and of course, having a new smart TV is nice too!
Our TV hasn’t been our only great steal of a deal!
We have purchased quite a few things for our house including a new Traeger smoker for $150, and a new king-sized bed frame for just $100! Finding our local internet returns auction is pretty fantastic…and honestly, a little addicting. 😬
There can be a downside to shopping Amazon returns.
Sometimes things are damaged, so inspect carefully before leaving and ask about any return policies. Nellis Auction does a pretty good job of describing the condition on the listing, but small things could be missing.
For example, the TV changer for our Samsung Frame and the mounting hardware was missing, and the wheels were missing off the Traeger. These were all pretty simple things to track down with inexpensive replacements from the manufacturer. It required a couple of phone calls, but was ultimately worth it!
Do you have an internet returns auction or retailer by you that you love? Share with us in the comments!
Check out where I buy Nordstrom’s returns for a huge discount!
I bought a box a couple years ago from liquidation.com, and it was a total bust. Literally! A bunch of the items were broken beyond repair (which makes sense why they were returned). It was fun, but kind of a bummer when I thought I’d be getting a good deal.
oh darn! I was curious about that – thanks for sharing your experience!
Bid FTA (fast track auctions) operates in Ohio and several other states. Weāve been using them for a couple of years and love it. My rule is be prepared to loose your money. Sometimes the merchandise is bad. There are times, depending on how the item is advertised (new, like new, damaged…) where you can be reimbursed but if you leave the warehouse itās all on you. Weāve made out far more times than weāve lost. Iām looking for a place in SC or Georgia since weāve moved but Iām having trouble. Anybody know of one in the South?
Thanks for sharing Angela! I agree – kind of a gamble if you don’t carefully check condition š Hopefully someone can chime in from your area!
Where are they in Ohio? Is there a website?
Bidfta.com. Locations are on a drop down menu
Thanks!
Check out BBB So many bad reviews it’s crazy there still in business
I like Bargain Hunt in the south.
Oh thanks for sharing š
Thank you. Iāll check it out!
I love your dresser/buffet/console! Did you do that yourself? It is gorgeous!
Oh thanks! Yes, it was my grandparents dresser actually. I painted it using Annie Sloan chalk paint a few years ago š„°
Dayton OH Just put it in your internet search and you will find on Webster St and Edwin C Moses Blvd. Some say the Webster St location is easier to pick up items.
We use nellis. Its fun but open and assemble quickly to determine if its defective or damaged. 75% of what we bought “new no damage” is damaged. You cannot open onsite. If you live close its worth it and you have time to assemble and return. They are great with returns if it doesnt match description. Read very close all boxes of product are there and the picture is showing what is for auction.
Oh nice – thanks for sharing- great tips!
Anyone know of something used for the Northeast…near Upstate NY maybe?
There are a few places around NE FL that sell pallet loads of returns / salvage / overstock and the like. Then there are the stores that buy these pallets and sell at half off retail. There is at least one of these stores in every small town or just someone reselling on Facebook marketplace. Sometimes you can get a pretty good bargain.
Does anyone know any places like these in colorado springs
Any places near mo?
Thanks so much for the scoop! That tv looks amazing! Love how you are always sharing ways for us save and score!
Oh thanks so much Lori!
Noooo keep nellis auction a secret! š I have been shopping them for a couple years and used to tell everyone I met about it but now there are soooo many people bidding on things that most things go for close to retail price. š„
Obviously I say it in jest, of course amazing things dont stay a secret forever.
Ha sorry! I know it is a fun secrets
Wish I could post a photo of my āwarehouse couchā that just arrived yesterday!
From where? Please share
Wow, this sounds affordable but we arenāt handy so couldnāt deal with a damaged product. We really want a massage chair, but concerned something may be broken. They look so affordable…no description. Plus weāre in AZ!!
Ya itās sometimes a bit of a gamble.
Auction Nation gets some from Amazon and Walmart, I believe. They are in Arizona and a few other states.
Oh thanks for the tip!
I’m lucky there’s an auction like this in my town and they’re really good about testing the items and listing them accurately. There’s more buyers as they’ve gotten popular so prices have gone up! š
Thanks for sharing Stephanie!
I also bought multiple items from Nellis auction since I live in the Las Vegas area (itās actually in Henderson). It was all very cheap but every item was damaged terribly or missing parts so you couldnāt assemble anything. They will not return as it is final sale and you can never get in contact with anyone through email which at the time was how you were supposed to get in contact with anyone (I do not know if this has changed). I had bought three completely different items at once and all ended up in the garbage after spending over $75. Unfortunately a total waste
Oh darn! Thanks for sharing – sorry you had such a diff experience than us. š