Buying from Amazon Warehouse

Godspeed · September 2012

Hi everyone, I searched the forums but I've only seen a few posts on this, so I thought I'd ask people about their experiences with buying Lego sets from Amazon warehouse deals. When you ordered, what was the listed condition? How was the condition upon arrival? Please share your experiences :)

CCC · September 2012

I've done it twice, and wouldn't bother again unless the price difference is significant with a new set. Both times sets were described as used - like new. On both occasions the boxes had been opened, and bags opened inside. On the first occasion, I started to check contents. It was clear that half the minifigs were missing and some other minifigs parts had replaced them. So that went back. The second occasion it was a reasonably large set (500+ pieces, no minifigs), and was again opened box, this time with the pieces just inside the box. I couldn't be bothered to check the pieces list and I was not going to get time to build it to check completeness straight away, so it went back.

Edit: this was amazon UK warehouse.

aimlesspursuits · September 2012

I ordered a #9492 TIE Fighter in July for $35 from Amazon US. The condition was listed as "Used-Good" with a description of "Packaging is damaged. Item may have minor cosmetic damage, but still functions as intended". I received a taped up box which had been previously ripped open but all the parts bags were accounted for and sealed.

herekittykitty · September 2012

I ordered a fire brigade this way in the spring, and it was described as like new. It was opened and there was a large ziplock bag inside with a lot of the pieces crammed in, and then several unopened bags as well, plus the instructions were missing. It wasn't a huge discount, maybe $15-20, so it wasn't worth it to me to sort through to see if it was all there, especially without the instructions.

I wouldn't bother again unless it was a large discount. Amazon did pay to ship it back, no issues there.

SirBen · September 2012

I ordered a #7553-1 City Advent Calendar that was listed as new with a damaged box, contents unharmed, for 67% off in January. That was exactly what I received. The box was a little torn, but since I was buying it for parts that didn't matter. The pieces, and even the divider tray were are in perfect shape.

gmpirate · September 2012

@godspeed Did you "read" through the forums or did you use the "search" function? I just typed in "Warehouse Deals" and came up with numerous posts.

Godspeed · September 2012

gmpirate said:
@godspeed Did you "read" through the forums or did you use the "search" function? I just typed in "Warehouse Deals" and came up with numerous posts.

Yes I used the search function and found a few posts, but I wanted to know other people's experiences.

Sounds pretty hit and miss to me, not sure if it's worth the risk.

CCC · September 2012

^ Amazon have decent customer service. It's no real (financial) loss having to send back, just a hassle.

gmpirate · September 2012

^^ What is the risk??

RainingBoroSi02 · September 2012

gmpirate said:
^^ What is the risk??

There could be missing pieces/instructions.

My experience though has been very good. I've ordered about 20 of them and some range from slight crunch to pretty big puncture. The worst I received was an IS with a big patched hole, and cut seals. The seals must have been cut by Amazon to check the inside contents because everything was there.

CCC · September 2012

It totally depends on whether you are getting warehouse damaged stock, unopened unwanted items, or opened and unwanted items.

If it is for yourself and you don't care about the box, so long as it is complete it's OK. However, if opened (the inner bags) amazon should really say this, since there is a chance pieces are missing. I doubt very much amazon count individual pieces, and check them against the list in the instructions.

gmpirate · September 2012

RainingBoroSi02 said:

gmpirate said:
^^ What is the risk??
There could be missing pieces/instructions.

Again, what is the risk if you can return the item?

Legoboy · September 2012

gmpirate said:

RainingBoroSi02 said:

gmpirate said:
^^ What is the risk??
There could be missing pieces/instructions.
Again, what is the risk if you can return the item?

Just the hassle of having to return or perhaps grudgingly having to return after discovering halfway through piecing together on your kid's birthday it was found to be incomplete. A risk worth avoiding.

@RainingBoroSi02 - Bottom line, if you can afford the time and/or the heartache of receiving an incomplete or roughed up set then go for it, otherwise keep well clear.

RainingBoroSi02 · October 2012

^I find it a good way to get deals because I don't care for the boxes. It's always a gamble, but haven't been let down yet.

andystar · October 2012

My experience with Amazon warehouse deals has been the following:

Amazon says "Packaging may have minor damage. Item is in excellent condition." - these sets usually arrive where the box might have a few dents or the tape seals lifted off the box, box is not crushed or punctured. Discounts are the smallest on these sets, usually around ~10 to 15%

Amazon says "Packaging is damaged. Item is in excellent condition." - these sets often arrive in states where the box has been compressed at some point along the thinnest dimension and/or a portion of the box is indented and been taped over. Contents usually are in sealed bags, but I do have one set I have yet to open where it sounds like either a bag has opened or the set has a lot of loose unbagged pieces (Jabba's Palace). Discounts usually ~15 to 20%

Amazon says "Packaging is damaged. Item may have minor cosmetic damage, but still functions as intended." - the one set I've bought here had major box issues, a very large portion of it had been punctured and massively re-taped to hold it together. Everything inside was in great condition, nothing marked up, go figure. Discounts around ~20 to 25%

Amazon says "Item may come repackaged" - never bought one of these

I like to get these sets when the normal set is on sale, resulting in some pretty steep discounts

LegoFanTexas · October 2012

I also ignore the "like-new, good, etc. condition", it seems to have nothing to do with the actual condition.

I just got one this week that was marked "like new", the box was taped up, torn on the bottom, opened, etc. I sent it back. :)

I will say, most of the time I'm happy with warehouse deals, this was the exception, not the rule. But you have to open them right away and check, since you only have 30 days to return (really 60 if you ask).

murphquake · October 2012

@LegoFanTexas, you gotta realize most people consider any Lego without teeth marks to be "like new" and could care less about the box, as that's just packaging to discard, not an investment upon which the quality of the container rests the future value

LegoFanTexas · October 2012

^ Yes, but Amazon has specific condition grading guidelines for "Like-New", "Very Good", "Good", and "Acceptable".

They don't follow their own condition rules. :)

DoubleD · February 2014

I was thinking about ordering temple of light at amazon warehouse, but I have never used their warehouse service didnt even know about till I was reading another tread. Has anyone used it before, the item says used like new damage packaging. Does that mean it is new with a damaged box or something different. Thanks for your help.

Brixy · February 2014

I've ordered lots from the warehouse. So far all the Lego sets I've received have been complete, though sometimes the box is fine and sometimes it has been really smashed. If box shape is important, you may not want to take a chance.

legogregors · February 2014

I ordered a few of the creator houses coming out of my dark ages and was immediately regretful when they arrived. There is something to be said for "new" lego and cutting the seals. I also felt like I had to do an immediate inventory which was not how I wanted to spend my time for the small savings. I find there descriptions to be vague, shelfware would not be a problem for me a half built set stuffed back in the box would be for me. Good luck!

DadsAFOL · February 2014

Warehouse is definitely not for collectors or gift-givers. Box condition is totally unpredictable. However, I've never found any issues with missing parts. Warehouse is like any other seller - if the box is missing half the set, they'll have to take it back and refund you, so they do a reasonable job of checking because they don't want to deal with returns. So if you just want to build the set or part it out, the risk is low.

The only issue I have is that they use automation to set prices, so if a set has gone retired, and resellers have escalated the price, the computer will set the warehouse price at x% of the reseller's price, not the original MSRP. So just do your homework on the pricing to make sure its really a good deal.

madforLEGO · February 2014

I would say also ensure that Amazon is selling the item, and not a 3rd party.
I only would buy if it is Amazon itself selling.
I got a Haunted House, box was trashed and it took about 5 minutes to ask someone on here what the contents were in the box so I could compare. It was complete and I got it for 30 dollars off.

msanders · February 2014

I've only had great experiences with amazon warehouse when amazon has been the supplier. Sometimes I've had a massive reduction and hardly any noticeable damage to the box. Only get it if you're going to build the lego set

legoprods · February 2014

I bought 2 Imperial Hotel sets from them. The boxes looked on the up & up and even the seals were intact! (contents equal)

Buying from Amazon Warehouse

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