Amazon "Used – Like New" Explained: What You Actually Get

"Used – Like New" is Amazon's highest grade for returned items sold through Amazon Warehouse (now "Amazon Resale"). It means the item works perfectly and looks essentially untouched, and often it's a return that was never used at all. You give up the factory-sealed box and possibly some warranty coverage, and in exchange you typically pay 20 to 35% less than new.

Where do "Used – Like New" items come from?

Amazon doesn't resell returns as new, even if the customer never opened the box; selling a returned item as new without disclosure can be deceptive under FTC rules. Amazon gives each return a quality check, grades it, and relists it under its Warehouse program (renamed Amazon Resale in August 2024) with one of these labels: Like New, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, or As Is.

There are a lot of them. In July 2026, OpenBoxFox tracked about 829,000 in-stock Amazon US open-box listings, averaging 25% off list price. Of the listings with a specific grade, "Like New" was by far the most common: roughly 254,000 items, against about 163,000 "Very Good," 36,000 "Acceptable," and 10,000 "Good."

What does the "Like New" grade actually promise?

Amazon defines Like New as an item in perfect working condition that "fully functions, and all its essential accessories are complete." The packaging may be damaged, which is usually the only visible difference from buying new.

In practice, a large share of Like New items are "buyer's remorse" returns: wrong size, duplicate gift, changed mind. Amazon's inspection catches missing parts and obvious wear, and anything that doesn't clear the bar gets a lower grade instead.

What it doesn't promise

• A factory seal. The box was opened, so if a sealed box matters to you (gifts, resale), buy new.
• A manufacturer warranty. Warranties typically run from the original retail purchase, and some brands don't honor them for resold items. Your dependable protection is Amazon's standard 30-day return window, which covers Warehouse purchases.
• Photos of the actual unit. Most Warehouse listings reuse the stock product images; you get the grade plus a short condition note about that specific item. Only "As Is" listings show photos of the actual unit. Our condition grades guide explains what each grade allows.

Is "Like New" worth it?

The discount on graded Amazon items scales with the grade. Like New typically sits at the shallow end (15 to 30% off), Very Good and Good in the middle, and Acceptable the deepest. Like New items are usually indistinguishable from new once unboxed, so if the item works and everything's in the box, you saved real money on something that's functionally new.

Two rules of thumb:

• For commodity items like cables, kitchen tools and toys, buy Like New without hesitation. There's little that can be wrong with them, and the 30-day window covers you.
• For items with batteries or parts that wear (laptops, headphones, power tools), Like New is still the safest used grade, but inspect it on arrival and test it within the return window. If you want more protection, consider certified refurbished instead; see open box vs refurbished vs renewed.

How to find these deals

Each Warehouse listing is a single returned unit, so deals appear and vanish quickly, and Amazon's own interface makes them hard to browse. OpenBoxFox tracks the live inventory with the grade, discount and stock status on every listing. Browse all US open-box deals or a category like electronics or home & kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

Is Amazon "Used – Like New" actually used?

Often not in any meaningful sense, since many are returns that were opened and sent back. Amazon labels them "Used" because the box was opened and the item was owned by a customer, so it can't be sold as new.

Can I return a Used – Like New item?

Yes. Amazon Warehouse/Resale purchases are covered by Amazon's standard 30-day return policy, the same as new items sold by Amazon.

Does Used – Like New come in the original box?

Usually, but the grade allows damaged packaging. All essential accessories must be included for the Like New grade.

Why is the discount on Like New sometimes small?

Pricing is algorithmic and tracks demand. Popular items in the top grade may be only 10 to 15% off, while overstocked or lower-graded units go much deeper. If the discount looks thin, check the same product's "Very Good" listing: the cosmetic difference is often trivial, and the price difference often isn't.

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Listing counts and discount figures are from the OpenBoxFox live database, July 2026 snapshot (in-stock Amazon US listings). OpenBoxFox earns affiliate commissions on some outbound links. See our affiliate disclosure.