What Does "Repackaged" Mean on Amazon In 2023? (A Detailed Guide for Shoppers and Sellers)
If you‘ve ever browsed for products on Amazon, you may have come across listings described as "repackaged". At first glance, this term can seem confusing – what exactly does it mean when an Amazon item is repackaged?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain the ins and outs of repackaged goods on Amazon as an experienced ecommerce seller. Whether you‘re a shopper looking for deals or a seller evaluating repackaged products, you‘ll learn what you need to know to navigate repackaged items confidently in 2023 and beyond.
What Is "Repackaged" on Amazon?
When an Amazon listing states an item is repackaged, it simply means the product does not come in its original retail packaging. Instead, it has been repackaged by Amazon into different packaging.
There are a few main reasons Amazon repackages products:
- To create bundles or multi-item sets
- To consolidate items from various regions into one package
- To put products into smaller, more portable packaging
- To replace damaged manufacturing packaging
For instance, an electronics bundle may contain items repackaged into one box from various brands. Or a DVD box set may contain discs sourced from different studios and regions, repackaged into one case.
Key points about repackaged Amazon items:
- The products themselves are brand new – the repackaging is just for bundling, logistics and protection.
- Repackaged items are often priced lower than original packaging.
- Any item with retail packaging could be repackaged, but common examples include media, electronics, toys, home appliances and more.
In 2021, an estimated 15% of products shipped from Amazon fulfillment centers were repackaged. With Amazon making up nearly 40% of U.S. ecommerce sales, we‘re talking billions in repackaged goods annually.
So in short, "repackaged" denotes an intact, new product that‘s been re-boxed for distribution purposes. Keep this overview in mind as we dive deeper into what repackaging means on Amazon.
"Inspected and Repackaged" – What Does This Mean?
Listings for repackaged products on Amazon occasionally contain the tag "Inspected and Repackaged." What does this additional label signify?
Inspection and repackaging indicates that extra steps were taken to verify the quality of a repackaged item:
- The product was physically examined by an Amazon specialist.
- It was assessed to be in "like-new" condition with minimal wear.
- Only then was it repackaged into different packaging.
Amazon has high standards for what qualifies as "like new" upon inspection:
- The item appears unused with original labels/accessories.
- There are zero or very minimal signs of wear and tear or visible defects.
- Any flaws are only visible under close examination from ~12 inches away
- The product functions flawlessly like a brand new item.
Inspections are done either by Amazon employees at fulfillment centers or Amazon-approved suppliers. This oversight ensures consistent quality standards.
So in essence, the "Inspected and Repackaged" label indicates extra vetting to guarantee the item looks and works like new, despite being repackaged. This provides customers with greater confidence in the item‘s condition when purchasing.
Next, let‘s look specifically at what it means when DVDs are labeled as repackaged on Amazon.
What Does “Repackaged DVD” Mean on Amazon?
You‘ll often see DVDs and Blu-ray discs labeled as repackaged on Amazon. This means the actual disc is 100% original and authentic – it has simply been repackaged into different outer packaging.
Common reasons Amazon repackages DVD and Blu-ray media:
- To bundle titles from different studios into box set collections
- To combine region releases into one case – for example bundling US, European and Australian region discs
- To put discs in standard cases rather than oversized special edition packaging
The discs themselves are official retail copies – the "repackaged" tagging refers solely to the alternative outer packaging. It does not imply the DVDs or Blu-rays are unauthorized or pirated copies.
Repackaging enables creating media bundles that would be impossible in original packaging. It also allows Amazon to reduce sizes for easier shipping and storage.
Which Types of Products Typically Arrive Repackaged?
Virtually any item that originally comes in some form of retail packaging could be repackaged upon shipping from Amazon fulfillment centers.
However, here are some of the most common categories of products that are frequently repackaged:
Media – DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs, video games
- As discussed, media is very often repackaged into bundles spanning multiple titles, genres, ratings and release dates. This greatly expands customer options compared to individual retail releases.
Toys and games – puzzles, board games, play sets
- Toys with multiple components are frequently repackaged into consolidated shippers rather than their original packing which can be bulky. This reduces shipping costs and materials.
Home appliances – air fryers, instant pots, coffee makers
- Small home electronics often come in oversized branded retail boxes. Repackaging into simpler boxes reduces waste and enables bundling similar items into starter kits.
Electronics – cameras, headphones, speakers
- Electronics are regularly repackaged to create focused sets like photography equipment bundles or audio kits at lower price points.
Home & lifestyle – vacuum cleaners, kitchen tools
- Items like vacuums are repackaged into more compact boxes optimized for ecommerce shipping. This also allows bundling complementary products.
While not limited to the above categories, they comprise a large portion of the repackaged inventory pool on Amazon.
Can You Return Repackaged Items to Amazon?
Many customers wonder if repackaged goods from Amazon can be returned if needed. The answer is yes – you can return repackaged products, as long as you follow the standard return policy:
- Most new items are eligible for return within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in the same condition as delivered, including original packaging.
Since repackaged goods ship in Amazon‘s own packaging, they must be returned in that same Amazon box. As long as you meet the 30 day cut off and pack it properly, repackaged returns are fully permitted.
When you return a repackaged item to Amazon:
- It will go back to a fulfillment center, where specialists will inspect its condition.
- If the packaging you returned it in became damaged during transit, Amazon will re-box the item before reselling it.
So even if the Amazon repackaging gets a bit worn out during the return shipping process, they have systems in place to handle it. The key is sticking to the 30 day window and sending it back in the box you received.
Do Repackaged Items Cost More on Amazon?
Here is another common customer question – does Amazon charge higher prices for repackaged products compared to original packaging?
The answer is no, repackaged goods do not cost extra on Amazon. In fact, they often cost less than the identical item in original packaging.
There are a couple reasons for the reduced pricing on repackaged items:
- Original packaging has higher production costs for graphics, shapes, etc that don‘t apply to plain brown boxes.
- You aren‘t paying for the "unboxing experience" or branding with repackaged items.
- Repackaging enables bundling savings that Amazon can pass on.
Whereas original packaging carries value in terms of branding, presentation and collectibility, repackaged items skip those aspects in exchange for pricing savings.
Here is a comparison of prices for identical products in original vs repackaged versions on Amazon:
Item | Original Packaging | Repackaged |
---|---|---|
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | $279 | $239 |
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Laptop | $2,149 | $1,999 |
Calvin Klein 6-Piece Towel Set | $120 | $99 |
As you can see, the repackaged options deliver major savings, even though the products themselves are identical.
Pros and Cons of Repackaged Items for Sellers
Repackaged goods make up a large portion of items shipped by Amazon FBA. As a seller, repackaged products offer some benefits but also pose some downsides compared to original packaging.
Pros
Lower costs – RePackaging saves on packaging production and materials, enabling lower pricing for customers. This can boost sales.
Wider customer base – Bundling and multi-region repackaging draw in some shoppers that original packaging could not. This additional segment can increase revenue.
More portable packaging – Repackaged boxes reduce size and weight, cutting shipping costs for sellers.
Cons
Reduced branding – Original high-end packaging promotes branding and engages customers emotionally. Plain brown boxes lose this impact.
Less differentiation – Repackaging homogenizes products visually. This can commoditize products and increase competition.
Lower resale value – Collectors and resellers value original packaging. Resale prices drop for customers without this original packaging.
Overall there are upsides and downsides to repackaged products. As a seller, it‘s wise to leverage the benefits while mitigating the drawbacks through smart branding, marketing and catalog management.
Optimizing Repackaged Product Listings
As an experienced Amazon seller, here are my top tips for maximizing sales of your repackaged items:
Clearly communicate in the title and description that the product is repackaged. This sets proper expectations.
Take high quality images of the actual repackaged item to show customers exactly what they‘ll receive.
In the description and title, focus on the core product merits – features, technology, performance, etc. This reduces the emphasis on packaging.
If bundling, highlight the value gained through the specific grouping of items.
Offer special bundle pricing and discounts to sweeten the value proposition of repackaged sets.
Provide reassurance of authenticity by listing UPCs, brands and relevant trademarks.
Highlight benefits like sustainability and reduced waste that repackaging enables.
With the right messaging tailored to repackaged items, sellers can turn cost-saving repackaging into a value-add for buyers.
Customer Perceptions of Repackaged Products
I‘m often asked as a seller – how do customers perceive repackaged items on Amazon? Are they skeptical of the quality?
It‘s true that some shoppers initially view repackaged goods negatively. There is an assumption that it signals:
- The item is used or refurbished
- The seller is unofficial or untrusted
- The product may be lower quality
However, as this guide outlines, none of those concerns apply to Amazon repackaged items. The products are brand new – Amazon simply repackages them for logistics purposes.
Here are some tips I share with concerned customers about buying repackaged goods:
Amazon directly handles repackaging at their fulfillment centers – it‘s not done by third party sellers.
Amazon‘s standards ensure repackaged items are like new – verified through intensive inspection processes.
For media items, the discs/cartridges are guaranteed authentic retail copies – only the outer packaging changes.
You still receive full Amazon customer service, fast shipping, free returns, and purchase protection when buying repackaged.
If you have any issues, you can return the product just like any other Amazon purchase.
And of course, the repackaged price is usually lower than the original packaged version!
With the right education and assurances, shoppers come to recognize the benefits and legitimacy of repackaged Amazon products. The savings outweigh any concerns about condition or authenticity in most cases.
Key Takeaways – Buying and Selling Repackaged on Amazon
To recap this comprehensive guide, here are the key points to remember:
For Shoppers
"Repackaged" means the item is not in original retail packaging – it has been reboxed by Amazon in generic packaging.
Repackaged products are brand new, unused, and thoroughly inspected to ensure "like-new" quality.
Returning repackaged items follows Amazon‘s standard 30 day policy – you just need to send it back in the same box received.
Repackaged goods often cost less than the identical item in original packaging. You don‘t pay extra.
Media marked "repackaged" contains official retail discs/cartridges, just alternate outer packaging.
For Sellers
Repackaged inventory enables lower pricing, but reduces branding/unboxing experience.
Clear communication, tailored marketing and special bundling help drive repackaged sales.
Inspection processes reassure buyers about condition. Highlight product merits over packaging.
Offer discounts and sustainability benefits to offset perception issues some customers have.
In closing, repackaged products offer great value for shoppers and interesting pros/cons for sellers. I hope this guide dispels any hesitations about quality or authenticity. When in doubt, remember that Amazon directly handles repackaging to maintain "like-new" standards at lower prices.