In this article, we explain how to mitigate the risks that come with Amazon Renewed, and how Luzern eCommerce can help you drive sales on the platform.
Amazon Renewed is a platform selling refurbished products. Products on Amazon Renewed go through an inspection and testing process before reaching buyers - who can access a wide range of secondhand items.
These products are priced as a bargain but naturally come with the potential for more faults. For this reason, Amazon Renewed offers a guarantee that every item faces a quality inspection and testing process. The testing process typically includes an assessment for visible cosmetic imperfections, as well as a full diagnostic test certified by technicians or third-party refurbishment specialists. Any defective parts will be replaced.
For customers looking to save money, Amazon Renewed gives easy access to devices that operate as new, with the exception of a slightly reduced battery life. This comes with the model being a few generations older. The platform even offers the choice to download receipts to prove ownership if needed.
Amazon Renewed was launched in 2017. Since then, it’s evolved as a place for vendors to sell tech devices of all kinds, at a discounted price. Amazon employees are responsible for vetting listings for quality, as well as conducting a thorough cleaning process. When items and their packaging are determined to be almost “new-like”, they receive the Amazon Renewed guarantee.
Because of Amazon’s high standards, some refurbished products may not qualify for listing on the platform. You can, however, sell a wide variety of products which include:
These items come with all components and accessories—just like a brand-new item.
There are a few things you need to know about selling on Amazon Renewed - below are the steps you need to take before getting started.
First, you will need to create an account and register as a seller. Amazon will require your government ID, email address, phone number, and banking and credit card information.
To meet the criteria for the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, you need to show experience selling similar items:
Along with any supporting documentation, simply submit your application through the program page or email renewed-application@amazon.com. Most applicants can expect to receive a response within 10 days of applying.
You will need to submit eight or more images of the unit, for quality review. Your company must be willing to back all products, with a guarantee to cover claims under six months of warranty. This is where a functional inventory management system can help.
To list Apple refurbished products, you will need to supply invoice(s) worth $2.5 million in the 90 days prior to application.
Once you begin selling, you can optimise each product detail page to grow your audience reach. With the right keywords and product categories, you can create an optimisation strategy built for the needs of your target customer. This includes producing content with a tone and format that resonates with a particular buyer persona.
Amazon Renewed has a number of advantages for online sellers. Generally, this can be attributed to the below reasons.
Amazon Renewed has very high vetting standards for sellers. This makes it an exclusive pool of sellers, with little competition on product niches. You gain more exposure for your items, to a readily available market. Unlike Amazon Marketplace, businesses don’t have to compete in price wars with “race to the bottom” pricing.
Amazon is one of the world’s biggest companies, and has various buyer satisfaction checks in place. In becoming a seller, your business can access existing buyers searching for relevant items. These users are primed and ready to purchase your items - at a reduced price.
With Amazon’s backing, your brand can offer a 90-day guarantee. In other words, Amazon will gladly cover return costs for dissatisfied buyers—in the name of retaining their dominant market share.
Before getting started on Amazon Renewed, there are a few key cons to consider. If the below are deal breakers for your business, you may want to consider another platform.
Refurbished products may have overlooked or unseen blemishes and technical failures; this is inevitable. Buyers may also have more concerns with regard to sellers’ trustworthiness. Because of these factors, your business can naturally expect more returns within the 90 day window.
The cost of joining Amazon Renewed is a little higher—meaning that you will need higher trade volumes, in order to sustain a high profit margin.
If the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for your business, Amazon Renewed could be worth exploring. In fact, it could be a very profitable endeavour - with Amazon’s global user base and the support of the platform for warranty claims.
With Luzern eCommerce, you can easily manage your day-to-day on Amazon Renewed. Our solution is a user-friendly product, and is designed to help business owners like you. Get in touch today and discover the potential of managed eCommerce.