Almost a full year ago, Bold-Arrow started a thread about his experience with Amazon Warehouse Deals. As I mentioned in today's Daily Deal thread, we recently had our third child, and there was a ton of down time in the hospital. I spent a lot of time browsing the back alley's of Brickpicker's forums, and Bold-Arrow's thread was one I stumbled across. About every 15 minutes or so, I'd refresh the listing of AWD and browse through the results. It's amazing some of the cool older sets that pop up on there! Many of them aren't investment worthy, or even buy and build worthy, but they are interesting to discover even if I ultimately decide not to purchase. I have bought 13 sets in the past 10 or so days, and I have not yet done anything but open the shipping box to verify there was an actual Lego set delivered. I figured I might as well share the excitement of exploring the purchases with all of you while we wait for some actual Lego deals to pop up. My format will go as follows, with each set in an individual post:

 

Set Name:

Set Number:

Release Year:

Retired (Y/******/Maybe):

Regular Retail Price:

Current Brickpicker Value (New and Used):

Purchase Price (Discount):

Listed Condition:

Description of actual condition (maybe some pics too!):

Worth the Purchase?: 

 

 

If any of you have also made recent AWD purchases, feel free to post your own! I'm guessing what we'll find is that the condition code is impossible to crack, but that there may be some trends that develop and can be used to our advantage. I don't think I purchased any "Item is Damaged" sets, but I'm kinda curious to know what that means in regards to Lego. It would be pretty difficult to "damage" any actual bricks, and if any were they can be replaced relatively cheaply on Bricklink/Brickowl/etc. I'm going to go in chronological purchase order, starting with a 9493 X-Wing. 

 

I bought Birds from AWD and whoever returned it had started building the bluejay.  The other two birds were still in sealed bags.  But half of the bluejay parts were missing.  I think it might have originally been missing a bag because the stand was built right up to the point where the a missing piece prevented you from continuing with the build.  Since I had bought it to build anyway, I just contacted LEGO and they shipped out the missing parts.  But this is a case where Amazon should not have sold it through AWD. I always wonder how thorough their inspection is to confirm if a set is complete.

This is outrageous. I just witnessed some incredible handy work from some pro scammer!!!

An AWD set came, I had no doubt cutting it open with my knife. All the bags sealed. I wouldn't notice sometimes missing if I didn't have another identical set by my side. Luckily I did have another set. Lo and behold. When I looked at the content carefully, no minifigures are in any of the bags, even they are sealed TIGHT! And looking carefully, that small bag in bag #2 is empty but it's there! Bag #4 was completely missing from the set so the two small bags supposedly in it were out. Again, looking intact! So if anyone just opens this, he wouldn't have noticed anything weird until he opens the bags and starts building it!!!

 

I really can't believe what's in front of me right now. Maybe I'll put some pictures up... just to show how pro this thief is.

Edited October 8, 201510 yr by cissi

This is outrageous. I just witnessed some incredible handy work from some pro scammer!!!

An AWD set came, I had no doubt cutting it open with my knife. All the bags sealed. I wouldn't notice sometimes missing if I didn't have another identical set by my side. Luckily I did have another set. Lo and behold. When I looked at the content carefully, no minifigures are in any of the bags, even they are sealed TIGHT! And looking carefully, that small bag in bag #3 is empty but it's there! Bag #4 was completely missing from the set so the two small bags supposedly in it were out. Again, looking intact! So if anyone just opens this, he wouldn't have noticed anything weird until he opens the bags and starts building it!!!

 

I really can't believe what's in front of me right now. Maybe I'll put some pictures up... just to show how pro this thief is.

That's just scary! Do the reseals look any different at all?

That's just scary! Do the reseals look any different at all?

No, it looks very VERY sealed. Other than one has a bubble on it but you won't even give it a 2nd thought as all LEGO sets could have that. I've been observing this box for minutes under light up to this point, still couldn't believe this is happening. Too pro.

No, it looks very VERY sealed. Other than one has a bubble on it but you won't even give it a 2nd thought as all LEGO sets could have that. I've been observing this box for minutes under light up to this point, still couldn't believe this is happening. Too pro.

What set is it?  I've checked most of mine, but not all of them, I may need to go do that now.

What set is it?  I've checked most of mine, but not all of them, I may need to go do that now.

75092

 

And another major 'fraud' from AWD today... ordered a V-wing, got a X-wing minifighter... (sigh)

 

Edited October 8, 201510 yr by cissi

Fingers crossed. Ordered 2 SD 75055. Hope I don't have any problems. 

75092

 

And another major 'fraud' from AWD today... ordered a V-wing, got a X-wing minifighter... (sigh)

 

I wonder if making AWD returns count towards reaching Amazon ban hammer status.

I wonder if making AWD returns count towards reaching Amazon ban hammer status.

I know! That's what I'm afraid of too.

I have received 3 problematic items in a row... 2 missing minifigures, 1 this...

I hope they don't 'credit' that fraud onto me...

I know! That's what I'm afraid of too.

I have received 3 problematic items in a row... 2 missing minifigures, 1 this...

I hope they don't 'credit' that fraud onto me...

Especially if they are low cost items....

Can someone please let me know if this is correct. I thought AWD were basically just battered boxes. I've purchased them before & bags were accounted for & still sealed.

I just received a T1 & every bag has been opened & taped closed or not closed at all with pieces loose scattered around in the box. All the stickers were removed from the sheets. This was clearly built by someone. Is that what I purchased? Am I missing something here?

Yes, missing a return label from amazon

Can someone please let me know if this is correct. I thought AWD were basically just battered boxes. I've purchased them before & bags were accounted for & still sealed.

I just received a T1 & every bag has been opened & taped closed or not closed at all with pieces loose scattered around in the box. All the stickers were removed from the sheets. This was clearly built by someone. Is that what I purchased? Am I missing something here?

I think this happens sometimes. Most of the cases people are lucky to received a battered box and sealed bags. Sometimes a really 'used' item will pop up. I think if the condition is simply used, Amazon won't let you return for free as they'll say it is listed as 'used'. (I had this happen once that minifigures are missing and the rep first asked if I was aware that the list was listed as used. But of course, I told him afterwards that parts are taken away and not all the pieces are in the set I received.) So, technically, if all the pieces are there in your T1, then you are receiving what you ordered - used. But if indeed there is a good number of pieces missing, it is right to ask for a return shipping label. Of course, if you push harder, Amazon will bend regardless............. then, it'll be an ethical argument to be moved to the ethical thread, I guess.

Edited October 10, 201510 yr by cissi

I think this happens sometimes. Most of the cases people are lucky to received a battered box and sealed bags. Sometimes a really 'used' item will pop up. I think if the condition is simply used, Amazon won't let you return for free as they'll say it is listed as 'used'. (I had this happen once that minifigures are missing and the rep first asked if I was aware that the list was listed as used. But of course, I told him afterwards that parts are taken away and not all the pieces are in the set I received.) So, technically, if all the pieces are there in your T1, then you are receiving what you ordered - used. But if indeed there is a good number of pieces missing, it is right to ask for a return shipping label. Of course, if you push harder, Amazon will bend regardless............. then, it'll be an ethical argument to be moved to the ethical thread, I guess.

OK. Thanks for that. But where does this stuff come from? I don't understand how they would even have used product in the first place...

OK. Thanks for that. But where does this stuff come from? I don't understand how they would even have used product in the first place...

That I don't really know for sure.

 

For one thing, Amazon claims AWD is a separate body (3rd party) from Amazon even though it bears Amazon's name with it (which I found very weird...). I can only guess AWD's stuff probably come from some Amazon returns and they probably take other FBA items... but others may have better answers.

Returns and stuff that gets damaged in their own warehouse make up the bulk of things. It´s a bit like those people that bid on containers without knowing the content - some you win some you lose.

Returns and stuff that gets damaged in their own warehouse make up the bulk of things. It´s a bit like those people that bid on containers without knowing the content - some you win some you lose.

Wouldn't it be funny if the warehouse workers are all into Lego and they sometimes build sets on their break time.  Then they put the pieces back in the box and ship it out to you.

Wouldn't it be funny if the warehouse workers are all into Lego and they sometimes build sets on their break time.  Then they put the pieces back in the box and ship it out to you.

Yup. This set has clearly been built...

I just received a Slave 1 I purchased from AWD.  One end had broken seals and was taped shut.  But I find this is pretty normal for LEGO sets from Warehouse Deals.  When I opened it to check the contents (as one should do with every AWD purchase, even if it looks unopened) I found one big sealed bag with all of the pieces loose in it and I could see the stickers had been applied.  Someone obviously built this and then returned it.  I'm sending it back as not as described.

Here is the condition Amazon listed

Condition: Used - Very Good - Item has no cosmetic scratches or blemishes. Item has no cracks or dents. Item will come in original packaging. Packaging will be damaged.

I have bought a lot from AWD and this will be my first return to them.  I've had two other issues where a single bag in a set was ripped open and pieces were missing, which I was able to get partial refunds for.  And once one set was missing a complete bag and I just contacted LEGO to get a replacement since it was a current set.  So overall I'm still pleased with them and will continue to take my chances.

I just received a Slave 1 I purchased from AWD.  One end had broken seals and was taped shut.  But I find this is pretty normal for LEGO sets from Warehouse Deals.  When I opened it to check the contents (as one should do with every AWD purchase, even if it looks unopened) I found one big sealed bag with all of the pieces loose in it and I could see the stickers had been applied.  Someone obviously built this and then returned it.  I'm sending it back as not as described.

Here is the condition Amazon listed

Condition: Used - Very Good - Item has no cosmetic scratches or blemishes. Item has no cracks or dents. Item will come in original packaging. Packaging will be damaged.

I have bought a lot from AWD and this will be my first return to them.  I've had two other issues where a single bag in a set was ripped open and pieces were missing, which I was able to get partial refunds for.  And once one set was missing a complete bag and I just contacted LEGO to get a replacement since it was a current set.  So overall I'm still pleased with them and will continue to take my chances.

I don't really understand the "used" thing. I get they wanna protect themselves but I received sets before also that were clearly built & stickers applied. Who's accepting these returns & thinks "let's become a garage sale?" Just ridiculous IMO...

8 minutes ago, dcdfan said:

I don't really understand the "used" thing. I get they wanna protect themselves but I received sets before also that were clearly built & stickers applied. Who's accepting these returns & thinks "let's become a garage sale?" Just ridiculous IMO...

I agree. My understanding is the items should be damaged product from the warehouse or damaged, but unopened, returns from customers.  I'm fine with the seals being broken, since that can easily happen when a box gets damaged, but sets that are obviously used should not be sold like this.  

I'd guess that some of the returns employees either aren't aware of how LEGO should be packaged inside the box or just don't care.  Luckily in my experience most of these sets end up being complete with all the interior bags sealed. And Amazon is pretty hassle free with returns (which also helps create the problem in the first place). I hope this one doesn't just end up back on AWD though.  

I've bought retired sets before that were opened damaged boxes but sealed bags with no regret from AWD. But I'm sorry used is ridiculous for a major retailer. Once Target sets wind of this nonsense I'm sure they join in...

Pro scammer experience #2, I suspect the same person did this.

Set seals look okay, not particular suspicious...

bricks bags... hmmm, not bag 1? And... bag 2, no sign of any minifigures... wait... the small plastic bag inside bag 2 is open but bag 2 is sealed!!!

 

Edited December 10, 201510 yr by cissi

3 hours ago, cissi said:

Pro scammer experience #2, I suspect the same person did this.

DAAAAMN. No more AWD for me.