For the first time ever, Amazon is launching Second Chance Deal Days, providing customers even greater savings on high-quality returned and refurbished items to help keep products in use longer and avoid waste. Amazon offers quality returned and refurbished items across nearly all product categories, including, personal tech and computing, gaming, home and kitchen, fitness, and toys, with over 60 million second-hand products available in Europe*.

More than two-thirds of Europeans are now buying second-hand, driven by cost of living (34%), environmental concerns (30%) and convenience (29%). Amazon inspects every returned product and if they meet high quality standards, they are tested, cleaned and repaired where necessary and put back on sale at a discount. Last year, Amazon customers in Europe saved over €350 million by shopping second hand.

Throughout Second Chance Deal Days, customers can find quality used and refurbished products at discounts of up to 50% off recommended retail prices. Customers can see whether a product is new or used on the product page online.

Building trust in second-hand to keep products in use

Shopping second-hand keeps products in use longer and helps reduce the use of natural resources to make new items. Research commissioned by Amazon shows that Europeans' top concerns when it comes to purchasing second-hand goods are the condition of the product and warranties and return guarantees.

"We've seen that once customers experience the value and quality of these products, they become confident second-chance shoppers, saving money along the way and helping to extend product lifecycles," says Sam Littlejohn, Head of Returns and Repairs at Amazon Europe. "We have dedicated teams checking every returned product. Customers can be assured that any used product they buy meets our quality standards and comes with Amazon's customer service and return policies."

From reducing returns to resale

Amazon's priority is to help customers find the right product the first time as it increases customer satisfaction and reduces returns. This includes helping customers find the right product through detailed product information, photos and videos as well as customer reviews. For some fashion and homeware items, Amazon offers AI-driven size charts and augmented reality features allow customers to see products directly in their space. If a product is purchased then returned, the priority is to keep it in use whenever possible.

"Our approach is simple," says Littlejohn. "If a product can have a useful purpose, we want it to have a second chance. It’s great for our customers, Amazon and the planet."

Amazon resells used, returned, and refurbished items through two main programmes, both of which are backed up by Amazon’s customer service and return policies:

  • Amazon Resale offers used and open-box products at discounted prices. These items go through a thorough inspection before resale, and come with descriptions such as “Like New,” “Very Good”, “Good”, or “Acceptable”, so that customers can make an informed shopping decision. Prices reflect the condition of each item.
  • Amazon Renewed offers refurbished products sold by Amazon’s qualified selling partners. Each product is professionally inspected, cleaned and tested, before being offered at competitive prices.

*Europe includes Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

**Figures taken from Opinium survey of 10,000 consumers across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK. Survey conducted by independent third-party Centre for Economics Business Research (CEBR) and commissioned by Amazon.