The issue I have with NewEgg is returns. There's always some condition, or expensive fee for return shipping. By comparison, Amazon makes it very easy

The flip side to Amazon's easy returns is that I regularly receive used/returned merchandise from Amazon that was advertised as new.

If the product clearly appears to be used I'd say that's a problem with Amazon's quality control for returns (though I never experienced those problems). However what do you think happens to returned items? You don't expect them to be thrown out, do you?

Maybe I'm way off, but I was always under the impression that those returned items are re-packaged (if necessary) and sold as new.

And I think that's fine since I really don't see any other way to handle it. Think about europe, where every shop has to offer a free 14 day return policy, regardless of if you're Amazon or a small Shopify seller.

If the item can't be sold as new, that means the customer overstepped and should be held accountable.

Of course there is another way for retailers to re-sell customer returns. They can list them with labels such as "Used - Like New" or "Open Box" or whatever applies.

For example, go into any Best Buy and ask them where the open box deals are, or look on their website.

Or go to a Fry's Electronics store. They put returned items on the shelf with new ones, but there is a special label on the package noting this and generally offering a small discount.

Lenovo has a factory outlet separate from their main website where they sell customer returns. Unopened returns may be listed as new; opened returns are listed as used or refurbished.

Amazon lists returned products under "Amazon Warehouse Deals" in the New and Used section of a product listing, with the product condition noted in the description.

For most product categories, Amazon prohibits a returned item from being resold as "New":

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=...

> New: Just like it sounds. A brand-new, unused, unopened item in its original packaging, with all original packaging materials included. Original protective wrapping, if any, is intact. Original manufacturer's warranty, if any, still applies, with warranty details included in the listing comments.

There are some different policies in certain product categories; the page above lists them.

Of course, third-party sellers on Amazon may well re-sell customer returns as "new". But if they don't comply with the rules on this page, they are violating their seller agreement.

It wouldn't be such a big deal, except that the last three times I ever ordered from NewEgg, I got the wrong product entirely once, a damaged product once (that was listed as new, yet the CPU socket pins on the motherboard I'd ordered were bent -- hard to do without opening the box), and had something where I paid for two-day shipping arrive after several weeks.

In those three cases.... * I returned the incorrect product in exchange for the item I'd actually ordered, and was charged a restocking fee despite it being Newegg's error. * I returned the damaged motherboard in exchange for an undamaged one, and was charged a restocking fee despite it being Newegg's error. * I contacted support about the slower-than-paid-for shipping, and was told, effectively "it'll get there eventually; no refund on shipping speed."

Those three experiences burned me on Newegg entirely. I'll pay the extra $10-20 to get the product somewhere else with less headache, especially since the restocking fees mean I come out close to break-even on price.

Is that new? I don't remember ever having that experience, but I haven't had to return anything in a long time.

If you have an American Express card Newegg participates in ShopRunner and ShopRunner is free if you have an American Express card. ShopRunner provides free two day shipping both ways on eligible items (all items I've ever bought have been eligible).

I buy from NewEgg whenever I can to show my support for their active patent troll hunting efforts. That's a worthwhile cause even if their prices are slightly higher.

And, NewEgg also generally has excellent customer service, in my experience. So, it's not like I'm trading away convenience or confidence in the vendor. I've bought hundreds of more items at Amazon than NewEgg in the past several years, but I'd bet my gross dollar spend is similar at NewEgg because I've bought a half dozen servers and computers.

Agreed, NewEgg customer service is excellent. Easy returns. I've probably spent more in raw dollars at NewEgg than at Amazon, even though I've made maybe 10x as many Amazon purchases.

Edit: I have NewEgg Premier though, so I get free shipping on certain items and free RMAs. Cheaper than Amazon Prime. I'm always amazed NewEgg doesn't get more love around here.

My newegg account got permamently banned so I shop at Amazon. I don't even know why.

I do remember I had to jump through a couple of hoops to get something (about $8000 worth of something) shipped to an address not on file with my credit card, which is not something Amazon has ever done (I'm always shipping to weird places because I travel mostly full-time in an RV), but it wasn't too traumatic.

I can't imagine why they'd ban someone permanently. I mean, they want money, right? That seems weird. But, also sucks.

The weird thing is that it occured after all my transactions happened. I wasn't buying anything from the account. It was really weird.