How to shop Amazon’s secret clearance section (plus the bin store hack that gets you a $500 Dyson for $2)

April 25, 2026

By Kim Komando

I was bummed when Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac. I like a nice big screen, especially since my eyesight is bad on the right side. (Short version: Got hit in my right eye with a stick when I was a kid and have had two corneal transplants.) 

So wanted to pair a Mac mini with a 27-inch Apple Studio Display, but dang, that monitor alone was more than $1,600. 

That’s when I went looking for a deal and found a way to save a few hundred bucks on a used one. Amazon has a built-in clearance section. Most people have no idea it exists. 

It’s called Amazon Resale (used to be called Amazon Warehouse), and it lives at amazon.com/Amazon-Resale/. Bookmark it. Now.

What’s inside? Returns. Open-box. Refurbished. 

🛍️ Smart shopper secrets

Discounts run 10% to 70% off new prices, and Prime members still get free shipping. Every item has a condition grade. Here’s what each actually means:

• Like New: Often returned still sealed or barely handled. The box might be beat up. The item itself? Perfect.
• Very Good: Small cosmetic marks, nothing you’d notice across the room. A tiny scuff on the back, maybe a dinged corner. All accessories included.
• Good: More visible wear. Scratches you can see in good light. An accessory or two might be missing. Still works fully.
• Acceptable: Real cosmetic damage. Scratches, dents, faded finish or a clearly visible scuff. Might be missing the manual or a charger. Runs fine. This is where the deepest discounts live. Translation: Acceptable is where you buy a $400 blender for $180, but it has a nick on the base. 

A 65-inch Samsung someone opened and sent back. A Keurig that arrived with a dented box. Mattresses that didn’t sell quick enough. 

Also check Amazon Renewed for refurbished electronics. 90-day warranty, tested to run like new. Half price, same performance. Easy.

Pro move: Add items to your cart, wait 24 hours and check back. Prices on resale items drop as inventory sits.

💰 Your local bin store is hiding a Dyson

Here’s where it gets wild. 

Local bin stores buy Amazon return pallets by the truckload, dump everything into giant plastic bins on the floor and price by the day.

• The standard rhythm: Friday $10, Saturday $8, Sunday $6, Monday $4, Tuesday $2, Wednesday $1. Closed Thursday. Restock Friday morning.

People line up at 9 a.m. Friday like it’s a concert. I’m not kidding. Tuesday afternoons are when the patient shoppers score $500 vacuums for $2 and $200 AirPods for pocket change.

Search “bin store near me” on Google Maps, or use your favorite chatbot. Popular chains include Treasure Hunt Liquidators, and there are hundreds of local shops.

• What you’ll find: Kitchen gear, sealed electronics, tools, toys, clothing with tags still on, last year’s holiday decor. 
• What to skip: Anything with a rechargeable battery that’s been sitting in a return pile for weeks. Dead on arrival.
• Final golden rules: Plug it in before you leave the store. Sales at bin stores are almost always final. Bring cash for smaller shops. Bring a big bag. And maybe leave the kids at home. These places are chaotic.

BTW, if you apply for an Amazon Prime Visa right now, you get $150 (new consumers) or $50 if you’re already a Prime member.

🗣️  TEXT / POST THIS STAT

Amazon’s own clearance page (amazon.com/Amazon-Resale/) discounts returns up to 70% off. Then bin stores sell the same returns for $2. The trick is knowing both exist. GetKim.com

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