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How to score cheap stuff (to keep or resell)
How often do you buy a bunch of stuff online, planning to only keep your favorites? I shop for clothes this way, for sure — and I’m not the only one. Returns cost retailers $743 billion last year.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What happens to all those returns?” the answer is pretty darn interesting. We did the research and found the best places where you can score deals on other people’s “no, thank you” items.
Wait, how does that work?
Let’s take Amazon as an example. Any package that’s undeliverable and unclaimed for 90 days is fair game. Amazon sells unclaimed stuff right on its website. Pro tip: Some items have crazy delivery charges tacked on, so check before you get excited about a deal.
The same goes for packages from other retailers sent through the U.S. Postal Service. After 90 days, they’re sold to the highest bidder.
Like a garage sale but better
The USPS contracts with a website to auction off things postal workers can’t deliver. Go to GovDeals.com to browse everything from TVs to vehicles to kitchen appliances.
Liquidation.com hawks packages and undelivered goods from Amazon, Target, Walmart and The Home Depot. You can filter by brand or retailer.
Note: Many of these deals are for items sold in lots, like this lot with 57 pairs of Sony headphones. The current bid is just $100 — hello, side hustle! You’ll see plenty of finds like this.
Feeling mysterious?
Some returned and undeliverable merch is packaged into “mystery boxes,” which are like grab bags. You don’t know precisely what you’ll get, but the idea is you’ll find a valuable item you want to keep or sell.
Sound like fun? Try Poshmark. Search for “mystery box” and you’ll find listings for returns from retailers like Walmart and Amazon, ranging in price from a few bucks to over $500. For $50, this seller will send you eight items and let you make requests from their 20,000 listings.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The 4 big signs you CAN trust refurbished products
Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll say I’m frugal. Heck, you can call me cheap — I won’t be offended.
I’ll let you in a little secret, too. Sometimes, buying used is totally the way to go. There are some things I would only buy new, but tech isn’t one of them. There are some darn good deals out there if you’re willing to find them, from Apple, Amazon, eBay, you name it.
🌋 Kick some ash: Scientists found a burnt scroll from Herculaneum, another Roman town Mount Vesuvius wiped out in 79 A.D. They’re using X-rays and AI to read without touching it. Early hints say it might be a work of philosophy. When I visited Pompeii, I was amazed at how forward-thinking they were. There were food courts, sanitation, lovely homes, and even a brothel with the names of prostitutes on the walls with prices and ratings. Really! If you go, ask your tour guide the question I do wherever we go: “What’s something you normally don’t show tourists?” I will save my story about cannibals on the Amazon River for another day.
The online review problem is getting worse
If you’re like me, you scan online reviews before adding that big “something” to a shopping cart … choosing a new plumber or finding a place to get sushi — OK, you get the idea. And you probably are like me: Up to 99% of buyers look up online reviews before purchasing, well, anything.
Are Amazon extended warranties worth it, or a scam?
While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous.
When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?
When a Superhost is super creepy: Airbnb Superhosts have high ratings and low cancellation rates. One in Texas recorded over 2,000 images using security cameras of adults and children sleeping and undressing. He got a year in jail for it.
Don’t trust Amazon reviews: More proof is out that Amazon sellers are trading cash and free products for five-star ratings. Some even pay for negative reviews on competitors’ pages. Tips to spot the fakes? Language and timing. Look for multiple reviews using similar phrasing with no details.
Too touchy: 97% of new cars come with touchscreens, which is handy … but distracting. AAA says messing with these screens takes your eyes off the road for 40 seconds. Starting in 2026, cars in Europe will need old-school buttons and levers instead of touchscreens to earn the highest safety ratings. Look for a similar move here in the States, too.
Don’t make these 5 big mistakes when buying electronics on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.
Booking a flight? Scammers clever trick to con even the savviest travelers
Every new season, occasion, holiday, natural disaster, you name it, scammers work hard. Vacation seasons are one of their favorite times to pounce.
Some in-person criminals might spy that you’re away and break in. Take steps to make sure your home isn’t a target.
Stop iPhone apps from asking you to rate and review once and for all
Apple’s iPhone is more than just a smartphone. It’s more than a camera and portable gaming system. The iPhone has become ingrained in pop culture through sleek design and clever marketing. Some might call it a status symbol. And with prices topping out over a thousand dollars, that statement does ring true.
Watch out for fakes on Walmart, eBay and Amazon
When shopping on Amazon, eBay and Walmart, it’s hard to distinguish between good and bad sellers. Heck, even I’ve bought junk from third-party sellers … companies that use major e-commerce platforms to sell their products.
Scary signs that someone hacked your Amazon account
Returning items to Amazon is easy, but there are always exceptions. Here are four things the retail giant will not take back.
Then again, there’s likely some stuff around your house that Amazon, Target and Walmart are interested in. Trade in your old tech devices for credit.
Avoid these 10 dangerous mistakes when using power strips
You need to charge your phone, and that lamp you’re trying to plug in is too far away from the outlet. So you reach for a power strip to save the day.
But did you know there is a surprisingly long list of ways people misuse power strips? These mistakes lead to electrical shorting, fire hazards and the destruction of appliances.
Top 3 holiday scams you and your loved ones need to know about
‘Tis the season of lights, and you can already see the decorations going up everywhere. If you plan to buy decor online, be careful! Scammers are hitting the market with false ads and lousy merchandise. Tap or click here for holiday decoration scams to watch out for.
Don’t fall for this Uber airport trick - It cost me $20
My ears are always perked for life hacks or time-saving tricks. I like to try them out so you can know whether or not they work. I’m sad to report that a new way to reserve an Uber comes with a $20 fee you may not know about.
Drive for Uber? These drivers fear they've been transporting drugs
Getting around town can be tricky at the best of times. Luckily, a few services are happy to ferry you to your destination. Depending on where you live, Uber might be the undisputed champion.
The company has been so successful that it launched a private delivery service two years ago. Instead of transporting people, Uber Connect offers same-day door-to-door deliveries, just like a regular courier company.
Get this message from an Uber driver? It could add $10 to your trip
If you need to get around town quickly, whether your vehicle is in the shop or on vacation, the easiest way to do that is by catching an Uber. All you have to do is open the app, select your pick-up point and destination, and wait for a ride.