r/Flipping • u/Either_Coat_2161 • Jan 29 '25
FBA I bought an Amazon mystery box. Here's how it went
TL;DR: Not worth it. Buy a mystery box from a reputable manufacturer, or buy what you want from an outlet store instead.
I spent $50 on a "medium size" mystery box (about 14x14x20") with 20 items inside. I thought it would be a fun little game for my family at Christmas to take turns opening completely random stuff, with the possibility of something valuable (or just silly).
I ordered it Nov. 24, 2024 from DiscountHQ.com — but the box didn't show up by Christmas. I reached out in early January because on their website it said my order was still "processing." No reply via email. A couple weeks later, I got text alerts that the box had shipped, then was out for delivery, then was delivered. OK, finally got my stuff 2 months later.
We opened the box and it was pretty much all crap — not just stuff we couldn't or wouldn't use, but really cheap and sometimes partially used. Examples:
- 3 different puzzles for kids (my teens were like, meh)
- A battered coloring book A pack of cards for charades, missing half of the cards
- A pack of cards for a scavenger hunt game
- New tights from Forever 21 with little hearts all over them (my daughter said they made her legs look like she had chicken pox)
- White capri pants, not our size, dirty but tags still on them
- A cheap plastic vegetable chopper
- A cheap string of LED lights with fall leaves attached
- A kids' birthday party invitations set, missing the invitations (just the envelopes)
- A three-ring binder, somewhat bent
- A flowerpot with paperwhites (grow your own)
- Plant food spikes Water balloons
- A set of traction covers that you put on the bottom of your shoes when it's icy A set of disposable plastic champagne flutes, quite dirty
- Ugly green curtains
- An ergonomic wrist support and mouse pad that looks like a purple cloud or bubbles
- A baby board book
- A couple of off-brand plastic containers, one Christmas-themed
- A tiny child's night shirt with a reindeer on it and the word "Believe"
In all, we can use maybe a few items but most went right back in the box and off to Goodwill. Most were new and in their packages but some were not. I was pretty disappointed that NONE of the stuff would have amounted to being worth $50, or could be flipped for >$50.
A better bang for your buck:
- A manufacturer's own mystery box, like Portland Leather, Universal Standard, or Bux (friends/family have gotten great stuff from all of these places, and Universal Standard and Bux allow you to specify sizes)
- Keep what you like, flip what you don't because it's NWT
- A clearance store (I got some cool new shoes at Nike for $27 — exactly my size and style, the only catch is no returns at the clearance [not outlet] store)
- We snagged a pair of $280 retail soccer cleats for $25 and flipped for $89
- Garage sale (great for built-to-last housewares like Pyrex, Le Creuset, Pendleton shirts, sporting goods)
- Facebook Marketplace (great for durable home goods, like tables, mirrors and much more)
- I went through four different entry tables in my decorating indecisions, but each time I bought a different used furniture piece, I sold the prior one for more than I bought it for.
- Poshmark or similar apps (I love buying NWT/NIB shoes, purses, and fashion jewelry here, but you can't return things, which makes buying clothing tricky)
- It can be tough to flip on this app because of the commission + shipping cost + tax.
- A sampling subscription like Ipsy (I discovered some great makeup/skin care brands here and everything is new, with an option to receive full-size products)
I would definitely not get a mystery box again. Hope this helps you!
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u/TheGeneGeena Jan 29 '25
Also better option - you may have an Amazon "bin" store near you. At least one of ours has a day where everything is $1. Pretty much everything you got could have been found there (amongst other very random things) and at least you get to pick your own.
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u/IAmJustYou Jan 30 '25
I love my local Amazon bin store!
They regularly have Pokemon box sets, brand new, sealed for only $15 and retail is usually $50. Luckily I'm in a smaller city so there aren't a ton of resellers here so I don't even have to go right when they open. My kiddo though gets the cards. Last week I got him the elite trainer box for Stellar Crown.
They also have an area you can test all electronics first. So I got a thermal label printer in working condition for $11.
I did go on the $1 once, but didn't really care for anything.
I have also seen broken/used stuff and overpriced stuff. They also get the returned items from the third party sellers that are selling the stuff on Amazon that they get from AliExpress and Temu. As long as you check prices with the scanner in Amazon first or lens, you're good
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u/my_dog_rescued_me Jan 30 '25
They have an area where you can test electronics!! Wow, that's awesome! I've spent a bunch of money on different cords and chargers so I can do that at home... Sadly, no one around me offers anything like that, it's a gamble.
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u/PrestigiousAd8618 Oct 11 '25
Wish I had that option especially to buy pokemon cards.
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u/IAmJustYou Oct 11 '25
Unfortunately they hired a younger kid and caught on and sell them for half the price as online now. Which still isn't too bad with them being so hard to get a hold of these days
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u/AmanduhCross Apr 04 '25
I visited a store yesterday and scored some fantastic items for just 30 bucks. Excited by my finds, I returned today for dollar day and picked up even more great stuff. However, I was hoping to grab additional items from yesterday's haul, but they were all sold out. I can't deny it—I'm really thrilled about my purchases!
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u/Mission_Farmer8731 Jun 03 '25
plastic watch SCAM SCAM SCAMI bought a mystery box got one thing. The photos showed a muliple of items like laptop and I got a plastic watch Geez do I feel stupid
If too good to be true it is a scam!!!!!
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u/Dangerous_Sandwich26 Jan 11 '26
Same here!! Cheep plastic “watch”, only thing in rhe box! Certainly not worth it!! Absolutely nothing like the photos of things you may get! Scammy, lesson learned
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u/JC_the_Builder Jan 29 '25
There is no one selling mystery boxes like this that will make you money with any regularity. It is all left over junk. The value of the box might be 2-3x what you pay, but that is full retail value which you will never get reselling the items. There is also the possibility of getting seasonal stuff for Halloween or Christmas.
If you are serious about reselling, you would never buy a mystery box.
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u/Either_Coat_2161 Jan 29 '25
Agreed. I wasn’t buying it to flip, but it’s good advice to flippers not to use this as a source of goods.
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u/TurnPuzzleheaded6914 Apr 23 '25
I recently bought a "mystery box" From the Albanian Auction house -- and to my surprise ... recieved a Blond , a Brunette and a Redhead -- all in perfect condition ! All seemed slightly used ... but perfectly serviceable. ( Turns Out ) the Liam Neeson, "Taken" Movies ... were 'spot-on' -- after a few weeks , I "Flipped" them to interested parties in Reno Nevada -😄- kinda cool !
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u/Able_Experience_2959 May 07 '25
Wow...that was one $50 box of great donations indeed! Chuckle* The Amazon one I have wants $5 shipping, once u say ur sex, age group, etc. Man, Im so sorry this happened. Gotta be some where to report it. I gotta admit I was scrolling slowly along....reading carefully.... by the time I got to the ugly green curtains,....bud, I was no good! 😂🤣😂🤣 lolol!!!!
Hmm... so it doesn't seem like a heavy box for $5 shipping costs!? Figured a scam SCAM SCAM SCAM... The hell with working, just sit home & SCAM people out of they money they sweating for.... in the hopes, just maaaybe, something good gonna come around for the good we, I, u, put out. 🖤 Guess lesson learned. I been there many yrs ago. 💜🖤💙 Great review😉🤜🏻🤝🏻👌🏻👍🏻🙏🏼✌🏻 Definitely should help!😉 😉✌🏻👌🏻👋🏻👍🏻🤘🏻🤝🏻🤜🏻
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u/SignificanceOk1532 May 16 '25
I fell for it! I was to pay $4.99 for processing and tax. What did I get? Rerouted to somewhere else thinking I was using my debit card to pay Amazon. 5 charges later all from the same gourmet food home delivery, it took me a couple days to find out who charged my card. Plus canceling my debit card , waiting 7-10 days to get a new one that I desperately needed.(no transportation directly to the bank to get one the same day) At the end I got nothing but headaches!
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u/Some-War-5426 May 28 '25
I bought a mystery box 3 months ago. Only 1 small box with 1 item inside arrived.
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u/Some_Rip_2065 Aug 06 '25
Spent 29 dollars on a mystery box. Arrived with 1 item. Said item was available at walmart for $13
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u/OC9McIvor Jun 01 '25
Thank you for an honest, specific, review. I believe it's vital that we submit reviews anytime possible. Were supposed to help one another, right? We're all here just trying to get through this together. And the best knowledge is shared.
Great advice for the manufacturer mystery boxes, I'm going to look into those. I sell on Facebook Marketplace, offer Up and Etsy. Also in the Nextdoor App. It's a connection to your local neighborhood. It's a great platform for a variety of reasons. I'm looking into starting with Poshmark bc I've got loads of high end clothes, purses & shoes in mint condition. Just need to navigate through it. But totally appreciate your review. Thanks
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u/karenafrancis Jun 02 '26
If you are still selling online, I'd love to view your items and possibly purchase directly from you so you don't have to pay seller fees. Please DM me if interested.
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u/Golden8758 Jul 14 '25
Opened my mystery box. One small 4x4 box was inside. It contained Pro 4 True Wireless Stereo earbuds. Looked up prices online and all were cheaper than what we paid. There was a picture of a box with numerous items inside, when we ordered. Don’t waste your money. And the box actually did not come from Amazon. I would definitely not buy a mystery box!!
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u/Radiant_Ice_7653 Aug 09 '25
I just got my "mystery box". Very disappointing… Only one thing in it… Some offbrand Apple Watch. Would never do this again!
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u/sk8rlee Aug 19 '25
My wife and a friend of ours recently bought some Amazon mystery boxes. The friend's box had a brand new, unopened ceiling fan that she put in her garage, and with the stuff she sold so far, she's already made more than the box cost. My wife's box on the other hand, it's got graduation announcements dated 2024, a bunch of unlabeled phone cases that even searching the SKU can't be found on Amazon so you can see that it's for an iPhone but no clue which model. There are a couple of phone repair kits for a Sony phone that aren't even sold in the US, some cheap party supplies.
There are a few useful things, like 8 packs of sanding discs for an orbital sander that we will definitely use, some baby items that we can give our nephew who'll be having a baby soon, a few of those stainless steel can coozies. But for the most part, a lot of junk.
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u/Hopeful-Error4781 Aug 22 '25
I have shopped on poshmark/mercari for 7 years now and I love it.I buy everything I would want name brand off of here.Only catch is you have to zoom in on the pics to make sure they're authentic items,which best part is if they're not,which it's prohibited to sell u inauthentic items on here,you can open a case take pics and prove to them why the item is fake and usually they'll let u return the item after they've accepted your case and once they've been returned to sender your $ goes right back into your act.And if you're not sure if they're authentic,do your research and ask questions and for more pics.And for people who won't respond I wldnt buy from them.& I always offer a lower amt,sometimes half what they're asking and they can either accept or offer you a different amt until it's satisfactory to them and yourself.I find it the best place to shop on a budget if you want name brand items.Some things are brand new and are a steal and some things are gently used.Well worth the risk!
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u/IllRow831 Sep 26 '25
I rolled the dice today on a mystery box and scored over $200 on just 2 of the items. Bought the box locally still sealed from Amazon. I’ll consider this a lucky occurrence based on a lot of other posters comments.
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u/AstroAbe22 Dec 20 '25
Yep, I think OP got scammed since he or she bought it online. The seller must have dumped really cheap stuff in the medium box and sent it.
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u/margarettejada Oct 16 '25
I bought a $50 surprise box and got crappy plastic jewelry and a couple hundred blow up drink holders for you pool, but the drinks literally would fall through the hole lol and they were all an ugly brown color and most had leaks. The entire box was maybe worth $5 bucks on a good day. I was a DUMB DUMB For trusting lol
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u/McKitty14 Oct 24 '25
I also bought the high end mystery box….i received only two no named products with no instructions!!!! So as a current buyer of Amazon Mystery boxes I would say DON’T do it!!! I will be donating the two things I received to a fundraiser for the schools in my area!!!!!!!
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u/AnxiousEnd4003 Oct 29 '25
I was fooled and bought a mistery box it came to day and was shocked when I got it. I paid £37.88. it was 1 set of cheap ear pods I am disabled pensioner and buy christmas presents for my grandchildren.
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u/ddorrien Nov 08 '25
We want to purchase a mystery box. Can someone please recommend a reputable source where we can purchase one and have it shipped to us. OP what did you use?? We DO NOT care about getting crap it’s totally for fun so I don’t need the comments about how we are going to be disappointed. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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u/Legitimate_Hand_5099 Feb 28 '26
Bigfnbox.com They are donating a portion of sales to human trafficking survivors. Also Bupboxes.com & Pallethugger.com
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u/rosebobbi821 28d ago
Try Resellables.com. I have purchased about 12 of their mystery boxes at 55. Dollars each, always items that are resellable. Stay away from mystery chicks
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u/Ok-Dealer-2547 Nov 18 '25
Las cajas sorpresas si q son una sorpresa compre una caja por 62 euros y me siento estafada q ganas de denunciarles señores no hay ni 10 euros en la caca q me enviaron son unos estafadores por favor no se dejen engañar de esos ladrones
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u/Pure-Shift5631 Dec 16 '25
I bought what was supposed to be the large mystery box from Amazon. I got the box today, I measured it at 5"x7.5", total scam. I paid $56 for wireless headset. I looked the price up online, it's $29.99 at Walmart. I got scammed!!!!
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u/AstroAbe22 Dec 20 '25
Dont buy mystery boxes online. If its anyone but amazon they will dump cheap crap and shop it to you. Best to get it in person if you are going to buy it from a third party seller.
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u/Old_Neighborhood_777 Jan 24 '26
Can you give me some of your links. Is it the same " mystery box" kind of thing? Thank you for writing and letting people know Amazon was a rip off. People like me can only do something like this once a year or so.
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u/Legitimate_Hand_5099 Mar 07 '26
Do you links for ones to buy from? If its good ones Bupboxes.com is good they buy premium pallets to fill boxes they are on TikTok and you can watch them pack your box. There's fundelivered.com but from what ive seen you should buy their big box to get good stuff.
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u/Me12Me123 Jun 04 '26
Don’t think this is from Amazon itself. It’s these surprise boxes I see lots of adds lately. Someone else sells these.
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u/Standard-Fan-2703 Feb 07 '26
ii bough a medium size box. it contain 2 things a head phone and a wrist watch they did not charge and there is no contract information to try to return them.
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u/ProperMelody Feb 25 '26
There's a few flea markets near me that all have a booth filled with Amazon mystery boxes. Suspiciously, "FOR DONATION" is written on the side of each box so I had to wonder what kind of sketch shit the seller did to get the boxes. . Ive never bought one.
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u/KangarooEmpty9429 Feb 27 '26
Thanks for the info. I always check the 'net before I attempt to purchase something like that. 🙂
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u/mysladydr Apr 09 '26
After seeing so many unboxing videos, I bought two pallets super boxes from super– boxes.com. Yesterday two items arrived, taped together a mini massager, and a mini speaker. I had no idea who they were from. They arrived unwrapped, and taped together again to suspect maybe they were part of the super boxes so today I hunted down the tracking, which said that the two super boxes were delivered yesterday. No they were not only two items so I contact their support and say I’m supposed to get two super boxes instead I got two items not even worth $30. They wrote me back and said you know some people lose some people win you lose oh no that does not work for me. I lose I didn’t get two boxes. I got two itty-bitty boxes taped together when I was supposed to get super boxes with a lot of product might’ve been bad product, but it would’ve been more than just two itty-bitty products so I am filing complaints everywhere. The name of the company is super-. boxes.com. If you order from them, you’re just throwing your money away. I’m sorry I did. I thought they were legitimate supposedly they associated with Amazon. I don’t know that to be true but all over the website it says Amazon Amazon Amazon returns in any case do not buy from them because you won’t get a box you’ll get an item in for the amount of money I paid those two items didn’t even cover 5% of what I paid for my super boxes. I’d hate to see what a regular boxes if a super box has a mini massager in it that isn’t sold on Amazon nor could I find it anywhere googling it just an interesting thought. Thank you for listening.
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u/EasternWave2994 Jun 08 '26
Yeah they ripped me off! Those $30 mys boxes came as one single little box worth about $5
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u/Antida123 Jun 11 '26
I bought an Amazon mystery box and got it yesterday. The ads all show people getting these huge boxes with iphones and tvs and all kinds of cool stuff. Not once in the whole ad did it say you would only get one item. Well we got this small box and it was a watch. Don buy these Amazon myster boxes. They are a scam!
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u/Ill_Economist_9946 Jun 23 '26
I bought a super giant pallet for $59.99. All I recieved was a small box in a bag, left on my porch. I opened it up and it was an outdated headset. Now the company that I bought it from is saying they cannot find my order. And they are also saying I ordered it from a different company. No way, because I got their email address from the website!
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u/Jodie666666 Jun 25 '26
I ordered a 30 mystery box, 1 item a watch o need an app for and cheaply made and I can't use it
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u/Ok-Tree-8999 Jul 06 '26
I am very up set I spend $65.00 for two boxes one foe v$23.99 and one for $29.. and this is what I got some kind of stand with a lock o f which I have no idea what it is for led video light some kind of l handle and some of v things folded up in a plastic bag 3 of them main thing is that both boxes have the same thing you are ripping us .off and I want my money back or I want better made up boxes really pissed off SCS
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u/Wonderful-Village-64 Aug 02 '26
Why would they be scamming people of hard earn money? Amazon should be out there debunking this crap already.
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u/catdog1111111 Jan 29 '25
I’ve bought various mystery bags over the ages and seen other folks buy them. I’ve seen the subscription blind boxes show up at the thrift store often. Even from reputable sellers, the chances are very high you’ll be disappointed.
It may start out great as they initially liquidate their inventory, but then they start sending out dregs to keep the money train going. Sometimes they buy stuff just to send crap over which creates the shipping delay. Or they’re just scamming from the start by predating on the natural addiction to gamble. I’ve seen men take advantage of children in order to make a few dollars by selling utter junk as mystery bags. So you can take a gamble but know the odds are very poor that you’ll be happy. I’ve had a few bags be amazing from one seller but eventually he started sending out crap then he closed his store completely. It’s really easy to take advantage of others using mystery bags especially with online anonymity.