Amazon: A Variation on Switch Method

yeetmyhaw1991 · 11-30-2021, 06:32 AM

Hi All,

I'm planning on get a really pricey laptop ( >$3000 ) and I'm wondering if this method will work.

Requirements:
1 x Trusted Amazon Account (5+ years with 100+ purchases)
1 x Random Amazon Account
1x An Item of Similar Weight

Method:
1. Purchase a brand new laptop on new or random amazon account
2. Purchase the same laptop model (doesn't have to be exact) but under Renewed Option on trusted account and have it under shipped by Amazon instead of a third party
3. Return brand new laptop but switch it renewed laptop under normal refund reason
4. Return renewed laptop with some trash laptop with similar weight -> under wrong item received received

Result:
Keep brand new laptop, lose a trash laptop, and hopefully not get flagged on trusted amazon account. Might get banned on new account.

Any thoughts on this method from more experienced SE's out there? (First post btw!)

mothered · 11-30-2021, 09:27 AM

Quote:3. Return brand new laptop but switch it renewed laptop under normal refund reason

What's the exact reason for the return?

Quote:4. Return renewed laptop with some trash laptop with similar weight -> under wrong item received received

Amazon "tend to be" pretty switched on with returns, thereby they'll Immediately Identify the trashy laptop Is not part of their Inventory.

Unless of course, the sealed box method Is used.

yeetmyhaw1991 · 12-01-2021, 12:27 AM

(11-30-2021, 09:27 AM)mothered Wrote:
Quote:3. Return brand new laptop but switch it renewed laptop under normal refund reason
What's the exact reason for the return?

Quote:4. Return renewed laptop with some trash laptop with similar weight -> under wrong item received received
Amazon "tend to be" pretty switched on with returns, thereby they'll Immediately Identify the trashy laptop Is not part of their Inventory.

Unless of course, the sealed box method Is used.

Best reason I can think of for normal return is found a better price possibly.
Sealed box method -> does this require some special wrapping or special tape possibly?

yeetmyhaw1991 · 12-01-2021, 02:53 AM

Thinking through this, it may be easier to not buy a renewed laptop, but instead buy the same laptop model that's broken, and place that in the box instead.

The concern/question now is will they pull the laptop out and make sure it's not broken?
To counteract this process, if possible, the box resealing method could be employed to not raise any suspicion.
The use of a broken laptop model is a precautionary at the end of the day if (or when) they check the laptop that they won't turn it on.

This avoids messing with renewed laptops and fucking over businesses that are non Amazon.

mothered · 12-01-2021, 03:01 AM

(12-01-2021, 02:53 AM)yeetmyhaw1991 Wrote: Thinking through this, it may be easier to not buy a renewed laptop, but instead buy the same laptop model that's broken, and place that in the box instead.

The concern/question now is will they pull the laptop out and make sure it's not broken?

If the box Is returned opened (not In Its factory state), for resale purposes, there's a high probability they'll check the return.

(12-01-2021, 02:53 AM)yeetmyhaw1991 Wrote: the box resealing method could be employed to not raise any suspicion.

If there's no signs of tampering whatsoever when resealed, It will not give them reason to check.

yeetmyhaw1991 · 12-01-2021, 10:25 AM

Mmmh, thanks for the tips and answers!
Any tips ahead of time to remove tape from box packaging?
I'm just looking at unboxing vids on YouTube trying to find a way but it seems as though cutting through tape may be the only way to physically open the box unfortunately.

SoulOfThe90s · 12-01-2021, 11:03 AM

(12-01-2021, 10:25 AM)yeetmyhaw1991 Wrote: Mmmh, thanks for the tips and answers!
Any tips ahead of time to remove tape from box packaging?
I'm just looking at unboxing vids on YouTube trying to find a way but it seems as though cutting through tape may be the only way to physically open the box unfortunately.

If you mean the Amazon tape, the best way would be to purchase it elsewhere beforehand (say from Aliexpress), open the box by cutting the tape as normal, then to stick the new tape on top of the old cut tape. If done carefully, it should look as if it were never opened.

mothered · 12-01-2021, 11:04 AM

(12-01-2021, 10:25 AM)yeetmyhaw1991 Wrote: Mmmh, thanks for the tips and answers!
Any tips ahead of time to remove tape from box packaging?
I'm just looking at unboxing vids on YouTube trying to find a way but it seems as though cutting through tape may be the only way to physically open the box unfortunately.

You're welcome.

The first place they'd look Is at the top of the box, so (where applicable) tackle the underside. You're not working to meet a deadline, so If need be, take an entire week to open & reseal. If It comes down to cutting the seal, do It very carefully with a thin blade where the box joins and use clear glue to reassemble. I've done It with a recent SE (laptop), and the finished product was flawless to the untrained eye.

yeetmyhaw1991 · 12-01-2021, 11:53 PM

Wow really great help, thanks all!

Getting under the radar by combining some tape, opening from the underside of the package, using clear glue for reassembly, and employing a couple methods with this switch method hopefully will not raise any suspicion.

Any tips on returning items from a major electronics retailor such as an electronics store like microcenter or best buy?
I've decided to move away from Amazon since I wanna use a prepaid shipping label method in combination with the box resealing method to seal the deal and not raise any red flags.