Science & Tech
Watch Out for Amazon’s LPN Sticker to Avoid Returned Items
Clear Facts
- Amazon items with a white barcode sticker starting with “LPN” indicate they were previously returned.
- These LPN stickers are used for tracking and internal processing within Amazon’s inventory system.
- Returned items can sometimes end up in Amazon return resale stores or sold as “mystery Amazon pallets.”
Amazon has revolutionized the shopping experience, offering a vast array of products at competitive prices. Whether you’re in need of a last-minute costume or redecorating your home, Amazon has you covered.
However, the convenience of easy returns, especially for Prime members, means that returned items often re-enter the marketplace. This raises a crucial question: how can you tell if your purchase was previously returned?
Laura Mudrich, a content creator, has shared a useful tip for discerning whether an Amazon item was returned. According to Mudrich, a white barcode sticker beginning with “LPN” is the key indicator.
“Have you ever wondered if an item you purchased from Amazon has been used before? Well, if you get an item with this white sticker, with a code that starts with ‘LPN,’ and it’s usually in a clear bag with green writing, that means that the item you got has been purchased and then returned to Amazon,” Mudrich explained on Instagram.
She further elaborated, saying, “If you get any items that say ‘LPN,’ check it because it has been returned to Amazon and sometimes it’s in poor condition.”
Mudrich has encountered this issue multiple times. She has received returned bras, belt bags with sticker residue, and a used skirt that already had pilling and stains. This experience highlights the importance of being vigilant when unboxing your Amazon purchases.
The My Amazon Guy blog offers additional insights into these LPN stickers. “Amazon LPN (License Plate Numbers) are used for Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) item tracking (mostly with returns) and other internal processing uses, not directly specified by Amazon.”
These stickers are typically placed over the Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) barcode stickers. They allow sellers to trace the reason for a return and identify the original purchaser.
Interestingly, not all returned items make their way back into Amazon’s primary sales channels. Some end up in Amazon return resale stores. In these stores, returned items are placed in large bins for shoppers to sift through, offering potential bargains. Larger items like furniture and mattresses are displayed separately at higher prices.
Additionally, “mystery Amazon pallets” have become a phenomenon. These are large boxes filled with a random assortment of Amazon returns. One TikToker paid $483 for a pallet that contained over $1,000 worth of name-brand products.
While Amazon provides unparalleled shopping convenience, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for receiving returned items. By keeping an eye out for the LPN sticker, you can make more informed decisions about your purchases.
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