Are Amazon Mystery Boxes Worth It in Canada?
Updated September 29, 2026 Β· Written by AmazeDeals, a mystery box seller in Kitchener, Ontario
They can be, for the right buyer. An Amazon mystery box is a sealed box of customer returns and overstock sold at a fixed price, and you don't see what's inside until you open it. It's worth it if you enjoy the surprise, like finding deals, or resell what you don't keep, and you're fine with a few items not working. It isn't worth it if you need something specific, would be upset by a dud or two, or are counting on a profit. We sell mystery boxes, so here are the plain facts to decide with.
Worth it if youβ¦
- enjoy opening things, and the surprise is half the fun
- like everyday home, kitchen, beauty and gadget finds
- resell on Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay or Whatnot and can use a mix of items
- are fine with roughly 5 to 10% of items being used, damaged or not working
Skip it if youβ¦
- need one specific product: buy that product instead
- would be let down by one or two items that don't work
- are counting on a resale profit, which no honest seller can promise
- can't accept a final-sale purchase
Does Amazon sell mystery boxes?
Amazon doesn't list mystery boxes among the ways it handles returns. It says the vast majority of returns are resold as new or used, sent back to the seller, liquidated, or donated. "Liquidated" means sold in bulk to liquidation companies. The "Amazon mystery boxes" sold in Canada are packed by liquidators and resellers, like us, from returns bought in bulk. So when you ask whether a box is worth it, you're really asking about the seller.
What you get for the price
Here is what each of our boxes is packed with. Divide the price by the number of items and you get the cost per item, before shipping and tax:
| Box | Price | Items | Cost per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash | $69 | 12 to 15 | $4.60 to $5.75 |
| Starter | $149 | 16 to 20 | $7.45 to $9.31 |
| Pro | $199 | 25 to 30 | $6.63 to $7.96 |
| Elite | $249 | 30 to 35 | $7.11 to $8.30 |
| VIP | $349 | 45 to 50 | $6.98 to $7.76 |
|
Exclusive scheduled drops |
$499 | 45 to 50 | $9.98 to $11.09 |
Prices are in Canadian dollars. Higher tiers contain more items and higher-value items, not just more of the same. Contents vary from box to box, and we don't list or promise specific products. The Amaze Exclusive's product page spells out exactly what every one of those boxes includes.
What's inside, and what isn't
- A mix of categories: home, kitchen, electronics, beauty, tools and toys. Every box is different.
- A mix of conditions: brand-new items, overstock, open-box items, shelf pulls and customer returns, including some items with damaged packaging and some that are incomplete.
- Some duds. Expect roughly 5 to 10% of the items in any box to be used, damaged or not working: about 1 to 2 items in a Flash box, 2 to 5 in a VIP. We pull anything unsafe, but we don't test every item. That rate is part of why a box costs a fraction of the listed retail of what's inside.
- No specific items. Products shown in photos, videos or reviews aren't guaranteed to appear in your box.
- One wish. Each box's page has a "Make a wish" field. Tell our packer one thing you're hoping for. We take it into account where stock allows, but it's not a guarantee.
The real cost: price plus shipping
Shipping is not free. It's calculated at checkout from the size, weight and destination of your order, and we ship within Canada only. To judge a box honestly, add your shipping to the box price before you divide by the number of items. You can check your rate with the shipping estimator at the bottom of any page on our site before you order. Pickup from our Kitchener warehouse has no shipping charge.
We process and ship orders within 1 to 2 business days, up to 5 in busy periods, and courier transit time is on top of that.
If you plan to resell
We don't promise or estimate any resale return. What a box resells for depends on the items in it, their condition, how you price them and where you sell. Before you list, compare what each Canadian marketplace keeps in fees: our Where Should I Sell This? tool shows what you'd net on each platform after fees.
How to tell a real mystery box seller from a scam
Mystery boxes are a real product, but many online ads for them are not. Security researchers have found social media ads for $2 to $3 "unclaimed package" boxes that signed buyers up for recurring charges and shipped nothing. We explain that scam in Can You Buy Unclaimed Packages in Canada? Before you buy from anyone, check for:
- A street address and a phone number. Ours: Unit 1, 5 Forwell Road, Kitchener, Ontario, and 1-888-838-1047 (toll-free) or (519) 504-6955.
- The full price before you pay, including shipping, with no small "shipping fee" that turns into a subscription.
- No guaranteed products and no "worth up to" promises. A box of mixed returns can't promise a named phone or console.
- Return terms stated up front. Ours are final sale, with an exception for boxes damaged in transit.
- Proof of a real business. We run a weekly public auction from the same warehouse and publish real results at pickup.amazedeals.ca/results.
Frequently asked questions
Are Amazon mystery boxes worth it in Canada?
They can be if you enjoy the surprise, like everyday finds or resell a mix of items, and accept that roughly 5 to 10% of items may be used, damaged or not working. They aren't worth it if you need a specific product or are counting on a resale profit.
Does Amazon sell mystery boxes?
Amazon doesn't list mystery boxes among the ways it handles returns. It says most returns are resold, sent back to the seller, liquidated or donated. Mystery boxes are packed by liquidators and resellers from returns bought in bulk.
How many items are in a mystery box?
Ours hold 12 to 15 items (Flash, $69), 16 to 20 (Starter, $149), 25 to 30 (Pro, $199), 30 to 35 (Elite, $249) and 45 to 50 (VIP, $349). Contents vary from box to box.
Do all the items in a mystery box work?
No. Expect roughly 5 to 10% of the items to be used, damaged or not working: about 1 to 2 in a Flash box and 2 to 5 in a VIP. We pull anything unsafe, but we don't test every item.
Can I return a mystery box?
No. Mystery boxes are final sale. If a box arrives damaged in transit, contact support@amazedeals.ca within 48 hours of delivery with photos. If most of a box is unusable, more than half of the items, we will make it right.
Is shipping free on mystery boxes?
No. We do not offer free shipping. Shipping is calculated at checkout from size, weight and destination, within Canada only. Pickup from our Kitchener warehouse has no shipping charge.
Are mystery boxes a scam?
The product isn't, but many ads are. Buy from a seller with a street address, a phone number, the full price shown before you pay and clear return terms. Avoid ads that promise specific products or a value the box is "worth".
All rules for our boxes are on the mystery box facts page. Sources: Amazon: what happens to returns Β· Bitdefender Labs, February 2024.