- Who owns Woot and where it started
- How Woot-Offs and Bags of Crap work
- Woot returns: the 30-day rule
- Restocking fees and return charges on Woot
- Why Woot Bags of Crap have no returns
- Reading the crossed-out prices on Woot
- Refurbished computers and warranties on Woot
- Woot shipping and Amazon Prime
- Spotting fake Woot sites and messages
- Woot at a glance
- Is Woot worth buying from?
- Frequently asked questions
Woot is a real deals site that Amazon bought in 2010, so you're buying from a long-running company rather than a stranger. Its FAQ gives most purchases a 30-day return window, but non-defective returns can carry a 15% restocking fee, Bags of Crap can't be returned, and the crossed-out reference prices come from Amazon and may not match the usual market price.
Woot is the site where one product, or a short run of them, gets a big discount until it sells out. It's easy to see why people wonder about it, because the deals move fast and the pressure to buy is part of the design. I've read Woot's own FAQ and Wikipedia's company entry, and what follows is what they say about who owns it, how returns work and how to read the prices.
Who owns Woot and where it started
According to Wikipedia, Woot debuted in 2004, founded by electronics wholesaler Matt Rutledge, and it began with a simple model it called One Day, One Deal. It's based in Carrollton, Texas, and Amazon announced its acquisition of the company in 2010. So when you buy from Woot, you're dealing with a business that has run for a couple of decades and sits inside Amazon, rather than a brand-new shop with no history.
How Woot-Offs and Bags of Crap work
Wikipedia describes two features that make Woot different from an ordinary shop. Woot-Offs are special events, usually lasting 24 to 72 hours, with a new item appearing as the last one sells out. Bags of Crap are blind grab bags of mixed items. Both are designed so that you decide quickly, which is exactly when mistakes happen, so give yourself a minute before you click.
Woot returns: the 30-day rule
Woot's FAQ says you may return most purchases within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Apparel and shoes must be unworn, in their original packaging and not resized or altered. Food and perishables aren't returnable, though they may be refundable or replaceable.
Some orders qualify for what Woot calls a Fast Refund, but that's decided order by order, so look at the details on your own order rather than assuming it.
Restocking fees and return charges on Woot
Here's where the savings can shrink. The FAQ says that if you return something that isn't defective, you may be assessed a 15% restocking fee. It also says that items shipped by specialty carriers carry a flat 50 US dollar return fee. If you're buying something bulky, add that to your sums before you decide the deal is as good as it looks.
Why Woot Bags of Crap have no returns
Woot's FAQ is blunt about this one: Bags of Crap are marked as no returns. Treat them as a gamble you're prepared to lose, and don't use them for a gift or anything you need.
Reading the crossed-out prices on Woot
The reference price you see struck through on a deal is explained in Woot's FAQ. It says these prices are imported from Amazon, which it jokingly calls its friendly overlord, and that they may not be the prevailing market price or regular retail price. That's an honest line, but it means the percentage saved shown on a deal page isn't a promise that the product normally sells for that much.
A quick habit helps: open another shop in a second tab and compare the same model before you buy.
Refurbished computers and warranties on Woot
If you buy a refurbished or reconditioned computer, the FAQ gives a useful warning. Most computer manufacturers start the warranty at the time of build or certified refurbishment, so some of the cover may already have been used up. It tells buyers to register the computer so the warranty is assigned to them, and says the warranty resets once the product is purchased and registered. For heavy or bulky items, it says items covered by a 90-day warranty will cover any defects that may happen.
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Woot shipping and Amazon Prime
Woot's FAQ says Prime members get free Standard shipping on Woot orders, and it adds that the Prime shipping benefits aren't valid for international addresses. If you live outside the US, check the delivery options at checkout instead of assuming Prime applies.
Spotting fake Woot sites and messages
Because Woot is well known, scammers borrow the name. Type the address yourself or use Woot's official app, don't trust a text or email asking you to re-enter card details, and never pay for a Woot order by gift card or bank transfer. For more on checking where an online order really comes from, my guide to whether eBay is legit goes through the same kind of questions.
Woot at a glance
| What I checked | What Woot's own pages say |
|---|---|
| Owner | Amazon, announced its acquisition in 2010 |
| Standard return window | 30 days from delivery for most purchases |
| Restocking fee | May be 15% on non-defective returns |
| Specialty carrier items | Flat 50 US dollar return fee |
| Bags of Crap | No returns |
| Reference prices | Imported from Amazon, may not be the market price |
| Refurbished computers | Register to reset the warranty |
Is Woot worth buying from?
Woot is a real, long-running deals site owned by Amazon, and its FAQ spells out the rules in writing. The catch is that the quick-fire format, the restocking fee and the borrowed reference prices all make it easy to pay more than you meant to. If you compare prices first, read the return terms for the item and avoid Bags of Crap for anything important, it can be a reasonable place to look for a bargain. If you want to see how Amazon treats its own sellers, my guide to what to do when an Amazon account is suspended shows how strict the wider platform can be.
Frequently asked questions
Is Woot legit?
Yes. Woot is a long-running deals site that Amazon announced it was acquiring in 2010, according to Wikipedia. Its FAQ sets out returns, shipping and warranty rules in writing.
Does Amazon own Woot?
Yes. Wikipedia says Amazon announced its acquisition of Woot in 2010, and Woot's FAQ refers to Amazon as its friendly overlord and supports Amazon log in and Prime shipping benefits.
Can I return things to Woot?
Woot's FAQ says you may return most purchases within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Non-defective returns may be assessed a 15% restocking fee, and Bags of Crap can't be returned.
Are Woot's crossed-out prices real?
Woot's FAQ says the reference prices are imported from Amazon and may not be the prevailing market price or regular retail price. Compare the item elsewhere before buying.
Does Woot ship internationally with Prime?
Woot's FAQ says Prime members get free Standard shipping on Woot orders, but the Prime shipping benefits aren't valid for international addresses.
Is a refurbished computer from Woot covered by a warranty?
Woot's FAQ says most manufacturers start the warranty at build or certified refurbishment, so register the computer. It says the warranty resets once the product is purchased and registered.
