Buying Amazon Returns Pallets Near Me
Buying Amazon Returns Pallets Near Me
Where is the best place to source Amazon returns pallets for less? We will guide you through buying Amazon returns pallets, and some top tips for resale.
Nowadays, its easy to forget that Amazon started its life as a humble online bookseller. From selling its first book about human thought processes way back in , the company has grown into an online global retail giant that has completely transformed the way we shop for goods. What was once a humble bookshop has now grown into a global powerhouse, with over 200 million unique visitors to the site in the US alone. Those familiar brown cardboard packages are part and parcel of everyday life, and one-click purchasing and next day delivery are considered the norm today, and no longer a novelty.
The retail model may have changed, but theres one aspect of the business that is the same for Amazon as for bricks and mortar chains such as Lowes Hardware, Target, and Walmart: customer returns and what to do with them. Every year, Amazon takes back thousands and thousands of customer returns from all over the United States and Canada. These returns must be disposed of somehow, which is where specialist, big-scale liquidation companies step in.
Top-tier liquidators such as Direct Liquidation source surplus returns from large retailers such as Amazon providing small businesses access to that merchandise through their online liquidation marketplaces. With Direct Liquidation, you can find a steady source of high quality branded, unbranded and Amazon own brand merchandise at a low price.
If this is the type of merchandise your business is looking to acquire, where is the best place to buy pallets of Amazon returns near you, and what can you expect when you buy Amazon returns from a liquidation specialist?
Source: Statista, .
Buying And Making Money From Customer Returns
If you run a retail business, youll know the importance of sourcing the stock you need for your business at the lowest price possible. Many retailers have noticed a worrying trend recently where wholesale prices from traditional wholesale sources are almost on a par with retail prices. As a result, an increasing number of retail businesses have switched to buying merchandise wholesale from top-tier liquidation companies where prices for pallets of customer returns are much lower, and the choice of goods on offer is much more comprehensive.
This wide range of choice and low price makes it much easier for retailers to source exactly what they need from a liquidator, and at a price that wont break the bank. The low price paid by buying from liquidation auctions that take place on most top-tier liquidators sites on a daily basis is translated into increased profits when it comes time to sell the goods to customers.
Its this low cost, a wide range of choice and the likelihood of increased profits that keeps retailers coming back to top-tier liquidators time and time again. When it comes to buying returns from Amazon, theres only one place your business should consider Direct Liquidation.
What Are Amazon Customer Returns?
People across the United States are now buying more products online than they are from physical stores. Online commerce grows year on year its estimated to rise from a figure of $396.7 billion dollars back in to a staggering $684 billion by the end of . This switch to online purchasing has benefitted companies such as Amazon immensely, but theres a downside to the retailer: mounting levels of customer returns. Customers expect companies to have favorable returns policies, with 58% of those surveyed wanting a no questions asked policy and 92% saying they would be more likely to buy from the same company again if they have a good returns policy.
Amazon knows full well that the customer is king, which is why they like most big name retailers try to accommodate their customers returns needs. And that means the company takes back huge amounts of returned products every month as a result of how easy theyve made it to send products back.
Source: Invesp.
There are many reasons why products are returned to companies such as Amazon. In the United States, the reasons why products are returned can be broken down as follows:
- 20% of customers received damaged products.
- 22% of the products received looked different in real life than they did online.
- 23% of customers received the wrong items.
- 35% of customers returned products for other reasons, for example because they changed their mind about their purchases.
Whatever the reason for the returns, the result is the same for Amazon as it is for other big-name retailers: they have a mountain of returns in a variety of conditions that they need to sell as quickly as they possibly can to prevent their supply lines and warehouses jamming up with non-new products.
Amazon solves its returns problem by selling them in bulk wholesale, usually to top-tier liquidation companies such as Direct Liquidation. The reason for this is that larger scale liquidation companies have the warehouse capacity and distribution networks capable of dealing with the sheer volume of returns Amazon needs to deal with. In turn, liquidators are able to offer businesses far lower prices than smaller scale wholesalers due to the low prices they pay for the wholesale returns they purchase from Amazon in bulk. Thats why, when looking to buy Amazon returns pallets, the best place to source them is from a top-tier liquidator such as Direct Liquidation.
The Best Place To Buy Amazon Returns Pallets
Source: DATAFEEDWATCH, .
Direct Liquidation is a top-tier liquidation specialist that sources merchandise directly from some of the biggest names in US retail such as Walmart, Lowes, Target and, of course, Amazon, to bring its business customers the very best range of customer returns at the lowest possible prices to help their business customers maximize their profits.
On Direct Liquidations online sales platform youll find a vast range of Amazon returns in a whole host of categories. Navigate via the drop-down category menu to Amazons landing page, and youll find all sorts of returns pallets to suit most kinds of retail businesses, from Pet Toys & Pet Supplies, Cycling & Bicycles and Patio & Office, to Bath & Body, Books, Lighting & Light Fixtures and even Gourmet Grocery products. Youll also find a broad range of Amazons brand products, such as Amazon Basics.
The range of Amazon returns Direct Liquidation can supply your business via liquidation sales with is astonishing. Thats why more and more retail companies looking for excellent-quality merchandise are turning to Direct Liquidation to supply them with all their Amazon returns requirements. Theres simply no better place to find Amazon returns.
Sold via live auction or for a fixed or negotiated price, Amazon returns pallets bought from Direct Liquidation are a great way of supplying your business with merchandise without spending a fortune. The proximity of the companys network of distribution centers to Amazons warehouses means turnaround times are minimized. This means that your business will get the stock it purchases from Direct Liquidation in as fast a time as possible. This, in turn, means youll be able to start listing the goods you buy wholesale from Direct Liquidation in no time at all, and see the profits start rolling in.
Where To Buy Amazon Returns Pallets Near You
So where can you buy Amazon returns pallets from Direct liquidation near you? Direct Liquidations network of distribution centers are all located next to major highways. This means your chosen courier will not have to hunt out a dingy warehouse in the middle of nowhere when picking up your goods, cutting down on fuel costs and wait times.
As weve mentioned, Direct Liquidations distribution centers are also located close to Amazons warehouses.The centers are located across the United States and Canada, and so your business can get a steady supply of top-quality Amazon returns speedily and easily, meaning youll be selling the goods you purchase to your customers in no time.
Making The Most Of Your Amazon Returns Pallets
Due to the fact that customer returns come in a number of conditions, making the most out of them requires effort if you are to maximize the amount of profit you can squeeze out of each pallet. Some of the items in an unopened, uninspected pallet of Amazon returns will be sellable straightaway, but others will need some care before youll be able to sell them to your customers.
Pallets of customer returns can include untouched, unopened products, products that have been opened by customers and are now missing components, nonfunctioning products, damaged products, fully functional products with damaged or missing packaging and any combination in between. The trick when squeezing as much bang for your buck out of a pallet of returns is to add as much value as you possibly can. Lets take a look at what you can do to maximize the profits from a pallet of Amazon returns.
Sort and Bundle
If your pallet of returns does not come with a manifest, youll need to carefully go through it to see exactly what youve got. Some products will be immediately sellable, while others will need to be repaired or refurbished. Some products might naturally sell well together, so make sure to note these down so they can be bundled up later.
Refurbish and Repair
Because these are returns, a number of products in each pallet will be faulty and / or damaged and in need of repair or refurbishment. Some products are easy to fix, while others will require more work, either by yourself or a third party. The more faulty products that can be repaired or refurbished back to factory spec, the more value can be added.
Also, if there are several of the same products in a pallet and theyre all faulty, try taking components and accessories from one unit to use in another to return that to factory spec. This will also add value. And dont forget to keep hold of products that arent in any condition to ever be sold as these can often be used for spares and repairs in the future.
Re-Accessorize
Some of the products in a returns pallet will be missing accessories. In the case of electronics, for example, you might find chargers or headphones missing. These missing accessories are usually easy and cheap to replace. By re-accessorizing products, you will add to their value.
Repackage
If any of the packaging on the products in your pallet is damaged, make sure you replace it either with undamaged original packaging, or with good quality replacement plain packaging. Customers arent attracted to damaged packaging, and having good packaging adds value to products.
Inspect and Sort
All items you are going to resell need to be inspected thoroughly and advertised with the correct condition the merchandise is in. These are the merchandise conditions that we use:
- New factory-sealed These are brand-new products in pristine condition. They have never been opened and are in their original boxes, sealed in factory plastic wrapping.
- New open-box These items are new and in perfect condition. The packaging, however, has been opened.
- Refurbished These are items that have been inspected, repaired if necessary, accessorized, and repackaged.
- Used These are functional items. However, you may see signs of wear and tear, such as scratches and/or dents.
Finally, always remember to look for and discard any original warranties you find in products. Original warranties are not valid, so make sure none are accidentally left inside packaging.
Buying Amazon returns pallets through Direct Liquidations online liquidation marketplace is the best way of ensuring your business gets the best of what Amazon has to offer. With a steady stream of wholesale merchandise being listed on Direct Liquidations site every day, theres always something new to discover.
This steady stream of goods and the ease with which you can buy and ship your Amazon returns pallets from Direct Liquidation means youll always have something new to offer your customers, and the price savings youll make on buying wholesale from Direct liquidation means youll be able to offer your customers great-quality merchandise at a very attractive price. Its a win-win situation.
Looking for the best source of Amazon liquidation returns pallets? Look no further than Direct Liquidation.
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How to Buy and Sell Amazon Return Pallets in
Amazon promises customers a 30-day no-questions-asked returns policy, and while this is good for consumers, it has led to massive costs in returns for the e-commerce giant. The National Retail Federation estimated that during the holiday season, the merchandise returns cost $171 billion, a whopping 17% of total online holiday sales in the US. Meanwhile, US retailers account for as much as $816 billion in lost sales from total returns in merchandise.
With Amazon being the largest online retailer in the US, it shares a huge chunk of this staggering volume. Its no wonder theyre selling Amazon returns pallets to enterprising individuals who want quick profits. This is also their answer to rising criticism over their disposal methods of product returns.
In this guide, well take a deep dive into how you can buy and sell Amazon return pallets and turn this process into a thriving business.
Are Amazon Return Pallets Profitable?
Also called liquidation pallets, Amazon return pallets are large crates containing various returned items like clothes, books, electronics, furniture, and more. These items are usually damaged, defective, or used, but there are also many items in good condition that were simply unwanted.
Theres no guarantee what youd find in a box or how much money youd make, but because you get these boxes for really low prices, its possible to make a decent profit. Pallets are usually sold at online auctions where you bid for them or buy them at a flat rate. Most boxes start as low as $200 to $800, while some reach as high as $8,000 to $13,000.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Selling Amazon Return Pallets
There are several reasons why this is a good business:
- Minimal initial investments Its much cheaper to purchase liquidation pallets than to buy directly from retailers or wholesalers. With a few hundred dollars, you can kickstart your business and start earning.
- High-profit margins Because youre getting items for a fraction of their usual cost, you can turn an impressive profit if you know how to price items well.
- Unlimited product inventory As long as you find credible suppliers, youll have access to an unlimited inventory of various items. There will always be returns and overstocks you can continuously procure and sell.
- Easy reselling opportunities There are multiple platforms where you can resell your pallet finds. You can go to various e-commerce sites, sell physically via garage sales, post on your social media accounts, and more.
Despite these advantages, you should also be aware of the challenges involved in selling liquidation pallets.
- Uncertain quality Because these are returned goods, their quality and condition arent guaranteed. Youd suffer a loss if you purchased a pallet with more unsellable items than good ones.
- Lack of transparency Some liquidation companies dont list information about the contents of the pallets. If youre not careful, you might purchase pallets with empty boxes or damaged items.
- Labor-intensive You might find the process of sorting through pallets and looking for saleable items time-consuming and labor-intensive. Youll also still have to list and resell each item.
Despite these challenges, you can still gain massive success from flipping liquidation pallets. You just need strategic planning, market research, and some luck.
Buying Amazon Return Pallets
Its easy to buy liquidation pallets. To get started:
- Register on a liquidation website.
- Browse available return pallets.
- Place a bid or purchase for a flat fee.
- Arrange shipping or pick up at a designated location.
Amazon also holds a liquidation sale for its sellers, which typically takes place after the holidays. This is their way of helping third-party sellers liquidate any returns or overstocked items.
What to expect when buying liquidation pallets
Buying Amazon Return Pallets is a gamble, but understanding what each pallet can contain will help maximize your chances of getting high-ticket items. There are four types of Amazon return truckloads:
- Large products, called Bigs
- Small products, called Smalls
- High retail
- Clothing
Bigs are ideal for larger retail stores because they contain 26 tall pallets. These are mostly filled with large items but with a lower piece count. Think of televisions, refrigerators, furniture, and huge garden goods. Youd need ample storage space if you purchase these items. This is also ideal if youre selling for local sale, so you wont have to worry about shipping them to your customer.
Smalls contain a huge assortment of smaller merchandise like sunglasses, watches, electronics, and accessories. It takes time to sort through these products, especially if you want to list them online. However, there can be very valuable and profitable items in the lotjust be ready to invest time sorting through them.
High retail contains the best-selling stocks from Amazon. Youd expect a lower item count but be guaranteed that youre getting highly sought-after items, which can result in a faster turnover. The drawback is theres greater competition, potentially resulting in smaller margins.
Clothing pallets may contain up to 1,200 items, which can be a mix of men's, women's, children's, and baby's clothes. There could also be designer and branded clothes, along with accessories like belts, scarves, and handbags. Most of these items are ready-packed and in prime condition, making them ideal for resale in flea markets or thrift shops.
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Things to consider before purchasing
Before buying your first Amazon Return Pallet, carefully consider the following:
- Condition: While theres no guarantee on the condition of the products thatd arrive, you can still check the listings to see if what youre purchasing is new, refurbished, or damaged. The condition will affect the resale value.
- Manifest: Most listings will contain an inventory list (called manifest) of whats inside the pallet. There can be varying information in the manifest, with some being simple lists while others having comprehensive information like conditions, reviews, etc.
- Profit margins: You can estimate your potential returns by looking at how similar items are sold. Check the original price and used price and determine if this leaves enough room for your other costs.
- Shipping costs: Most platforms will charge shipping fees, either as flat fees or weighted fees. Take this into account when considering your options.
- Storage space: If you buy bulky items, ensure you have enough space to store these huge pallets. If youre purchasing smaller pallets, make sure you have enough space to sort them out.
- Return policy: Even if youre purchasing returned items, youre still covered by a returns and refunds policy that states what happens in case the items are damaged in transit or not shipped by the marketplace.
- Time investment: Selling liquidated items requires time and effort to sort, clean, and list them all. The time investment doing these things is different depending on the kind of pallets you buy. Big pallets will be easier to sort but maybe harder to clean, while small pallets may take hours to sort and categorize.
Where to buy Amazon Return Pallets
Heres a list of reputable liquidation companies where you can purchase returned stocks.
Amazon Bulk Liquidations
Amazon introduced its own bulk liquidations platform where you can find overstock items in new and unopened conditions. Products here are from Amazon themselves or its numerous third-party sellers. Since these are unopened items, youd be receiving them in mint condition and can sell them for higher prices.
Purchasing a pallet is also straightforward because its just like buying from Amazon. You select the item you want, check out the listing page, and checkout. Each listing page contains details about the item, quantity, and price.
Amazon will also ship the items to you within 14 days, although they cant guarantee that all of your orders will arrive simultaneously. To start shopping, you have to contact Amazon directly if you want to start shopping from their inventory.
The program is still in beta and there may be limited lots available. Youre also only allowed to purchase one lot per order. All purchases are considered final and not eligible for refunds.
888Lots
888Lots is one of the longest-running liquidation companies offering low prices for individual or bulk items. They allow you to customize your lots and choose the exact items you need. Alternatively, you can purchase one of their existing lots, which has a detailed list of the items contained, including their conditions. You can even read the reviews and sales rank of these items to further help you evaluate if theyre profitable.
There are a lot of brand-new products across over 30 categories on the platform, so you wont run out of things to sell. There are also fixed-priced pallets, but you can always negotiate their prices. Despite these detailed descriptions, theres no guarantee of the product condition youd get.
To buy from the platform, you need a valid resale certificate permitting you to sell to US customers.
Direct Liquidations
Direct Liquidation partners with Amazon, Target, and Walmart to auction liquidation pallets. Theyre a well-known and reputable platform that gives you the option to narrow down your search by store and brand. This allows you to select the exact items you want and also helps make the search process easier.
While they dont guarantee product condition, Direct Liquidation only works with reputable selling platforms, so youre guaranteed the authenticity of what you receive. Unfortunately, there are categories with minimum quantity requirements which can be restrictive for small-scale buyers.
What sets them apart from other similar liquidation sites is their exclusive partnership with prominent retailers and manufacturers in North America. This allows them to keep costs really low because there are no intermediaries, giving more customers access to high-quality items.
BStock
BStock supports small and large businesses and has categories specific to each. Whether youre a small business owner or a large business, you can find pallets or truckloads of inventory at low prices.
Like other platforms, you have to place a bid to purchase the lots. You also need a resale license to create an account, and once youre approved, you can start bidding and winning on various listings.
Theyve partnered with a lot of big online platforms like Amazon and several small ones to give you lots of options to choose from. However, not all of these marketplaces have active auctions. Once youve won an Amazon auction bid, Amazon has 14 days to prepare your shipment. Otherwise, the order is canceled, and youll get a full refund. They also charge a minimum $135 shipment fee, which is adjusted based on the weight of your pallets.
Liquidation.com
Just like Direct Liquidation, Liquidation.com offers the same convenience of being able to filter what you want to buy using Categories, Lot Size, Brands, and Locations. This enables you to be efficient and granular in your search for those winning items.
There is also a wide range of products from every imaginable category, including niche Collectors and novelty items. You can bid on lots for as low as $100 with no reserve fees. You can also take advantage of Buy Now buttons where you can purchase a lot for a fixed price without bidding.
Liquidation.com accepts items from various sellers, including manufacturers, public sector agencies, financial institutions, service companies, and logistics providers. You can find items in multiple conditions, such as new (overstock items), refurbished, returns, shelf pulls, used, and salvage. Be sure to check the condition of the lot youre bidding on before finalizing a sale.
Bulq
If you hate auctions, try out Bulq. They are one of the largest sellers of liquidation merchandise and partner with many retailers, including Amazon. When you find something you like, just add it to your cart and checkout.
They also frequently update their lists with new pallets and provide shipping services for a fee. You can easily sort through their categories to find several big-box store retailers. Since the platform is designed for retailers, you can enjoy perks like bulk purchasing options, discounted pricing, and a supportive reseller community.
Listings also provide ample information about the contents of each pallet so youd know exactly what youre getting. However, while this information is available, you cant customize what a pallet contains. Likewise, the condition of the products is unknown, and some may arrive defective, incomplete, or broken.
Selling Amazon Return Pallets
After purchasing your first lot, its time to sell. Here are some options:
- Sort and bundle
Sort through your pallet to see what you got. Some items are clean and can be sold right away, but others may require extra attention. You can also check which items can be sold as a bundle since that will allow you to create unique offers.
- Repair and refurbish
In case the items you got are faulty, you can try to repair and refurbish them. You can either use a third party or repair it yourself. Youd be surprised that many faults can be easily fixed and wont cost a dime. Some items might let you salvage parts to repair another item from the same model.
- Repackage
If you get items with damaged packaging, repackage them into better packaging. If you can make it look as close to the original one, do so. Packaging elevates the products value, and youll be able to command a better price if with good quality original packaging or pristine plain packaging.
- Re-accessorize
If you can find the extra accessories needed to complete a set, do so. Selling an item with its complete accessories will command a higher price. You can also build a set to support a main item. For example, if youre selling a camera, you can complete a set by including straps, stands, lenses, covers, etc.
Where to sell returned items
There are multiple online and offline channels where you can sell these items depending on your target customers, the products youre selling, and your time investment.
When selling online, consider the weight of your items and the cost of shipping them. Youd also want to look at your competition so you know how to price and position your products properly. Use tools like SmartRepricer to price items competitively.
Some popular online platforms include eBay, Craigslist, and even Amazon. However, be careful to check out the exact requirements, fees, and policies involved before listing on these sites. Another option is to build your own website. However, you must have a marketing plan to drive traffic to your site. You can use online ads and harness the power of social media.
If you decide to sell offline, you can start a thrift store business, sell right out of your garage, or rent a stall at a flea market and target bargain hunters. You may also list your items in local communities and promote them so that locals learn about your offers. This is a good option if youre selling big, bulky items that will be too costly to ship.
When starting an offline business, factor in overhead costs like rent and utilities. This option is advisable for profitable enterprises who can afford the costs. For those starting, selling online with less overhead costs can be a more viable option.
Tips and Tricks for Buying and Selling Amazon Return Pallets
To further ensure your success in this business, follow these tips:
- Compare products from different marketplaces. Different platforms will list almost the same pallets (or at least the same contents). Compare their listings and take note of the prices and product conditions. Factor in shipping costs and other fees before making a decision.
- Avoid risky categories. Some products are too risky to buy and resell. This includes electronics, cooking products, and any products with multiple parts and accessories. These items have higher chances of being defective, and if you dont know how to fix them, youre left with dead inventory.
- Start small. Dont be tempted to buy several pallets right away, even if they are cheap. Start with one or two first and get a grip on the buying, sorting, and selling process.
- Look for manifests. Mystery boxes may be cheaper, but theres also a bigger chance that theyll contain unwanted products. Stick with lots that have detailed manifests so you know what youre getting.
- Evaluate liquidation platforms. Dont just randomly sign up and purchase from one platform. While all of the listed ones above are reputable, exercise your own judgment and read customer reviews before choosing a platform to start with.
- Record your sales. To maximize your profits, record how much customers pay for which items. This will reveal the perceived value of the items so you can improve your pricing, marketing, and packaging efforts.
- Dont pay more than 20% of the MSRP. When joining auctions, its essential to understand the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP). This is the total of the selling price of all the items on the pallet. Dont bid more than 20% of the MSRP. You may lose a few auctions, but itll guarantee youll always turn a profit on the pallets youve won.
Final Thoughts
Selling returned items accomplishes two things: you earn huge profits, and you help solve Amazons massive returns challenge. Not to mention, you help save the planet by preventing unwanted items from ending up in a landfill.
If youve always wanted to try out this lucrative business, get started with the guidelines listed above. Who knows, your side gig may turn out to be a highly successful enterprise.
Additional FAQs about Amazon Returns
How does Amazon's return policy impact consumer behavior and market trends?
Amazon's return policy allows customers to return items within 30 days without any questions, making shopping a low-risk activity. This policy not only builds trust and loyalty among customers, potentially boosting sales but also influences shopping habits, encouraging people to make more purchases they might otherwise consider risky.
However, this approach also has a broader impact on the retail market. It leads to more returns, increasing operational costs for Amazon and pushing other retailers to adopt similar policies to stay competitive. This creates a need for continuous innovation in how businesses manage their stock and handle returns, possibly driving them toward more sustainable practices or new technological developments in supply chain management.
What measures does Amazon take to mitigate the financial impact of such a high volume of returns?
To handle the financial strain caused by frequent returns, Amazon has developed several strategies. One key approach is selling returned items in bulk at a discount to third parties, which helps recover some of its losses. Amazon also uses sophisticated predictive analytics to forecast what and how much they should stock, reducing the chances of excess that needs to be liquidated later. They employ advanced technology to streamline their restocking and returns, cutting down on logistical costs.
While Amazon could discourage unnecessary returns by charging restocking fees or tightening return policies on certain items, they have generally avoided such measures to keep customer satisfaction high.
What are the long-term effects of Amazon's approach to handling returns on the e-commerce and retail industry?
Over the long term, Amazon's handling of returns, especially its strategy of selling off returned items and maintaining a generous return policy, sets a standard in customer service that other retailers aim to replicate. This shapes the future of e-commerce and the wider retail industry, encouraging businesses to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty with similar policies.
However, it also complicates logistics and return management, spurring innovation in how these challenges are tackled. These practices could lead to more environmentally friendly approaches in the industry, like better product lifecycle management and recycling efforts. Furthermore, as these policies often require significant logistical support, they could lead to a market where only the biggest players can compete, potentially reducing competition.
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