Positioning yourself for success in the competitive landscape of reselling requires creative thinking and unique sourcing strategies. Amazon return pallets have emerged as a low-key opportunity to get profitable inventory, but getting into this game requires a good strategy and knowledge base.
In this guide, we’ll explain how you can get into the world of Amazon return pallets the right way, including exactly where you can buy them and the proper way to sell them for profit.
Why Resellers Love Amazon Return Pallets
As a reseller, potential bottlenecks that prevent steady business and scale on the sourcing side have to do with consistency, quality, quantity and profitability.
Amazon return pallets are loved by resellers for the ability to address these issues, offering a steady source of products with the potential for bulk purchases at low prices. They also often include brand-name, in-demand products in new or like-new condition, meaning they’re easy to resell.
Another reason that can add to the enjoyment of Amazon return pallet sourcing is their variety, which can sometimes even mix everyday household items with high-tech gadgets, giving diversity and excitement with each purchase, particularly with those sold as unmanifested bulk returns.
These return pallets are a good alternative to sourcing products from wholesalers, who might have higher qualifications in terms of minimum order quantity and business history to deal with.
10 Places to Buy Amazon Return Pallets
The following marketplaces are known for their liquidation deals on pallets that come from either Amazon or other big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target.
1. Quicklotz
Founded in 2020 to serve the US market, Quicklotz has positioned itself as a user-friendly and diverse marketplace for those seeking liquidation deals from pallets, including Amazon returns.
Quicklotz focuses on transparency and ease of use, with detailed manifests complete with photos and thorough product descriptions, making it incredibly user-friendly even for those who are new to this type of sourcing.
Categories sold: Electronics, Home and Garden, Apparel, Health & Beauty, Sports & Outdoors
2. B-Stock
One of the major players in the online liquidation market and return pallets is B-Stock. Founded in 2008, the company serves a worldwide market with independent sellers using the platform from around the globe.
Listings are organized by regions and categories, and as an auction-based marketplace, you’ll have to be present to actively bid on lots to secure them.
Quality between sellers can vary, so be sure to do as much as you can to vet sellers and stick with sellers you’ve had a good experience in the past when buying Amazon liquidation pallets from here.
Categories sold: Apparel, Consumer Electronics, Jewelry & Accessories, Mobile Phones, Toys & Baby
3. American Liquidation Deals
American Liquidation Deals is a great source for getting bulk pallets from Amazon returns. The platform prides itself on offering a curated selection of products that are organized by general category. Each pallet is fairly large and varied, often containing a mix of product types and conditions.
They include detailed manifests and product descriptions, so you can get a good idea of projected profits, but as with some other liquidation marketplaces, goods are sold as is with no option for returns.
Categories sold: Gadgets & Electronics, Clothing & Accessories, Office Supplies, Home Goods
4. Direct Liquidation
Direct Liquidation, which has been around since 2004, is one of the earliest global markets for liquidations and return pallets. Their inventory sources include top retailers such as Walmart and Sam’s Club in addition to Amazon return pallets.
You can navigate products by brand in addition to category, making it easier for resellers to find inventory that fits their niche. In order to make purchases or bid on their auctions, you’ll need to sign up for an account, but there’s no cost for this membership which includes other perks such as new listing notifications.
Categories sold: Automotive, Electronics, Home Goods, Industrial Supplies
5. UpLiquidation
UpLiquidation has been recognized as a go-to resource for resellers looking to source wholesale liquidation goods since 2015. They’re also known to consistently stock Amazon return pallets along with other reputable sources.
The platform allows resellers of any size an option that fits them best, with pallets ranging from small and beginner-friendly to massive orders by the truckload.
Their bulk buying power and direct relationship with big companies and distributors allow them to cut out the middlemen and ensure they are getting products at the lowest cost which is reflected in the pricing for resellers browsing their diverse marketplace.
Categories sold: Electronics, Tools & Equipment, Apparel, Health & Beauty, Home Goods
6. 888 Lots
888 Lots offers liquidations and returns in both lots and individual items, allowing sellers to capitalize on profitable inventory or test the platform out even if they’re starting with a small budget.
One unique perk that 888 Lots offers are listings that are integrated with Amazon FBA that you can buy per item, and they are currently offering a first-order promo of up to 60% off for brand new, name-brand FBA goods that you can easily sell for profit.
Signing up as a registered user is completely free and grants access to the platform’s entire liquidation marketplace.
Categories sold: Home & Garden, Personal Care & Beauty, Office & School Supplies, Clothing & Accessories
7. Bulq
Another great source for Amazon liquidation pallets is Bulq, which is well known for stocking large lots of mixed brand-name goods. One of their unique selling points is their “Case-pack” option, which allows resellers to buy smaller quantities to test quality and description before leveling up to larger orders.
Bulq also has a partnership with eBay, so it’s possible to purchase lots there as well, but they are often sold out so be sure to sign up for an account directly on their website.
Categories sold: Consumer Electronics, Home & Kitchen, Clothing & Accessories, Jewelry, Toys & Games
8. Via Trading
Via Trading is a wholesale liquidator that prides itself on top-tier customer service offered in both Spanish and English, with multiple points of contact including phone, email and live phone support.
Customers in the US can also visit their physical locations to inspect and buy items in-person, and they cater to resellers of medium to large budgets with lots that include Amazon liquidation pallets with well-known brands at deep discounts.
Categories sold: Office Supplies, Apparel, Health & Beauty, Electronics, Home Goods
9. BlueLots
A newer option in the realm of liquidations and return pallets that gained initial traction and reach as a Silicon Valley startup, including investment from Y Combinator, is Bluelots.
The platform has convenient features such as an MSRP for easier forecasted profit in addition to the number of units as a quick snapshot that you can see while scrolling through its user-friendly marketplace.
Purchasing these lots of various in-demand items is available in both auction and buy-it-now formats on Bluelots.
Categories sold: Clothing & Accessories, Home Goods, Sports & Outdoors, Toys & Baby
10. Select Liquidation
Resellers who are working with a large budget and looking to purchase liquidation lots by the truckload should check out Select Liquidation.
The reputable platform partners directly with retailers looking to get rid of bulk overstock and return inventory. Their inventory sources range from big-box retailers to large volume Amazon sellers, and they even have the option to purchase consumables at heavy discounts for those who might need them.
Categories sold: Home Goods, Electronics, Health & Beauty, Tools & Home Improvement
Where to Buy Amazon Return Pallets Online
One of the best things about sourcing Amazon return pallets today is the ability for you to source them online from the comfort of your home.
You can source pallets from the sites mentioned earlier or explore broader marketplaces such as Continental Wholesale and Midwest Liquidations, which include liquidation pallets from various sources, including Amazon.
When you’re searching for an online source, remember that quality is of utmost importance. Sourcing from the wrong supplier could mean ending up with a bad lot that you have to sell at a loss or even give away for free. Learn how to vet a platform thoroughly, searching for real customer reviews that give you a good idea of the supplier’s communication levels and the general quality of the products, including the accuracy of their descriptions.
Reselling Your Amazon Return Pallet Items
The process for selling your Amazon return pallet items is quite simple, but it requires a series of steps to turn your lot into cash.
Once you’ve chosen a vetted supplier and made your first purchase, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how an experienced reseller would go about selling their return pallet inventory for top dollar:
Inspect your items
The first thing you need to do when your package arrives is to sort through and double-check their condition. Make sure everything is as described, including the item quantity and condition. If there are any discrepancies, reach out to customer service. Before ordering, you should read the terms and conditions to ensure you understand the policy–in the case of as-is sales, you might be out of luck when it comes to getting a refund, even if there is a major issue with your purchase.
Organize your products
Now that you’ve inspected your items, you’ll need to take the time to organize the large lot into more workable portions. Having a dedicated workspace with sufficient room is key here, and you’ll want to logically place products for accessibility based on their size, category, and how fast they sell. Consider bundling similar or complementary items to move inventory more quickly and differentiate from the competition.
Conduct market research
While you should have conducted market research while sourcing the products to determine demand and profit margins, you should go through this process a second time after you’ve gotten the chance to inspect your inventory in person as things may have changed based on the actual condition of your items and the current state of your niche market. Your competition and their current or recently sold listings will give you the best idea of the current environment.
Set your prices
Based on your market research, set competitive prices that allow for a healthy profit margin while still attracting buyers. Don’t forget about the fees and shipping costs and focus on selling items quickly for slightly lower per-item profits. You are operating in the bulk realm where cash flow and reinvesting to produce higher volume will make up for lower per-item profit margins.
Choose your reselling platform
In the beginning, you should be trying any and all reselling channels and platforms to sell your product to increase your reach and determine which one gives you the most success in terms of prices sold and customer demand. Begin to cut down and focus on one or two platforms or apps that are giving you the best results.
Upload your products
Creating compelling listings is the most important part, yet it can be time-consuming especially when you’re dealing with large quantities like truckloads. Consider automating or outsourcing this part of the process to dedicated staff. Accurately train them to take good photos, write good descriptions, and set the pricing accurately.
Sell, ship, and repeat
You’ll need to have an efficient system to process and fulfill orders efficiently as they come. In order to handle volume, consider partnering with a third-party logistics provider if your profit margins and budget allow. Reaching multiple six and seven-figure levels is possible, but it’s all about having a solid repeatable process and scaling on top of that, so make sure to build this out and continue to reinvest until you’re at the level you’re aiming to reach.
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FAQs
How much do Amazon return pallets cost?
The cost of Amazon return pallets can vary greatly, but in general, you need to have a higher budget as you are buying in bulk compared to other areas of reselling. You should expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars and up to several thousands of dollars per return pallet. Factors that affect cost include the platform and item quality, quantity and condition. Bidding competition and interest for specific lots can also greatly affect the price on auction-based platforms.
Can you resell Amazon return pallets?
Yes, it’s possible to resell Amazon return pallets. In fact, some people build entire businesses based on them as a primary inventory source. However, when dealing in this realm, you’ll need to do consistent due diligence and quality control during the process of finding and buying your product up to selling each item. Make sure you accurately describe the condition of the goods and be prepared to clean, repair or even discard some things that might not be sellable.
Are Amazon return pallets worth it?
For resellers who are willing to put in the time and effort to scour listings, make calculations for potential profits, then inspect and break down unorganized lots into manageable portions all while not knowing if their order will show up as expected will consider Amazon return pallets worth dealing with. In general, their price per item can be lower than other wholesale methods, but you’ll have to deal with as-is terms with conditions that could vary greatly
What other kind of liquidation return pallets can I profitably source?
In addition to Amazon return pallets, you can find return pallets from other major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and more. There will always be a market for returned goods that need to be liquidated from retailers that only shelf brand-new, unopened items. These retailers will also sometimes liquidate overstock and seasonal items that are brand new and unopened, so keep an eye out for those as they will offer you better quality assurance.