Brick-and-mortar stores aren’t exactly a thing of the past but there’s no denying the popularity of online marketplaces. Consumers can find almost anything they can ever want online, often at cheaper prices compared to physical stores. Best of all, almost anyone can become a seller on platforms like Amazon.
However, before you can open an online store you need inventory and this can be expensive. A way you can save on inventory costs is by taking advantage of Amazon return pallets. Not sure what Amazon return pallets are or if it’s the right step for your business? We’re covering this and answering some of the commonly asked questions.
What are Amazon Return Pallets?
Amazon is a humongous online marketplace with products listed from around the world. If you can think of it, chances are, someone is selling it on Amazon. However, this vast array of items also means Amazon sees plenty of returns.
Why are items returned to Amazon? The reasons vary from purchasing the wrong size to not remembering why you placed an order in the middle of the night. Sometimes items arrive damaged and are sent back to the seller. Whatever the reason, Amazon lets customers return items for free. Consumers also get full refunds.
What happens to the returned items? Some products make their way back to the third-party seller. Other items end up in a warehouse on a large pallet. Since Amazon doesn’t have unlimited warehouse space, the marketplace giant places the pallets up for sale. Buyers can purchase a pallet packed full of items for a fraction of the original price.
A quick note about purchasing Amazon return pallets. You typically only have a general idea of the product category and not what’s on the pallet. So, if you purchase an electronics pallet, you may only end up with smartphone cases and not the actual devices. This is something to keep in mind when you start browsing through Amazon’s selection of return pallets.
How to Find and Buy Amazon Return Pallets
You can’t log into your Amazon account and find return pallets listed for sale on the main product page. You can hop over to one of the platform’s liquidation partners.
Surprisingly, Amazon doesn’t always handle everything on its own. If you’re not comfortable going through a liquidation partner, no worries. You can click on Amazon Outlet and find plenty of return pallets for sale at bargain-friendly prices.
A quick note about purchasing return pallets. Electronics are always in high demand so you may not always be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.
So, how do you go about buying an Amazon return pallet? Thankfully, the process is just as easy as buying an item from the marketplace. Add the pallet or pallets to your virtual shopping cart and click over to the payment page.
From there simply follow the prompts and within a few minutes, you’re the proud owner of a return pallet. Now, you get the fun of seeing what’s included on the pallet. For some resellers, sorting through a return pallet is a lot like opening Christmas presents.
Common Questions About Amazon Return Pallets
Don’t worry if you still have a few questions about Amazon return pallets. This is common and why we put together a list of consumers’ most frequently asked questions.
What Items Come On an Amazon Return Pallet?
If the product has a category on Amazon, there’s a good chance it’s also on a return pallet. Amazon estimates around 30% of all purchases are returned annually. You can find pallets containing clothes, jewelry, electronics, games, and tools, to name a few.
Some pallets are sorted by product type and/or category. Other pallets are surprises. You have no clue what type of products are on the pallet or even what category the items fall into.
Why Does Amazon Sell Return Pallets?
Even though Amazon is turning an annual profit, the company still doesn’t like waste. Amazon is also taking steps to become an eco-friendly company. From transitioning to an electric delivery fleet to reducing landfill waste, Amazon is leading the way in some green initiatives.
Selling returned items allows Amazon to reduce the number of items it sends to landfills while also giving consumers a chance to save on items.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Return Pallet From Amazon?
Return pallets are significantly less expensive than purchasing new items in bulk. However, before grabbing your debit or credit card, you should know items on return pallets are untested.
Return pallets aren’t the same as refurbished items. This can be an issue with electronics. If an electronic is returned because of damage, it’s not going to be repaired ending up on a pallet.
With that being said, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $100 to $300 for a return pallet from Amazon. The pallet’s weight and contents can also affect price.
Can You Resell Items on Return Pallets?
Most consumers purchase Amazon return pallets with the goal of reselling the items. The pallets can provide inventory for a fraction of what you normally pay.
However, reselling items off of return pallets can take a little time and effort. You need to sort through the items, and possibly make a few repairs. Sometimes may not be resalable due to damage.
However, if you’re willing to take the time to sort, bundle, and make any necessary repairs, selling Amazon return pallets can be profitable.
Who Can Purchase Amazon Return Pallets?
Anyone with an Amazon account can purchase a return pallet. You don’t even need to enter a tax ID number. Purchasing a pallet is similar to buying a single item from the platform’s main website.
Find Affordable Inventory for Your Retail Business
You want to keep your prices low for your customers and this often means getting a little creative about where you get your inventory. A great place to start is with Amazon return pallets. You can find a variety of inventory at a fraction of the cost you normally pay.
