As the leading marketplace globally, Amazon has a lot of customer returns. These items are sold at auction sites and can be purchased for a fraction of what they would sell for on Amazon. Before you dive into this business, there are things you need to know about buying from liquidation auctions.
Amazon return auctions can be a great way to make money, but if you're not sure how they work or how you can get started, keep reading. In this guide, I've put together everything you need to know about buying Amazon returns so that anyone can make money with it. Let’s get started.
How Does Amazon Return Auctions Work?
A return auction is where Amazon sells returned merchandise from its marketplace, usually sold by truckload or pallet.
Truckloads can be manifested or unmanifested:
Pictured above: Manifested truckload
Pictured above: Manifested truckload
Amazon return pallets and truckloads are listed on various marketplaces (more on this later). Most sites list the liquidated item via auctions where you can place a bid and, if successful, buy the items at a fraction of their original price.
Why Buy From An Amazon Return Auction?
There are a few reasons why you would want to buy from Amazon returns:
Amazon returns can be a great way to save money on merchandise, but as with any business, there are risks involved. Let's discuss these risks.
What Are The Risks?
The risks involved with buying Amazon return pallets are similar to any overstock purchase:
The best way to mitigate these risks is to do your research. Know what you're buying and understand the terms of the sale before you place a bid. Check the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of the items you're interested in to get an idea of how much you should be paying. Also, make sure to factor in the shipping cost before you bid.
Where To View And Bid On Amazon Return Product Auctions
There are several marketplaces where you can find Amazon return liquidators auctions. The most popular liquidation companies with live auctions are:
B-Stock
B-Stock is the official Amazon liquidation marketplace. B-Stock has different listings for the USA and European Union. The listings show the number of units, condition, total retail value, location, current bid, number of bids, the average cost per unit, and when the bid ends.
Pictured above: B-Stock Amazon EU
Liquidation.com
Liquidation.com is an auction site specializing in selling liquidated, returned, and overstock merchandise from major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, and Target. You can view Amazon pallets only by selecting Amazon under "Brands/Retailer." You can refine your search by category, condition, and retail price.
Pictured above: Listing on Liquidation.com
As seen on the above image, the listings include the MSRP, manifest (if truckload is manifested), time left, current bid, location, condition, shipping terms, weight, and quantity in the lot.
Direct liquidation
Direct liquidation lists merchandise from Amazon and other big retailers in the USA and Canada. You can filter listings on Direct Liquidation by category, manufacturer, condition, lot size, vendor, and retail price.
Pictured above: Listing on Direct Liquidation
The above image shows a listing indicating the current bid, total bids, MSRP, lot location, and seller. You can also download the manifest, which contains a list of the items, location details, and models.
BlueLots
BlueLots marketplace has product listings with fixed prices and auctions. You can choose to view live auctions only where the condition of items can be shelf pulls (items that were displayed for sale but were never purchased), brand new, or used. The listings show the number of units, MSRP, current bid, condition, and time left.
Pictured above: Listing on BlueLots
Before registering with these liquidation companies, have a reseller certificate in hand for verification. A reseller certificate is a document that proves that you’re a legitimate purchaser buying products for reselling. Otherwise, you will not be able to bid on these items.
How To Earn Money With Amazon Return Auctions
Making money selling liquidated merchandise from Amazon return pallets is possible and has been done by many. Before listing any tips, let's first take a look at what you'll need:
The most important thing you'll need is a place to store the merchandise. The items will need to be sorted and organized so you can quickly find what you're looking for and ship them out.
The next thing you'll need is shipping materials. This includes boxes, packing material, tape, and labels. It's best to create a system to pack and ship the items quickly.
Lastly, you'll need shipping labels. You can buy shipping labels online or at a store. Make sure you have the correct dimensions for the boxes you're using.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Bundle Products
Bundling is a great way to earn more from Amazon customer returns. When you bundle products, you're selling them as a unit. Sorting and bundling products increase the value of the items and help you make more money. You also sell more products with a single sale.
Accessorize Products
Accessorizing is a great way to make products more appealing to buyers and increase profits. For example, if you're selling a dress, add a purse and necklace to go with it. You can also add a hat, scarf, and belt to create a complete outfit. Accessorizing will help you sell more products and make more money.
Repair And Refurbish Products
Most products, especially electronics, are returned because they have a defect. Some products are easy to fix and refurbish. If you're able to do this, you can increase the product's value and make more money.
For example, if you bought a pallet from Amazon tech return auctions with items of the same model, you can take some parts from one model and use them to fix another model. This increases the selling value while keeping your expenses low.
Repackage
If you purchase products with damaged packaging, the best way to sell them is by repackaging. You can do this by removing the packaging, cleaning the product, and adding new packaging.
You can buy packaging boxes from marketplaces like eBay or Alibaba. You'll find a variety of boxes to choose from that will fit the size and shape of your product.Where To Sell Products Sourced From Amazon Returns
There are several online marketplaces where you can start reselling products. The popular platforms include eBay and Etsy. Here is a good read on Etsy vs. eBay to help you learn about the pros and cons of each platform.
When selling products on these platforms, you'll need to create a listing with photos of the product, a description, and the price. You'll also need to set up payment and shipping options.
You can also sell products through your website or an online store like Shopify. This will require a longer setup but can be more profitable in the long run.
Do your research first before choosing a platform to sell products. Ensure you understand the fees associated with each platform and what payment and shipping options are available.
Amazon Return Auctions FAQ
Amazon liquidation auctions have a wide range of prices for pallets. Prices vary based on the size and number of items included in each pallet as well as the condition of the merchandise.
Liquidation companies mentioned above list the areas where they conduct Amazon liquidations. For example, liquidation auctions listed on B-Stock show the city and state where the pallets are.
Yes, you can make money from Amazon returns by reselling them through various channels like online marketplaces, flea markets, or discount stores. Some people buy bulk quantities of Amazon returns, sort through them for salvageable items, and sell them individually or in lots. However, it requires careful assessment of the condition of returned items and market demand to ensure profitability.
Selling Amazon returns can be profitable if done strategically. While you may acquire items at a lower cost, there's a risk involved as returns could be damaged or defective. Successful reselling involves thorough inspection, repairing if necessary, and pricing competitively. Building a customer base and understanding market trends are also crucial for profitability.
Whether Amazon return pallets are worth it depends on various factors such as the condition of items, the cost of the pallet, and potential resale value. It's essential to carefully evaluate the contents of the pallet and estimate potential profits against the initial investment. Some pallets may contain valuable items, while others may have mostly damaged goods, so due diligence is necessary before making a decision.
Yes, there is a market for reselling Amazon returns. Many businesses specialize in buying bulk quantities of returned items from Amazon, sorting through them, and reselling them through various channels. While some items may be in perfect condition and easily resellable, others may require refurbishing or selling as salvage. Reselling Amazon returns can be a viable business if managed efficiently, with attention to quality control and customer satisfaction.
Amazon Return Auctions: Bottom Line
Amazon return auctions can be a great way to purchase merchandise at a discount and resell it for a profit. To avoid business risks, use caution when buying from Amazon returns. Remember these tips for a profitable reselling business:
In addition to the above tips, here is a detailed guide on how you can become a reseller.
Whether you're looking to start a business reselling on eBay, Amazon, or any other similar platform, or simply want to add to your existing eCommerce business, understanding the process is key to success. These tips above should help you get started with the process.You can also read up on how to make money through Amazon Vine for other ways to use this platform to succeed online.
