Walk around any city in the United States – and many countries around the world – and you’ll notice a lot of stores promoting themselves as:
- Amazon overstock centers
- Liquidation centers
And when you walk into these stores, you’ll quickly realize that they sell a lot of different goods: some new, some used.
Where do they get their inventory? Liquidation pallets.
What are liquidation pallets or truckloads? They’re items that fall into quite a few categories, but we’ll explain the most popular:
- Return items that don’t make sense for the retailer to restock
- New items that need to be offloaded to make room for new inventory
- Overstock items that manufacturers can’t sell fast enough
Buyers will not pay full price for these pallets or truckloads. You’ll pay highly discounted prices for these items and then can turn around and resell them. For example, you may receive a $900 television for $100 and can resell it to any consumer for $600.
Liquidation pallets are a great business model for retailers because they can resell items to consumers at unbeatable prices that even Amazon and Walmart cannot match.
But where do you buy liquidation pallets?
A lot of new sellers are entering the industry, but you want to stick to the sellers who have a track record of success and are known for their impeccable service and quality. We’ve taken care of the hard part and have rounded up our list of the ten best liquidation pallet sellers
Who’s the first on our list?
UpLiquidation has been the #1 liquidation company in the United States for nearly a decade. Buyers rate the company among the top in the world because they’ve been in the business for over 15 years and have secured:
- Contracts with manufacturers and retailers
- All inventory, so there’s no bidding process
- The largest inventory in the United States
You won’t be bidding on auction lots with UpLiquidation like many of the sellers on our list. Instead, you’ll fill out an SSL-secured website form, wait for the team to contact you (within 6 hours), and then they’ll:
- Arrange dispatch
- Offer you a freight quote
Wire transfer is the only option available, but you’ll save on processor fees, which are often passed on to buyers.
All inventory is available to view online. There are multiple truckload and pallet options to choose from, with big-named truckloads from the likes of Amazon and other retailers. Delivery time depends on location, but it’s fast because all inventory is in the seller’s warehouse.
Advantages
- Support channels include email, live chat and phone
- All inventory on the site is owned and in stock
- Strict quality control measures
- Full truckload options
- Direct pricing – no bidding Disadvantages
- Lacks multiple payment options
2. Direct Liquidation
Direct Liquidation holds auctions for their platform, which allows for bid-style purchases. Listings contain in-depth information about products with mention of whether they’re new or used, and pricing is “decent.”
For example, you’ll find a recent Lenovo lot of 10 new tablets for $2,100, which is $210 each.
Pricing is nearly 40% of what Walmart sells these new, but other sellers are selling them for much cheaper on eBay. You will find lots are a hit or miss, but if you have a physical store, it can be easier to offload these goods.
Direct Liquidation is a well-known, trusted company with 10 years of experience in the industry and options to make purchases with:
- Credit
- Bank wire
Some buy-now options do exist, and customer service is very helpful if you have any questions.
Advantages
- Purchase in smaller lots
- Lower prices, due to lot size
- Wide selection of goods
Disadvantages
- Auction-style bidding
- No big truckload options
3. BULQ
BULQ is one of the larger players in the industry with one of the best Liquidation websites, too. The modern site makes it easy to view inventory by categories, and you can buy directly without bidding on lots.
Detailed manifests are available, and for a company that’s been around since 2004, they know how to handle customer service and logistics.
Lots are filled with similar items, such as 10 of the same type of laptop or television, so you can be a niche reseller and target very specific markets if you like.
Advantages
- Shipping included in bids
- User-friendly website
- Price drops often
- Multiple support options
Disadvantages
- Lots are small
4. B-Stock
B-Stock is a large player in liquidation pallets that operates on a live auction basis. You’ll need to bid on lots and have an account, but one of the main selling points is that lots include:
- Total unit numbers
- Total retail value
- Item locations
Pricing is upfront and honest on listings, so you’ll know the additional charges that are added on to your bid as a B-Stock fee.
Lots are available for certain item categories, such as women’s or men’s apparel, small appliances, home decor and other items. For sellers in a certain industry, you can easily resell these items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace or in a brick-and-mortar store.
Advantages
- Lots from multiple top retailers
- Auctions held across the world
- Large liquidation pallets available
Disadvantages
- 10% upcharge
- Conflicting statements on their site
5. American Liquidations
American Liquidations offers a huge range of pallet options. You can find Amazon pallets along with pallets from specific brands (e.g., Milwaukee Tools, Victoria’s Secret, etc.), pallets of specific categories of merchandise and more.
Having so many options empowers buyers to find the right products for their needs.
Advantages
- Fast shipping on orders
- Pallets from top retailers
Disadvantages
- Sales taxes apply if you don’t have a registered business
6. Liquidation.com
At Liquidation.com, you’ll find pallets from well-known retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, Overstock and Target. They have hundreds of listings available at any given time, particularly in their Consumer Electronics category.
One advantage of this provider is that they offer merchandise in all sizes, so you can choose between packages, lots or freight.
Advantages
- Robust filtering options
- Package, lot or freight options
- Ship it or pick it up
Disadvantages
- Pallets are only available through bidding
7. Via Trading
Via Trading makes it easy and affordable to purchase liquidation pallets. They offer lots, case packs, flat-priced lots and more.
You can find pallets for as little as a few hundred dollars, which makes them ideal for anyone who is just getting started with reselling.
Placing an order is easy. You can purchase in person, through their website or even by fax.
Advantages
- Option to make an offer on single and multi-pallet lots
- Lots of smaller pallet options at lower prices
Disadvantages
- Pallets sell quickly
FAQs
Is Buying Liquidation Pallets Worth It?
Absolutely! Liquidation pallets are a great way for smaller businesses to secure a variety of products for their stores while saving money in the process.
The key is to find the right pallet that contains items your customers want and need.
Does Amazon Really Sell Leftover Pallets?
Yes. Amazon sells leftover pallets of Amazon and third-party seller items. You can purchase these pallets and resell the items at a markup. Although you can purchase from Amazon directly, there is an enrollment process. Purchasing from a third party (like UpLiquidations) allows for a seamless and stress-free buying process.
What Should I Look for When Buying Liquidation Pallets?
When buying liquidation pallets, there are several things to consider, including:
- The origin of the goods. Who is the supplier, and do they have a reputation for producing quality goods?
- Product condition. Some items sold on liquidation pallets are returned, used or imperfect items.
- Demand for the products. Is there a market for these goods? A pallet may contain high-ticket items, but if there isn’t a huge demand for them, it may take months to turnover your inventory.
Which Types of Pallets have the Highest Returns?
Any type of pallet can provide a great return, but certain categories of products tend to sell faster and at higher prices. These include electronics, home goods, brand-name shoes, smartphones, laptops, wearable tech and gaming consoles.