posted on January 19, 2003 08:13:53 AM
I have been going back and forth trying to decide whether to buy a pallet of goods from a wholesale company to sell on eBay. By the time you pay freight is it really worth it? Whether it be clothes or something else, but not heavy items such as tools.
posted on January 19, 2003 09:06:53 AM
Well, I doubled my money off of one pallet...bought 2 more from the same company and lost money. I guess it all depends. These were electronic returns and overstocks and the second time around 90% of the pallet were broken items. I even saw the items in person (which is what most people recommend you do before you buy any returns blind) and the pallets looked great - nearly everything in original boxes. You just never know. You also have to do your research on a company - if it's someone you don't have references for DON'T use a wire transfer - use a credit card. If they can't supply you with references and only take wire transfers then don't buy - simple as that. Also keep in mind a frieght company will charge extra if you are residential and don't have a loading dock - and if your streets are narrow good luck getting a semi in front of your house.
Backed off in a hurry, though when I did the numbers. By the time shipping is added in, the items in the pallets I looked at would have been $5.00 apiece, which is more than I want to spend for something in iffy condition.
posted on January 19, 2003 11:22:57 AM
The only way it pays off by the pallet is if you can go and personally inspect the gaylord (pallet boxes). I would not buy a pallet and have it shipped to me. You just don't know what your getting and the shipping would cut into your profits. People will tell you that loads are 70% in working condition but my experience is that it's more like 20 - 25% working (I've done hundreds of them). A few years ago you could triple your money on a lot of the pallets but ebay has driven the pallet prices up and with so many people doing it you can't find good pallets as easily. Also you are paying a premium for pallets. I've found that the only way to mitigate all the bad items is to buy an entire truck load. You can almost double your money on a truck load but it won't be just on ebay. I bought my first truck load a few years ago and had a garage sale a few weeks later to get rid of a lot of items that wouldn't do well on ebay (too large to ship or too small of a price to make it worth the shipping to the buyer) that garage sale (thu-sun) grossed $3800. and about $3000 was from the truck load. That truck load cost around $6800 with shipping. Bottom line I don't do them as much if at all anymore (you never say never because sometimes you come across good deals).
[ edited by nufsaid on Jan 19, 2003 11:24 AM ]
posted on January 19, 2003 11:40:35 AM
did ebay invest in a company which does that,hire people to clean and take pictures and list on ebay and finally leayoff the people and close shop??sears is now doing it on ebay??
i understand that these wholesalers all have contracts with chain stores,some may be hooked up with target,kmart,sears,walmart etc.
the first order is always sweet ,give you nice stuff so you make money,kind of like beginner luck so you can come back for more.
dont forget to add your own labor and grief and the squabbles which can arise from selling imperfect items to ebay bidders.
posted on January 19, 2003 05:04:05 PM
I bought pallets loads three different tims,went and picked them up.The first time made out like a badit,the next two times not so lucky. We found most of the places that sell these tend to pick over the merchandise and they really don't give you that much sellable stuff.You are paying more for the pallet than you can get out it.The worst part is alot of items on these pallets are recalls from the manufactures and it illegal to sell these goods once they are returned to a store.Baby pallets are the worst for recalls.
posted on January 23, 2003 09:12:41 PM
I've purchased a few pallets and found that the general merchandise pallets are not worth the effort. At least for eBay. The last two I bought were mostly flea market items, and even then I barely broke even. I have made quite a bit on electronics, but they do have a large % damaged. It's a crap shoot either way. I also picked my pallets up instead of having them shipped.
