More and more wholesalers, market vendors and webshops are deliberately buying lots that originate from the return and overstock flows of large e-commerce channels. But what exactly does that involve, and what should you pay attention to before ordering a lot?
How do these lots come about?
Large e-commerce platforms process enormous volumes of orders every day. A portion of these come back for a variety of reasons: the customer changed their mind, the package could not be delivered, or the stock simply became too large for the warehouse. These goods are kept separate from regular sales and offered in bulk to business buyers.
This is interesting for resellers: the items are often still fully usable or even unopened, but are sold at a wholesale price per kilogram instead of per unit.
What can and can't you expect?
It's important to realize that with these lots, you're buying a mixed composition, not a pre-selected assortment. The exact contents of a box or pallet vary per delivery. Some lots contain items that are still factory-sealed, others contain a mix of conditions (new, lightly used, or with damaged packaging).
We are deliberately transparent about this: on every product page you will find the condition grade (for example A grade or B grade), the source description and an indication of the possible composition. This way you know in advance what type of lot you are buying, even though the exact contents per delivery are not guaranteed.
What should you pay attention to as a buyer?
Start with a smaller test order if you are working with a new product line for the first time, so you get a feel for the quality and composition. Factor in sorting time: mixed lots require their own process for inspection, testing and, where relevant, reselling per item or per category.
In addition, convert the prices per kilogram to your own sales model, and include shipping costs in your calculation: our prices per kilogram do not include freight.
Amazon-related return and overstock lots offer an interesting sourcing opportunity for professional resellers, provided you have realistic expectations about the composition. Check our current offering on the product page, or contact us for a tailored quote.