Customer Returns are items that were once sold from the store (or website) and are then returned by the consumer in varying conditions.
Sometimes also referred to as Salvage Goods, Customer Returns are typically items that have been purchased from a store (or online store) but then returned by a customer.
About
Stores have varying individual return policies as well as product liquidation policies, which can affect the type & condition of products you may see in varying loads. Though policy will vary from store to store – the Large Majority of Customer return goods simply undergo a cursory visual check at the store level prior to making their way into a return load. Higher value items may be subject to more thorough inspection prior to being selected for liquidation.
The general “quality” of customer return loads can vary significantly from program to program, and it is common that some programs may have a 50% or greater Defective rate while others are only 10% or 20%. Return loads with low defective rates are sometimes referred to as “Clean” Customer Return Loads. Return Loads with very high defective rates are at times referred to as Salvage Loads.
CUSTOMER RETURNS CHARACTERISTICS:
Defective when returned by the customer
Cosmetic blemishes or slight defects
Out of box goods
Missing minor or major components (remote controls, manuals, covers, cables)
In-store display items
Damaged exterior packaging
Items that the store does not want to or cannot re-shelve
One or more features does not work
Store is overstocked with such items
Out of season items
Discontinued items
Defaced barcodes and/or labels
Signs of handling – both external packaging and the item itself
Purchasing department store returns is not for everyone. This is not a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. The payoffs are high for those prepared to work hard and put effort in their purchases in order to create the highest possible return on investment. This is a “get-rich” slowly scheme with hard work, dedication & creativity.
In order to maximize your success with this type of merchandise, you need to be prepared to process, test, check, and research pricing on the goods prior to selling them. In the long term (and over several purchases), most people in this industry agree that the payoffs and returns are very profitable and that the long-term risk is generally minimal. Liquidation goods and customer returns are normally priced accordingly, and allow you to profit handsomely while still offering your own customers excellent deals on items.
If you are not prepared to test items, do not purchase customer returns.
If you are not prepared to repair items, do not purchase customer returns.
If you only want to deal with 100% retail ready items, do not purchase customer returns.
If you are not prepared to expect a percentage of items to be out of box, defective, cosmetically blemished etc., do not purchase customer returns.
NEW OVERSTOCKS
What are New Overstocks?
New Overstocks are items that were never exposed for sale in a retail setting though they may no longer be in their original master case or factory packaging.
New overstocks, also often referred to as Closeouts, tend to be goods which typically have never been merchandised or exposed for sale in a retail store.
NEw Overstock CHARACTERISTICS:
Such goods can materialize from retailers, importers, manufacturers or distributors who are closing down or simply have discontinued or excess goods in their warehouse that they need to move. Via Trading also sources & offers liquidation services to freight forwarders, logistics industries, manufacturers, insurance & financial institutions and the like. Overstock goods tend to be in 100% New Condition.
New Overstock items typically have the following characteristics:
Items are typically 100% retail-ready and in new condition
No additional retail/discount or warehouse labels/tags on the items
Items are in their original retail packaging but can occasionally also be loose-packed
Packaging and item tend to be in good condition with no excessive signs of handling
SHELF PULLS
What are Shelf Pulls?
Shelf pulls are items that were already exposed for sale in a retail environment but have been “pulled” from the shelfs and chosen to be liquidated by the store. These goods are typically New and have never been used.
Shelf pulls are typically excess goods that have been displayed for sale in a store or online but have never been purchased by a customer.
Sell Pulls CHARACTERISTICS:
Shelf pulls are typically considered excess inventory from store shelves. In the vast majority of cases, shelf pulls require much less work than customer returns in terms of testing and repairing, but you should expect to have some checking work to do as well as cleaning off potentially dusty items and removing price tags (if necessary) before reselling the items.
Shelf pulls would have been handled multiple times during the process of getting them from the store back to a Liquidator, & a small % of items may show signs of excessive handling & may have stains or slight imperfections.
Shelf pulls will typically be in good selling condition and may have some or all of the following characteristics:
End of season & seasonal goods
Discontinued goods
Items may still have their original retail pricing stickers/tags on them
Items may have additional retail discount tags on them
Packaging or item may show signs of handling
Exterior packaging is often in less than perfect condition
May be defaced/relabeled (inner labels or tags removed to prevent return to the original store)
Some items may still have retail security sensors attached
A percentage of the items may be out of box or in open boxes
A percentage of the items may be in-store display units or samples
Short-dated or expired goods may be found in some lots
Programs vary from store to store – please see listing descriptions and ask your Account Manager for further information on any particular item.
IRREGULARS
What are Irregulars?
Irregulars (depending on commodity also referred to as Scratch And Dent) are generally new products that are being discarded or liquidated as a result of improper or defective manufacturing
In some cases this term is also used to describe Furniture or Large Appliances which may have some scratch and dents but are otherwise fully functional.
irregulars CHARACTERISTICS:
They can also be called “imperfect goods”. In the majority of cases, irregular items have very small manufacturing defects such as the wrong color thread, improper stitching, slight discoloration from the intended item’s color, other minor blemishes, scratches, dents, discoloration or other imperfections.
Irregular items may have the following characteristics:
Appear in new condition with no signs of prior use
In or out of original factory packaging
May show signs of manufacturing defects (improper stitching, etc.)
May show small stains that occurred during manufacturing May have scratches and dents
Mostly retail-ready
DEFECTIVE
What are Defective Goods?
Tested not-working or “defective” pallets or loads. Such items are typically higher end electronics which have gone through a testing process.
Visually defective items, incomplete sets (like furniture, housewares, etc.), items good for spare parts only or out of date items. Defective goods have the potential to be profitable if you have the ability to repair or strip them of their parts for resale.
DEFECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
They may have the following characteristics:
Items have gone through a testing process and have been deemed not working
Items may be visually defective or incomplete.
Incomplete or partial sets or parts
Items may be brand new but with a major quality control flaw, making them defective (for example dodgy audio on a stereo system)
Programs vary from store to store – please see listing descriptions and ask your Account Manager for further information on any particular item.
PRE-WORN
What are Pre-Worn Goods?
Pre-worn (used) clothing. These goods can come from a range of sources and are available year-round.
Our pre-worn goods go through an inspection process to ensure quality control and offer tremendous value for money for the right market.
PRE-WORN CHARACTERISTICS:
Pre-worn (used) clothing. These goods can come from a range of sources and are available year-round. Our pre-worn goods go through an inspection process to ensure quality control and offer tremendous value for money for the right market.
Pre-worn goods may have the following characteristics:
Pre-worn clothing has previously been used or worn
Lots may be made up of discontinued brands, models or styles
Items may show signs of fray and usage
There are typically no retail tags, labels or additional store markings on the items
Can be sold by weight
Programs vary from store to store – please see listing descriptions and ask your Account Manager for further information on any particular item.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get all the latest information, Sales and Offers.