Pallets, lots and reselling

A quantity of returned, overstock or closeout goods sold together, often stacked on one pallet, for far less per item than buying them singly — good and bad items alike.

From retailers' and wholesalers' returns, surplus and end-of-line stock, sold in bulk. With returns running at hundreds of billions of dollars a year, the supply is large.

Real pallets are, but look for a manifest, photos and a seller with clear rules. A lot sold only on a big "retail value" with no contents list is a gamble.

For buyers who can test, clean and resell items, often. Count transport, storage, unsellable items and your time against the price before you buy.

Returns carry more risk than overstock: some items will be used, incomplete or broken. Worth it when the manifest and condition justify the price.

For a first buy: a manifested lot in one category you know, with items you can test yourself, small enough to move without hiring help.

There is no single price: it depends on what is in the lot, its condition and demand. On DealsDMV a lot's price is set by bidding or its Buy Now price.

What the items are claimed to sell for new. It is not what you will resell them for — used and returned goods sell for much less.

A lot's manifest lists what it is expected to contain, from our source's records. Small differences in count or model can happen.

Yes. DealsDMV auctions lots for collection at our Brentwood, Maryland warehouse, close to DC — no freight bill if you pick up.

We auction lots in Maryland — from single items to multi-unit lots — for collection in Brentwood, and some lots can also be bought outright at a Buy Now price.

Plan it before bidding: a large lot may need a van or truck and somewhere to unload. Our staff guide you on site, but you load and secure your own vehicle.

Only if the lot is marked for shipping; its page says whether it ships, is collection only, or offers both.

If the lot is materially different from its manifest and photos, report it with photos within 7 days of collecting or receiving it.

Yes. You may resell what you buy; you are responsible for following the law where you resell, including product-safety recalls and labelling rules.

People do, but margins come from careful buying, honest grading and patient selling. Many items sell for well under their retail value.

Pick one category you understand, buy small, and track every cost — purchase, fees, travel, packaging, postage and unsold items — before scaling up.

Look at what the same model actually sells for used or open-box, not its new price, then subtract your costs and selling fees.

Yes. Liquidation goods can be missing parts or not work, so test and inspect each item and describe it honestly to your own buyers.

Do not resell recalled items. Check every product on SaferProducts.gov first, and tell us if something you bought from us turns out to be recalled — we refund it.

To describe the product, yes. Brand names on our listings identify products only; neither we nor you may suggest a connection with the brand that does not exist.

No. Our text and photos belong to us or our licensors, so take your own photos for your listings.

The items that cannot be sold: broken, incomplete or unwanted goods that still cost you space and disposal. Budget for them from the start.

Not to buy them as a member of the public. To buy without sales tax for resale, you give the seller a valid resale certificate, issued under your own sales-tax registration.

Give us a valid resale or exemption certificate before you pay. We still charge tax where the law requires it.

You owe the tax it covered, with any interest and penalties we are charged.

Yes. The IRS says even income from a hobby must be reported, on Schedule 1 of Form 1040, line 8.

By factors such as whether you run it in a businesslike way with records, put in time to make a profit, depend on the income, and have made a profit before. No single factor decides.

Complete, accurate records of what you bought, what it cost, what you sold and for how much — the IRS treats businesslike record-keeping as a sign of a real business.

That depends on your state's rules and where you sell. Our Terms ask business buyers to hold the tax registrations their business needs, so check with your state's tax agency first.

Yes. If you buy for a business or for resale, you confirm you have the authority, licences and tax registrations your business needs.