How often do you buy a bunch of stuff online, planning to only keep your favorites? I shop for clothes this way, for sure — and I’m not the only one. Returns cost retailers $743 billion last year.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What happens to all those returns?” the answer is pretty darn interesting. We did the research and found the best places where you can score deals on other people’s “no, thank you” items.
Wait, how does that work?
Let’s take Amazon as an example. Any package that’s undeliverable and unclaimed for 90 days is fair game. Amazon sells unclaimed stuff right on its website. Pro tip: Some items have crazy delivery charges tacked on, so check before you get excited about a deal.
The same goes for packages from other retailers sent through the U.S. Postal Service. After 90 days, they’re sold to the highest bidder.
Like a garage sale but better
The USPS contracts with a website to auction off things postal workers can’t deliver. Go to GovDeals.com to browse everything from TVs to vehicles to kitchen appliances.
Liquidation.com hawks packages and undelivered goods from Amazon, Target, Walmart and The Home Depot. You can filter by brand or retailer.
Note: Many of these deals are for items sold in lots, like this lot with 57 pairs of Sony headphones. The current bid is just $100 — hello, side hustle! You’ll see plenty of finds like this.
Feeling mysterious?
Some returned and undeliverable merch is packaged into “mystery boxes,” which are like grab bags. You don’t know precisely what you’ll get, but the idea is you’ll find a valuable item you want to keep or sell.
Sound like fun? Try Poshmark. Search for “mystery box” and you’ll find listings for returns from retailers like Walmart and Amazon, ranging in price from a few bucks to over $500. For $50, this seller will send you eight items and let you make requests from their 20,000 listings.
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