How To Make Money Flipping Pallets [2023]- Complete Guide

Featured image-make money flipping pallets
• By Chris Manson
• Updated April 4, 2023

Welcome to the world of pallet flipping - where returned goods become your profits!

With e-commerce on the rise, there's a high demand for shipping supplies, and returned pallets are a hot commodity.

Ready to turn the "unwanted into the wanted" and unleash your inner entrepreneur?

This guide will show you everything you need to know about how to make money flipping pallets.


This article might contain referral links from our chosen partners, that may bring us a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure page for more details.


What is a Pallet?

The pallets we're referring to here are different from wooden pallets.

Instead, a pallet is a collection of products that customers may have returned but that the retailer cannot add back to its inventory or are unsuitable for in-store sales due to some surface damage or low sales volume.

how to make money flipping pallets

Retailers lose a lot of money due to product returns alone.

To offset these losses, they often sell pallets of goods to consumers at heavily discounted prices.

These pallets can contain a wide range of items, from clothing to electronics to stationary, or they can be grouped according to a particular product category.


What is Pallet Flipping?

Pallet flipping involves buying discounted pallets of unsold or returned goods from retailers and reselling them for a profit.

wood pallets, selling liquidation pallets

Although these pallets can contain valuable products, there are risks involved in purchasing them, as the contents are often unknown and may include damaged or faulty items.

It is recommended to buy from trustworthy sources to minimize these risks.

However, some pallets can contain perfectly undamaged items that can be resold for a profit.

How to Find Pallets to Flip

Purchasing pallets can be a significant investment, so conducting the proper research before purchasing is essential.

Here is the main method to consider when searching for pallets.

Liquidation Websites for Wholesale Pallets

Liquidation websites function as wholesalers for pallets by purchasing more over sized pallets and breaking them down into smaller ones for customers to buy.

So, to start a pallet flipping business, the first thing is to find liquidation pallets websites.

selling liquidation pallets, lots of pallets in a warehouse

There are numerous liquidation websites available, some of which are the most well-known, including:

• Marthill International: This website sells catalogs, high-street excess clearance stock, and customer returns.

pallets are divided into the bathroom, stationery, electronics, or mixed pallets.

• One benefit of purchasing from Marthill is that they list the pallet's contents, so customers know what they are getting and how much the product initially costs.

• Merkandi: This online wholesaler sells off excess stock, returns, and undelivered packages from eBay, ups, and more.

Undelivered packages contain unlisted contents, making them adult surprise packages.

• If customers want to be surprised by the contents and are not after selling one particular item, Merkandi might be the website for them.

• UK Stock Supplies LTD: Unlike some websites, UK Stock Supplies lists individual items for sale, from universal bath legs to doors, making it ideal for those with a shop to stock as they can buy liquidation pallets.

• Direct Liquidation: This company has an incredible amount of product choices.

The products can be mixed and matched and they have outlets in the USA and Canada.


Where To Sell Your Pallets

Diversification is key to success in the pallet-flipping business.

Not all types of goods will have the same market on every platform, and branching out can increase the chances of finding the perfect buyer.

Fortunately, there are several popular platforms where sellers can advertise their products. Here are some examples:

FB Marketplace

This platform remains one of the most popular selling websites. With the right pricing strategy, items can sell quickly.

While most sales are regional, some sellers manage to drive sales across US states or Canadian provinces.

However, the downside of Facebook Marketplace is the sheer volume of responses that a single listing can generate.

While it may seem like a good problem, it can become time-consuming to respond to many inquiries, especially when most still need to respond.

eBay

eBay is a highly recommended platform for selling pallets; some consider it the best option.

Using eBay has numerous benefits, such as affordable fees and no limitations based on location.

Various listing options are available, including Buy it Now, Auction with a Reserve, and Make an Offer.

Shipping fees can be set at your discretion, and the website offers various categories to help you market your products effectively.

eBay has a massive number of visitors to the site, providing a vast audience for your listings.

Moreover, eBay also provides an excellent resource for quick market research by allowing you to view the final sale price of identical items.

VarageSale

VarageSale is a top-notch selling platform that enables users to buy and sell items in their local areas for free.

Thanks to its locality feature, VarageSale is an excellent option for selling liquidation pallet items, as buyers can conveniently find the things they want, while sellers can avoid shipping costs.

VarageSale emphasizes building a community through in-person transactions, and it boasts an app and built-in messaging system that makes communication between buyers and sellers effortless.

Kijiji and Craigslist

Kijiji and Craigslist are two commonly used online classifieds where people can sell their items locally.

They vary from VarageSale as you can do transactions online, and the items can be shipped to the buyer.

However, we've observed more scams on Kijiji than on other platforms.

Nonetheless, this could be an isolated issue within the vicinity.

Mercari

Mercari is a free mobile application with a comparable selling experience to eBay.

The app is accessible on both Google Play and the App Store, enabling users to list their items quickly, with shipping labels being generated by the platform itself.

Mercari also offers reduced shipping fees and employs a fixed rate for all 50 states.

Sellers also have the option to either pay for or pass on shipping fees to the purchaser.

Poshmark

For those seeking to buy pallets of clothing, Poshmark is a great choice. Although they charge a commission fee on sales, the platform is free.

The fee structure is $2.95 for deals under $15 and 20% on sales above that amount.

The fact that Poshmark provides shipping labels but shipping costs is the buyer's responsibility does not discourage consumers from using the site.

Flea markets/Car Boot Sales:

I have personally worked these methods and they do work well, and are a fun way to make some extra cash.

How To Make Money Flipping Pallets

happy-surprised-bearded-man-holding-money-laptop-computer-while-looking-camera

Turning a profit from pallet flipping is no easy feat and requires more than just a lucky break.

In fact, you need to put in the effort to reap the rewards.

While it can be a lucrative venture, it's crucial to put in the work and follow some basic steps to ensure your success.

Here are some tips to get started:

Make Smart Purchases:

  • When buying pallets for resale, it's important to minimize risk by purchasing items that align with your knowledge and interests.
  • For instance, if you're knowledgeable about vintage fashion, buying a pallet of vintage clothing may increase your chances of success.
  • Remember that not all items will sell immediately, as some are seasonal or dependent on current trends. Don't get discouraged if some items are slow to sell.
  • Instead, focus on identifying the high-demand products and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Conduct Thorough Research

Checklist:

  • Obtain an itemized list of the pallet before purchasing if possible, as this will save you a lot of time and effort.
  • Research the products yourself if an itemized list is unavailable.
  • Search for the retail price and how much they sell on other platforms, to access if its worth buying.
  • Determine an approximate resale price to assess the profitability of the pallet.
  • Avoid overspending on a pallet that won't yield a reasonable return.
  • Remember that knowledge is power in the pallet-flipping game!

Maintain A Record of Your Product's

Keeping track of essential details is crucial to effectively managing the products in your pallets.

Flipping-pallets-Maintain-product-record

This will enable you to make calculated decisions and get the most return on your investment.

Here is a checklist to keep track of your inventory. 

Checklist Details:

  • Name and brand of the item
  • Description of items for resale sites
  • Item condition
  • Retail price and resale price (RRP)
  • Whether the item is listed, and on which site
  • Whether it has been sold
  • The amount the product was sold for

Keeping track of these details allows you to easily monitor your inventory, update your listings, and adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.

This will help you streamline your pallet-flipping process and ensure profitability.

Be Familiar With the Selling Platforms

Being familiar with the selling platforms you use to resell your items is crucial to your success.

While eBay and Facebook Marketplace may have been less helpful during your initial pallet purchase, they can be effective platforms for reselling. 

eBay is an excellent option for reaching a broader audience worldwide, while Facebook Marketplace is ideal for selling locally.

It's crucial to provide accurate and detailed descriptions of your items to increase your chances of making a sale.

In addition to eBay and Facebook Marketplace, there are other popular selling platforms like Etsy and Mercari that you can explore.

Each forum has advantages and disadvantages; you should choose the ones that best suit your needs and target audience.

It's also helpful to research the fees and commissions associated with each platform to maximize your profits.

Essential Shipping Tips:

  • Flipping pallets requires more than just buying and reselling items
  • Timely and cost-effective shipping is essential for successful flipping
  • Offering local pickup options or free shipping can incentivize customers
  • Properly packaging items is crucial to minimize damage during transit
  • Staying up-to-date and flexible with shipping rates and options is essential.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts-infographics-man thinking in background is blue sky,birds,trees.

As you reach the end of this guide, you're probably buzzing with excitement about the potential of making some money selling liquidation pallets.

But listen up, this ain't no walk in the park.

You gotta do your research, make smart buying decisions, and use some savvy selling strategies to turn a profit.

Sure, there might be a few bumps along the way, but with grit, determination, and a little bit of hustle, you can create a kick-ass pallet-flipping business.

So what are you waiting for? Take the plunge and start your flipping today!

If you are really serious to give this lucrative business a try, I would recommend this inexpensive video course by Bryan Guerra, from Udemy marketplace.

It will give you the knowledge and confidence to get going!

Flip liquidation pallets online-Udemy



FAQs

FAQ frequently asked-questions, infographic yellow words FAQ, on blue pink background with -transparent question mark.

How do you make money returning pallets?

Returning pallets can be a profitable business if done correctly.

Some companies pay for the return of their pallets, while others require you to purchase the pallets first and then pay you for their return.

You can also make money by repairing and reselling used pallets.

Can you make good money flipping pallets?

Yes, you can make good money pallet flipping if you do your research and put in the necessary effort.

Knowing your selling platforms, keeping track of your inventory, and finding the right shipping options are essential.

You can profit from the pallet-flipping business by buying low and selling high.

Is pallet flipping profitable?

Yes, pallet flipping can be profitable if done correctly. You can turn a profit by finding pallets at a low cost and reselling them for a higher price.

How much money can you make buying liquidation pallets?

Selling liquidation pallets may be highly lucrative, especially if you partner with well-known American retail companies.

Your profit margin while selling goods from pallets is roughly 30–40% for each transaction.


SUGGESTED ARTICLES



Chris profile picture at home

About the author

Chris is an accomplished entrepreneur, With extensive

experience in digital marketing, and business development.
Chris loves to share with his readers his latest hustles, software reviews, or make-money online tips.

 

"Building wealth one click at a time!" 

Share post