RETURN pallets are the new shopping trend saving savvy customers some money - and giving them the opportunity to make more.
Gem Wholesale is one big name who has caught on to the return pallet movement, with brands like Argos, Very and Amazon offloading their old stock this way.
Return pallets are the new trend giving savvy shoppers the chance to save - and make - some moneyCredit: Getty ImagesWhat are Gem return pallets?
Gem Wholesale is a website that sells return pallets, which are boxes of goods that have been returned by customers to a number of retailers, including Very.
They may also contain surplus stock and bankrupt stock from businesses.
The goods are sold at hugely discounted prices, giving those who buy the return pallets opportunity to make some extra cash by reselling the used merchandise online.
How to de-clutter if you have a beauty stash to last you a lifetimeIn the past, wholesalers would have sold these unwanted goods to market traders.
But now they flog them online - for less than ten per cent of the RRP of the contents.
Gem return pallets are categorised by what they contain - though customers do not get detailed information on what condition they are in.
A stock list is available for some pallets - giving information on what is in them and their retail price.
Others, the "lucky dip" pallets, contain mystery items.
Some of the categories on Gem's website are sport, audio, bikes, fashion, bedding, and electricals.
Where can I buy a Gem return pallet?
Gem sell their discount pallets on their website, www.gemwholesale.co.uk.
While some other return pallets go to auction, Gem's appear to be able to be added straight to your basket.
It should be noted that any items in a return pallet may be broken, damaged or be missing parts, and may require refurbishment.
Return pallets can include faulty electrical items that require repair by a qualified professional.
I’m a savvy shopper – best time to shop for Xmas 2023 is sooner than you thinkCustomers can see a list of what's contained in the pallet but no information of what condition these items are in is given.
Who else does return pallets?
John Lewis return pallets are very popular and some users on TikTok and YouTube have documented their experiences with them.
Some have opened the retailer's mystery boxes to find everything from coffee machines and cribs, to Dyson and Smeg goodies.
Another large company that offers return pallets is Amazon.
In 2018, Jeff Bazo's company partnered with B-Stock to launch Amazon Liquidation Auctions, the official b2b marketplace where you can buy overstock merchandise directly from Amazon.
As well as major retailers, many websites sell return pallets in bulk.
These websites include:
- MartHill International
- wholesaleclearance.co.uk
- Ebay
- discounthouse.co.uk
- williamgeorge.com
- now-sale.co.uk
- hopite.co.uk