Sometimes when buying customer returns or closeouts by the truckload or job lot you will receive items which you may or may not have a market for. For example, one retailer will liquidate a category of merchandise called “Hardware” and in this category you can expect to receive housewares, home decor, tools and large appliances. There is no way to purchase just “housewares” without receiving a few large appliances.

You may or may not be able to retail the large appliances, maybe they need some work or they are damaged. One way to move this unsellable merchandise is to for an agreement with an appliance repair company in your local area. Interview all of them and let them know you buy customer returns by the pallet or truckload. Let them know that you can provide them with typically this years models which might be freight damaged or have some aspect needing repair. This type of inventory to an appliance repair company will be very valuable because they have the knowledge and access to buy replacement parts for this merchandise.

It would be best to sell all of your appliances based upon a percent of original retail or wholesale; factor in what you paid for the items and try your best to make a profit. If a profit cannot be made at least you will have a channel to move this cumbersome type of merchandise quickly. I would advise that you assert an agreement that if sell to an appliance repair company that they cannot “pick and choose” which ones to buy from you. They take all available or non at all. If the company or repairman has an issue with this agreement, move on to the next company.

From experience we have set up several channels for moving this type of merchandise and it has worked very well.