Buying damaged good from large retailers?

**Ryank1331** · 04-16-2007 02:41 PM

Many retailers such as Wal-Mart, Meijers, and Target throw out perfectly good products because the outside of the product is damaged. Example: A box of band-aids are perfect but the box was cut open a little, they throw it out. Why not open a business buying so-called damaged goods and re-sell them? Its not a bad idea IMO.

**zoobie** · 04-16-2007 03:07 PM

Yes, not a bad idea. Hope it will work.

**nordicnomad** · 04-16-2007 07:34 PM

They throw out disposable stuff, but it's not like they toss a perfectly good television set because the box is messed up.

You have to realize that they're probably tossing the low margin stuff that people are hesitant to buy if damaged. Like food or as you mentioned bandaids. It was a thought, but you're probably still only going to be able to purchase the stuff for a percentage off the retail price if you ask about it.

**astj** · 04-16-2007 08:05 PM

Actually, my cousin used to work at sears, and he got a rototiller, brand new, it just needed a little engine work which took only a couple of hours and it was fine. So yes, there are some goods worth salvaging.

**youngmarketplace** · 04-16-2007 11:52 PM

I was thinking about bringing in a semi truck load in awhile back. Just think of all the stuff you bring back to Wal Mart, Sears, Target for some reason. Those are the kinds of things you will be buying. Somethings can be good, they say about half will need some work.

**DrMoney** · 04-16-2007 11:55 PM

But still a site for stuff at like 75% off normal price
iF you could list defects.

You would make money.

**youngmarketplace** · 04-16-2007 11:57 PM

Yes Justin, I've seen some places saying like its .23 cents to the wholesale dollar. So it can be pretty good. But half the stuff is very questionable.

**nordicnomad** · 04-17-2007 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by astj

Actually, my cousin used to work at sears, and he got a rototiller, brand new, it just needed a little engine work which took only a couple of hours and it was fine. So yes, there are some goods worth salvaging.

Exactly, needs a little work. My grandfather financed his retirement doing something like this.

He'd drive around all the rich neighborhoods that didn't have gates, and even a few that did, and pick up the lawn mowers, grills, appliances, and other large items that people threw out. A lot of times it was just because they had a new one, other times it was out of oil or needed the spark plug tightened.

He'd pick up this stuff for nothing and sell it at our area community center for $50 a pop when it came to the lawn mowers.

There is money there, but it's not going to be selling things as is, you're going to have to do the repair work and still sell at a discount. If you can make it work, power to ya.

**pbradish** · 04-17-2007 10:21 AM

I did this one time to an extent with my previous ecommerce site. A manufacturer of mine had a certain pair of fight gloves that were below his normal (high) standards of quality. He called me up and asked me if I'd like to sell them on my site for an extra $10 per glove.

I took the deal, made an extra few hundred dollars. No customer ever complained... they were still decent gloves.

Looking back on the deal, I do not think the integrity of a business is worth an extra couple of hundred dollars. I would not do this again in the future. It was a learning lesson for myself.

- Now, if you were to purchase a damaged good and repair it that is a whole different story. I would just be sure to let your customers know that the product has been refurbished.