Have you ever shopped at a liquidation store? If not, you’re missing out on some great deals! Liquidation stores sell items that is no longer needed or is surplus from retail stores. This means that you can often find top name brand items for a fraction of the original price.
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What is a Liquidation Store?
Basically, liquidation stores buy overstock, closeout, last-season, or even returned merchandise at deep discounts and resell it for less than retail. This is called liquidation merchandising. Liquidation items may also be available if a store goes out of business, when a store changes ownership, or when a store needs to clear space for new merchandise.
Where do Liquidation Items come from?
Liquidation stores usually work with a broker and buy liquidation items in bulk, either by the pallet or truckload. Some stores may even have a direct contract with a big-name retailer. Most big-name retailers participate in liquidating merchandise so you may be able find liquidation items from any of the following stores:
- Amazon
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Best Buy
- Costco
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Home Depot
- HSN
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Lowe’s
- Macy’s
- Meijer
- Nordstrom Rack
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Wayfair
- Zulily
If you’re looking to buy your own liquidation pallets, enter your email address below for a free liquidation guide with our compliments.
Tips to Save Money at Liquidation Stores
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping at liquidation stores:
1. Compare Prices
Just because an item is discounted doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Be sure to compare prices with other stores before making a purchase. You can use a price checker app that compares prices across various stores. Or if you know the item is a Target salvage item, scan the UPC with the Target app to see what price the item sells for there.
2. Inspect Items
Some liquidation items may be damaged or defective. Be sure to inspect the item thoroughly before buying it. Some liquidation stores even have a “testing” area for electronics so you can plug the item into an outlet to see if it works correctly. If the item is a clothing, look for rips and stains and decide if you can sew the rip or clean out the stain.
Some liquidation stores may leave the return slip on the items if they are returns where you can read why the consumer returned the item. If the reason was simply “changed mind”, “wrong size” or “changed mind”, you can probably presume that item is not damaged at all. If the reason was “doesn’t work”, still inspect the item as some times the reason it doesn’t work is user error! If the item does truly not work and you are handy, you may be able to fix the item yourself or use it for parts.
3. Ask When They Restock
The best deals are usually right away in the morning on the day after the store restocks so you may want to shop early. You can ask the employees when they restock and try to come back then. You even may be able to find an employee who is willing to give you a heads up when they’re about to restock.
4. Ask About Return Policies
Some liquidation stores do not accept returns, so be sure to ask about the return policy before making a purchase. Some store may offer exchanges or store credit for returns.
5. Check Sale Ads
Many liquidation stores have sales where you can save even more money on already discounted items. Most stores update their Facebook pages or send out an e-newsletter with advertised sales. Be sure to ask about sales and look for signs posted around the store for unadvertised sales.
Following the tips above, you can save a lot of money at liquidation stores! So next time you’re looking for a great deal, be sure to check out your local liquidation store. You might just find exactly what you’re looking for at a fraction of the price.
List of Liquidation Stores By City/State
Search for a liquidation store or bin store near you. You can search by state, city, or name of the store. Click on the store name for a link to their website or Facebook page for hours and specials.
We are continually adding new stores as we find them. If we are missing one that you love, please contact us to add. Thanks for reading!
