Amazon & Target Liquidation Pallets — Are They Worth It?

Liquidation pallets from Amazon and Target are two of the most searched options for resellers. Both can be profitable, but they aren’t identical. Below, we compare sourcing, pricing, manifests, typical categories, risk level, and who each option suits best—so you can make a confident buy.

Why Amazon and Target Pallets Are So Popular

• Brand trust: Buyers know and trust the retailers behind the goods.
• Steady supply: Constant returns, shelf pulls, and overstocks keep inventory flowing.
• Resale demand: Recognizable brands sell quickly online and locally.

What You’re Actually Buying

Both sources include a mix of customer returns, shelf pulls, and overstock. Returns usually carry the most risk (missing parts, wear, broken packaging), while overstock and shelf pulls are cleaner and closer to retail-ready.

Pros of Amazon Liquidation Pallets

• High variety: Electronics, small appliances, home, apparel, tools, and more.
• Volume & price points: Wide range of lot sizes, often with competitive starting prices.
• Potential jackpots: Electronics and small appliances can deliver strong ROI if you can refurbish or part out.

Cons of Amazon Liquidation Pallets

• Condition variability: Many lots are unsorted returns—expect testing, cleaning, and missing pieces.
• Time cost: Sorting, testing, and listing can be labor-intensive.
• Shipping math: Freight or parcel on multiple smaller pallets can erode margins if you don’t plan ahead.

Best Categories from Amazon

Small appliances, tools, electronics accessories, home & kitchen. Parts lots (cables, chargers, remotes) work well for sellers who know how to bundle and move volume.

Pros of Target Liquidation Pallets

• Cleaner manifests: More shelf pulls and overstock vs. returns (varies by lot), which means fewer defects.
• Retail-ready items: Apparel, home, baby, and seasonal goods are often new or like-new with tags.
• Consistent presentation: Lots are frequently easier to process and photograph.

Cons of Target Liquidation Pallets

• Higher buy-in: Cleaner goods tend to cost more upfront than high-return lots.
• Seasonality risk: Out-of-season items can sit unless you plan for next season or have storage.
• Availability: May be less frequent than Amazon returns at certain suppliers.

Best Categories from Target

Apparel, home decor, bedding, baby, and seasonal. Great for local boutiques, bin stores, flea markets, and fast e-commerce listers.

Costs to Model Before You Bid

• Freight: Get quotes before bidding. Pallets are bulky; a “cheap” lot can become expensive after shipping.
• Processing time: Returns require testing/cleaning. Overstocks move faster but may have slimmer margins.
• Fees & payment terms: Factor in buyer’s premiums, payment fees, and storage time.

Which One Is Right for You?

Choose Amazon if you’re a risk-tolerant buyer with systems for testing, parting out, and refurbishing. You’ll chase bigger upside but handle more defects.

Choose Target if you want cleaner, retail-ready inventory with faster listing and lower defect rates, and you’re okay paying a higher upfront price.

Pro Tips for Better Results

• Study manifests: Cross-check retail prices and realistic sell-through, not just MSRP.
• Start niche, then scale: Specialize (e.g., bedding or small appliances) to speed testing and listing.
• Plan sales channels: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, bin stores, flea markets, and local auctions each excel with different categories.
• Track real ROI: Include shipping, labor, supplies, returns, and platform fees in your numbers.

Bottom Line

Yes—both Amazon and Target pallets can be worth it. The best choice depends on your budget, category expertise, and appetite for returns processing. If you’re new, consider cleaner Target lots. If you have repair skills and time to test, Amazon can deliver bigger wins.

Want deeper supplier comparisons and buyer tips? Explore the top rated liquidation companies here LiquidationReviews.com and see our company breakdowns on the Reviews page.

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