Where it comes from

Retailer returns, overstock, seasonal rollovers, shelf pulls, discontinued SKUs, packaging changes, and store closures. Each source behaves differently on resale.

Common condition grades

New / sealed: factory packaging, untouched. Like new / open box: opened, complete, functional. Used: cosmetic wear, tested. Refurbished: repaired and retested. Salvage: parts or scrap. Mixed: a lot containing several grades.

Manifested vs unmanifested

A manifest lists SKUs, quantities, and retail values. Manifested lots cost more and carry far less risk. Unmanifested lots are cheaper because you are being paid to take on uncertainty — treat the discount as insurance premium, not as free money.

Retail value is not your revenue

A pallet with $5,000 'retail value' typically resells for 15–30% of that after returns, damage, and time. Build your model on realistic resale, never on manifest retail.