Buying a pallet is the easy half. The money is made in how you sort, price and move the stock. This guide covers the reselling side for Australian buyers.
Pick the right channel for the stock
- eBay and Amazon — best for identifiable, higher-value items where buyers search by model.
- Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree — fast local sales, cash flow, bulky goods.
- Weekend markets and bin stores — volume at a fixed ticket; ideal for mixed general merchandise.
- Your own storefront — once you have consistent supply in a category.
Price from the lot, not the item
Work out what the whole lot cost you, including freight, then set unit prices so the lot clears at a margin even if a share of it is unsellable. Do not price off the best item in the box.
The write-off rate decides everything
Every lot has a percentage you cannot sell — faulty, incomplete or simply unwanted. Track it honestly on your first few lots. A grade that looks cheap with a 40% write-off can be dearer than a cleaner grade that costs more up front. Our grades guide explains which grades carry which risk.
Test before you list
For electricals, test function and safety before resale. For sealed overstock, packaging condition is often the only issue. Photograph honestly; returns from your own customers are a cost too.
Common mistakes
- Buying unmanifested stock before you can absorb a poor lot.
- Ignoring freight when comparing prices.
- Scaling on one lucky pallet instead of proven averages.
- Chasing electronics without the ability to test or repair.
Scaling up
Once a category is working, a truckload lowers your per-unit cost further. Start where you have proven sell-through, then browse lots by category to top up.