As an avid Amazon shopper, I’m always looking for ways to save money with the online retail giant. From shopping at their little-known Online Warehouse Outlet, to figuring out how to buy their returns for cheap, I’m always on the search for ways to save. This made me wonder if there were stores in my local area that bought and sold Amazon returns and liquidated Amazon products for cheap. Here’s what I discovered.

After some digging, I found an Amazon return store, also known as a “Liquidation Store” or “Amazon Bin Store”, about 10 miles away.

So off I drove and quickly discovered that the savings at the store were pretty incredible, so I wanted to show you how to find a return store in your neck of the woods so you can start saving too. Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know.

What Exactly is an Amazon Return Store?

As the name suggests, an Amazon Return Store buys and sells Amazon products that were returned by customers for a myriad of reasons.

They are a great place to shop for bargains on home décor, electronics, toys, tools, clothing, shoes, patio furniture, and small kitchen appliances.

These stores typically don’t only sell Amazon returns, they often source liquidations and returns from Target, Home Depot, and Walmart as well.

See Also: How to Find a Target Salvage Store Near You

PRO TIP: BEWARE OF THE BIN STORE “BAIT & SWITCH”

Most bin store owners are completely above board when it comes to the “preview pictures” they post of their weekly merchandise that they share on Facebook the day before they offer it for sale.

But be aware that some will add high-end items and brands into their pictures to entice shoppers. I’ve seen pictures posted with $399 Apple AirPod Max headphones, high end DeWalt power tools, and even a top of the line KitchenAid stand mixer.

Then when you show up and stand in line (for an hour), the items either never existed or they’re being sold in the “Retail” section of the store for almost full price. Consider yourself warned, bin stores that do this should lose your business.

How Do I Find a Return Store Near Me?

The best way to find a store near you is through Google or Facebook.

These stores go by different names, the two in my town are called Bargain Bins and Falling Prices.

Start by doing a Google search for one of the following,

“Amazon return store near me”

“Amazon bin store TOWN NAME” – this is the exact search that stumbled me onto my local “Bargain Bins” store.

“Liquidation store TOWN NAME”

“Amazon salvage store near me”

“Amazon liquidation store TOWN NAME”

Next hit up Facebook and do the exact SAME searches.

If you have any of these stores near you, Google and/or Facebook will quickly find them for you and you probably won’t have to do more than 2 searches.

See Also: Amazon Warehouse Deals: How to Find the ABSOLUTE Best Deals

PRO TIP: ARE YOU AN EBAY RESELLER?

If you’re a reseller, you need to find and add an Amazon bin store to your weekly shop routine.

On my last trip to my local bin store I talked to a couple resellers who gave me some great tips.

First, they told me that while they’ll shop on the first day when everything is $12, the secret sauce is to shop when everything is 2 for $1. I was told they can easily extract $100 to $300 in hidden treasures in about 1 hour.

Second, when I asked why they don’t just buy their own pallets, they said there is way too much junk on them and they’d much rather cherry pick the money making opportunities in-person.

Are These Products from Amazon Liquidation Pallets?

Yes.

The vast majority of products are sourced from buying Amazon liquidation pallets from sites like Liquidation.com and DirectLiquidation.com.

What Brands Will I Typically Find Within?

Depends.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict the brands you might find as every store is different and dependent on the pallet of returned merchandise that they purchase.

But, to give you an idea, from shopping at my local “Bargain Bins” store, I found these brands to name just a few:

– Disney

– Sony

– Anker

– Logitech

– Farberware

– Ryobi

– Cuisinart

– Black & Decker

– Samsung

– Stanley Tools

– Shakespeare Fishing Poles

– 3M

– Nike

– Adidas

How Much Savings is Typical at These Stores?

Easily 50% off the retail price, often WAY more, I personally saw savings close to 90% off the original price.

The “Bargain Bins” store near me works like this:

Thursday – Everything in the store is $12

Friday – Everything in the store is $8

Saturday -Everything in the store is $4

Sunday -Everything in the store is $2

Monday – Everything in the store is 2 for $1

Tuesday and Wednesday – Closed

If your Amazon “bin” store is setup the same way, the BEST strategy is to start by shopping on a Thursday (when the store opens) and see what in-stock products and brands they have, then come back Sunday afternoon and see what is left.

This will give you a great idea at how quickly stuff is sold and at what price point.

Be prepared for a crowd on Thursday and a mad scramble when the doors open, it reminded me of the old Black Friday days.

A saw shoppers scoring microwaves, a mini fridge, large framed art prints, and electronics (think sound bars, headphones, and charging stations) for only $12 each.

Also, if your store is still relatively new, many bargain shoppers might not be aware of it yet, allowing you to take advantage of deals on Sunday and Monday at pennies on the dollar.

If you’re a reseller on eBay the Sunday and Monday bargains could be a great way to source inventory that you can resell for a quick profit.

See Also: 4 CLEVER Ways to Buy Amazon Returns and Save Money

Are the Products Often Defective?

Sometimes, but not typically.

While the items are typically in working condition, they sometimes have scratches, dents, and small imperfections.

I saw a lamp that had been squished, many boxes that had been ripped open at one point, and even a mattress that had some grease on it.

So you’re definitely taking a risk, especially on electronics, but at the low price point the risk is negligible in my opinion.

Are All Purchases Going to Be Final Sale?

Yes.

Because you’re buying products at liquidation prices, you can expect there to be NO return policy in place.

So once you buy the item, and walk out the door, you’re stuck with it.

The good news is you can easily resell the item on eBay if you don’t want it, often at a profit.

Can I Find Amazon Essentials at These Stores?

Yes.

I took the above picture recently when I went to our local “Bargain Bins” Amazon liquidation store with my daughter.

She bought these BRAND NEW leather moccasin slippers for only $4, Amazon sells them for over $20.

Can I Return These Items to Amazon?

No.

If you’re thinking of somehow returning products bought at a discount to Amazon for a profit, think again, it can’t be done.

First of all, you’ll need evidence that you bought the item from Amazon in the first place, and secondly, well….there is no secondly, just don’t do it.

See Also: Amazon Return Policy: Time to Cut Through the Crap and Figure It Out

Ask the Reader: Do you know of any Amazon return stores in your neck of the woods? Let me know in the comments and I’ll start compiling a list of stores to help all of us.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)