When you purchase a gift for a friend or loved one during the holiday season, you assume that your recipient will be thrilled with it. However, what happens if they weren’t – and you find yourself stuck in the position of needing to return the item? You may not be aware that some of those returns actually end up in “warehouse auctions” — or in the hands of retailers who buy them in bulk.
Warehouse auctions occur when a retailer or manufacturer needs to move stock quickly and doesn’t want to wait until the merchandise is sold through its regular channels. In this case, the retailer will usually bundle up these items and sell them in bulk to companies who specialize in purchasing “close-outs” — items that have been returned, but are still in good condition. These companies then turn around and resell the items at a much lower cost.
It’s important to note that not all returns wind up in warehouse auctions. Many retailers have policies in place that they will only accept returns within a certain amount of time or with a valid receipt. If the item was purchased online, the item may even have to be returned to the retailer’s original storefront instead of through the mail.
If you have a few presents that you have to return this holiday season, it’s important to know that the items you are returning may be put up for sale to the public. Check with your retailer first to see if they have any particular regulations regarding gift returns. Once you take the necessary steps, you can rest assured that your gift could end up in someone else’s hands and make their holiday season a bit brighter.