Not every Amazon order or delivery is successful. Some get lost in transit or rejected at delivery or pickup. What happens to such packages? They are either returned to the sender or sold as unclaimed packages.
Most unclaimed Amazon packages are presumably lost items found after the seller or buyer has been refunded. Since Amazon can no longer return these items, it auctions them as unclaimed items instead of disposing of them.
Are you interested in knowing all the essentials about unclaimed Amazon packages? This guide explains what they are, where you can get them, and how to navigate the risky market safely.
What are Unclaimed Amazon Packages?
Unclaimed Amazon packages are items that were not successfully delivered and could not be returned to the shipper for some reason. Common delivery issues that can make an item unclaimed include:
- Rejection at the point of delivery or failure to pick them up at a depot near you.
- Item goes missing midway through delivery and eventually gets found after a replacement or refund has been issued to both the buyer and the seller.
Hence, it is safe to say Amazon will only consider a package “unclaimed” if it remains in a warehouse after resolving its delivery. This product will now go live on Amazon and other third-party sites for budget-conscious consumers to target.
How to Find Unclaimed Packages on Amazon
This is the safest place to buy unclaimed packages. You only need to:
- Login to your account.
- Type “unclaimed items for sale” in the search bar to see the different items available under this category.
Common items in this category include shirts, pants, survival kits, and makeup accessories. Most of these items feature a detailed description of what to expect. Only mystery boxes or pallets provide little details.
However, because some items are limited to only Prime subscribers, you might need to try other genuine marketplaces for unclaimed Amazon packages.
Third-Party Websites That Sell Unclaimed Amazon Packages
If, for some reason, the item you want is not on Amazon, check out third-party websites. The good thing about these websites is that they are not limited to only unclaimed Amazon packages.
They sell items from other stores, like Walmart, and mail recovery centers like USPS. Reliable ones include:
1. Liquidation.com
This website primarily allows customers to buy by placing bids. However, you can buy some pallets immediately and sort bids by amount and product category. Most bids start as low as $100 and sales may be final.
2. Direct Liquidation
You can also bid or use the ‘Buy Now’ option to buy new or refurbished items on Direct Liquidation. Unlike other liquidation websites, most items bought on Direct Liquidation have a 90-day warranty.
3. BULQ
BULQ updates its liquidated or unclaimed package list every day. You can buy them at a fixed price or bid for items on auction.
While this platform does not support returns, it provides consumers with detailed images and manifestos. You can also pick up your package or pay $30 for delivery.
4. American Pallet Liquidators
American Pallet Liquidators is a giant when it comes to Amazon mystery boxes. Most of your purchases on this platform will be blind because you cannot open or ask for the content of these Amazon boxes.
However, you can visit any of their warehouses to see what the pallet (unclaimed packages in bulk) looks like without opening it and decide if you want to take the risk. Most sales are final.
4. BlueLots
Consumers and retailers target BlueLots because it does not markup prices and ships packages domestically and internationally with renowned carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
5. 888 Lots
888 Lots allows you to bargain with its sellers. It also provides pallet details like descriptions, serial numbers, conditions, images, and existing reviews. You can arrange a delivery for your item or pay the company $12.99.
6. Barton’s Discounts
Barton’s Discounts primarily sells unclaimed Amazon truckloads. Hence, this may be the ideal website for mystery boxes (in bulk) with a no-return policy.
7. E-commerce websites
E-commerce stores like eBay, Etsy, and Pushmark also sell unclaimed Amazon packages. Like Amazon, you only need to type “unclaimed packages” in their search bar to access the available items.
8. Physical stores or mail recovery centers
Physical stores like USPS, FedEx, and UPS warehouses are where you can inspect and buy unclaimed packages. You can also visit the nearest swap meet marketplace near you to get unclaimed Amazon packages.
8 Things to Consider Before Buying Unclaimed Amazon Packages
Buying unclaimed Amazon packages, especially mystery boxes, will always be risky. To navigate this marketplace safely, you need to adopt these essential practices:
1. Start small
This is the ideal way to buy unclaimed packages, especially if you are a newbie. With a better understanding of the marketplace and depending on why you are buying these, you can increase your purchasing power.
For instance, if you are the type that buys to resell individually, you will have to go big at some point.
2. Website’s reputation
Another significant step you need to take before buying an unclaimed package is to verify the website’s reputation. This should be the case if you are not buying from Amazon or any reliable websites in this guide.
3. Seller’s reputation
Aside from verifying the website’s reputation, you need to ensure that you are in business with a legitimate seller. One way to verify sellers is to check their average ratings and reviews. This will give you an insight into what to expect if you proceed with such vendors.
4. Package condition
Unclaimed packages can be mystery boxes or known items with some defects and aesthetic blemishes. Therefore, it is essential to read the package description (if available) or be prepared to receive items in less-than-perfect condition.
5. Target best sellers
Another way to improve your shopping experience is to target the best sellers in each category. This way, you are confident of getting a quality product. Please note that not all auction or liquidation sites provide information about their best sellers.
6. Return policies
Different vendors have different return policies. While reading a package’s description, check for its return policy. I recommend you target items with a minimum 14-day return window.
7. Your budget
You should also target items within your budget because you won’t be paying for the item only. There are additional costs, like shipping fees and taxes. Estimate the entire cost and decide if it is still an excellent decision.
8. Proper storage
When buying unclaimed packages from a physical store that allows you to inspect the pallet or truckload like Walmart and USPS, your primary attention should be on their storage condition.
Check the condition of the housing materials or the environment and make informed decisions.
FAQs
Are unclaimed packages always in good condition?
Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to unclaimed packages. Nevertheless, shopping on Amazon or renowned liquidation websites is usually safer.
How much do Amazon unclaimed pallets cost?
On average, they range from $100 to $5000, depending on the size and the liquidation website selling the bulk shipment.
How many times will Amazon attempt delivery?
Thrice and usually on consecutive days. Your package will be held for 72 hours after an unsuccessful third attempt and will be returned to the sender if you do not schedule a new delivery.
In a Nutshell
Navigating the “unclaimed packages” marketplace has always been a combination of excellent decision-making and expecting the unexpected.
If you are new to this marketplace, it is best to stick to packages on Amazon and the liquidation websites in this guide. With very little research, you can get quality products from these platforms and ship them domestically or abroad.
However, if you strictly want to stay local and spend less on shipping or delivery, visiting carrier warehouses like USPS and FedEx is the way to go.
I hope you found this guide helpful. You should also check out Used Acceptable packages on Amazon if you want cheap items with fewer risks.
Thanks for reading.
