Have you heard about people reusing Amazon pallets as return shipping packaging? Maybe you’ve even seen pictures of repurposed shipping pallets on social media. It sounds like a great idea. After all, the primary cost of receiving an item from Amazon or another online vendor is the original shipping cost. Do they save enough money over time to make it worthwhile? Let’s take a closer look at whether using Amazon return pallets is worth it.
Are Amazon Return Pallets Worth It?
As we’ve covered above, there are some benefits to using Amazon return pallets. They’re cheap, clean, and in many cases, they’re in great condition. They look professional, they’re safe to handle, and they’re big enough to fit most items. Then there are some potential risks and drawbacks. For one, they’re not guaranteed clean. You can visually inspect the pallets to check their condition, but you can’t know for sure how they were cleaned. You may be able to get a pallet within hours, but you may have to wait for days. You may have to travel to a fulfillment center to pick up the pallet yourself. And you’ll have to pay for shipping.
What Is An Amazon Return Pallet?
An Amazon return pallet is a pallet of goods that has been returned to a fulfillment center. These pallets are then cleaned and rebranded. They become an item that a company can purchase for single use. The pallets may have been used for a variety of items, but the standard is that they must be safe to handle and clean enough to repackage. They’re most commonly used as return shipping packaging for online orders.
Why Are Amazon Return Pallets Worth It?
Return pallets from Amazon are a headache for many suppliers. They cost money to manage and they require space to store until they can be reused. But what we often don’t think of is all the good that can come from them. When you see those pallets, think of them as a free resource that, with some planning and execution, can be used to save money in your business. Utilizing these pallets may seem like more trouble than it’s worth at first glance, but once you dig deeper into the benefits, you will likely see their value. Below are reasons why return pallets from Amazon are worth it.
Save Money On Inventory And Warehousing
If you have a high turnover product or a product that is seasonal, you will have to replenish your stock constantly. You will have to store the products you have sold and the products that have not sold yet. If you are an FBA seller, you will also have to store your products in a warehouse at Amazon and then ship them when they are ordered. If you have to store these products outside of Amazon’s warehousing, this will cost you money. The costs of purchasing, storing, and shipping these goods are all a part of your overhead. If you can use return pallets to reduce or even eliminate this overhead, you will save money. This is especially true if you are only using the pallets from one supplier. Many companies use a variety of different pallet types, which can make it harder to find pallets that you can use.
They Help Manage Replenishment Cycles
If you are a company that has to manage large replenishment orders, you will want to plan when you re-order your products. You will want to order those products when they are priced at their lowest. This makes the most financial sense. You can use pallets that have already been returned and have been accepted by Amazon as a resource. Wait until you have a pallet with a certain number of units on it and then order those products. To do this, you will want to find a supplier that offers pallets with a cut-off date for accepting returns. From there, you can use this pallet to order your products at the best price. This will help you manage your replenishment cycles to save money.
They Are A Form Of Advertising
Amazon pallets are a form of advertising for your business. When your products are shipped on a pallet from Amazon, others will see where they have come from. They will see your company name and other information. This is a great way for you to get your name out there. This can be a great way to get your products in front of new potential customers. It can also be a way to get your name out as a reputable company.
They Can Be Repurposed For Other Uses
Amazon pallets are made of strong materials and can last for a long time. You can repurpose these pallets for many different uses. From creating pallet flooring in your warehouse to using them to prop up shelves or even as shelves themselves, there are many different ways you can repurpose Amazon pallets. Finding creative ways to repurpose these pallets will save you money.
Amazon Will Repay You For Damaged Goods
If you have a pallet with damaged goods on it, Amazon will still accept that return. This is great news because you can use that pallet again. You can repackage those products and send them out to another customer. Or, if they are damaged beyond repair, you can throw them out. This can be a way to make sure you aren’t repackaging goods that aren’t fit to be sold again. This is one way Amazon will repay you for accepting these pallets. It may not be a huge amount, but it will help ease the pain of accepting a returned pallet.
Amazon Allows You To Adjust Shipment Timing
Amazon will work with you to determine when you will receive your pallets. This can be a huge benefit. If you are expecting a rush in orders, you can ask Amazon to send you more pallets. But, if you are expecting a slower period, you can ask for fewer. This is an important tool for managing your inventory. If you have a large order on the way, you can ask Amazon to hold the shipment until you are ready for it. This will help you avoid having too much inventory or having to store it somewhere.
How Does Amazon Return Pallet Shipping Work?
If you’re using these pallets for single-use shipping, then you’ll need to repackage the item you bought. Otherwise, the pallet will be branded with the retailer’s information. If you’re buying a pallet that’s been repurposed from a retailer, you can skip this step.
- First, you’ll need to make sure the pallet is clean enough for shipping. That may involve washing it with soap and water.
- You may also have to disinfect the pallet with a bleach solution.
- Then you’ll need to create a pallet wall for your return shipment.
- You’ll stack the items on the pallet and wrap them in pallet wrap.
- You may need to use a heavy-duty stapler to secure the pallet wrap.
The Pros Of Using Amazon Return Pallets
- They’re free.
- They’re easy to use and maneuver.
- They’re big enough to fit most items.
- They’re clean and safe to handle.
- They look professional.
- They’re easy to clean and disinfect.
- They reduce the cost of return shipping.
- They can be reused for other shipments.
The Cons Of Using Amazon Return Pallets
- You may have to wait for a pallet to be available.
- You may have to travel to a fulfillment center to pick up the pallet.
- You don’t know how they were cleaned. –
- They may be in poor condition.
- They can’t be used for heavy or oversized items.
- They may not fit all items.
- They can’t be used for wet or fragile items.
Final Words
There are some benefits to using Amazon return pallets. They’re cheap, clean, and in many cases, they’re in great condition. They look professional, they’re safe to handle, and they’re big enough to fit most items. If you’re shipping items that are light and not fragile, these pallets can be a good choice. You don’t want to have to try to squeeze an item onto a pallet that’s too small.
