When buying return and overstock lots, you will almost always encounter a minimum order quantity. Understanding why that threshold exists helps you judge which volume suits your way of working and how best to plan the freight.
Why a Minimum Order Quantity Applies
Return and overstock goods arrive in large, unsorted flows. To process and load those flows efficiently, work is organised in fixed units: per box, per weight, or per full truckload. A minimum order quantity ensures a shipment can be loaded and transported in one go, rather than in loose remainders.
For you as a buyer, that has a practical consequence: the threshold partly determines which lot is realistic. If you have limited storage and processing capacity, a compact lot makes more sense than a full load. Our product pages state the applicable minimum order quantity per line, expressed for example in boxes or in kilos.
What a Full Load Does to Your Cost Price
Freight costs are rarely calculated per item. A truck running half loaded costs considerably more per kilo than the same truck running full. So the closer you get to a full truckload, the lower the transport cost per unit, even if the purchase price itself stays the same.
In addition, we apply a volume discount on some per-kilo lines from a certain weight onwards. Exactly what that threshold is and which rate applies differs per product line and may change over time — so always consult the current product page rather than earlier quotes.
When comparing lots, therefore, do not calculate with the price per kilo or per box alone, but also with freight costs and with the time you will spend on processing. A cheaper lot that takes you weeks to sort may work out less favourably on balance than a smaller, more manageable shipment.
Preparing the Delivery in Practice
Before placing an order, check how accessible your location is. Can a truck with a trailer reach it, is there a loading dock or do you need a tail lift, and do you have a pallet truck or forklift? With larger loads, this often matters more for a smooth delivery than the order itself.
Also make sure space is free at the moment the load arrives. A full truckload calls for a zone cleared in advance where you can set the goods down and sort them afterwards. Preferably schedule unloading at a time when you also have staff available, so the inspection can start straight away.
Finally, keep in mind that freight and shipping costs are not included in the lot prices listed. Request these in advance so that you calculate with a complete picture.
Scaling Up Step by Step
Many resellers start with a smaller lot to test their working method, turnaround time and their own sales channels. If that goes well and you sell faster than you buy, scaling up to a larger order is a logical next step.
Build that growth on your own figures: how much time sorting takes, how much storage you need, and how long it takes for a lot to sell through. That way you base the step towards a full load on your own practice rather than on an assumption about the contents, which differs per lot and is not fixed in advance.
Minimum order quantity and freight planning together determine a large part of your final cost price. Check the current minimum order quantity per product line on our product pages, or get in touch to discuss which volume suits your location and way of working.