"Should I buy a pallet or a lot?" Half our customer emails ask this question. The honest answer depends on three things: your budget, your space, and how far you live from our Kitchener warehouse.
The Quick Decision Tree
- Live in Ontario + have space + $500+ to spend? Buy a pallet.
- Live outside Ontario + want to test reselling? Start with a lot.
- First time reselling, anywhere in Canada? Start with a lot.
- Need to fill specific category gaps in active inventory? Lots.
- Running a storefront, market booth, or bin store? Pallets, eventually truckload.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Liquidation Lot | Liquidation Pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149–$249 | $350–$1,200 |
| Items | 10–50 | 200–500 |
| Categories | Single category | Mixed or category-specific |
| Shipping | Free Canada-wide over $100 | Free Ontario pickup / freight quote |
| Storage needed | Single shelf or closet | Garage, spare room, unit |
| Sort time | 15–30 minutes | 3–6 hours |
| Avg. sell-through | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks (mixed channels) |
| Per-item cost | Higher ($5–$15) | Lower ($1.50–$3) |
| Per-item margin | Similar | Slightly higher |
| Risk on bad pallet | Low ($249 max) | Higher ($500–$1,200) |
| Best for | Testing, side hustle, gifts | Active reselling, scale |
When Lots Win on Total Profit
Counterintuitive but true — sometimes lots produce more profit per dollar than pallets, especially if you live far from our warehouse.
Example: A Halifax-area reseller buying a single pallet would pay $500 for the pallet plus ~$350 in freight = $850 landed. A lot at $200 with free shipping arrives in 4 days, no freight, no surprises. Two lots at $400 may net the same margin as one $850-landed pallet — with half the storage requirement.
When Pallets Win Decisively
If you live in Ontario (especially within 2 hours of Kitchener), pallets win every time because:
- No freight cost — you pick up free
- You can inspect a sample at the warehouse before buying
- Per-item cost is 4–5x lower
- You can move to truckload pricing once your sell-through is consistent
- You have access to better category mixes (lots are limited to inventory we can split)
What About Both?
The most experienced Canadian resellers combine the two:
- Monthly pallet for bulk inventory in their top 2 categories
- Weekly lot to fill specific gaps (e.g., kid-size apparel before back-to-school, electronics before Christmas)
- Seasonal pallet (e.g., Halloween, holiday) ordered 6–8 weeks ahead
This combination keeps inventory fresh and lets you respond to channel demand without re-engineering your whole supply chain.
Common Mistakes With Each
Pallet mistakes:
- Buying electronics-only as a first pallet (highest variability)
- Not requesting a manifest before purchase
- Ordering before clearing 6×8 ft of sort space
- Underestimating sort time (plan a full Saturday)
Lot mistakes:
- Ordering one and giving up after 5 unsold items (the first week is slow on all channels)
- Pricing at MSRP — lots need 30–50% off retail to move
- Mixing lot inventory with personal items and losing track
Not Sure Which to Order?
Email wholesale@amazedeals.ca and we will recommend based on your goals.
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