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Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics Many large companies such as retailers and mail-order companies liquidate perfectly good items in order to make room for the newer merchandise. Millions of dollars worth of useable merchandise is discarded at bargain prices each month. People shop at discount and dollar stores everyday, not realizing that the items they're buying were once considered "distressed." Merchandise can be considered "distressed" for many different reasons. 1. What is the difference between Closeouts & Overstocks? If a company buys a product in higher quantities than the company can sell within a given period of time, it must sell off the excess product. The excess product is often referred to as overstocks. The method often used to sell off the overstocks is a closeout sale. Closeouts are the items to be sold using the closeout sale method. If items are referred to as closeouts in a liquidation sale, they are commonly new items in first-quality condition or maybe just a little "shelf-worn." As long as retailers make sales, there are going to be returns. Returns are items that were purchased, then returned to the source for exchange, credit or a refund. Customers return items for many different reasons. Though the item was returned, it doesn't mean that the item has no value. There are many perfectly good items returned everyday. FOB is the abbreviation "free-on-board." The FOB terms describe who pays the freight charges and who has title to the goods during shipment. Differences between FOB Destination and FOB Origin: FOB followed by the shipping point means that the buyer pays for shipping and that the ownership of the merchandise passes to the purchaser prior to shipment. FOB destination means that the seller pays the shipping charges and retains ownership until the goods reach the destination. 4. How is my merchandise delivered and at what cost? When purchasing truckloads or pallets of merchandise, the merchandise will be delivered by a big truck. If you do not have a loading dock, prior arrangements will need to be made for lift gate or other means for off loading the truck. This should be discussed when inquiring about merchandise. Note: Because of the tremendous volume of merchandise that we move we (AML) have negotiated excellent rates with several freight companies. However, many times you can arrange your own pickup should you choose to. Some exceptions apply. Purchases of less than a pallet are typically shipped by UPS. Merchandise is stacked and shrink-wrapped on a pallet in order to allow a forklift to quickly move merchandise onto or off of trailers and around the warehouse. A pallet or skid is usually made of wood or plastic. A pallet of general merchandise (customer returns) from us will typically be between 6 and 7 feet tall. A Gaylord is a big open box. These heavy duty corrugated boxes are designed for large shipments and consolidation of small packages into a single container. The box's heavy duty design allows for incredible stacking ability and bulge resistance. They can be strapped to pallets. Decreases risk of damage and loss in storage and transit. Typical dimensions are 48in. x 40in. x 36in. Payment is required prior to shipment. Payments are typically made through wire transfer, credit card, cashiers checks or money orders. As a rule, open lines of credit do not exist in the distressed merchandise business. 8. What is the minimum purchase? This depends on the merchandise. Typically there is a three-pallet minimum on department store customer returns. However you can purchase a single pallet of manifested overstocks, closeouts or new merchandise. We also have apparel, accessories and footwear lots (less than a pallet). 9. How can I find out what's available? www.amlinc.com or to be notified immediately when hot specials are available, get on the email list. We can put you on our fax and/or email list and it is highly recommended!. The BEST deals go fast.. Call us Toll Free 1- 866-479-1100 or Phone 1-251-970-1100 or email us. 10. Can I come to your warehouse? Absolutely, (bring a Big Truck). You don’t even have to make an appointment but it is recommended.
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