Where bulk lots come from
Bulk lots come mainly from clearance store stock, end-of-line goods, customer return pallets and mixed business lots. German sales speak of Restposten or Sonderposten, Retourenware or Retourenpalette, B-Ware, Mischpalette, unsortiert goods, ungeprüfte Retouren and Konkursware during a Lagerauflösung. These lots come through liquidation and insolvency platforms, private auction houses, but also through customs, courts or VEBEG. Many are trade-only or sold as seen, without guarantee. Always read the seller's terms before bidding.
Checks before bidding
Check the exact composition of the lot: unsorted, downgraded or untested returns strongly change the real value. See whether the lot is sold as seen, without guarantee or right of withdrawal, and whether it is trade-only. With private sellers, buyer's fees generally range from 15 to 20% at liquidators and industrial platforms, often 25 to 33% at art auction houses, plus German VAT of 19% depending on the scheme. Calculate the price per genuinely resellable unit, including fees and transport. An EU business with a valid VAT number can often buy without German VAT with a Gelangensbestätigung, depending on the seller.
Collection in person or delivery
Many lots must be collected in person, as nur Abholung, with a loading bay or forklift. Arrange a suitable vehicle and equipment to load pallets. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, but pallet transport often remains for you to organise. Between Germany and another EU country, no customs duty applies. Only delivery outside the EU, to Switzerland, the UK or Norway, triggers import duty and import VAT. Check the VAT scheme stated on each lot, especially at VEBEG, and read each seller's terms before committing.