You win your first auction lot and can’t wait to receive your first shipment, but how do you make sure it arrives safe and sound? Depending on which marketplace you bought the merchandise from, the shipping styles will vary. In this post, we will introduce you to the different shipping terms and options you have when it comes to receiving inventory. These include:
- buyer arranged shipping
- seller arranged shipping
- free shipping
- fixed shipping
- binding shipping
Remember, because each retailer has its own shipping practices and policies it’s important to read individual auction details carefully! Also, because B-Stock does not house or handle any of the merchandise, we do not manage or organize shipping. We do, however, aim to make it as easy and streamlined as possible for our buyers.
Buyer Arranges Shipping
If an auction lists “Buyer Arranges Shipping” this means that you are responsible for contracting a carrier and shipping the product from the seller’s facility to yours. If you do not already have a carrier that you regularly use, B-Stock teams with several trusted and professional shipping partners to handle and ship the inventory directly from retailers. In some cases, if you have a commercial dock height truck, retailers will allow you to pick up the inventory yourself (again, this is on a limited basis).
For “Buyer Arranges Shipping” auctions that you win, you will receive a link from Freightquote.com in your “Bid Won” email to easily arrange shipping. You don’t have to use Freightquote.com (a shipping logistics facilitator that will help you find the best carrier for your needs), with buyer arranged shipments you are allowed to use whatever professional carrier you prefer.
Example from a Bid Won email
Seller Arranges Shipping
In auctions where the “Seller Arranges Shipping,” you will pay the final bid price along with the additional shipping cost on the auction underneath the bidding field. The seller will make all of the arrangements for you. In Seller Arranges Shipping auctions, the order total will always include the shipping cost.
There are three common types of shipping practices retailers use that come along with seller-arranged shipping; let’s break them down:
Free Shipping
Is just like it sounds and you are likely familiar with it already. Free shipping can be found more on our B-Stock Supply marketplace. However, you will find that only a small handful of our private marketplace retailers (ex. Walmart and Costco) offer this option to buyers on the B-Stock platform.
Fixed Cost Shipping
You, the buyer, will pay a flat rate for shipping regardless of where you are located geographically. This option usually only applies to smaller lots that don’t require a pallet for shipping. The flat rate shipping cost will be included in the order total.
Binding Shipping
This option is the most frequently used shipping method by retailers on the B-Stock platform. With binding shipping, the cost will vary depending on a few different variables including zip code, weight, density, number of pallets, how many pallet spaces will be used during transport, and a few other factors. Here’s an example of how it would look on your screen:
**Pro-tip! If you are a buyer with multiple locations (addresses) you have the ability to switch addresses in the bid field in order to find the cheapest delivery location. The system will automatically update according to zip code and show you the different shipping prices in real-time.
Accessorial Fees
Remember, additional fees (aside from the quoted shipping cost) will apply if you do not have proper equipment (ie. a loading dock) to receive the shipment. For instance, if a liftgate is needed or if it is a residential delivery, accessorial fees will apply. You can find this information in red text under the bidding field.
In general, liftgate fees are $65 while residential delivery fees are $90. If you require residential delivery, you will more than likely require a lift gate as well (so both fees will apply). If the marketplace you purchased from does offer lift gate and residential services, remember, they will not be available on auctions taking up 11 pallet spaces or more. The shipment is just too big and will require a loading dock. Additionally, these services aren’t available for floor loaded lots either.
Consolidated Shipping
If you win multiple auctions from the same seller and wish to combine the shipping, you will need to first pay for each order in full. Once paid, you will be given contact information to coordinate the shipping of your order. At this time, you can ask about combining shipments. Check out an example of Costco’s consolidated shipping. If the seller agrees and provides a new shipping price, the difference will be refunded in the form of a B-Stock credit and applied to your account.
If you are buying through our B-Stock Supply marketplace, shipping works a little differently. As always, if you have any shipping questions feel free to contact us directly!