Top Places to Sell Your Aging Electronics Fast

Why January-March is the Best Time to Liquidate Electronics Inventory

Each year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January brings an influx of new tech, making many existing models outdated. This seasonal surge in new gadgets drives a strong resale market for “last year’s” electronics.

CES not only generates excitement for the latest devices but also boosts the secondary market for older models. As people upgrade, there’s a steady supply of used and/or surplus electronics for resale, creating a high-demand market for affordable, secondhand items. Simultaneously, many consumers are embracing the sustainable option of buying pre-owned devices, adding momentum to the resale trend.

Did you know? Electronics account for around 20-25% of the secondary market. With high turnover rates and consistent demand for budget-friendly tech, liquidating your aging electronics can be profitable—especially if you start preparing in November or December.

Maximize Recovery by Planning Your Liquidation Strategy

The key to getting top dollar for your overstock electronics is to plan ahead. Yes, the holiday season is in full swing, but getting ready for January’s post-CES rush is crucial. Early planning can yield up to 30% recovery on your electronics inventory, full refurbishment services, and fast cash to offset holiday returns or excess stock. Liquidity Services has been recruiting thousands of new electronics buyers in anticipation of the January rush.

Pro Tip: To boost returns, aim to list inventory across multiple marketplaces. Liquidity Services, for example, offers a range of marketplaces to match different buyer needs. This strategy can improve recovery rates, accelerate sales, and expand your reach to multiple buyer segments.

Top Marketplaces for Liquidating Electronics

CONSUMER MARKETPLACES

AllSurplus Deals
Single-unit consumer auctions with curbside pickup

Best for high-value single-unit electronics, AllSurplus Deals features direct-to-consumer online auctions with curbside pickup in five US locations, with more coming soon:

· Cincinnati, OH
· Dallas, TX
· Indianapolis, IN
· Las Vegas, NV
· Pittston, PA

Since its debut in 2022, AllSurplus Deals has successfully added thousands of new consumer electronics shoppers to its ranks, and is on track to add thousands more in 2025.

Secondipity
Single-unit, online, direct-to-consumer sales

On Secondipity, you resell your electronics for a fixed price, and Liquidity Services handles all shipping for you. It is ideal for selling high-value, easy-to-ship, single-item sales, and a great way to reach price-conscious consumers searching for electronics bargains. And search for bargains they do! In fact, Secondipity boasts millions of unique bargain-hunters who buy secondary market goods.

BUSINESS MARKETPLACES

Liquidation.com
Online business-to-business auctions

The largest business-to-business electronics auction marketplace in the U.S., Liquidation.com features daily auctions with an average electronics auction value of $4,000. During January, auction volume increases by 15%, and the first-time bidder count increases by about 25% month-over-month. On an average day, you’ll see about 200 electronics auctions taking place on Liquidation.com — but in January, that number jumps by nearly 15%. With around 2 million buyers and millions of dollars in sold merchandise, you can see why Liquidation.com is a popular resale marketplace for electronics manufacturers and retailers.

Liquidation.com Direct Sales
For bulk quantities (multiple truckloads), Liquidation.com’s Direct Sales channel connects you with over 1,300 verified professional buyers. This is an ideal platform for moving large volumes of inventory at negotiated rates, helping manufacturers and retailers quickly offload excess stock to a larger slate of verified, high-volume electronics buyers than most manufacturers and retailers can access on their own.

Plan Now for January’s Electronics Resale Surge!

January is the prime month for liquidating aging electronics. Contact us now to get a head start on your post-CES inventory clearance. With access to millions of buyers, we’re ready to help you turn surplus electronics into cash fast. Fill out the form on our Contact Us page, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Automotive Manufacturing

Surplus Asset Market Trends

By Nusa Tukic, PhD 

Surplus Automotive Industry Market Overview

Market Overview, Drivers, and Challenges  

Market Overview

• In 2023 and early 2024 the automotive supplier market has seen a significant rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Valued at between USD 651.9 and 662.5 Billion in 2022, it is projected to reach USD 1.1 Trillion between 2023 and 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6 – 6.8%.

Key Drivers for Automotive Parts Manufacturing Growth

• The increasing number of electric cars (particularly in the European Union) is driving demand for specialized components like sensors, radar, and lidar.

• The shift towards light commercial, sports, and alternative fuel vehicles spurs innovation in transmission, drivetrain, brake, and steering parts.

• Traditional parts such as engine, electrical, drive, transmission, suspension, and braking components still dominate the market.

• Technological advancements, 3D printing, and e-Commerce platforms are the main trends expected to continue to fuel market growth (Technavio, 2024).

Key Challenges Facing the Automotive Industry*

• Brain Drain: The automotive industry faces a 40% job turnover rate, largely due to poor compensation.

• Aging Workforce: Nearly 25% of manufacturing workers are over 55 and the industry’s struggle to retain quality talent is exacerbated by the retirement of baby boomers.

• Skill Redundancy: Industry 4.0 and electrification have made many labor-intensive workflows obsolete.

• Product Innovation and Compliance: OEMs and suppliers must balance innovation with compliance.

• Customer Preferences: 60% of car buyers are under 45 and expect data-rich, contactless experiences. Manufacturers must reorient their strategies.

• Resource Availability: Manufacturers need to track their resource requirements, manage supply chain risks, and explore circular economy models.

• New Product Demand and Jobs: The shift to electric vehicles will create new jobs, but the U.S. must invest in local production of batteries and drivetrains.

• Agile Operations: OEMs should adopt agile methods to introduce new products and respond to supply chain disruptions.

• Unlocking Data Potential: Accurate data and analytics are crucial for competitive advantage. Automotive ERP software can centralize processes and improve customer engagement and product personalization.

• Building Risk Resilience: The industry must adopt risk management strategies.

*Including Automotive Parts Manufacturing

Source: Technavio. 2024; Cox-Little & Company. 2024

Surplus Automotive Industry Market Position

Compliance and Regulations and Market Position  

Compliance and Regulations

The once-in-a-generation shift the automotive industry faces is also driven by government bodies (national and international) implementing stringent regulations for vehicle emissions, driving manufacturers to continuously develop more sustainable automotive parts. Internationally, a coalition of 23 governments have created the International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance (IZEVA), to expand the global ZEV market.

The map below indicates which countries have set targets for phasing out of combustion vehicles and by which year, compared to the overall agreed IZEVA target of 2050.

Countries and Their Target Years for the Phase-out of Combustion Vehicle Sales

Howarth, J. 2024. 10 Important Auto Industry Trends (2024-2026)

Market Position

Considering how capital-intensive the global automotive industry is, it is no surprise that OEMs need to invest in new machines to keep up with innovation trends and remain competitive.

In 2024, US assembly plants are expected to spend $6.18 billion on new equipment, a 3% increase from 2023’s $5.98 billion. The average expenditure on assembly technology will rise to $1,970,582, the highest ever recorded, up from $1,905,175 in 2023, according to the 2023 Capital Equipment Spending Survey. Spending growth is evident, with 38% of surveyed plants having capital budgets of at least $500,000 for 2024, maintaining a trend above 30% for the past six years.

Source: Sprovieri, 2023; American Automotive Policy Council, 2022

Strategies for Surplus Asset Management

Capital Spending and Surplus Assets  

Typically, when OEMs invest in capital equipment, auto parts suppliers must also retool and upgrade their machinery. For instance, in 2022, Ford, Stellantis, and GM announced several investments in their existing plants in Missouri and Michigan, prompting their suppliers to follow suit soon after.

According to a 2020 European Commission study that examined the capital spending of 2,500 of the world’s top companies, the automotive industry spent more on capital investment than any other manufacturing industry. The only industry that spent more was oil and gas.

American Automotive Policy Council. 2022. INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE LEADING IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Surplus Asset Management

Asset management protocols are a catalyst for benefitting all industries, including OEMs and automotive parts manufacturers, by reducing acquisition costs. Implementing preventive maintenance and asset life cycle management decreases the need for new equipment and opens avenues for cost savings. In the UK alone, over 40% of capital expenditure for motor vehicle manufacturers between 2014 and 2018 was attributed to new equipment, a figure that can be reduced with effective asset management.

Effective asset management is crucial for monitoring and tracking manufacturing assets. Implementing a robust asset management solution helps businesses efficiently handle asset acquisition, maintenance, operation, renewal, and disposal. This detailed approach enables informed decision-making and enhances financial and operational performance. By implementing asset management, and particularly asset life cycle management protocols, manufacturers can better understand when their machines need to be replaced or disposed of.

Source: Comparesoft, 2021

Liquidity Services has the expertise and tools (AssetZone®) and the platform (AllSurplus) to benefit any manufacturing company as they unlock value in idle and unused machinery, opening the way for capital to be available for future investments. With significant expertise in over 600+ asset categories, Liquidity Services can help OEMs and auto parts manufacturers achieve maximum value from their surplus by facilitating asset redeployment or selling for high recovery.

We Offer Consultative Surplus Asset Management, Valuation, and Sales Solutions

Ready to Power the Circular Economy? Contact Us Today!

Top 10 Reasons to Start Selling Your Surplus Equipment Now

Start the new year strong by managing your surplus assets today

1. Boost Your Cash Flow

Selling surplus resources brings an immediate influx of capital. Whether you’re expanding operations, funding R&D, or tackling unexpected expenses, the proceeds from selling surplus assets can be reinvested into your business for maximum impact. In today’s unpredictable market, extra cash can be a game-changer.

2. Cut Storage Costs

Idle equipment sitting in storage is a financial drain. Beyond taking up valuable space, it incurs ongoing storage, insurance, and maintenance expenses. By selling surplus items, you can eliminate these costs and repurpose the freed-up space for more immediate needs.

3. Optimize Warehouse Space

Unused and unnecessary assets clutter your warehouse, occupying space that could be put to better use. Selling surplus equipment allows your organization to better organize its storage, potentially avoiding the need for costly warehouse expansions or even allowing for a downsize in space.

4. Take Advantage of Tax Benefits

Selling surplus assets before year-end can offer tax advantages. By recognizing the loss or gain in the current tax year, you might offset profits and reduce your tax liability. Consult with a tax professional to understand how this strategy could benefit your situation, but know that the end of the fiscal year is often the perfect time to secure these advantages.

5. Support Sustainability Initiatives

Embracing a circular economy ethos ensures that your organization’s equipment is used to its fullest potential. Selling surplus rather than disposing of it reduces waste and aligns with sustainability initiatives, offering both financial gain and a positive environmental impact.

6. Preserve Asset Value

The longer an asset sits idle, the more its value depreciates due to technological obsolescence and market fluctuations. By selling before year-end, your business could secure a better price and protect the asset’s residual value.

7. Maximize Opportunity Costs

Every surplus item represents an opportunity cost—the difference between the value of the existing asset and the return that could have been earned from an alternative investment. Holding onto surplus assets might mean missing out on opportunities that offer higher returns.

8. Reduce Maintenance Costs

Surplus resources require periodic maintenance, even when not in active use. This can lead to unnecessary expenses in parts, labor, and time. Selling surplus items eliminates these costs, freeing up capital and resources for more critical needs.

9. Streamline Operations

Surplus equipment can be a distraction, cluttering facilities and diverting attention from core operations. By periodically selling surplus, companies can maintain a lean operational profile, ensuring smoother day-to-day operations and improved worker productivity.

10. Mitigate Risks

Surplus assets, especially aging ones, can become liabilities. If they degrade, they may lose value, become obsolete, or even pose safety risks. Selling these items before they become a problem can help mitigate these risks.

Managing surplus assets is more than just decluttering—it’s a strategic imperative with tangible financial and operational benefits. By efficiently managing and proactively selling surplus equipment now, you will begin the new year with a stronger, more agile business.

If you would like to explore these strategies, let’s talk. Contact us today!

Fast Moving Consumer Goods

Surplus Asset Market Trend Report Summary

By Nusa Tukic, PhD 

FMCG Processing Equipment Market Trends  

New Equipment Trends and Expansion 

Trends 

• The FMCG processing equipment market was estimated at USD 64.6 billion in 2023 
• Projected to reach USD 84.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2028.  

Source: Markets and Markets, 2023

Industry Segments Expanding the Most by Region

Asia Pacific

• Baked Goods Equipment  

• Meat and Poultry Equipment 

Europe

• Baked Goods Processing and Packaging Equipment  

• Beverage Processing and Packaging Equipment 

North America

• Baked Goods Equipment  

• Non-alcoholic Beverage Processing Equipment  

• Dairy-based Beverage Processing Equipment 

 Source: Business Research Insights (2024), Mordor Intelligence (2024), Grand View Research, 2023, and Markets and Markets (2023) 

Used Equipment Trends

While used equipment and machinery market trends are not extensively researched, we can point to some observed trends sourced from a combination of third-party sources and supported by Liquidity Services’ statistics.  

• 2020 – 2022: Supply chain disruptions and new equipment shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a boom in the used machinery market  

• Early 2023: The market faced an unprecedented machine supply crunch. Prices for used equipment soared to record highs, and finding used machines was challenging. The causes of this extraordinary situation included: 

• Interest Rates: In 2023, inflation drove up interest rates, making equipment loans more expensive.  

• Economic Uncertainty: In January 2023, 61% of economists predicted a US recession within 12 months, causing the US Consumer Confidence Index to reach its lowest point in six years. 

• COVID-19 Supply Chain Shortage: The pandemic resulted in end-use clients holding onto their equipment longer. This limited the amount of used equipment reaching the market, causing used equipment prices to surge to record levels.  

Observed Used Equipment and Machinery Market Trends

Strategies for Surplus Asset Management

With insight from Liquidity Services’ statistics 

Make Informed Decisions 

• Surplus equipment is a dynamic and fast-moving market.

• Keeping up with current information relating to equipment costs is key.

Avoid Timing the Market 

• Sitting on an idle or underutilized machine, hoping for a price uptick can as easily result in a price downturn. 

• Capitalize on depreciating assets as soon as possible.

Opportunity Cost 

• Your equipment is a business asset, and every surplus item on your balance sheet has an opportunity cost—the cost of the existing asset vs. the return that could be earned on an alternative business investment. 

• By holding onto these surplus assets, your organization is locking up capital and may miss opportunities that offer higher returns. 

Tax Benefits 

• Selling surplus assets before year-end may provide tax advantages. 

• By recognizing the loss or gain in the current tax year, businesses can potentially offset profits and reduce tax liability. 

Source: Boom and Bucket, 2024; Business Research Insights, 2024

The Five Best Books on the Circular Economy to Dive Into This Summer

Circular Procurement in 8 Steps by Cécile Van Oppen, Godard Croon, and Dirk Bijl de Vroe

The Circular Economy: A User’s Guide by Walter R. Stahel

The Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows by Ken Webster

Waste to Wealth by Peter Lacy and Jakob Rutqvist

The Circular Economy Handbook by Peter Lacy, Jessica Long, and Wesley Spindler

If you would like to learn how to start leveraging the circular economy, let’s talk. Contact us today!

Mastering Reverse Logistics:

The Critical Role of Dispositioning Strategy for Retailers

Key Factors in Your Dispositioning Strategy

Assessing product condition and proper sorting of returns is basic. Items that are in like-new condition can be restocked and resold, while damaged or obsolete products can be refurbished, recycled, or liquidated. Out-of-season clothing may need to be liquidated quickly to avoid inventory obsolescence.

Retailers also need to assess the cost implications of different dispositioning options. For example, restocking/reselling may appear to cost less than refurbishment or recycling, but the potential resale value may be less than the extra handling that will be required. Every extra touch also adds cost.

In addition, if you are refurbishing/recertifying, you must consider the impact to the brand – if it’s not done properly and well, you could end up with a negative perception about a lack of quality that could impact new product sales.

Benefits of an Effective Dispositioning Strategy

By making better-informed decisions about dispositioning, retailers can minimize costs associated with handling returns. Opting for the most cost-effective dispositioning method helps maximize profitability.

Further, a well-planned dispositioning strategy improves returns processing, and faster returns processing helps with customer satisfaction. Offering hassle-free returns and efficient handling can also improve brand loyalty. Quick and effective dispositioning reduces the time that returned items spend in inventory, cutting holding costs and freeing up valuable space for more profitable merchandise.

Last, adopting environmentally-friendly dispositioning practices not only contributes to corporate social responsibility, but also aligns with consumer preferences.

The Right Building Blocks

To develop an efficient disposition strategy, start by leveraging your data and analytics. They’ll provide insights into return trends, product condition, and optimal dispositioning strategies – for example, whether it’s worth the extra touches to sort products by value before they are palletized.

Collaborating with suppliers, manufacturers, and third-party logistics providers can streamline the dispositioning process and improve efficiency. The ability to customize the process can also be critical. Every retailer is unique, so be sure to choose a partner who can adapt their processes to yours.

Regularly review and redefine your strategies based on performance metrics and feedback. We recommend reviewing your plan annually and at least once every two years to build a culture of continuous improvement and adapt to changing market dynamics.

How Far Upstream?

Beginning your disposition strategy further upstream in the supply chain can offer several benefits.

1. Proactive Management

By identifying products or components that are more likely to be returned based on historical data or market trends, you can implement strategies to mitigate these returns before they happen.

2. Reduced Costs

For example, identifying quality issues or production errors early in the supply chain can reduce the number of defective products that reach customers, thus decreasing returns and their associated costs, including restocking, transportation, and handling.

3. Improved Product Quality

For OEMs and manufacturers, earlier disposition strategies encourage a focus on product quality throughout the supply chain. By emphasizing QC measures during manufacturing, companies can reduce the likelihood of returns due to defects or poor product performance and keep brand reputation intact.

4. Efficient Inventory Management

Early disposition strategies improve inventory management by identifying slow-moving or obsolete inventory before it becomes a problem. Retailers can proactively discount, repackage, or redistribute these products before they pile up as returns.

5. Better Customer Experience

By ensuring that customers receive high-quality products that meet their expectations, companies not only reduce the frequency of returns, they enhance loyalty and brand reputation.

6. Increased Sustainability

By reducing the number of returns and optimizing inventory management, companies can minimize waste, energy consumption, and carbon emissions.

Sustainable Reverse Logistics:

Greening Your Supply Chain

Strategies for Sustainable Reverse Logistics Success

Top 10 Heavy Equipment/Trucks Sold in December 2023

1. 2007 Peterbilt 379 T/A Day Cab Truck Tractor – Sold for $90,000

2. 2013 John Deere 764X High Speed Crawler Dozer – Sold for $72,000

3. 2016 Volvo L90H Wheel Loader – Sold for $59,995

4. 2006 Mack CV713 Granite Tri/A Dump Truck – Sold for $58,100

5. 2014 John Deere 624K Wheel Loader – Sold for $50,000

6. 2012 Kenworth T800 T/A Cab & Chassis – Sold for $48,100

7. 2020 Caterpillar 299D3 2 Spd Compact Track Loader – Sold for $44,000

8. 2014 Caterpillar 420F 4×4 Loader Backhoe – Sold for $43,100

9. 2016 JCB 507-42F Telehandler 4X4X4 Forklift – Sold for $40,000

10. 2013 John Deere 310SK 4×4 Loader Backhoe – Sold for $38,500

Reverse Logistics:

How to Get Maximum Recovery from Customer Returns

2. Handling Costs Savings

The fewer the number of touches—the number of times a returned product is handled before reaching its final disposition—the more efficient the operation will be and thus, the higher the recovery. If you are evaluating a third-party partner, they should offer you a plan not only to reduce the number of times your products are touched but also options to execute dispositions locally. Keep in mind that a touch can also be virtual. For example, administrative or customer service support touches count when you figure overall costs and revenue.

A few ideas to cut handling costs:

• Identify and segregate merchandise for liquidation further upstream
• Improve processes for returns dispositioning
• Incorporate virtual sales that do not require picking or staging product

Other Blogs in This Series:

Pros and Cons of Auctions 

This Two-Step Strategy Will Boost Recovery and Move Larger, Ongoing Volume Flows More Profitably   

Three Ways to Cut Freight Costs 

2. Forecast Your Inventory Volume

Suppose your normal liquidation volume is five truckloads per week and you anticipate that, during peak season, it’s going to jump to 15-20 truckloads. Knowing in advance what your peak volume looks like will allow you to plan your liquidation strategy. 

We work with clients to create such forecasts ahead of the peak season. If the forecasted seasonal volume is much higher than the non-seasonal volume, we focus on buyer development for that client.  

For example, before peak season we identify and negotiate with buyers who can take that much product. In some cases, it might be arranging for the same buyers to accept additional product. Or it might be finding you a pool of new buyers. Pricing negotiation would be based on your last auction closing, using that as the pricing benchmark. (See This Two-Step Strategy Will Boost Recovery) 

This strategy avoids a sudden drop in the value of the product—which is what tends to happen when you use auctions as the only tool in your liquidation toolkit. Add offline negotiated sales as an additional channel, however, and you’ll see a difference in your recovery rates. 

3. Optimize Sales Velocity

For most major retailers running recurring liquidation programs, there is an established market value for liquidations in the secondary market. Professional secondary market buyers know what your liquidation truckload usually sells for.   

History often determines value. When you suddenly increase the liquidation volume during the peak season, your price plummets and that price defines a new, lower benchmark. As you increase supply, your price decreases. Unfortunately, bringing the price back up can take a long time. Buyers have long memories and know how much your truckload sold for last time. Often, they are not willing to pay more than that.  

So how do you prepare for that scenario without impacting your recovery rates? At Liquidity Services, even before peak season, we start planning. We assess how much additional product can be absorbed by the auction marketplace and how much more should be absorbed through offline negotiated sales. We then will recommend a multichannel strategy that allows you to maximize recovery without flooding the marketplace with unwanted product. By planning for seasonal peaks early, we can help you minimize the impact to your bottom line.  

4. Focus on Total Recovery Value

Factor in transportation costs, warehouse costs and commissions to get the real recovery rate. Whether you’re a small or large retailer or manufacturer, we recommend that you avoid focusing solely on short-term recovery for excess inventory and returns. Focus on your total recovery value – not just the immediate return from the auction or the negotiated sale.    

To help you develop a long-term reverse logistics liquidation strategy, choose a partner that offers more than one selling solution, with the expertise to help you in different ways at different times. Even if you don’t need all the different channels and solutions right now, it will give you flexibility down the road. For example, even if you’re not quite big enough to need negotiated sales yet … you’ll have that option available to you as you grow. In fact, over 30% of our customers choose offline negotiated sales as a primary channel to augment the auction marketplace and improve their recovery rates. 

At Liquidity Services, we automatically assign an account manager—a dedicated expert—to watch over your account. We begin with the auction marketplace and when we see fluctuations, or even the possibility of one, your account manager will reach out to you to suggest alternatives, so you won’t get caught by surprise during peak season (or pandemics). 

Remember, the secret is advance planning. When you plan ahead, focus on total recovery value, and use multiple channels to disposition product, you significantly decrease the need for damage control when a seasonal spike hits. 

As we gear up for the coming holiday season, the time to plan is now. Get in touch today before excess and customer returns overwhelm your DCs and your staff.  We have the space, the infrastructure, and the experience to minimize your losses and maximize your recovery … even at the busiest times of the year. 

To take your advance planning to the next level, and see how your colleagues are handling their reverse logistics challenges, download our benchmarking research survey, Recovery & Efficiency: Are Retailers Positioned for Reverse Logistics Success?