The news that 154 Walmart stores would be closing in the United States was devastating to employees and to the communities left without grocery stores or pharmacies, but there’s one group of people who were delighted at the news. Bargain-hunters, sure, but especially the subset of bargain-hunters who resell their purchases online at a profit.
Yes, resellers engaging in retail arbitrage showed up at the clearance sales. Arbitrage is a very simple concept: it’s buying something in a retail store and selling it for more money elsewhere. Mobile apps and online venues like Amazon Marketplace have made it much easier, and now there’s a surprising number of people who make their living or a few extra bucks this way. Usually they scoop up items on sale or on clearance, or that are in demand somewhere, but the Walmart closings are a unique opportunity.
They stores where everything was first 50% off, then 75% off. While this means you could finally get aWebTV for fifty bucks, it also means that basic everyday items that people would pick up on Amazon are discounted too.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
This is one way Walmart can cut their shoplifter losses.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they'll sell that pair of shoes that I returned.2 left feet.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have 2 left feet but you can hardly blame that on the shoes.
DeleteThanks Democrats for the job loss.
ReplyDeleteI have seen documentaries from Africa of starving families only to have them sitting there in Nike t-shirts. I often wonder where the huge pallets of clothing crushed together behind the Goodwill were shipped.
ReplyDeleteI have stopped donating clothing and shoes to places like that and the unmarked boxes around town because you do not know where the clothing is going. I donate straight to homeless shelters. Keeping it real and in this country.
Also....if you rip anything out of your home....don't take it to the dump....if it is still in good repair take it to Restore. Anything from A to Z can be found there and the landfill thanks you.
Yes! Unfortunately the Restore in Salisbury is run more like a used furniture store. There are better ones, in Easton and in Sussex County, Delaware.
DeleteWe make a trip to the Loading Dock in Baltimore, and/or the Community Forklift in Edmonton, a couple times a year. They must get a lot more donations there, because you can find some really upscale treasures, and cheap. We donate both to the Restore and those I mentioned, on a regular basis, as very worthy community non-profits.
We've rebuilt a farm cottage using as many "salvaged" and "recycled" upscale components as possible, from kitchen cabinets to fine Italian time to bathroom vanities to architectural Windows.