Bin store tips for your first visit
Quick answer: Check the store's Facebook page that morning, bring hand sanitizer and a bag, test anything with a plug or a battery, and remember that all sales are final.
Before you go
- Check today's price. Stores post it on Facebook each morning. Our listings show the usual schedule, but the store's post wins.
- Know what sells. If you plan to resell, look up a few items on eBay "sold" listings while you are in line.
- Bring cash and a card. Most take cards, a few are cash only on busy days.
What to bring
- Hand sanitizer or thin gloves. Bins get grimy.
- A sturdy tote or an IKEA bag. Carts run out on restock day.
- A portable charger to test phones, earbuds and tablets.
- Your phone with the eBay or Amazon app to check values.
At the store
- Arrive early on restock day. Lines form 30 to 60 minutes before opening at popular stores. Some hand out numbers.
- Dig politely. Do not reach across someone, do not dump bins, and do not hold items you are not buying.
- Check every item. Open boxes, count parts, look for cracked screens. Use the test station for anything electric.
- Mind the hidden fees. Some stores charge extra for anything over a size limit, and big items are priced separately.
What is usually a good find
Phone accessories, kitchen tools, small appliances, name-brand clothing with tags, LEGO and other sealed toys, pet gear, car accessories, and power tool parts. Skip opened cosmetics, used earbuds and anything that smells.
Returns and refunds
Almost no bin store takes returns, even for broken items. That is why testing before you pay matters. If the store has no test station, assume anything electronic is a gamble.
A note for resellers
Restock day is where the money is, but so is the competition. Learn two or three categories well instead of grabbing everything. Keep receipts; some marketplaces ask for proof of purchase on branded goods.