You choose the theme, not the items
Every box is built around a theme or a size you pick on the product page — toys, pet, general merchandise, small, medium, large. Inside that theme, the individual products, brands, colors, styles, sizes and quantities are deliberately a surprise.
Two people ordering the same box on the same day will usually get different contents, because the contents depend on whichever liquidation load is being packed that week.
Categories you might find
- Home and kitchen
- Toys and games
- Beauty and personal care
- Pet supplies
- Seasonal merchandise
- Clothing or accessories
- Electronics and small appliances
- General merchandise
Only the categories that apply to the box you bought are included — a pet box won't arrive full of kitchenware.
What condition the goods are in
Liquidation merchandise comes from several channels. Each listing states which ones apply to that box:
- Overstock
Brand new, never sold. The retailer simply ordered more than they could shelve.
- Shelf pulls
New product taken off the shelf — a season ended, packaging changed, or a line was discontinued.
- Discontinued stock
Perfectly good merchandise that is no longer being produced or carried.
- Package damaged
The product is fine; the box or wrapper has dents, tears, scuffs or store labels.
- Customer returns
Items sent back to the retailer. Only included where the listing states it.
Outer packaging may show shelf wear, labels, dents or scratches. Any photos you see are examples from previous loads unless a listing says otherwise — they are not a picture of the exact box you'll get.
How much comes in a box?
Boxes are packed by size and weight rather than a fixed item count, because the mix of items changes with every load. A larger box holds more merchandise and weighs more; the exact number of pieces varies. Each product page shows the size and shipping weight for that box.
What is never guaranteed
- Original retail value
- Current market value
- Resale value or profit
- A specific number of premium items
- A particular brand mix
- That every item will suit you personally
The full, plain-English version of this lives on our What to Expect page.
Red flags, green flags, and an honest answer.
Where to buy mystery boxesYour options and what each one is good for.