Surplus stock: 2,600 stationery box sets

This is a parcel of surplus stock we offered to our buyers: high-quality stationery box sets. We didn't publish the brand, to protect the client.

What was in the parcel?

• 2,600 stationery box sets
• A total retail value of $25,515
• Outstanding quality and design, the kind a buyer needs to see a sample of to appreciate

Why does surplus stationery build up?

Boxed stationery is often made for gifting seasons or back-to-school. When a range is replaced, a retailer cuts its order, or the season sells slower than planned, the sets come back to the supplier. Packaging designed for one retailer can also be hard to redirect.

What makes it sellable, and what makes it hard?

Stationery doesn't spoil, boxed sets present well, and a clear retail value helps a buyer judge it.

The challenge is that stationery is a crowded category. Buyers have plenty of choice, so a parcel needs to stand out on quality or price. Design matters too: a set that looks dated will sit. That's why samples help.

Who typically buys surplus stationery?

Each has different motivations, so we structure the offer to suit them while keeping the stock away from the channels you want to protect. Our guide to surplus stock covers the wider picture, and protecting your brand when clearing stock explains how we keep things discreet.

What should a seller with similar stock do?

Clear it before the design dates.

1. Send us a stock list spreadsheet (SKU, description, quantity, cost or RRP if you're happy to share, and any best-before dates), a few photos and the location of the stock. Email it to john@coorey.com or call John on 0411 430 047.
2. John discreetly surveys the market to find out what it's worth.
3. In most cases, he makes an offer to buy all of it.

There's no fee: we buy the stock ourselves. See how we buy excess stock, or our general merchandise page.