Shipping: B-Stock Lot Sizes

If you’re new to the world of buying in bulk it’s important to know what will be shipped to you once you’ve won an auction. Lots can be packaged up and shipped differently according to their category, size or weight. Depending on the lot size, you may need special equipment in order to receive the shipment. In this post we’ll break down the different lot sizes you’ll find across B-Stock marketplaces.

Lot Size Terms

There are several key auction lot terms that you will see repeatedly in our marketplaces. Let’s identify these:

Individual Box:

Individual boxes are used for small shipments and physically small items like jewelry, small electronics or mobile phones. In these shipments, the buyer will usually provide the seller with a UPS or FedEx label for a standard parcel shipment.

Case Pack:

This is the standard shipping practice used for mobile phones. A case pack is a box with individual slots for wrapped mobile phones. These boxes usually range in size from 30 to 50-unit case packs. 

Pallet:

A pallet is the wood structural foundation of a unit load for handling and storage. The standard pallet size is 48” x 40”.

There are two common ways in which goods are packed and palletized– Gaylord and ‘Stacked and Wrapped.’ Our buyers will commonly see both in their shipment deliveries. 

Gaylord is essentially one giant box that fits the dimensions of the pallet allowing for the shipment of products in a large, single container. 

Soft goods (items that won’t break) are usually packaged up this way. This includes merchandise like apparel, bedding, and smaller, lighter items. 

‘Stacked and Wrapped’ refers to the assembling of hard goods and larger items on the pallet like furniture, small appliances, sporting goods or larger boxed items. 

As you can see, items are stacked and fitted in a Tetris-like fashion and secured with giant plastic wrap before being loaded on to the truck. 

Less Than Truckload (LTL):

Is the transportation of freight that takes up only a portion of an entire trailer. Multiple shippers share space on the same truck only paying for their portion. Anywhere from one to 10 or 12 pallets usually make up an LTL. Residential deliveries (with a liftgate) are allowed on LTL shipments. 

Full Truckload (FTL):

In a full truckload, the trailer is dedicated to one shipment only. 24 pallets are usually the standard amount of freight in an FTL. Generally, residential deliveries are prohibited as a buyer must have access to a receiving dock for Full Truckload shipments.

Once you identify the size of the lot you’re bidding on and your ability to receive it, you’ll want to factor in shipping costs. In fact, smart buyers already include shipping costs into their buying budget before they bid. To learn more about the different shipping methods you’ll find on B-Stock, read our article Buying Basics: Auction Lot Shipping Methods.