Storage Policy Updates Effective August 1st, 2021
Beginning August 1st, 2021 we will be implementing a new policy about storage of Used, Damaged, or Defective Merchandise (UDDM) and Unplanned or Unexpected Storage (UUS).
These updates may affect the way you use our services, so please read carefully and let us know if you have any questions.
UDDM
UDDM cannot be stored with us for longer than 90 days after the time we determine it’s UDDM. UDDM refers to anything we grade as Used, Defective, or Damaged. Items marked “Service Declined” which were previously graded Used, Defective, or Damaged are also included.
After 90 days customers will be required to remove UDDM from our warehouse, and if they fail to do so, we will dispose of the UDDM at the customer’s expense after two notices sent by email to the email address we have on file.
UDDM received prior to August 1st will be subject to a grace period ending January 1st, 2022, after which customers will have 90 days to remove the inventory (or sell it).
We want to be fair about this. We offer return processing and refurbishment services, with limited repair capabilities, so we expect to store significant amounts of UDDM while customers work to sell, claim, or liquidate the merchandise to recover their investment, curb losses, or turn a small profit.
However, most UDDM depreciates in value the longer it’s in storage, and we feel that 90 days should be enough time to sell the items after we’ve serviced them. Storing UDDM for longer periods creates capacity problems that affect everyone, so we’re asking customers to remove or dispose of UDDM if it can’t be sold or otherwise removed within 90 days. We are happy to help with arranging liquidation, recycling, or donations of UDDM you’re struggling to sell.
UDDM Storage Extensions
If you need to store UDDM longer than 90 days we will require an application describing the reason and requested time frame. If we approve the application, we will waive the storage deadline for specific inventory. Additional storage and handling charges may apply.
UUS
UUS refers to situations where inventory is being stored with us for unknown periods of time without a clear, agreed-upon scope of work. Over the past year it’s become a growing issue where some customers send shipments to us without first confirming we have the capacity, often without any advance notice or authorization.
We are referring to situations like these:
- A shipment arrives without notice or an agreed plan about how long it’ll be in storage or what work needs to be done.
- A customer cancels their original plan for inventory, and is not responsive about creating a new one… essentially meaning the inventory remains in storage indefinitely.
- The inventory is something we’d have refused at the loading dock if we’d known what it was or why it was sent to us.
UUS causes significant capacity problems which create delays and other issues for our customers, and we need to curb this practice. We believe in some cases this is being caused by 3rd parties, like Amazon’s storage limits, but nonetheless we need to curb this issue because it is negatively impacting services for all customers. In our view, it’s basically abandoned property left on our premises without consent, and we’re exploring what legal remedies we have about these sorts of shipments.
Beginning August 1st, we will begin providing customers with ten business days to remove or dispose of UUS at our warehouse if no amicable arrangements can be made about other services. We need customers to understand that while our website may list pricing and services, we are not obligated to accept or service products sent to us without prior agreement.
How to avoid UUS
If you are concerned we might flag your shipments as UUS, you can take the following steps to avoid that situation:
- Avoid sending shipments without notice, especially if they aren’t for a service you normally use.
- Ask about special projects before your inventory is on it’s way to our warehouse. If it isn’t something we normally do for you, please let us know before you send it.
- Ensure your shipments have your account number on them and other identifying information is provided in advance. If we can’t identify who sent a package to us, we may consider it UUS and dispose of it accordingly.
- If you will be sending freight shipments to us, please communicate in advance including the time and carrier which will be delivering your goods.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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