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Startup Founder Tackles the Growing Pile of Returned Goods

Jordan Allen’s BuyWander routes some returned, open-box, and overstock merchandise to buyers through online auctions and local warehouse pickup.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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When shoppers return an item, it does not always go straight back onto a store shelf. A product may need inspection, repackaging, or a new buyer; for some goods, those steps cost more than the item is worth. Jordan Allen’s startup, first called Wander and now operating as BuyWander, aims to route some of that merchandise to local buyers through online auctions and warehouse pickup.

Why returned goods can be hard to resell

Returns happen for ordinary reasons: an item arrived damaged, did not fit, or simply was not what the buyer expected. But a retailer cannot always put a returned product back into regular inventory without checking its condition and preparing it for resale. That work takes time and money, and the item may no longer be easy to sell at its original price.

The scale is substantial, though the figures often cited for it are historical. GeekWire reported in January 2024 that Statista put U.S. retail returns at $817 billion in 2022. The same GeekWire article attributed to Statista an estimate that about 16.5% of $1.3 trillion in U.S. online sales that year ended up as returns. These are 2022 figures, not current estimates for 2026.

How Wander became BuyWander

Jordan Allen and co-founder Matt McGee launched Wander as a way to process returned merchandise and connect it with another buyer. BuyWander’s current company page lists Allen as co-founder and CEO. GeekWire’s January 2024 account described the startup’s launch model: acquire pallets from retailers and brands, sort and list varied goods in online auctions, then have winning bidders collect purchases from a warehouse.

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That local-pickup model was intended to avoid the expense of shipping a wide mix of bulky, low-priced, or difficult-to-classify goods. Allen described the challenge of assigning prices to disparate items, from a child’s life jacket to a barbecue or a pan with a scratched handle. BuyWander’s present materials continue to describe returned, open-box, and overstock items offered through auctions and local pickup.

What buyers should know about the inventory

Returned-goods auctions are not the same as buying uniform, factory-new stock. BuyWander says its staff lightly inspect items and apply condition categories and notes, but the mix can include goods that are unused as well as products that need attention. Condition and completeness can differ from one listing to the next.

  • Read the individual listing’s condition tag and notes; do not assume every item has been tested or is in like-new condition.
  • Review the listing photos for visible wear, damage, or missing parts.
  • Check the location and pickup details before bidding, since collection is part of the transaction.
  • Confirm the live auction and support terms for payment, fees, deadlines, and return eligibility.

BuyWander’s buyer guidance describes a seven-day return window from auction end for eligible purchases, with no exchanges or partial refunds. Eligibility and transaction details matter, so the live listing and policy should govern a specific purchase.

BuyWander’s scale and environmental claims

An August 2026 Axios report described BuyWander’s Chicago-area operation in Addison, sourcing from about 40 retailers and using $1 starting bids. Axios also reported that Allen said the company was close to three million items sold and estimated that resale through the service reduced an item’s carbon footprint by about 80%. Those figures are company statements reported by Axios; the article did not provide independent verification or a methodology for the carbon estimate.

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The same report said a Minneapolis opening was expected in October 2026. That is a forecast, not confirmation that the location opened. Buyers should check BuyWander’s current site for available locations and auctions.

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What the model may mean for shoppers and retailers

For retailers, a secondary outlet can provide another path for goods that are awkward or uneconomical to return to standard inventory. For shoppers, the appeal is access to varied merchandise that may be offered at auction, with a local pickup point rather than ordinary parcel delivery. Neither side should treat the model as a guarantee: inventory is unpredictable, auction prices vary, and condition and logistics need to be assessed item by item.

Rank #4
502 Units (Est 2 pallets) - Returned Damaged - Sports Lot
  • In the lot: sporting goods, and more.
  • Total of 502 items.
  • Images don't show all items in lots
  • Items in this lot may ship separately
  • All sales final - no returns

BuyWander’s launch-era plans also included using AI and computer vision to make scanning and listing more efficient, according to GeekWire in January 2024. That article described a goal, not evidence that the technology is part of the company’s current process.

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