Direct Liquidation Fees Explained + Alternative (2026)

On July 23, 2025, ReturnPro relaunched Direct Liquidation as an offer-based marketplace — adding mandatory buyer deposits on offers and restocking fees on canceled orders. If you sell or clear surplus and returned inventory, here's exactly what changed, and how Forthclear compares as a free-to-list way to clear surplus.

Last updated: July 2026

What Changed at Direct Liquidation

• Offer-based buying. The site previously used an auction-only format; buyers can now make offers directly with sellers instead of bidding.
• Mandatory buyer deposits. Buyers are now required to put a deposit on pallets to show they truly intend to purchase — meant to cut abandoned offers.
• Restocking fees on cancellations. Newly imposed fees on canceled orders help protect seller revenue and reduce abandoned carts.
• Multi-pallet checkout and delivery deals. Buyers can purchase multiple pallets from different retailers in one transaction and consolidate shipping.

These changes are largely pro-seller — but they also change the economics for both sides, which makes it a good moment to compare where you list and clear surplus. The full change list is in ReturnPro's official relaunch announcement.

What This Means If You Sell Surplus

For a Shopify merchant offloading excess or returned stock, deposits and restocking fees are designed to protect your revenue and reduce abandoned orders. Every marketplace still sets its own economics, though — so it's worth knowing the trade-offs before you list. If you want to price surplus stock for a quick sale or weigh surplus buying against dropshipping, those decisions shape which channel clears inventory fastest. Before committing pallets to any channel, check three numbers: the deposit you must post, the restocking fee you'd owe if a deal falls through, and the payout timing once a pallet ships. Those three — more than any headline commission — decide the real cost of clearing a pallet.

Forthclear — a Place to Clear Surplus

Forthclear is a liquidation marketplace built around a simple job: helping merchants list and clear surplus and dead stock rather than letting it sit. It's free to list, and you pay only when your inventory sells — no broker haircut on the way through. If you're re-evaluating where to move excess inventory after the Direct Liquidation changes, it's a straightforward option for getting surplus in front of vetted bulk buyers.

How to List Surplus on Forthclear

1. Go to Forthclear and start a surplus listing.
2. Add your surplus or dead-stock inventory with quantities and condition.
3. Publish the listing so vetted bulk buyers can find and purchase your surplus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed at Direct Liquidation in 2025?

On July 23, 2025, ReturnPro relaunched Direct Liquidation as an offer-based marketplace with mandatory buyer deposits on offers and restocking fees on canceled orders, alongside multi-pallet checkout and consolidated delivery.

Why does Direct Liquidation charge buyer deposits and restocking fees now?

ReturnPro says the deposits and restocking fees exist to prove buyer intent, reduce abandoned offers and orders, and protect seller revenue.

What is an alternative for clearing surplus inventory?

Forthclear is a free-to-list liquidation marketplace for listing and clearing surplus and dead-stock inventory, where sellers pay only when stock sells.