Starting Feb. 21, shoppers can plow through hundreds, and more likely thousands, of random “treasures” at $15 each.
They won’t know what’s there at the Deal Diggers Bin Store in Southside until they look.
Could there be an iPad? Christmas ornament? Curtain rods? Size 10 high heels? Rechargeable toothbrush? Skin cream? Nunchucks? Rugs? Football? Fishing equipment? Riflescope? Headphones? Sidewalk chalk? Personal space cooler? A “park at your own risk” sign? Diapers?
That’s a sampling of what’s there now as Brian Liu and Ken Zhang unpack the deliveries from vendors and fill the 47 bins along five aisles at 7538 Beach Blvd., next to RD International Market in the Beach Boulevard Shopping Center.
The shopping center, represented by Goldstein Commercial Properties Inc., is at Beach Boulevard and Hogan Road.
“It’s like a treasure hunt. We don’t even know what we’re going to get,” Liu said at the store Feb. 7.
Questions about a few items that lacked descriptions ended with: Someone will know what that is.
Here’s how it will work.
The sales begin each Friday at $15 per item. Whatever doesn’t sell on Friday is cut to $12 Saturday; $10 Sunday; $8 Monday; $6 Tuesday; $4 Wednesday; and $2 Thursday until about 2 p.m., when the store closes for restocking.
The process begins again the next day.
Hours are generally 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Thursday.
Liu, the owner, and Zhang, general manager, built the bins in the 7,000-square-foot space. They fill them with goods that they buy from vendors who deal in retail and Amazon returns and other overruns, overstocks or other items.
“We specialize in offering returned items from major retailers, giving you the opportunity to discover incredible deals every day,” Deal Diggers says on social media.
“At Deal Diggers, you’re free to explore our bins and uncover amazing finds. It’s all about luck, a keen eye, and the excitement of the hunt.”
Liu and Zhang expect a steady supply of home merchandise, sporting goods, clothing, toys and electronics. They don’t intend to carry food.
Customers can use shopping carts or large Deal Diggers shopping bags.
Items won’t necessarily be grouped by type. Don’t look for all of the electronics in the same area, or sporting goods, or personal care appliances. That means traffic can spread out throughout the store, although most of the curtain rods were in the back bins Feb. 7.
If customers can’t tell what’s in an unmarked box, they can take it to the front counter so that Liu, Zhang or another associate can open it for the customer and then reseal it if necessary. That’s because the box might contain an item with multiple parts that need to stay together.
Liu cut open one unmarked cardboard box Feb. 7 to find packages of Always Discreet underwear.
Sales are final. There are no returns or exchanges.
“With the price, people are willing to take a chance,” Liu said.
The Forbes news site reported in January 2024 that retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, Target and others are sending their returned goods to a growing number of steep-discount “bin” stores that are springing up across the country, citing a story in The Washington Post.
Forbes wrote that “bin-ging” is big business. In 2022, consumers refunded $816 billion in purchases, the National Retail Federation reported. Forbes wrote that’s a lot of unwanted stuff looking for a home.
Liu, who is 33, owns Brian’s A1A Gas Mart in Fernandina Beach. He registered Deal Diggers Inc. with the state Dec. 10, 2024. He owned Liu’s Wagon Wheel Inc. gas station in Perry from 2012-15.
He said he visited a few bin stores.
“I find it so interesting,” he said. “Man, that’s a lot of product.”
As of Feb. 7, Liu and Zhang awaited another shipment and more shopping carts. They may restrict the number of shoppers in the store at one time if the crowd exceeds capacity.
To welcome future shoppers, Liu said Deal Diggers will give away a phone case, charger or another related accessory to each visitor, pending supply, from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 8. Customers will not be able to shop yet, though.
Also, the first week of opening will feature 15% off purchases.
If this store works, there may be more.
“We’re always looking to expand,” Liu said.
