In order to handle returns and overstocks better, ReturnBuy (www.returnbuy.com) has opened a 250,000 square foot facility in Columbia, S.C.

"Our process is very unique," says Jeffrey Rogers, co-founder and CFO of ReturnBuy. "We take an individual return and open it, inspect it, merchandise it, package it, re-package it, and then mail it," says Rogers.

Merchandise is sent directly to this processing facility where it is evaluated and re-sold through a variety of online and offline resale channels. This spares merchants the cost of storage rooms and dealing with the liquidation process.

Half of what the company handles is returns and the other half is overstocks. In the case of overstocks, many times the boxes have not been opened or handled by a consumer. These products require less inspection by value analysts than returns.

The facility is equipped with more than 1-1/2 miles of high-speed, custom-built conveyor systems. By merging high-velocity logistics with dynamic information systems, ReturnBuy has the ability to process 30,000 returns a day at the new facility. And, they are able to get returns back out into the market in 3 to 5 days.