I visited a discount store that sells Amazon and Target returns, and it felt like treasure hunting. Here's what I found.

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I visited a discount store that sells Amazon and Target returns, and it felt like treasure hunting. Here's what I found.
  • Everyday Crazy Hot Deals is a liquidation center that buys and resells returned merchandise from retailers like Target and Amazon.
  • The items are sold at a discounted price, with prices depending on the day of the week.
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I visited Everyday Crazy Hot Deals in Bethpage, New York on three separate days to see how the products vary.

I visited Everyday Crazy Hot Deals in Bethpage, New York on three separate days to see how the products vary.
The entrance of Everyday Crazy Hot Deals in Bethpage, New York.Aaron Mok/Insider

Source: KJOY 98.3

I went the store, which opened last September, for the first time on an early Saturday afternoon. When I walked in, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff available.

I went the store, which opened last September, for the first time on an early Saturday afternoon. When I walked in, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff available.
The bins at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals are aligned in vertical rows.Aaron Mok/Insider
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Since I went on a Saturday, every item in the store — with some exceptions — was priced at $12. The price gets cheaper as the week approaches Thursday, the day the store gets restocked, and is most expensive on the weekends once new inventory is added.

Since I went on a Saturday, every item in the store — with some exceptions — was priced at $12. The price gets cheaper as the week approaches Thursday, the day the store gets restocked, and is most expensive on the weekends once new inventory is added.
A sign of the set prices hung on a wall inside Everyday Crazy Hot Deals.Aaron Mok/Insider

The bins weren't organized by product category, so I sifted through piles of random items mixed together. The most common items I saw were boxes of face masks.

The bins weren't organized by product category, so I sifted through piles of random items mixed together. The most common items I saw were boxes of face masks.
The bins were not organized by product type and were filled with random selections of items.Aaron Mok/Insider
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I didn't have anything in particular I wanted to buy, so I haphazardly scanned the bins in search of items that stood out to me. Some of the things that caught my eye were a gratitude journal, the board game Operation, cockroach killing bait, a vibrator, creepy Halloween costume masks, and some wigs.

I didn't have anything in particular I wanted to buy, so I haphazardly scanned the bins in search of items that stood out to me. Some of the things that caught my eye were a gratitude journal, the board game Operation, cockroach killing bait, a vibrator, creepy Halloween costume masks, and some wigs.
This bin contained a random assortment of items, including a clown mask and some wigs.Aaron Mok/Insider

Many of the packages were ripped, empty, or missing an item.

Many of the packages were ripped, empty, or missing an item.
A broken hairdryer package I found in the bins.Aaron Mok/Insider
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Customers are not allowed to open sealed packages. If they want to know what's inside, they must bring the items to the customer service booth where an employee will open them.

Customers are not allowed to open sealed packages. If they want to know what's inside, they must bring the items to the customer service booth where an employee will open them.
One of two customer service stations at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals.Aaron Mok/Insider

While the majority of bins contained random assortments of stuff, some items were organized by products with their own special deals, such as this clothing rack...

While the majority of bins contained random assortments of stuff, some items were organized by products with their own special deals, such as this clothing rack...
Customers can buy two items of clothing for $10 on Saturday and three items for $10 on Sunday.Aaron Mok/Insider
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...and this shopping cart filled with notebooks. Five notebooks cost $1.

...and this shopping cart filled with notebooks. Five notebooks cost $1.
A shopping cart full of notebooks where five notebooks cost a dollar.Aaron Mok/Insider

There were also containers of makeup sold at $3 per piece...

There were also containers of makeup sold at $3 per piece...
Containers of make up sold at $3 per piece.Aaron Mok/Insider
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...and these iPhone and Android phone cases — including popular brands like Otter — that were priced at $2 for five.

...and these iPhone and Android phone cases — including popular brands like Otter — that were priced at $2 for five.
A bin of iPhone cases that were priced at $2 for five.Aaron Mok/Insider

There were even boxes of Halloween candy like Haribo gummy bears and Reese's peanut butter cups. The bags of candy I looked at were not expired, though the store has a sign that warns customers to always look at the expiration date before purchasing any kind of food.

There were even boxes of Halloween candy like Haribo gummy bears and Reese's peanut butter cups. The bags of candy I looked at were not expired, though the store has a sign that warns customers to always look at the expiration date before purchasing any kind of food.
Bins of Halloween candy and a bin with bottles of mouthwash.Aaron Mok/Insider
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Some of the "organized" bins were just as sloppy as the regular ones, like this plastic container filled with random cords, cables, and laptop chargers all tangled up.

Some of the "organized" bins were just as sloppy as the regular ones, like this plastic container filled with random cords, cables, and laptop chargers all tangled up.
A box full of random wires and cables.Aaron Mok/Insider

Other exceptions to the set-price rule included items like furniture and big boxes of toys.

Other exceptions to the set-price rule included items like furniture and big boxes of toys.
Furniture sold at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals.Aaron Mok/Insider
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The most expensive items I saw were electronics like a Google Nest Doorbell and a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 near the cash register. Each was priced at $150.

The most expensive items I saw were electronics like a Google Nest Doorbell and a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 near the cash register. Each was priced at $150.
Expensive electronics placed near the cashier were sold for $150 each.Aaron Mok/Insider

As I was browsing the store, an employee pulled out a fresh bin of stuff that all the shoppers flocked to and looked through.

As I was browsing the store, an employee pulled out a fresh bin of stuff that all the shoppers flocked to and looked through.
A flock of shoppers gathered around a bin filled with new items.Aaron Mok/Insider
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While some people may come just to buy cheap stuff, the store said it encourages shoppers to buy things that they can resell individually at a higher price. There were a few shoppers who looked like teenagers looking up the price of items on their phones and discussing whether they could resell them on TikTok.

While some people may come just to buy cheap stuff, the store said it encourages shoppers to buy things that they can resell individually at a higher price. There were a few shoppers who looked like teenagers looking up the price of items on their phones and discussing whether they could resell them on TikTok.
A collection of Marvel Wanda Vision action figures.Aaron Mok/Insider

After spending nearly an hour and a half carefully looking through each bin, I wasn't able to find anything I liked that I thought was worth $12 that day. So I decided to go back on a Wednesday when everything is a dollar.

After spending nearly an hour and a half carefully looking through each bin, I wasn't able to find anything I liked that I thought was worth $12 that day. So I decided to go back on a Wednesday when everything is a dollar.
A bin full of winter boots.Aaron Mok/Insider
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When I visited again the following Wednesday, the bins contained less stuff, and the things that remained were even more random than before. Many of the items were broken packages or loose parts that came from the original product.

When I visited again the following Wednesday, the bins contained less stuff, and the things that remained were even more random than before. Many of the items were broken packages or loose parts that came from the original product.
A random assortment of stuff in a bin on a Wednesday, when everything costs $1 unless stated otherwise.Aaron Mok/Insider

But I was excited to get a sneak peek at the new inventory which included things like a toy Mustang convertible and a box set of kitchen appliances all wrapped in plastic packaging. There were also bins covered by blankets that were filled with fresh stuff.

But I was excited to get a sneak peek at the new inventory which included things like a toy Mustang convertible and a box set of kitchen appliances all wrapped in plastic packaging. There were also bins covered by blankets that were filled with fresh stuff.
Inventory wrapped in plastic packaging that will be unveiled on Friday, the day after restock day.Aaron Mok/Insider
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After I spent roughly 30 minutes browsing the sparse bins with no success, I decided that I would come back one more time on a Friday, when the store is restocked with new inventory.

After I spent roughly 30 minutes browsing the sparse bins with no success, I decided that I would come back one more time on a Friday, when the store is restocked with new inventory.
Bins covered with blankets that contain fresh inventory.Aaron Mok/Insider

I arrived at the store on the following Friday around 11 a.m. and noticed that it was packed with people. Each bin was overflowing with new stuff.

I arrived at the store on the following Friday around 11 a.m. and noticed that it was packed with people. Each bin was overflowing with new stuff.
A packed store with bins filled with new items after restock day.Aaron Mok/Insider
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When I got there, the store was doing its first restock of the day. Dozens of shoppers gathered around the covered bins as they waited for an employee to unveil them.

When I got there, the store was doing its first restock of the day. Dozens of shoppers gathered around the covered bins as they waited for an employee to unveil them.
Dozens of shoppers gathered around the covered bins waiting to see what new items are in store.Aaron Mok/Insider

Speaking through a megaphone, an employee thanked everyone for coming and briefly explained some ground rules to ensure that everyone has a safe shopping experience.

Speaking through a megaphone, an employee thanked everyone for coming and briefly explained some ground rules to ensure that everyone has a safe shopping experience.
Shoppers lined up around bins as they listen to an employee lay out the store's ground rules.Aaron Mok/Insider
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After the employee finished his speech, he told everyone to put their hands up. On a count of three, the employees yanked the blankets away and a horn blared, signaling that shopping had begun.

After the employee finished his speech, he told everyone to put their hands up. On a count of three, the employees yanked the blankets away and a horn blared, signaling that shopping had begun.
Shoppers rapidly grabbed items and threw them into their carts.Aaron Mok/Insider

Immediately, shoppers quickly grabbed whatever was available and tossed the items into their carts to sort through later. Carts were filled with boxes big and small as well as a range of items — one even contained a bicycle.

Immediately, shoppers quickly grabbed whatever was available and tossed the items into their carts to sort through later. Carts were filled with boxes big and small as well as a range of items — one even contained a bicycle.
Many shoppers filled their carts to the brim to sort through them later.Aaron Mok/Insider
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As people were hunting for the best items, an employee with a megaphone was announcing raffle numbers. Those who won were given $50 dollars to spend at the store.

As people were hunting for the best items, an employee with a megaphone was announcing raffle numbers. Those who won were given $50 dollars to spend at the store.
The winner of the raffle gets $50 to spend at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals.Aaron Mok/Insider

This time around, I was happy to find many items I was interested in buying, from a box of college-ruled journals to an electric blanket.

This time around, I was happy to find many items I was interested in buying, from a box of college-ruled journals to an electric blanket.
Restocked bins at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals on a Friday morning.Aaron Mok/Insider
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Every time I found something I liked, I was hit with a rush of excitement, which only motivated me to keep looking for more stuff with deeper precision.

Every time I found something I liked, I was hit with a rush of excitement, which only motivated me to keep looking for more stuff with deeper precision.
A DVD of the Marvel movie 'Shang Chi' on a pile of random things in a bin.Aaron Mok/Insider

After I spent an hour flipping through bins, I forced myself to stop looking and went to purchase the items with my family. The cashier counted how many items were in the cart and then multiplied the number by 12 to calculate the price. We were shocked to learn that our bill came out to a total of more than $300.

After I spent an hour flipping through bins, I forced myself to stop looking and went to purchase the items with my family. The cashier counted how many items were in the cart and then multiplied the number by 12 to calculate the price. We were shocked to learn that our bill came out to a total of more than $300.
My family and I spent more than $300 on stuff.Aaron Mok/Insider
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Even though I was happy with the things I found, I was left with a nagging feeling that I spent too much money on items I didn't need. But overall, I found shopping there to be a fun, weirdly exhilarating experience.

Even though I was happy with the things I found, I was left with a nagging feeling that I spent too much money on items I didn't need. But overall, I found shopping there to be a fun, weirdly exhilarating experience.
Some things I bought at Everyday Crazy Hot Deals include: two blankets, a giraffe mug, a storage bin, and a box of journals.Aaron Mok/Insider