Selling or Trading In Your Pallet Rack When You Close or Downsize

When a business closes a building, consolidates or moves into something smaller, the rack is often the last thing anyone thinks about. It's heavy, it's installed, and removing it feels like somebody else's job. But used pallet rack is a product with a real market, and treating it as scrap or leaving it for the landlord is usually the wrong move.

Who buys used rack

Companies that sell and install racking buy it too, because other customers want used equipment. Material Handling Solutions says it's constantly looking to buy used material. Their wish list includes heavy duty pallet rack, cantilever, gravity conveyor, and lifts, meaning forklifts and scissor lifts. They also say they might be interested in things not on the list, so if you have something unusual it's worth asking.

What affects the offer

A buyer has to think about what they can resell, what it costs to take it out, and how long it will sit. Without quoting any numbers, these are the things that tend to matter.

• Condition. Straight uprights, true beams and undamaged connectors are worth more than steel that's been hit.
• Quantity and consistency. A lot of matching pieces is easier to resell than a handful of mixed parts.
• Sizes people actually want. Common upright heights and depths and standard beam lengths move more easily.
• Completeness. Beams with clips, uprights with footplates, decks and spacers all counted and present.
• Access. Rack that's empty, accessible and not boxed in by other equipment is easier and cheaper to remove.
• Your deadline. A tight lease-end date limits the options, so the earlier you call, the better.

What trade-in really means

Taking rack down costs money. It takes a crew, equipment and time. MHS says that if you have materials to sell, they may offer to trade their cost to dismantle in exchange for your materials. In plain terms, that means you may not pay to have it removed, because the rack itself covers the labor. Whether that works for your situation depends on what you have and where it stands, so it's a conversation rather than a promise.

They also say they try to offer a fair price for what you have. That's worth a reality check from your side: the best way to get a fair price is to give them enough information to see what you have.

What to gather before you call

• Photos of each run from the aisle end, plus a few close-ups of the uprights, beams and connectors.
• A rough count of uprights, beams and decks, and the sizes: upright height and depth, beam length.
• Any manufacturer names or markings you can find on the steel.
• Whether the rack is still loaded, and when it will be empty.
• Any cantilever, conveyor, shelving, pick modules or lifts that are also leaving.
• Your deadline, and any restrictions on when crews can enter the building.

If you don't know what you have, that's okay. Photos and a walk-through can fill in a lot. A buyer who knows the equipment can often tell what it is at a glance.

Get the building ready

Rack has to be completely empty before it comes down. Plan the product moves first, and don't leave stray pallets in the bottom bays. Clear a path to the rack, leave room for a lift, and let the crew know about low doors, tight corners or anything about the floor they should be aware of.

If you're downsizing instead of closing, think about whether some of the rack should stay. Selling the surplus and keeping the best runs can leave you better off than selling everything and buying again. Likewise, if you're moving, compare the cost of moving rack against selling it and buying what fits the new building.

A word about doing it yourself

Some owners try to sell rack through classified listings. That works if you have time, a truck, a crew and patience for no-shows. It rarely works on a lease deadline. Selling to someone who also removes it takes one of the hardest parts off your plate.

MHS is family run, with Brian Woods, a twin brother in sales and design, and an office team that takes the calls. They're at 8833 E Washington St in Indianapolis and answer the phone Monday through Friday from 8 to 5. Call (317) 755-2219, tell them what you have and when you need it gone, or see the sell your equipment page at /services/sell-your-equipment. You can also send photos through /contact.