In the heart of Brussels, a unique shopping experience blurs the lines between retail therapy and the thrill of the unknown. Welcome to Pile ou Face, where lost Amazon parcels find a “second life.” Unwanted packages are sold for €15 per kilogram ($16.30, at the time of publishing).
Every purchase is a surprise, and every sealed parcel could hold anything from the latest gadgets to a vintage rotary phone.
How did this modern-day treasure hunt come to be? What does it reveal about our shopping habits and the fate of returned goods?
Gamble on goods: How it works
Founder Arnaud Userstam says their mission is to “transform lost packages into accessible treasures while working for a more sustainable economy.”
He says lost packages “may never reach their original destination for various reasons.” This could include a label misprint, human error, or other unforeseen logistical issues.
After 30 days without complaint from the buyer, the unclaimed packages are returned to the warehouse. In the past, these packages were simply destroyed, which caused environmental problems.
Enter Pile Ou Face – a French phrase for ‘heads or tails.’ The store signed contracts with Amazon to buy returned packages.
Unwanted parcels reclaimed
The idea for the store came from Userstam’s wife, who wondered what happens when parcels are returned to distribution warehouses. Apart from giving parcels “a second chance,” the business model also supports eco-friendly practices.
Now, business is booming and Pile Ou Face clocks up to 1,000 sales every weekend. Stores are located in Wavre and Ixelles, Brussels. A third store will be opening in Quévy on Friday, April 5.
Re-selling lost packages is “a dynamic and often overlooked market that offers a multitude of opportunities,” the store says on its website. “Whether you are looking for bargains or hidden treasures, this market promises an exciting experience.”
Sustainable e-commerce solutions
Pile Ou Face’s business model addresses the challenges of returns and unsold stock in the e-commerce sector. In most cases, returned parcels end up in landfills or an incinerator – neither solutions are sustainable or environmentally friendly.
This venture thus provides an alternative that reduces waste. Since it is a form of thrifting, it encourages the circulation and reuse of goods, and lessens the demand for new product manufacturing and shipping.
The concept is not new. Several US and UK warehouses often sell returned goods by the pallet. Northampton resident Neil Barker says he spent £3,500 ($4,430) on four kitchen and floor care pallets from Madrid.
He ended up getting 320 items in return, estimated to be worth £20,000 ($25,300). These included nearly 50 robot vacuum cleaners, several coffee machines, floor mops, juicers, and blenders.
Barker says it took him “about three or four months to process four pallets.” He then began listing the items on eBay for 60% of the original retail value.
Eventually, Barker bought an articulated truck with a capacity for 32 pallets – roughly valued at £100,000 ($127,000). He also had to recruit his brother-in-law to assist with his business venture.
The secret to his success? “It’s all about speed, about turnover, and also to add value,” Barker says. “It’s a game of numbers, but that’s exactly what Amazon [does].”
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About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
