The five levers
| Lever | Raises value | Lowers value |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 48 x 40, the most used | Odd sizes few buyers want |
| Grade | Grade A, then B | Grade C, cores |
| Count | A full trailer | A handful |
| Condition | Dry, clean, stamped if exporting | Wet, moldy, chemical stains |
| Repeat | A weekly supply | A one-time pile |
Why 48 x 40 leads
The GMA 48 x 40 accounts for 30 percent of new wood pallets in the United States, so demand for it is deep. A 42 x 42 or Euro pallet may be sound and still be harder to place.
Why quoted prices mislead
Quoted prices online come from different dates, regions, grades and counts. A figure for a dry Grade A load in the Midwest tells you little about wet Grade B in Salt Lake. Treat prices as a reason to ask, not as a promise.
How to improve a pile
- Stack by size, even roughly.
- Pull out the broken ones.
- Keep it dry; see winter storage.
- Count honestly.
If you are selling, surplus pallets and recurring dock surplus show how to describe the pile. If you are buying, used pallets shows what each grade looks like.
Do heat-treated pallets cost more?
They carry the extra step of treatment and marking, so they are usually valued separately.
Is a bigger count always better?
Usually, because one pickup covers more. But a big wet heap is worth less than a small dry stack.
Ask for a view on your pile through the quote form.
Seven things that move the number
- Size: standard 48 x 40 moves; odd sizes wait.
- Grade: sorted beats mixed.
- Quantity: a truckload is a different conversation from a dozen.
- Dryness: wet stock loses value quickly.
- Distance: hauling costs shape the offer.
- Regularity: a weekly supply is worth more to a buyer than a single pile.
- Access: a pile that a truck can reach is easier to take.
What to do with that
Put the strong points first when you describe a stack. If you hold ten thousand sorted 48 x 40 Grade B pallets in a dry building, say so in the first line. If you hold forty wet mixed pallets behind a fence, say that too, so the stack is not left to guesswork.
Do recyclers pay for cores?
Sometimes. It depends on the count, the sound share and the cost of hauling, which is why a description matters.
Does grade or size matter more?
Size comes first, since a standard footprint has the widest market. Grade refines it.
Is a large pile worth more per pallet?
Often the reverse; a large mixed pile can cost more to sort than a small clean one.