If you're a Shopify merchant dealing with unsold inventory, switching from BlueLots to Forthclear could save you money and simplify your process. Here's why:
- Lower Fees: Forthclear charges a 5% platform fee per sale, compared to BlueLots' 12.9% commission. For a $10,000 sale, that’s $790 saved.
- Shopify Integration: Forthclear’s app automatically flags products unsold for 60+ days, reducing manual work.
- Transparent Costs: No listing fees, subscriptions, or hidden charges with Forthclear.
- Global Reach: Forthclear supports international sales, with built-in tariff estimates and secure Stripe escrow payments.
BlueLots, while functional, has higher fees and is currently up for sale, raising concerns about its long-term reliability. Forthclear offers a streamlined option for liquidating surplus inventory at lower costs.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Forthclear | BlueLots |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 5% per sale | 12.9% commission |
| Shopify Integration | Yes | No |
| Setup Time | Minutes | Minutes |
| Global Sales | Yes (tariff estimates included) | Limited |
| Payment Security | Stripe escrow | Standard |
| Platform Status | Stable | Business up for sale |
Switching is simple: export your BlueLots inventory, set up your Forthclear account, and upload inventory using their bulk tools. You’ll be up and running within 24 hours.
Forthclear vs BlueLots: Platform Comparison for Shopify Merchants 2026
1. Forthclear
Pricing
Forthclear offers a straightforward pricing model: it's free to list your items, and you’re only charged a 5% platform fee when a sale is made. There are no monthly subscriptions, setup fees, hidden costs, or buyer fees. This approach ensures sellers know exactly what to expect when using the platform.
Setup Time
If you’re a Shopify merchant, getting started with Forthclear is quick and easy. By installing the Forthclear app from the Shopify App Store, you can begin selling in just a few minutes. The platform’s Auto-Detect Dead Stock feature scans your inventory for items that haven’t sold in over 60 days, saving you the hassle of manually identifying slow-moving stock. For those not using Shopify, registration is available online, and you can upload inventory via CSV or Excel files. An automated image-sourcing tool further streamlines the setup process.
Target Audience
Forthclear is tailored for eCommerce and wholesale businesses that need a solution for overstock, returned merchandise, and slow-moving inventory. It’s particularly appealing to Shopify store owners looking for a fast and transparent way to turn surplus products into profit.
Features
The platform integrates Stripe-powered escrow payments, which hold funds securely until delivery is confirmed or 14 days have passed. This feature provides peace of mind for both sellers and buyers. Sellers can also offer tiered pricing to encourage bulk purchases, such as discounts for orders of 50 or more units. A built-in messaging system allows direct negotiation with buyers on quantities and pricing. Additionally, Forthclear supports international transactions, including tariff estimates for cross-border shipping, making it a versatile option for global sales.
Scalability
Forthclear is designed to grow with your business. Bulk inventory management tools, such as CSV/Excel uploads and automated workflows, help handle large-scale operations with minimal effort. The flat 5% fee remains consistent, no matter how much you sell, giving you predictable costs as your business expands. With features like global reach, a network of verified buyers, and instant notifications for quotes and orders, Forthclear is equipped to handle everything from small liquidations to enterprise-level inventory challenges. These capabilities set the foundation for a detailed comparison with BlueLots in upcoming sections.
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2. BlueLots
Pricing
BlueLots uses a straightforward commission-based model with no upfront costs or listing fees. Sellers are only charged when their inventory sells, with a 12.9% commission applied to the final sale price. For example, if you sell $1,000 worth of inventory, BlueLots takes $129 as its commission. This rate remains constant regardless of the size of your business or sales volume.
Setup Time
Getting started with BlueLots is quick. You can create a listing in under 5 minutes using their user-friendly form. For larger inventories, the platform supports bulk uploads via CSV files, making it efficient for businesses dealing with multiple items.
Target Audience
BlueLots caters to small and medium-sized resellers, including home-based entrepreneurs and online sellers who use platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace[4–7]. It's a solid choice for businesses managing customer returns, overstock, and liquidation inventory at the parcel and pallet level. However, it’s not ideal for companies requiring less-than-truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL) shipping solutions.
Features
The platform runs four-day online auctions, allowing sellers to set starting prices to help maximize recovery rates. BlueLots claims sellers achieve up to three times higher recovery rates compared to standard liquidators. With access to a network of over 45,000 wholesale buyers, your inventory gets significant exposure.
BlueLots also handles logistics from start to finish. This includes arranging freight and parcel shipping while ensuring listings are automatically promoted to their buyer base. Sellers benefit from multiple payment options, simplifying transactions for both parties.
Scalability
BlueLots is well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses, thanks to its bulk inventory management tools and efficient freight logistics. However, its focus on parcel and pallet-level sales may not meet the needs of companies requiring rapid, high-volume inventory turnover. Additionally, the platform’s future is uncertain, as BlueLots is currently listed for sale, which could affect its long-term stability.
Understanding BlueLots' structure and limitations can help businesses evaluate whether transitioning to a platform like Forthclear is a better fit. Next, we’ll break down a direct comparison of BlueLots and Forthclear to weigh their advantages and drawbacks.
Pros and Cons
When deciding between platforms, it’s important to weigh their strengths and weaknesses to ensure a smooth migration. Forthclear is tailored for Shopify merchants who want a straightforward, automated way to liquidate unsold inventory. The platform charges a 5% fee, but only when a sale is completed. This automation eliminates the need for tedious manual inventory checks and gets listings live in just minutes.
On the other hand, BlueLots takes a different route. It operates on a subscription model starting at $29 per month, with additional fees for transactions like labels, orders, or shipments. Its standout feature is the ability to run four-day auctions, connecting sellers to a network of over 45,000 wholesale buyers. This setup encourages competitive bidding. Meanwhile, Forthclear’s fee structure and operational model might appeal more to Shopify merchants looking for predictable costs and streamlined processes.
The platforms also differ in scalability. Forthclear supports international shipping with built-in tariff estimates and uses a Stripe-powered escrow system for secure cross-border transactions. BlueLots, however, is more geared toward small businesses and individual resellers. These differences highlight the varying needs merchants may have when considering a platform switch.
Setup time is another critical factor. Forthclear integrates directly with Shopify, automatically syncing inventory and offering bulk CSV uploads with an auto-image search feature. While BlueLots also supports CSV uploads and manual listings, it lacks Forthclear’s automated tools for identifying and liquidating unsold stock.
"Easy to get started and offload some of our products that were nearing expiry date. Very helpful that ForthClear helps to find buyers in the process." - Hylke Reitsma, Co-founder, vybey
For Shopify merchants looking for a low-cost, automated liquidation solution, Forthclear offers simplicity and secure transactions. These comparisons lay the groundwork for the decision-making framework discussed in the next section.
How to Choose Between Forthclear and BlueLots
Forthclear is a solid option for Shopify merchants who prioritize automation and straightforward costs. It charges a flat 5% platform fee, but only when you make a sale, offering consistent and predictable expenses. On the other hand, BlueLots charges a significantly higher commission of 12.9%, which can eat into your profit margins as sales increase.
If you need native Shopify integration and automated tools, Forthclear stands out. Its app automatically scans your inventory and flags products that have been inactive for over 60 days. In contrast, BlueLots requires manual manifest uploads using spreadsheets, which can add to your workload. For example, in May 2025, the health-supplement company vybey - co-founded by Gordon Belch and Hylke Reitsma - used Forthclear's automation to turn potential losses into revenue. While automation is a game-changer for many, some sellers might prefer other sales models.
For those leaning toward auction-based selling, BlueLots offers a four-day auction format and includes shipping logistics within its commission structure. However, this approach comes with a 12.9% commission, which is 7.9 percentage points higher than Forthclear’s, potentially squeezing your profits.
Forthclear also excels in international trade. It provides built-in tariff estimates and uses Stripe-powered escrow for secure cross-border transactions. While BlueLots offers buyer support, it lacks these specialized tools for handling international sales.
For Shopify stores looking to grow while keeping costs predictable and avoiding hidden fees, Forthclear’s flat 5% commission is a reliable choice. Up next, we’ll explore how to transition smoothly from BlueLots to Forthclear.
Migration Guide: Moving from BlueLots to Forthclear
Switching platforms doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by exporting your inventory data from BlueLots in a spreadsheet format. Be sure to download all manifests and product listings you’ve created on the platform. Since BlueLots is currently up for sale, securing your data as soon as possible is critical. Once you’ve exported your data, the next step is setting up your Forthclear account.
Create and configure your Forthclear account by choosing the setup method that works best for you. If you’re a Shopify merchant, this process is especially straightforward. Simply install the Forthclear app to enable automatic synchronization. For non-Shopify users, register directly by selecting the "List Without Shopify" option. The registration process is quick and requires basic details like your email, name, company name, and password. Additionally, make sure you have a Stripe-compatible account ready, as Forthclear relies on Stripe for its secure escrow payment system.
When it’s time for inventory transfer, take advantage of Forthclear’s bulk upload tool. This tool supports CSV or Excel files and includes an Auto Image Search feature to automatically locate product photos, saving you from tedious manual uploads. If you’re using the Shopify app, it will even highlight items that haven’t sold in over 60 days.
After transferring your inventory, it’s important to update your pricing strategy. Forthclear operates differently from BlueLots’ four-day auction model. The platform uses a tiered bulk pricing structure, allowing you to offer volume discounts to attract wholesale buyers. Keep in mind that, unlike BlueLots, where freight was arranged for you, Forthclear requires you to manage your own shipping. However, the platform does provide tariff estimates for international transactions to help with planning.
Most migrations are completed within 24 hours. Once your inventory is live, sales funds are held securely by Stripe and are released either after the buyer confirms delivery or after 14 days have passed.
Conclusion
By following our migration guide, it’s clear why Forthclear stands out as the better option. With a simple 5% flat fee and no listing costs, Forthclear offers substantial savings compared to BlueLots' premium pricing model. Plus, its native Shopify app is a game-changer - it automatically flags products that haven’t sold in over 60 days and syncs them almost instantly. This not only saves time but also makes managing inventory much easier.
Forthclear's bulk upload tool, combined with its auto-image search feature, cuts down on the manual effort required to transfer large inventories. On top of that, their Stripe-powered escrow system ensures payments are securely held until delivery is confirmed or after 14 days. This added security is especially valuable for B2B transactions with high order values.
"ForthClear has revolutionized how we handle excess inventory. The secure payment system and quality suppliers have made our sourcing process incredibly efficient." - Gordon Belch, Co-founder of vybey
Looking to clear out your slow-moving stock? Install the Forthclear Shopify app today to identify unsold inventory and connect with verified bulk buyers. Listing is free - you only pay when you sell. Most merchants see results in just minutes, making it easy to transition and start saving right away.
