Good deals: At merchandise liquidators, buyers find more for less

Even in a recovering economy, the old adage holds true: One man's trash is another man's treasure. Together, the entire "secondary" market - including eBay, flea markets, Goodwill, national discounters and the liquidators themselves - comprise a $329.4 billion industry. For instance, Overstock.com - which sells furniture, home goods, clothing and electronics - grew revenues by $214 million from 2010 to 2013. Liquidity Services, which resells government and business surplus, nearly doubled its revenues in the same period, an increase of $233 million.