The Wirecutter Show

January is peak return season. Maybe you got holiday gifts that weren’t quite right, or you’re just clearing out the things you over-ordered. But where does all that stuff actually go?
 
In this episode, Deputy Editor Annemarie Conte walks us through her investigation into the hidden world of returns. For her reporting, she bought a 450-pound, six-foot-tall pallet of returned goods to see what really happens to the items people send back. She explains how the secondary market works, why so many returned goods never make it back on shelves, and the pure chaos she found inside her return pallet.
 
This episode covers: 
Why returns don’t always go back on shelves. Items may be reshelved, sent to clearance, or liquidated for pennies on the dollar. Annemarie describes what actually happens inside return centers, including Amazon’s claim that all returns are inspected—something her pallet contents cast doubt on. 
The size and growth of the secondary market. Nearly 16% of retail sales were returned in 2025—about $849.9 billion worth of goods. Annemarie walks through how these items trickle down into liquidation warehouses, bin stores, flea markets, and discount shops. 
What a pallet of returned goods actually looks like. Annemarie explains how she bought a 450-pound pallet of returns containing 430 packages and 582 individual items, including 68 pounds of pure trash. She breaks down the categories of what ends up on pallets—unclaimed mail, overstock, returned goods—and why so much of it is “excess” that never gets resold. 
How fraud shows up in the returns pipeline. From boxes filled with rocks to pallets layered  with junk on the bottom, Annemarie explains how both retailers and resellers get scammed—and why the whole ecosystem is vulnerable to bad actors.
How to be a more thoughtful online shopper. Annemarie shares simple ways to reduce unnecessary returns like reading product descriptions closely, checking one-star reviews, and pausing before buying multiples just to try them on. She also emphasizes that some categories (like plus-size clothing) still require online shopping, and returns aren’t a moral failure.
 
Additional reading:
We Bought a 450-Pound Mystery Pallet Packed With Returned Goods From Amazon and Beyond. Here’s What We Found Inside.
We Sent Ralph Nader Some of Our Favorite Pens. He Dismissed Them All.
Ralph Nader Has a Pencil Eraser Problem. We Investigated.
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

In the final installment of this series, we examine the longer-term costs–the time, the money, and the emotional toll–that finding your feet after a natural disaster can take. 
 
Mike and his family are still displaced. The possibility of a future natural disaster looms over them, on top of the financial predicament of being stuck in the “insurance gap”--where their insurance payout isn’t enough to rebuild their home. 
 
Gregory has moved back into his house, but he’s still dealing with insurance claims, survivor’s guilt, and the existential question of whether he and his wife should stay in Altadena. 
 
The past year has taught Mike and Gregory that they have to advocate for themselves in ways that they never would have imagined before the fires. 
 
If you haven’t listened to parts one and two of this series, we recommend doing that before listening to part three. 
 
Actionable steps you can take from this episode:
Make sure you have enough insurance. Estimates show that as high as almost two out of three homeowners across the country are underinsured. Check with your insurance agent annually to make sure you have enough coverage.
Take extensive notes. After a disaster, keep careful records of conversations, emails, and other communication with insurance adjusters, government agencies, banks, and other entities. This will help you verify information.
Meet in person if you can. It can be more effective to meet with insurance adjusters and aid organizations in person, rather than conducting meetings over the phone or video call.
Get ready for negotiation. After an emergency, you may need to negotiate with your insurance company, and ask the same questions and make the same claims repeatedly.
Be forceful but kind. Even when negotiating, remember that you want to stay on good terms with the people you’re dealing with, if you can.
 
You can find out more about Gregory Han on his website and on Instagram @typefiend
 
Additional reading:
The True Cost of Recovering from the LA Wildfires, Part 1
The True Cost of Recovering from the LA Wildfires, Part 2
The LA Wildfires Devastated the Homes of Two Wirecutter Writers. Here’s What They Learned While Recovering.
Build Your Own Disaster-Prep Kit 
How to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency 
9 Extreme Weather Survivors Share the Tools That Helped Them Get Through Disaster 
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

In the second part of our series, we learn more about what’s happened to Wirecutter writers Mike Cohen and Gregory Han in the year since the LA wildfires. And how they both wish they’d better understood their insurance policies before the fires.  
 
Mike and Gregory both found temporary housing after the fires, but they soon needed to start replacing the things they use daily. And to do that, they had to produce exhaustive lists of their belongings to their insurance companies for reimbursement. For Mike, this was particularly daunting, as everything he owned had burned. 
 
Both Mike and Gregory wish they had better documented their belongings before the fires, because this would have made it easier to prove what they owned. 
 
This episode also covers the struggles Gregory faced to convince his insurance company that his home needed professional cleaning (called remediation) to remove toxic ash and other pollutants. 
 
We recommend listening to part one before this episode. Part three of the series publishes on Monday, January 12. 
 
Actionable steps you can take from this episode:
Document your stuff. After a disaster, insurance companies often require an itemized list of lost or damaged possessions. This task will be made much easier if you’ve documented what you own. Take a video as you walk through your home, from room to room. Open every cabinet and drawer, and capture brands and models. Don’t forget the attic, garage, or basement. Do this every few years, or any time you’ve had a major life change when new stuff enters your home.
Digitize your documents. After a disaster, you’ll likely need official documents to prove who you are and where you lived. Scan or photograph passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other important documents. Find more tips on digitizing documents here.
Read your insurance policy. Knowing what your policy covers will help you navigate insurance claims in the face of a disaster.
Assess your home for potential disasters. Research your climate risks and make a list of potential home modifications–such as cutting back trees, installing gutter guards, or even putting on a new roof.
Make sure you have the right type of insurance. Most home insurance policies include fire coverage, but depending on where you live you may want additional coverage for floods, earthquakes, or other disasters.
 
You can find out more about Gregory Han on his website and on Instagram @typefiend
 
Additional reading:
The True Cost of Recovering From the LA Wildfires, Part 1
The LA Wildfires Devastated the Homes of Two Wirecutter Writers. Here’s What They Learned While Recovering.
Build Your Own Disaster-Prep Kit 
How to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency 
9 Extreme Weather Survivors Share the Tools That Helped Them Get Through Disaster 
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Exactly one year ago, on January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton Fires erupted, eventually burning down more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 31 people, becoming among the most destructive and deadly wildfires in California’s history. 
 
Two Wirecutter writers, Gregory Han and Mike Cohen, lived through the Eaton fire. Both lived in Altadena, just outside Los Angeles. Gregory’s home was damaged, while Mike’s burned to the ground. They collaborated on an article sharing their biggest lessons of recovery, which Wirecutter published last July, as part of our emergency preparation coverage. 
 
Now, in a special podcast series, we’re sharing the biggest lessons they’ve learned from the past year–—and what they can teach you about how to prepare for a disaster. 
 
Unfortunately, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent, more intense, and more unpredictable. In the last year alone, we’ve seen cataclysmic floods in the Texas Hill Country, deadly tornadoes in many parts of the U.S., and increasing flash floods across the country, just to name a few. No one is completely insulated from these types of events. 
 
In this first episode, we’ll introduce you to Gregory and Mike, and why they think it’s imperative to invest in your community before a disaster. 
 
Look for part two of this series on Friday January 9, and part three on Monday January 12.
 
Actionable steps you can take from this episode:
Invest in your community before a disaster. Information can be hard to come by during and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This is when knowing your neighbors can be invaluable. Both Gregory and Mike relied on neighbors and others in their community for information before, during, and after the fires. They’ve continued to share resources with this community as they’ve worked toward recovery over the past year.
Create an easy way to communicate with your neighbors. This could be a text chain or a group chat–through something like WhatsApp or GroupMe. Maybe you’re already involved with a group that may eventually help in an emergency. Mike’s neighborhood thread started as a group of local dog owners before the fire. 
Join a volunteer organization in your community. After the fires, Gregory joined a group to do brush cleanup, which has helped deepen his connection with the people who live close to him.
 
You can find out more about Gregory Han on his website and on Instagram @typefiend
 
Additional reading:
The LA Wildfires Devastated the Homes of Two Wirecutter Writers. Here’s What They Learned While Recovering.
Build Your Own Disaster-Prep Kit
How to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency
9 Extreme Weather Survivors Share the Tools That Helped Them Get Through Disaster
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

In this episode, our guest is Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack. We delve into how journaling can help you unlock creative potential and navigate life’s challenges. 
 
Suleika shares her personal journey with journaling as a lifeline during her battle with leukemia and a pathway to "creative alchemy" – transforming difficult experiences into meaningful expression. She highlights the benefits of journaling on mental health, and how it has changed her life.
 
The discussion also explores practical aspects of journaling, from overcoming the fear of a blank page to maintaining consistency through accountability and prompts. Suleika shares her preferred tools—a fountain pen and quality paper—and the rituals that help her stay consistent. 
 
Plus, Wirecutter writer Arriana Vasquez tells us about digital notebooks, an innovative way to modernize the writing experience without sacrificing the tactile pleasure of it. 
 
Listeners will gain actionable insights into starting and sustaining a journaling practice.
 
Products we recommend:
The best hardcover notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5)
The best pen: Uni-ball Jetstream RT
The best digital notebook: Supernote A6 X2 Nomad
Best for replacing your paper notebooks: reMarkable 2
Best for reading and annotating ebooks: Kobo Elipsa 2E
 
Suleika’s favorites: 
A fountain pen: Lamy
Le Labo Santal No. 26 Candle
The journals of famous writers she keeps on her desk: Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, Audre Lorde, Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath
 
More Suleika Jaouad
Instagram:/suleikajaouad
Facebook: /SuleikaJaouadPage 
Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/
Substack newsletter: https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/about
The Book of Alchemy
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast