Buy Overstock Cleaning Supplies: Make a Profit Out of Excess Stock
Purchasing cleaning supplies in bulk can create some great business opportunities. However, not all businesses can easily find the right types of stock at competitive prices. Businesses often struggle with increasing wholesale prices, unreliable suppliers, and limited profit margins. Buy overstock cleaning supplies to access surplus stock at competitive prices and create new retail opportunities. However, you must make sure that you are getting good-quality, reliable products and have a clear sales strategy.
1. Know Why You’re Buying
There are many reasons why excess stock is on sale. Manufacturers and distributors may have had changes in demand for certain products (seasonal), packaging redesigns, discontinued products, cancelled orders and overproduction. You must make sure that the products you are buying are brand new, undamaged and correctly packaged. When looking at cheaper options for bulk cleaning supplies, ask your supplier if they can confirm the quality of the products. Inquire if they have any expiry dates, damaged packaging etc. Never be tempted to skip the inspection process just because there is a great price. knowing why there is a discount will save you any issues.
2. Find Products That People Want
Just because you have a large amount of stock does not mean it will be profitable. There are some cleaning products that will always be in high demand whilst others could sit there for months. When making purchasing decisions always think about what your customers want. Some popular cleaning products include household cleaners, disinfectants, wholesale laundry detergents, and everyday janitorial essentials such as:
- Sprays and Multipurpose Cleaners
- Floor Cleaners and Disinfectants
- Sponges, Scrubbers & Microfibre Cloths
- Mops, Buckets, Gloves & Janitorial Accessories
- Commercial Cleaning Products
If you are looking to buy wholesale cleaning products to resell, think about your target audience. Those looking to buy household products may prefer smaller packaging whereas commercial clients will often need larger quantities. Look back at what has sold previously and what customers have asked for.
3. Research Your Supplier
A key issue with buying liquidation stock is ensuring you have a reliable supplier. If you receive incomplete deliveries or incorrect product descriptions then you will quickly lose interest in the great prices. Choose suppliers who are clear with what you are getting. How much of the product there is, clear images, quality report and clear purchasing guidelines. Ask if you can view the merchandise before placing a large order.
When comparing liquidation cleaning products for your retail business, look beyond the price. Check how much you need to order, delivery costs, payment terms, returns and communication. A genuine supplier will always be clear with what is in the lot. If there are any key pieces of information missing this should be a red flag.
4. Calculate Your Profits
Whilst there may be great wholesale discounts, you must always calculate the true landed costs. This includes delivery, storage and handling. For example if you purchase 500 cleaning products for $1000 but you pay $150 for delivery and $100 for handling your total investment will be $1250. This means your average landed cost per item is $2.50. If you are selling them for $5 each then you will make a gross profit of $2.50 per item. Use the following to help calculate:
- Cost per item
- Delivery & Handling costs
- Storage & Packaging costs
- Realistic selling prices
- Damaged or slow moving items
This will help you find cheap janitorial supplies wholesale whilst ensuring you are not being tricked into buying due to a low price.
5. Check Quality, Packaging & Product Info
Cleaning products need to be checked thoroughly. Leaking bottles, broken seals, missing labels and damaged packaging can make your otherwise great stock hard to sell.
Ensure the products you are buying are:
- In original manufacturer packaging
- Bottles are in good condition, sealed and not leaking
- Ingredients, instructions & safety info
- Batch & Expiry dates
- Correct storage & delivery requirements
When looking to purchase bulk cleaning chemicals for your business, ensure there is correct safety information and local regulations. Not all chemical products will be suitable for free resale. Sorting out damaged items will help avoid complaints.
6. Create a Range of Sales Channels
Putting all your eggs in one basket can cause issues with managing your stock. Instead try to identify different customer segments and create good opportunities to sell. Retailers can sell household cleaning products in store, online, local marketplaces & social media. Large lots may be more appealing to independent stores, cleaning contractors, offices & facility management companies.
If you are looking to buy commercial cleaning products in bulk, you can build up relationships with regular customers. Offering reliable stock and easy purchasing will encourage them to come back. Try to create some bundles with complementary products. This can help increase average order values and make it easier for customers.
7. Store Carefully
Even if you are making a profit on your products they can quickly become costly if they are taking up too much space in your warehouse. Cleaning products may need to be stored in certain conditions and certain chemicals must be kept separate. Sort your stock into categories, types, batches & expiry dates. Use FIFO if needed.
If you are looking to purchase surplus household cleaning products, keep track of your stock. Keep track of how much you have received, sold, damaged & remaining. Using a simple spreadsheet will show you what is selling well and what needs to be discounted. This will help you make smart purchasing decisions.
8. Use an Example
A small retailer is looking to increase their household cleaning products. They are finding their margins decreasing due to traditional wholesale prices. They feel nervous about buying a huge pallet of liquidation stock. Instead they ask for a stock list, check the quality of the products, work out their landed costs and purchase a small mixed lot.
They discover that multipurpose cleaners and microfibre accessories are selling better than specialised products. Next time they will focus on these products and spend less on the slower moving items. This example shows an important point you need to learn from your sales to make a success out of purchasing overstock janitorial products.
Final Thoughts: Make the Most out of Your Next Stock Purchase
Getting cheap stock is only the first step. Choosing the right products, knowing your costs and having a sales strategy will help you. If you are looking to buy overstock cleaning supplies, start with small amounts and choose a supplier who can give you accurate stock information. Compare the quality of the products, delivery costs and what your customers want. Remember:
- Buy based on what your customers want
- Check the quality & information
- Keep track of your sales
Carefully choosing a surplus lot can help retailers expand their range, keep their margins and offer customers competitive prices. Being smart with your purchasing will turn excess stock into an opportunity.