The Best Places to Source Inventory for Your Resale Business: Local & Online Options

A major part of your role, as a reseller, is to source inventory for your resale business. Whether you're listing on an online marketplace such as Poshmark, or if you're live selling on Whatnot, there are plenty of options available both locally and online. Afterall, you're going to run out of items from your personal closet pretty quickly. Finding the best source is vital in the resale business. That's why it's essential to find the right spots to source inventory. They have to be credible, reliable, and affordable. At the end of the day, you're going to need to turn a profit.

Where Are The Best Places To Source Inventory for Your Resale Business?

Actually, there are a ton of options at your disposal. You just need to do a little research first to find out which sources work best for you. Keep reading this blog to learn how to find the best places to source inventory for your resale business.

Local Places to Source Inventory for Your Resale Business

If you prefer hands-on sourcing and immediate inventory access, local options are an excellent choice. Here are some of the best places to look:

Thrift Stores & Charity Shops

Thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local charity shops are gold mines for resellers. These stores often carry secondhand clothing, shoes, home goods, and electronics at low prices. The key to success is to visit frequently, as inventory changes often.

Pro Tip: Learn each store’s discount schedule. Some offer half-off days or special promotions that can help maximize your profits.

Garage Sales & Estate Sales

Garage and estate sales can be a fantastic source for vintage items, collectibles, and household goods. Estate sales, in particular, tend to have high-quality merchandise, including designer clothing, jewelry, and rare finds.

Where to Find Them:

• Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace often list upcoming sales.
• Websites like EstateSales.net provide searchable listings by location.

Flea Markets & Swap Meets

Flea markets feature vendors selling everything from new wholesale goods to secondhand items at bargain prices. It's vital for your resale business to build relationships with vendors to get first dibs on new stock.

Pro Tip: Arrive early for the best selection or late in the day for better deals when sellers want to clear inventory.

Local Auctions & Liquidation Sales

Auctions, whether in-person or online, allow you to bid on bulk inventory at a fraction of retail prices and are ideal to source inventory. Liquidation sales happen when businesses close, often leading to deeply discounted merchandise.

Where to Find Them:

• Check auction houses in your city.
• Visit sites like AuctionZip.com for upcoming local auctions.

Wholesale Warehouses & Discount Outlets

Some discount retailers sell overstock and returned merchandise at reduced prices. Stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Burlington often have designer items that can be flipped for profit.

Pro Tip: Look for clearance sections and compare prices using reseller apps to determine potential profits.

Local Buy/Sell/Trade Groups

Facebook Marketplace and local buy/sell/trade groups offer great opportunities to source inventory at affordable prices for your resale business. Many people sell bulk items or deeply discounted goods when moving or decluttering.

Best Practices:

• Set alerts for keywords related to your niche.
• Negotiate bulk deals to get better pricing.

Online Places to Source Inventory for Your Resale Business

If you prefer to source inventory from the comfort of your home, online options provide endless opportunities. Here are some of the best and most credible sources:

Online Liquidation & Wholesale Websites

Liquidation websites allow you to purchase returned, overstock, or shelf-pulled items from major retailers at discounted prices.

Top Liquidation Sites:

• B-Stock (bstock.com) – Offers pallets from big retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
• Liquidation.com – Sells bulk lots, including electronics, clothing, and home goods.
• 888 Lots – Provides brand-new items with detailed manifest listings.

Wholesale Directories & Marketplaces

Wholesale suppliers allow you to buy brand-new inventory in bulk, often at discounted prices.

Best Wholesale Websites:

• Alibaba – Best for international bulk purchases.
• Faire (faire.com) – Specializes in independent brands and boutique products.
• Tundra – No middlemen, making it ideal for resellers looking for lower prices.

eBay & Online Auctions

Resellers can often find bulk lots or underpriced goods on eBay that they can flip for profit.

How to Find Deals:

• Search for auctions with few bids.
• Look for “Buy It Now” listings priced below market value.

Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist

These platforms are excellent for finding underpriced goods, often from people looking to declutter. Many sellers don’t research market value, leading to great deals for resellers.

Overstock & Closeout Websites

Retailers often sell excess inventory at lower prices on these sites.

Best Options:

• Bulq.com – Sells excess and returned merchandise in various categories.
• Via Trading – Specializes in general merchandise, apparel, and electronics.

Direct Partnerships with Brands & Local Businesses for Your Resale Business

Some resellers establish direct relationships with brands or local businesses looking to offload excess inventory.

How to Do It:

• Reach out to local boutiques and offer to buy end-of-season stock.
• Contact manufacturers about closeout sales.
• Tips for Successful Inventory Sourcing

Research Before You Buy: Always check resale values using platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Amazon before purchasing inventory.

Start Small: If you’re new to reselling, begin with smaller purchases before investing in large inventory lots.

Build Relationships: Establishing connections with local vendors, thrift store employees, and wholesalers can lead to better deals and exclusive inventory.

Diversify Your Sources: Don’t rely on just one method. Having multiple sourcing channels ensures a steady supply of inventory.

Source Inventory From Quality Places For Your Resale Business

Whether you prefer local sourcing or online wholesale, finding quality inventory is key to running a profitable resale business. By exploring both popular and lesser-known sourcing options, you can stay ahead of the competition and maintain a steady stream of profitable products. Try out different sourcing methods (aka Poshmark, eBay, or local boutiques) to see what works best for your resale business, and always stay on the lookout for new opportunities to grow your inventory!