Are you dreaming of becoming the next big sustainable fashion mogul, or do you just need an online business where you can earn on the side by selling stylish clothes? Then you must know that finding the best suppliers is the key to achieving success in any of these.
The fashion industry generally, is tough, ruled by powerful brands with decades of experience and deep pockets that can afford the best promos.
If you’re reading this, then you are already one step ahead of most other sellers of second hand clothes, as we are about to guide you through finding the best second hand clothes suppliers that will help to skyrocket your revenue.
Benefits Of Selling Second Hand Clothes
The second hand clothes business is one that we highly recommend for most people that turn to us for advice, this is usually because of the numerous benefits that come with it. The great part is, selling second hand clothes is not just beneficial to the business owner, but to the customers as well. Let’s take a precise look at some of the benefits below:
- High Profit Margin
Selling second hand clothes offers you the flexibility of costing your goods at very affordable prices and still getting a high profit on them. This is because when you buy second hand clothes in bulk, you save a lot of money more than people who buy theirs in single units.
- Great for the Environment
The second hand clothing industry plays a major role in curbing the bastardization of the earth with waste products. Rehoming a cloth is one of the most effective recycling initiatives, as it means less pounds of waste is headed to landfills.
- Inclusion
One of my favorite footwears ever is a Puma horseblood sneakers I bought as thrift, it cost me almost 15 times less than it would have as brand new, and it still looked as good as new. What this implies is that people who ordinarily might not be able to wear their favorite name brands due to how expensive they are, are now given an opportunity to find them in your store at an affordable price.
- Helps People Save Money
Second hand clothes cost less than fast fashion, it’s not new knowledge. For this reason, people who are trying to save money tend to favor shopping at thrift stores rather than fast fashion boutiques. Why spend thousands on the same number of clothes that a couple bucks can get you in second hand clothing?
- Fast Turnover Rate
This also has to do with the affordability of second hand clothes. When you sell second hand clothes, you have the freedom of setting your prices at very competitive levels, urging customers to patronize you over your competition, this in turn results in fast profit turnovers.
Step #1: Identify Your Needs
The first step in finding a second hand clothes supplier is not just getting a good supplier, but one who is best for you and your business goals. You ought to identify and make a list of your needs which could include things like the kinds of clothes you want to niche in, the quality you expect, how often you will need deliveries, etc.
To make listing your needs and objectives easier, identify the following points and make them clear:
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Defining Your Target Market
You must be concise about the audience you wish to serve, this will help you streamline your search of what to look for in a second hand clothes supplier. Is the supplier capable of delivering the type of clothes suitable for your target market? Are they innovative in styles? Do their used clothing bales consist of varieties? When you are done defining who your target market is, these questions would already be half answered.
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Quality vs. Quantity
As you define your target market, you also decide what level of quality you will be serving them. Do you wish to get quality over quantity, or vice versa? Whatever your answer to that is, bear in mind that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for quantity, you can find second hand clothes suppliers who will meet your required standards of quality, and a reasonable amount of quantity.
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Budget Considerations
To better identify your needs, you must first consider the budget you have to work with, this will help you create a business guideline where you get best value for money. Sometimes after this process, you might be required to adjust your budgets, but ensure to never take it too far from your initial considerations.
Step #2: Research Potential Second Hand Clothes Suppliers
Now that you have funneled down your needs and goals, the next step is to research every potential supplier of second hand clothes in bulk that fall into the categories you have laid out. There is absolutely no way of succeeding in business without doing some research.
You do not need to rush to deal with the first supplier you find, there probably are numerous others who better fit into your business goals than the first one you come across. Take your time when looking into different suppliers, scour for as much information as possible.
In the process of researching, you find out things such as the kinds of clothes they specialize in, how effective their sorting and packaging is, and if they have an extensive delivery network.
Step #3: Evaluate Second Hand Clothes Supplier Credibility
When you find any company that looks potentially suitable to partner with, you should look into the company’s history to review and evaluate their credibility, considering that the previous research you carried out was just surface level. This is a very crucial step.
Evaluating a second hand clothes supplier’s credibility is not complicated, several websites and platforms allow past clients to leave reviews and ratings about a company’s service. Doing this will help you identify which supplier is a cash grabber and which is credible. A simple search on Google can direct you to reviews, ratings, testimonials about your potential supplier’s credibility.
Another way to evaluate a company’s credibility is by reaching out to them via email, or any other contact channels provided. The swiftness of their response and ability to communicate in a professional manner are indicators of their credibility.
Step #4: Assess Second Hand Clothes Quality & Types
The quality of second hand clothes in your inventory is an important factor for the success of your business. Considering that your supplier is the foundation of your stock, it becomes crucial to be highly critical of the quality they can deliver.
Look for a second hand clothes supplier who is committed to only offering high quality clothes, and not one of those who sell rags as thrift. That you are in the second hand business doesn’t mean that you have to default on quality.
You can ask your supplier to show you samples of what the contents of their average second hand clothes bales look like. This not only helps you to assess their standard of quality, but also the types of second hand clothes contained in it.
Step #5: Compare Prices Of Second Hand Clothes Bales
The price of products is always an important factor to consider when doing business with other companies or people. The ideal second hand clothes supplier for your business must provide good value for the money you pay, and also keep it affordable too.
However, even when you find the best second hand clothes supplier, the prices of every bale isn’t the same. There are different sizes, weights, types, and grades of second hand clothes bales, hence they come in different prices.
Wholesale vs. Retail Pricing
The price of getting second hand clothes in wholesales is different from getting it in retail, the former being more favorable for business owners, this is one other reason you ought to buy second hand clothes in bulk.
For example, if a single unit of clothing costs $9, buying three of those will cost $27, this is retail pricing. However, someone who buys a bale of second hand clothes for $700, after sorting and costing each item, that same piece of clothing could be around $4.55- this is wholesale pricing.
Hidden Costs To Watch For
It is worthy to note that the cheapest is not always the best, check for the ones that best fit into your budget and bargain for that. While it might seem good for turnover, some second hand clothes bales might come with other hidden costs that may arise later, either during shipping, clearance, or transportation to your warehouse.
Look out for hidden costs as this might cause a drastic and unexpected denture to your finances.
Negotiating Better Deals
Do not be afraid to negotiate with your second hand clothes supplier, it is a business deal and not an auction. You have already prepared a budget at the beginning of your business journey, this should guide you through the process of negotiation.
Also, since you are buying in bulk, the clothing bales suppliers will always be willing to come down a little for you, thereby giving you leverage to negotiate better deals. The more you buy, the greater discount you are bound to get.
Step #6: Second Hand Clothes Supplier Policies
This is the final step in choosing a second hand clothes supplier. Once you are both able to discuss and conclude on the following points, then you might as well finalize the deal.
Return And Exchange Policies
It is essential to inquire about the supplier’s return and exchange policies. While some thrift store owners might not pay much heed to this, especially if they have been using the same supplier for a long time, a new second hand clothes business must take it seriously.
Will the supplier accept returns if you are not satisfied with the contents of the bale you received, or if it got damaged during shipping? Will they change the bad ones or return your money? Who pays for the shipping back to the supplier? These are questions you must get answers for from your supplier.
Shipping And Handling Procedures
Never forget to carry out basic due diligence with regards the shipping and handling procedures of the second hand clothes supplier. Ask the supplier what their delivery times and rates are, or if you have to contact a shipping company yourself to handle packing and shipping.
Minimum Order Requirements(MOQ)
Before you finalize an order (even possibly before starting at all) with a second hand clothes supplier, it is important to know what their minimum order requirements are. MOQ is the minimum quantity of used clothes and second hand shoes in bales you can purchase in a single order. Most second hand clothes suppliers have a MOQ, you can order more than that amount, but not below it.
Conclusion
The perfect second hand clothes supplier will make you, the wrong supplier will break you and probably shatter your business goals. However, do not feel overwhelmed or let this deter you, with the right second hand clothes supplier, you can give other second hand clothes and shoes businesses a run for their money.
