A Poshmark Seller’s Guide to Buying Returned and Overstock Apparel

Customer returns of clothing, shoes, and accessories are at an all-time high: tens of billions of dollars worth of inventory get returned each year, most of which can’t go back on store shelves. You can bank on the busts of retailers and manufacturers and turn it into a Poshmark seller’s opportunity! There has never been a better time to think about buying returned or overstock name-brand and luxury fashion to resell. But before you buy apparel in bulk, let’s go through some of our top tips for becoming a successful Poshmark seller. 

Buying returned and overstock apparel to resell on Poshmark

Poshmark selling is easier than ever when you buy returned and overstock apparel to resell. You can quickly get your hands on tons of in-demand merchandise and then resell it online. By the time you finish reading this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving apparel resale business.

Buy online + direct from the source

By purchasing directly from the retailer you can assume that there is no middleman involvement and no price mark up. Historically, it has been difficult for small online sellers to buy returns and overstock directly from large retailers and apparel brands. But over the past few years, however, a shift has taken place in how companies offload their excess goods. Today, many use online B2B marketplaces to sell smaller lots of inventory directly to small business buyers (who resell on marketplaces like Poshmark).

The key is to make sure you are buying from a known brand: many top retailers have their own storefronts for bulk quantities of returns and shelf pulls, while others turn to multi-seller storefronts that have dedicated sections for apparel and accessories like B-Stock Supply. In the case of multi-seller storefronts, be sure to use one that has a seller rating system, so you know you are buying from a reputable seller.

Online auction storefronts save you money

An affordable (and efficient) way to acquire inventory to resell on Poshmark is by tapping into online auction storefronts that sell luxury and name-brand returns and shelf pulls. Purchasing through an online auction storefront can be a great, cost-effective way to find inventory because you’ll see what others are bidding and never pay more than you want.

Understand what you are purchasing

It always pays to be detail-oriented, especially when sourcing returned and overstock inventory to resell on Poshmark. Ideally, you should be able to view a full manifest of the inventory, but that is not always available. The key is to make sure you have as much available detail on the merchandise as possible before you buy. This includes a thorough description (hopefully with brand names), actual images of the inventory, lot size, condition codes, and shipping dimensions and costs.

Know your condition codes

Returned and overstock items can range from brand new with tags to light use to salvage condition. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each condition category since this merchandise is typically sold “as is” in order to move inventory quickly. Another important note is that different retailers may categorize the inventory differently. A credible seller or storefront will have a dedicated ‘conditions’ section with thorough descriptions for each of the conditions. As a Poshmark seller, we recommend disclosing the same information. On the app, you can choose ‘New With Tags’ or describe the item’s condition. 

Product condition affects resale value of the item(s)

The better the condition of the item, the more you can sell it for. For example, new without tags will sell for slightly less than new with tags, while an item in its original packaging will fetch a higher price. You want to be sure you can still turn a profit when you break the bulk lots into individual items, so bid carefully.  

Make sure you have access to a constant supply of product

Do you specialize in reselling a specific brand or size on Poshmark? It’s important to have enough items to keep your followers coming back – and to attract new ones. By purchasing from a retailer’s B2B storefront that sells pallet-size lots of name-brand apparel and accessories you’ll ensure a constant, dependable flow of inventory.

Calculate shipping costs

It is important to calculate shipping costs into your budget. To reduce costs, look for sellers that have distribution centers near your geographic region and will either allow you to arrange your own shipping or will provide discounted rates on regional shipping. Ex: Macy’s ships out of locations across the U.S.

Quantity matters

You’re probably well versed in what the competition is doing and how much buyer demand exists for products on Poshmark. There are some great deals available out there if you do the right digging. It’s typical that larger lots allow for a lower cost per item. But remember, you don’t want to purchase more than you can sell (or store).

Becoming a Poshmark seller is easy when you have the right inventory at your fingertips. Start sourcing from B-Stock today and visit our fashion storefronts.