How to buy used clothes at a bale? Explaining the benefits and how to aim for high profits

"Used clothing bulk purchasing" is gaining attention as a purchasing method to make reselling used clothing more efficient and inexpensive. It is popular as a cost-effective method because you can get dozens to hundreds of items in one purchase, and there is a high possibility that some of the items will be high-profit items. However, beginners often have concerns and risks.

In this article, we will comprehensively explain everything from how used clothing bales work to how to buy them, their advantages and disadvantages, how to choose them, and tips on sorting them. We will carefully provide you with all the information you need to avoid making mistakes when purchasing used clothing bales.

A beginner's guide to what a vintage bale is

Many people have heard of the term "bale purchasing" as a way to increase profits from reselling used clothing. Used clothing baling is a method of purchasing large quantities of used clothing "in bulk," and is popular among intermediate and advanced users as a way to secure products at low cost and with high efficiency. However, it is dangerous for beginners to start without understanding how it works and the risks involved. In this section, we will explain the basics of used clothing baling and why it is attracting attention in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners.

Basic structure and features of used clothes bales

A used clothing bale is a bulk sale package in which used clothing is compressed and packed in large quantities. Used clothing, mainly imported from overseas (especially the United States and Europe), is sorted by category and sold in units of 100 to 300 pieces. Bales are generally sold without the contents being visible, giving them a "lucky bag"-like element in that the contents can only be seen once they are opened.

Characteristics of the Used Clothes Bale

・You can often specify themes by genre, season, or size.
・The unit price per item is very low, ranging from a few tens to a few hundred yen.
・The products are inspected and packaged by the company, so you can save time and effort.

In other words, while purchasing by the bale of used clothing can dramatically increase purchasing efficiency, it also requires the ability to judge large quantities of goods and manage inventory.

Why bale purchasing is attracting attention in the secondhand clothing resale business

The reason why bale purchasing is gaining attention is because of its high profit margin and the fact that it allows you to secure a stable supply of inventory. For individual resellers who sell on sites such as Mercari, it meets the needs of those who want to "maximize profits while reducing the hassle of purchasing."

Main reasons why customers choose bale purchasing

・You can secure several months' worth of inventory with just one purchase
-Many products have low purchase prices and high turnover rates
-May contain rare brands and high profit items
・High repeatability of procurement in building a continuous business

Because it allows for both efficiency and profit margins, it has become a purchasing method chosen by those who are serious about making money reselling used clothing.

What are the benefits of using used clothing bales?

The appeal of buying used clothes in bulk is the efficiency and profitability that cannot be achieved by buying items one by one. For those who are starting to resell used clothes as a side job or small business, it is a way to secure inventory all at once with little capital, and increase the chances of achieving high turnover and high profits. In this section, we will explain the specific benefits of buying in bulk in three parts.

Possibility of purchasing in bulk even with a small amount of capital

Because the unit price of each item at a used clothing bale is very low, you can buy more than 100 used clothes at once with a budget of a few tens of thousands of yen. It is not uncommon to be able to purchase items that would cost 500 to 1,000 yen each at a regular recycle shop for less than 100 yen each at a bale.

Key points for low capital procurement

・Some vendors sell in 10kg or 20kg units.
- Prices vary by category, such as T-shirts, denim, sweatshirts, etc.
Some companies offer discounts for first-time customers only.

This is the perfect starting point for beginners who don't have a lot of money but want to build up experience by acquiring a large number of items.

Potential for high-profit items

Although the contents of the bale are completely random, there is a high possibility that popular brands and vintage items in good condition are mixed in. In particular, bales directly imported from overseas may contain rare items that are difficult to obtain in Japan.

How to find high-profit products

・One bale may contain several items with resale prices ranging from several thousand yen to 10,000 yen.
・Items from the 90s, Y2K, sports, and military tend to fetch high prices
・If you stick to popular genres, your chances of hitting the jackpot will increase.

The best part of this purchasing method is that it combines the excitement of finding a hit among the bales with profitability.

Reduces the time and effort required for purchasing

Another advantage of purchasing by the bale is that a large amount of inventory can be secured with a single order, which greatly reduces the time and effort required for purchasing.

The benefits of time saving

・No need to go around the stores to look for it

・You can secure several weeks to a month's worth of inventory with just one purchase
・Work efficiency improves because you can concentrate on sales preparation

Bale purchasing is a very practical option for those who want to run a side business steadily even with limited time.

Disadvantages of purchasing used clothing bales

Purchasing used clothing by the bale is an excellent method in terms of cost-effectiveness and efficiency, but it also has its advantages and risks and things to be aware of. In particular, beginners who start without knowing the process may end up with dead stock or unexpected increases in costs, which can lead to failure. In this section, we will explain in detail why you should be aware of the disadvantages and risks associated with purchasing by the bale in advance.

Risk of not being able to select products and resulting in dead stock

The biggest disadvantage of purchasing by the bale is that you cannot choose the contents, so there is a risk that there will be a certain number of defective or unsellable items. In particular, if there are a lot of items in poor condition, no-brand items, or items with a lot of damage, this could reduce the overall profit margin.

Causes and examples of dead stock

- Contains many designs and sizes that are out of trend
- Purchasing a bale with insufficient description of its condition
・Purchasing without understanding the best-selling genres

There are cases where more than half of the products purchased turn out to be "difficult to sell," so inventory management based on risk is required.

Additional cleaning or repairs may be required

Among the used clothing bales, there are some items that are dirty, stained, torn, or otherwise damaged, and it may be difficult to sell them as they are. You should also expect that you will have to spend time and money cleaning and repairing the items before selling them.

Additional cost examples

・Cleaning fee (300-500 yen per item)
・Time required for stain removal and ironing
・Costs for simple remakes and sewing repairs

Especially for beginners, it is important not to simply think that "low purchase price = profit," but to calculate costs including the process of preparing the goods in sellable condition.

Examples of problems that beginners should be especially careful of

When purchasing used clothing bales, there are cases where dealing with unreliable vendors can lead to trouble. In particular, when using personal imports or small online vendors, it is important to thoroughly check the reputation and operational status of the vendor in advance.

Common trouble cases

・The contents of the description and the actual product are significantly different (wrong genre or insufficient quantity)
・The products were in poor condition and not suitable for sale.
Returns and refunds are not accepted
・Shipping and customs fees were higher than expected

Purchasing from unreliable suppliers can result in losses in terms of time, money, and effort.

How to choose a used clothing bale to avoid mistakes

While buying used clothes in bulk is an attractive method, there is also the risk of unwanted inventory and trouble if you make the wrong choice. That's why it's so important to determine "which supplier to choose" and "under what conditions" at the initial purchasing stage. In this section, we will explain the key points to consider when choosing a supplier to avoid failure, the balance between price and quality, and points to note regarding delivery.

Points to look for in a reliable company

The most important thing when buying used clothing bales is to choose a reliable dealer. Be careful with dealers whose product details and terms of trade are unclear, as they are particularly risky for beginners.

Tips for identifying a reliable company

-Long history of operation and owns a physical store or business
· The transaction terms, contents, and return policy are clearly stated on the website
- Many reviews and word-of-mouth reviews
・Proper response to inquiries via LINE, telephone, email, etc.
- The genre, composition, and number of veils are clearly stated

Don't be fooled by just the "low price" - focus on transparency of information and a support system.

How to judge price and product quality

When purchasing by the bale, a low price per item does not necessarily mean it is profitable. If the item is in poor condition, cleaning and disposal may be required, which can end up costing you more.

How to find the balance between price and quality

・Check the composition of the contents such as "1kg = XX yen" or "XX yen for 100 items."
-Is there a condition rating (A to D, etc.)?
・Check actual product images and unboxing reviews online and on social media
- Make it clear whether the price includes shipping, duties, and taxes

The criterion for judging is not just the low price, but also how many items are included that can potentially be sold after purchase.

The process from procurement to arrival and points to note

In order to move smoothly into sales, it is important to understand the process after purchasing. Especially when purchasing bales from overseas, there are costs and procedures that are easily overlooked, such as delivery dates and customs duties.

Flow from purchase to arrival

1. Ordering and payment
2. Shipping notification from the supplier
3. Customs clearance and transportation (overseas)
4. Receiving and opening the product
5. Inspection, cleaning, and preparation for listing

Points to note

Delivery times vary from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the supplier.

・Customs duties may be charged separately for overseas imports
・After receiving the product, we will promptly inspect it and notify you immediately if there is an initial defect.

Purchasing is not the end, it is the starting point of sales. By planning the flow after arrival, you can efficiently connect it to profits.

Tips on how to open and sort used clothing bales for profit

When you purchase a bale of used clothes, the first thing you should do is "open" and "sort". How you go about this process will make a big difference in your subsequent sales efficiency and profit margins. Rather than just opening the bale haphazardly, you need to have a procedure and perspective that focuses on actions that will lead to profits. In this section, we will explain the checks you should be aware of when opening the bale, and the sorting techniques that will ensure you don't miss any high-profit items.

How to open packages efficiently and quickly check product condition

Bales often contain more than 100 items, and opening and inspecting them can be time-consuming. It is important to have an efficient procedure for quickly determining and sorting good and bad items.

Flow from opening to inspection

1. Secure a working space (ideally at least the size of one tatami mat)
2. Remove each item and visually check the following:
-Tears, holes, stains, dirt
- Presence or absence of tags, size, brand name
- Availability of missing buttons, zippers, etc.

Sorting is divided into three categories

・Can be sold as is (eligible for immediate listing)
・Can be sold after cleaning and repair (maintenance required)
・Cannot be sold (disposal or use as material)

By making this work into a manual and routine, efficiency can be increased dramatically.

Sorting techniques to avoid overlooking high-profit items

Some of the items in the bale may be brand-name second-hand clothes or vintage items that can be sold for several thousand yen to over 10,000 yen. In order to not miss out on them, knowledge of brands and designs is your weapon, not just "appearance".

How to spot high-profit products that are easy to overlook

・Tags are written in English, Made in USA/France, etc.
- Classic brands such as Champion, Levi's, Carhartt, and NIKE
・Revival trend items from the 90s, Y2K, etc.
・Military, work, and American casual styles remain popular

Being able to quickly search for tag and printed information on your smartphone will help you make decisions faster.

Also, if there are items that you feel you can "imagine wearing" or "look good in photos," be sure to check them out, as they may be able to sell even if they are a little more expensive than the market price.

Bale procurement strategies for beginners to make stable profits

It's not difficult to make a temporary profit from buying bales of used clothing, but to keep earning money on an ongoing basis, "strategic management" is essential. For beginners to make a stable profit, it's important to clarify "purchase frequency," "inventory management," "sales cycle," and other factors, and to be aware of the PDCA cycle. In this section, we'll explain practical strategies for turning bale buying into a stable profit.

How to best adjust purchase volume and frequency

Bale purchases allow you to secure a large amount of inventory in one go, so you need to be careful not to buy too much and end up with an excess of stock. Conversely, if you buy too little, turnover will slow down and sales will not increase.

Purchase balance example for beginners

The key to stable operations is to monitor sales, make adjustments, and create a cycle of "purchasing only what will be sold."

Inventory management techniques to stabilize profit margins

When purchasing in bulk, it becomes difficult to know which items are selling and which are not, so proper inventory management is essential. Even if it's simple, make sure to record and classify your inventory thoroughly.

Key points for inventory management

- Record "purchase date," "purchase price," "category," and "sales status" using Google Spreadsheets, etc.

- Physically separate items into boxes or racks according to their status, such as "for sale," "preparing," "sold," "repairing," etc.
・Consider discounting or bulk selling items that haven't sold in a month to prioritize turnover.

To stabilize profit margins, it is extremely important to "make efforts to prevent inventory from sitting idle" and to "keep inventory organized at all times."

Buy used clothing at OLD FLIP

If you want to buy bales of used clothing, we recommend OLD FLIP. Bales filled with hundreds to thousands of used clothing pieces are a mix of brands and sizes, and can be purchased at a lower price than buying them individually. It's fun, like a treasure hunt.

In addition, the warehouse allows customers to "pick up and purchase" their own best-selling items, which leads to improved profit margins and customer satisfaction. Sorted old cloth starts at 80 yen/kg, and unsorted bags, boxes, and baskets can also be purchased. Items can be purchased from 200 yen per item, and a wide range of products are available, from sports brands such as Adidas and NIKE to department store brands such as Onward, World, and Sanyo Shokai. It is a strong ally for the used clothing business, from beginners to professionals. Available by reservation.

summary

Used clothing bale purchasing is an excellent purchasing method that allows you to secure a large amount of inventory with little capital and has the chance to get high-profit products. It is attracting attention as a business model that is easy to operate from home, with a good balance of efficiency and profitability, especially for beginners who are starting a side job or small-scale used clothing resale.

However, to be successful, it is essential to have the right knowledge and purchasing strategy, such as the risk of dead stock and managing the condition of the products. By choosing a reliable supplier, having the skills to sort, and having good inventory management habits, it is possible to turn bale purchasing into a steady profit.

First, use a reliable supplier like "OLD FLIP" to start small and build up experience while aiming for stable profits. Your used clothing resale business will grow from here.