5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Bulk Buy Online

When done right, bulk buying online is a pathway to building a lucrative and sustainable online business. The process involves identifying reputable bulk buying websites to supply you with quality goods at wholesale prices consistently. While all this seems obvious and the type of activity anyone with some business acumen could handle — this isn't always the case.

As a leading business-to-business (B2B) online store, TVCMALL is aware of the mistakes resellers commonly make. If you're one of those resellers who proceeded to buy things in bulk but always experienced disappointment due to poor service delivery or inability to remain profitable — we feel you!

Ideally, bulk buying wholesale should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience that constantly keeps you excited. That's why we've compiled this handy list of five mistakes to avoid when you buy in bulk online.  

 

1. Failing to Research Your Target Market

 

Never buy in bulk for resale without researching your target market beforehand. Start by analyzing market trends to determine whether there's enough demand for the goods you want to resell. If there's no demand, you'll have an overstock of goods that won't sell. So, you may need to hold a clearance sale at way below cost to reduce this stock.

During your analysis, collect enough data about your target audience, their preferences, and how emerging trends will impact their purchasing decisions. Don't forget to segment your target audience according to demographics and to draw customer profiles. The more accurate your customer analytics, the better positioned you are to buy bulk items.

 

2. Buy Items in Bulk from The Wrong Vendors

 

It's common for first-timers to bulk buy wholesale from the wrong online vendors. They often follow the path of least resistance and source their goods from auction sites like eBay. But that's a big mistake because most eBay sellers are smaller dealers who flip goods they've found in garage sales, clearance sales, and pawn shops.

Another common mistake is to buy in bulk for resale from vendors that supply quality products and curiosities but cannot meet demand. These vendors often run Etsy and Shopify stores but seldom have the stock levels to fulfill your orders if you need to buy in bulk.

 

3. Neglecting to Verify Certified Vendors

 

There are numerous buy in bulk websites online that want your business. But how many of these vendors are reputable, sell certified products, or are legitimate operations? Unfortunately, very few online vendors meet these criteria, and you'll only ever know if you practice due diligence.

When deciding where to buy in bulk, always check whether a vendor is a legal entity. Then, check for any reviews and ratings left by other customers about their experience after dealing with that vendor. If you want to buy in bulk from China, ensure that the online vendor includes detailed descriptions of their products in English and offers customer support in fluent English like TVCMALL does.

 

4. Overlooking Product Quality and Returns Policy

 

When you're eager to buy in bulk online cheap, it's easy to overlook certain things, such as the overall quality of the products you're about to purchase. No matter how much of a fantastic deal a vendor offers you, this is no justification for poor-quality products. Whenever you buy stuff in bulk, always ask yourself if your customers will be satisfied with these products.

Also, when you buy bulk online, there's always the possibility that you'll receive damaged goods or the wrong products. Therefore, ensure the online vendor has a comprehensive returns and refunds policy.  

 

5. Miscalculating Delivery Times

 

When you buy in bulk wholesale, you always need to stock up on seasonal and in-demand items on time. Thus, you must stay on top of a vendor's delivery times, especially when the holiday season is nearing or you receive reports of logistics issues. Failing to do this will wreak havoc with your inventory, especially during your busiest months.  

If you have the cash flow to bulk buy months ahead, you should purchase winter holiday goods during the summer. And during the winter months, you should order goods for the spring and summer months.  

 

Partner With a Leading Online Wholesaler Today

Avoiding these mistakes will help your business function smoothly and THRIVE! If you're wondering where to buy things in bulk to resell, TVCMALL offers a massive range of wholesale options suitable for resellers and dropshippers. We also offer a loyalty program to help you save money and unlock exclusive perks.