Buying guides by store type

What to buy — and what to skip — for the way you sell.

Selling at flea markets

Portable, eye-catching and easy to haggle over.

Exporting liquidation goods

Truckloads, consistent grading and paperwork.

Refurbishing and repair shops

Salvage and returns are your raw material.

Running a discount or dollar store

Low per-unit cost and everyday essentials.

Sourcing for online resale

Condition consistency matters more than price.

Stocking a bin store

High unit counts, broad variety and fast restocks.