How to Buy Surplus Stock

Buy Surplus Stock as a Company Representative

1). Decide which items you would like to purchase. While anything can be overproduced, items that go in and out of fashion--like clothing, accessories and furniture--are some of the most common items that end up with a surplus.
2). Contact manufacturers directly. If you are working with a company that is already established, your business should have contacts in the field. If you are working to set up a new company to distribute surplus goods, consult trade websites and publications for contact information for manufacturers.
3). Negotiate with the manufacturer to decide on the style and number of items you'd like to purchase. Manufacturers tend to sell in bulk, so purchasing a large amount is a better strategy than buying just a handful of items.
4). Decide on a price. The manufacturer will likely play a role in this process, as companies have rules regarding how much their products can be sold for by an outside distributor. This amount is typically less than retail value, although the exact percentage of the retail price varies depending on the specific manufacturer, distributor or industry.
5). Pay the manufacturer for the goods you've ordered. With surplus stock, manufacturers require distributors to pay for the products up front.

1). Select the type of product you're looking to buy.
2). Search the Web using product-specific terms for the desired items. For example, if you are looking for surplus stock of Ralph Lauren sweaters, type "Ralph Lauren Sweaters" into your preferred search engine.
3). Visit established retailers that sell surplus stock. Some online options include Overstock.com and Liquidation.com. Brick and mortar retailers that sell surplus stock include Marshall's and TJ Maxx.
4). Contact the manufacturer directly if you're looking for a better deal. Retailers will typically not negotiate with a shopper on the price of an item, but in some cases, a manufacturer will. This will depend on the manufacturer with which you're dealing, the item you want to buy and the popularity of that item.