Which retailer shall I target next?

L[Deactivated] on 17/04/2021 - 15:01
Last edited 17/04/2021 - 16:10 by 1 other user

So basically, I am a retail arbitrage type of dude looking for my next prey LOL.

I have been given my walking papers from a company I have been targeting for a few years, and I'm looking at where to zone in on next. I have a few ideas but I thought I might attempt to recruit the wisdom of OzBargain at large and basically crowdsource the optimal new host.

I am mostly interested in Bunnings, Repco , Big W and QBD books. But am very open to other suggestions.

Big W cancels all my online orders (we have a past), so this makes it tricky to go commercial scale with them (though far from impossible). Repco really wants me on deck but I don't love their clearance lines and I kind of want to diversify out of just automotive stuff if for nothing other than keeping my shopping exciting (I do it for the adrenalin rush of finding bargains too LOL). Bunnings has no idea who I am or anything. I have only done very small stuff there.

How I operate is on the ground basically. First, I will study the clearance lines of the retailer. Then I will go around store to store and scope out what is happening on the ground. I will learn all the little intricacies of the company at a micro level whilst partaking in some small scale acquisitions as to justify my time in going around and such.

Over time I become a familiar face at the stores and they learn about why I am actually there. Then deals come to me, information comes to me about what is coming up for clearance etc.

So stores with alot of non online deals would be good prey for me. Stores with alot of inconsistency happening from store to store (this is actually one of the reasons why I chose Bunnings). And big stores where I can fly under the radar are preferred (because once Head Office finds out they generally send me a legal letter to stop targeting their outlets).

Yes, I do realize that this is mostly a place for individuals to get a bargain and not for commercial type buying. But I am going to be commercial buying regardless of OzBargain (and was doing so long before I ever joined here). Also, I am a person that is happy to share my treasures here. Over the past few years I have let millions of dollars in bargains pass me by quietly, because I wasn't on OzBargain. I either didn't have enough money to buy them all, didn't have enough space to keep them all, or just realized that I already have way too much stock that I haven't had time to list on eBay yet so the last thing I should be doing is buying even more.

For years I have looked on OzBargain and kind of laughed that none of the actual bargains and serious deals are ever posted here. Seriously, they are not. Most of the REALLY good bargains are gone instantly to people that target the stores and have insider knowledge about what is happening (friendships with managers and stuff). So shall the forum help me in my new quests, I shall help the forum by posting my treasures here as I see fit.

To be quite honest I am looking for the retailers that are most ripe for my strategy and ones where I can acquire massive amounts of stock very inexpensively using my methods.

Suggestions of which retailers, what you have noticed about how they operate, and why you think they would be a great target?

General Discussion

closed Comments

  • belongsinforums on 18/04/2021 - 10:22
    +2

    Bumped for most terrible forum post of the year

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 10:27

    This is more common in America, people buy at discount stores and list on Amazon.

    I was doing this 20 years ago! Buying from eBay American, and selling here.

    I was buying Air Jordans here, selling in the US!

    I had wholesalers in China, reselling. I just had enough! It's definitely easy with Amazon, they have a barcode scanner. You literally walk into an outlet and you can price check.

    I use to love Under Armour sales, I went to the DFO in Canberra and the prices were way better! Most already discounted then stack with buy 3 items, get 40% off.

    Aka resell online if you cbf.

    Literally eBay is full of $2 products selling for $6 but volume matters these days.

    Alot of options out there, it's not easy work moving volume tho.

    My mates a car wrecker and only lists on eBay, and he drives a Lamborghini! People can make bank on eBay, and eBay alone. 15 years+ of work tho!

  • djmm on 18/04/2021 - 10:27

    Is op crying victim now? What else did I miss?

  • May4th on 18/04/2021 - 10:28

    you sound like one of those CV writers who dress up mundane entry level jobs to be much more sophisticated than it is.

    broden if you want to broden all the bargains for your commercial gain the least you could do is to put in the work for it instead of asking for help netting you a profit at the expense of consumers who actually needs those products

  • Bid Sniper on 18/04/2021 - 10:34

    Ran out of PS5 and Xbox?

  • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2021 - 10:44

    Assume you are declaring all of your income to the ATO and complying with gst requirements

    • moo on 18/04/2021 - 10:53

      Assuming you have read the thread, OP has repeatedly said he has kept his revenues below the GST threshold.

      • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2021 - 11:01

        Ok on gst, but you still need to declare income (gross profit) and pay tax.

        • moo on 18/04/2021 - 11:18
          -1

          That same rule apply to everyone who makes an income above the threshold. Can you please enlighten us as to why you are reminding OzBargain around the need to declare income and pay tax? Bit confused as to the relevance, bit off topic TBH.

  • bloom on 18/04/2021 - 10:48
    +1

    let’s help him with zingy business names:

    MillionaireMarkClearanceMarkups

    • VerticallyIntegrated on 18/04/2021 - 14:41
      +1

      The show Very Small Business comes to mind with this guy.

      I hope he uses the word Entrepreneur on his LinkedIn profile.

  • FittyFitty on 18/04/2021 - 11:08

    A wise human once said that the most gracious speaker is the one who says the most with the least words…

    • Butter Finger on 18/04/2021 - 14:24
      +2

      Why say much word, when few word do trick?

      • KSMLJ on 18/04/2021 - 15:22

        Read that in a Russian accent and now legit scared.

      • downbythecreek on 18/04/2021 - 15:30
        +2

        The trick is to undercook the onions

  • netjock on 18/04/2021 - 11:18

    Maybe OP is just posting to get hits on his eBay store

    • mandelbrot on 18/04/2021 - 11:57

      D'oh! It worked!
      Maybe OP is more of a genius we give him credit for.

  • JaseWA96 on 18/04/2021 - 11:19

    Perhaps use your “million per year” to purchase a warehouse , make a wholesale business (thrifty buys, would make a good name) and buy wholesale from supplier ?. Spud Post

  • Vita85 on 18/04/2021 - 11:28

    WTF did I just read?

  • drprox on 18/04/2021 - 11:59

    Ok you are Broden. Got it

  • KiKH on 18/04/2021 - 12:04
    +10

    Hi OP,
    Life is not a competition.You don't have to degrade other people and their actions to justify your self-worth. You are good enough, whatever other people are doing in their lives.
    Shoot me a DM if you want to talk.

  • Dack Smith on 18/04/2021 - 12:05
    -1

    Another cream of the crop straight from the stinking sewers, thinks they’re bright but really as smart as a block of wood.

    The human cesspool knows no bounds, and OP is a shining example.

    Go see a shrink sometime, you may become more functional by that extra 1%

  • moo on 18/04/2021 - 12:10
    -1

    I must say, great entrepreneurship there OP, at least you’re earning an honest living (at the expense of the spirit of OzBargain). :)

    Sifting through all the comments, I’d have imagine that there is significant effort in the sourcing activities up front (including negotiations) and managing the inventory downstream. It sounds like if you are able to automate the procure to pay process maybe via drop shipping (maybe the vendor themselves will buy into it if there is value proposition for them), you’d be able make this sustainable. Whilst you could be turning over circa-$75k, the amount of manual handling and warehousing does detract from the value.

    Also it’s worth noting that retail is a very saturated market. So if you can make it work (which looks like you have), a big well done! Not many brave souls are willing to venture into it in this current market..

  • 747 on 18/04/2021 - 12:58

    Patiently waiting for jv to arrive to the party…

  • PaKoRa on 18/04/2021 - 13:13
    +1

    Da faq

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 13:22

    I shouldn't be giving out tips but years ago it became common knowledge you could reflash the VDSL modem from the telco so you could view your line stats. And people would sell their old modems on second hand websites.

    Operators would buy up all the second hand modems then relist them for much more, so you couldn't get your hands on a cheap one.

    A bit like what's happening to Ryzen chips right now, except in the second hand market.

  • witsa on 18/04/2021 - 13:29
    +9

    Not going to doubt you or get angry (or even jealous?) like the rest of these ozbargainers. I like a good hustler.

    Just compiling all the information you've listed

    • Your job is to go to different stores and try to find stock they want to get rid of and make a deal with them to buy it all at ultra low prices?
    • You're willing to travel to different states for months at a time to do this
    • And you've been doing this for a year and gotten about a million dollars worth of merchandise
    • This merchandise is now just sitting in a warehouse somewhere
    • You're listing them on ebay but you also don't want to sell more than $75k at a time because then you'll have to pay for GST.

    Okay, so if that is correct, I have some questions
    - I'm guessing this is like your full time job - is that correct?
    - What are your expenses? You've rented a warehouse? Sounds like you're travelling to different states for months to do this. Hotels, flights, hire cars… how much is that costing you?
    - You say you're capping your sales at $75k, so doesn't that limit your total income to $75k? That's assuming you paid nothing for these items you're selling and you have no transaction costs. In reality, even if you were able to mark up at 100%, wouldn't you only be earning $37.5k?
    - How are you funding the initial capital to buy all the millions of dollars of inventory? Did you have a well-paying job that you quit to start this?
    - Doesn't this business model carry some pretty big risks? For a start, you're buying things that bricks and mortar retailers don't think they can sell - so this is stuff not even worthy of their clearance rack which they would use to attract customers. So you have to be pretty accurate to make ensure that you can actually sell these items. Have you ever made a mistake where you bought a whole bunch of products and then you realised they couldn't be sold? What happens at that point? Would that just be a 100% loss? When happens, do you just dump the product at the tip?

    • May4th on 18/04/2021 - 20:40
      +10

      don't ask these difficult questions or you will be accused of discrimination against people with autism

    • eggboi on 19/04/2021 - 12:20

      Staying under 75k to avoid gst doesn’t make sense because he could just claim back gst on all his expsenses anyway. Unless he’s trying to fly under the radar and commit full-on tax evasion (under-reporting sales).

      • witsa on 19/04/2021 - 13:28

        wouldn't he be doing that even if he weren't tax exempt?

        Say he bought something for $110 inc GST. and he is able to sell it for $200 (exc. GST). He still would have made $90 profit, not $100 if he couldn't claim the GST?

        • eggboi on 19/04/2021 - 13:43

          I mean other expenses. Eg ebay fees, car, airfares etc. operating costs, not inventory

  • causeimbatman on 18/04/2021 - 13:47
    +5

    Wow it’s about time this community gets a Supervillain.

    • moo on 18/04/2021 - 13:53
      +11

      Is that cause you’re Batman?

    • mapax on 18/04/2021 - 13:54
      +1

      I guess username checks out, but geez you must have really dropped the criteria if this is all takes to be a “Supervillain” in 2021…

      • causeimbatman on 18/04/2021 - 13:58

        But he did a pretty good supervillain-type monologuing earlier…

        • mapax on 18/04/2021 - 14:16

          I’d say it was a villainesque monilogue, however supervillain is just a bit to hyperbolic at this point in time. Here’s hoping he ups his game though, I’m looking forward to the lolz.

    • ImpulseMan on 19/04/2021 - 02:30

      Batman it’s time - bat signal goes up into the ozbargain night sky.

  • stumo on 18/04/2021 - 14:17
    +1

    This post smacks of that "Disrupted various industries" one.

  • Narull on 18/04/2021 - 14:53
    +7

    Holy crap, OP went full megalomaniac/god complex at end of page 2, thank you OP this is the funniest thread I've ever read, laughing at you has been a great read.

  • mrvaluepack on 18/04/2021 - 14:59

    Any actual examples of what you actually bought and resold and what were your profit margins? I might have a few stores in mind for you.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 15:13
      -4

      PM with the stores please. You'll will only get down voted and hated posting it here.

      Most of my spare parts were acquired for 95-99% off. the tools and things with a more broad market appeal more like 70-80%. So it depends how broad its appeal is and popularity as to what I'd spend. And I only want commercial quantities (I.e. many multiples of each item).

    • Ughhh on 18/04/2021 - 15:40
      +19

      Behind all this 'god' and 'haters' shit, I see a damaged and sad man, full of hatred of the world. Desperately seeking approval from strangers, trying so very hard to put on a tough mask and prove you're better than everyone….. at bargain hunting.
      Soon your post will appear right next to your store when people search for your store on Google, it'll be a fun read for them.

      • eggboi on 19/04/2021 - 12:22

        He’s clearly troll-posting for attention and to wind people up (and it’s working really well). Pretty hilarious that so many people are getting their knickers in a knot over this guy and his post + comments!

    • robbyjones on 18/04/2021 - 15:52
      +5

      You should seek professional mental help, seriously.

    • LookAtMeow on 18/04/2021 - 17:20

      The amount of ego in your last few posts is just through the roof, almost to the point of trolling? If you're in a good place and know you're successful then there's no need to go on about it here. It's usually the insecure ones who constantly talk themselves up.

      • smartazz104 on 18/04/2021 - 18:03
        +1

        Guys don’t feed the troll.

      • Lacko on 19/04/2021 - 12:53

        I've seen something like this before where someone I knew went off the deep end after taking too many drugs. Had a major ego issues afterwards (exact same god complex) and would type exactly like this, not saying that he cant be a troll though..

    • MrPants on 18/04/2021 - 17:54

      Get your hand off it Daryl!

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 19:51

      Maybe take this as lesson, don't post personal shit online unless you want get bullied and hurt. Not everyone in world gonna arguee or like you.

  • LFO on 18/04/2021 - 15:17
    +2

    I read this and I CAN HEAR the same voice of that post having millions and millions in Crypto currency but neither selling nor retiring, just telling us how smart he/she is.

    Voices. Voices. Voices … the same voice, trust me.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 21:32

      I am a same or next day poster.

      Just like 90% small seller on ebay. Nothing special.

      Same with ebay plus, you just have been top rate seller and item cost been over 15 dollars with express options that is less than 15 extra charge. Same or 1 business day dispatch. 30 day returns.

      EBay plus just make a bit easier to tell apart from drop shippers.

    • berger on 19/04/2021 - 18:22

      Lol eBay invite me to those sales all the time. I sell around 10 items a month as a small business.

  • freakatronic on 18/04/2021 - 16:27
    +2

    Easily the strangest forum post, ever.

    • mapax on 18/04/2021 - 16:34
      +4

      You must have missed the now deleted “30yo manifesto” post from earlier.

      • smartazz104 on 18/04/2021 - 17:42
        +1

        Now I’m wishing I saw that one.

        • spackbace on 18/04/2021 - 17:52

          You really don't… Unless you like reading essays for comments

      • Miss B on 19/04/2021 - 19:35

        I'm fairly certain this is the same person, this is their business account.

  • Lockieasy on 18/04/2021 - 16:38
    +4

    I had a friend who did this. He ended up with a garage full of junk he couldn't sell for a profit. Good luck OP.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 19:53
      +2

      Yep, that why retailers are selling on clearance for a reason.

    • Eeples on 18/04/2021 - 19:53
      +1

      My garage is full of toilet paper and hand sanitiser.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 19:54
        +1

        Well that something you will eventually use I guess.

  • youknow on 18/04/2021 - 17:39
    +2

    Stores with alot of inconsistency happening from store to store (this is actually one of the reasons why I chose Bunnings). And big stores where I can fly under the radar are preferred (because once Head Office finds out they generally send me a legal letter to stop targeting their outlets).

    I suspect there is also a bit of buying from store A at price X and refunding at store B at price Y. Bunnings would be an ideal target as they refund without receipts etc. This is a form of fraud of course, but the OP seems to be hinting at this between the many lines of vagueness.

  • Thenarrator on 18/04/2021 - 17:59

    You should target Anaconda.

  • King Steuart on 18/04/2021 - 18:41
    +2

    I hate this

  • Top G on 18/04/2021 - 19:29

    You're doing the retailers a favour clearing out those lines. Residual stock sitting around taking up space, it's worth a small hit to the big boy retailers to get rid of it.

    Essentially win win so not really arbitraging anyone. Other commercial customers wouldn't be interested in small leftover quantities anyway. The post makes it sound like some sort of glamorous advanced OzBargain strategy.

    • Eeples on 18/04/2021 - 19:55

      Well, he is stopping others picking up clearance bargains. So there are some losers.

      • Logical on 18/04/2021 - 20:24

        Greys online are a classic middle man…. selling items on behalf of businesses that are either getting rid of soiled/ damaged box items, discontinued items etc

  • brendan0 on 18/04/2021 - 19:34
    +2

    Do your own work and also don't forget to go f* yourself mate

  • Eeples on 18/04/2021 - 19:52
    +1

    How many council pickups do you do per year?

  • Skramit on 18/04/2021 - 20:06

    Weird flex, but ok.

  • burningrage on 18/04/2021 - 21:05
    +4

    What an extremely weird posting of the year.

    And to blame the long incoherent posting due to autism is almost insulting to the genuinely afflicted ones.

  • pooman on 18/04/2021 - 21:08
    +2

    I reckon leave the guy alone. Enough's been said. Close the thread.

    • capslock janitor on 19/04/2021 - 08:38

      I was already done with it everyone's shit after the first page; in fact I'm surprised OP hasn't requested closing.

      He's still replying so must be enjoying it…

  • djmm on 18/04/2021 - 21:14
    +2

    Sociopath trait.

    • Rick Sanchez on 18/04/2021 - 21:32
      +33

      I got a clearance cooked chicken at woolworths for $3 on Friday night.

      I could easily have sold it on eBay for a 60% mark-up, but since I'm trying to avoid the whole GST thing, I ate it for dinner.

    • Logical on 18/04/2021 - 21:33
      +1

      From Repco? These are $20 per pack https://www.repco.com.au/en/parts-service/fuel-ignition-exha…

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 21:49
        +2

        Some are only worth $20. Others $170 odd. On average about $70 a pop.

        100 for $150 you can't lose. You sell 3 and the other 97 are money for jam.

    • CalmLemons on 18/04/2021 - 21:38

      Dale Carnegie

      Jordan Petersen

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 21:40

      Let me buy some Amazon returns and list them for profits like tik tok/youbuters. Nothing new, people have been reselling for years.

      Some people buy cheap, some buy name brand? Tell me what survive longer or have higher profits.

  • berger on 18/04/2021 - 21:59

    Why don’t you present us some amazing bargains from your stock holdings? Give us credibility?

    Bring the largest SCA trade account, you must have a few hundred thousand tied up in stock… which equates to multi millions at the prices you paid.

    With such serious stock holdings, and a sub-par eBay store we don’t know, how can you possibly find time for more suppliers to take on.

    You have filled a warehouse, not found a new one yet, but still ready to buy bulk anything?

    My previous role was dealing with clearance centers, they operate a lot differently and have made some serious coin. One client outgrew his warehouse which was 1200 pallet spaces and he’s not doing the volume you are doing…

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 22:47
      -3

      Hi Berger.

      PM me. If I think you can provide some useful advice to me or are of some benefit to me then I might provide you some proof privately.

      Other than that I have no interest in letting the forum into the inner workings of my business.

      I will definitely not be posting anything with my Trade Account. The General Manager of Super Retail group wrote me a friendly warning letter not too long ago about using SCA IP anywhere. Hence you don't see any home brands on my ebay any longer

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 22:01
    -1

    I have had a few people both subscribe and message me on ebay today.

    I just got another message just now. Guys I am happy to help wherever I can. I imagine most of you are looking for help and advice on your ebay stores and journeys and what have you.

    Yes happy to help but just not on ebay. Message me here. Ebay is not a place to be chit chatting it's against ebay policy.

    I thank you for the kind words and encouragement. Message me here and I'm happy to chat and bounce ideas maybe even work together who knows.

  • eggboi on 18/04/2021 - 22:23
    +2

    Guys, OP is obviously Dwight K Schrute, IRL 😂

    “MICHAEL!!!”

  • vi9ilante on 18/04/2021 - 22:33
    +2

    You're a flipper who joined a week ago. Sit down.

  • RSmith on 18/04/2021 - 22:38
    +2

    Now we know who's been buying still the nuts from Costco deals…

    First listing on his eBay store is https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rocks-Off-Chaiamo-Vibrator-Black…

    So in essence the op is nuts to sell vibrators.

  • mungas on 18/04/2021 - 23:24
    +4

    One thing that does annoy me is not your buy and sell strategy but your use of the word arbitrage.

    Arbitrage is risk free profit. This is not risk free profit. Buying clearance stock and it having a heavy chance of obsolescence is not an arbitrage, ie risk.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2021 - 23:34

      Yep spending money and storing it doesnt seem risk free to me.

      Plus any business isn't risk free, stuff like returns/chargeback/shitty customers/mistakes/fire/water damage/accidents etc.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/04/2021 - 00:28

        95-99% off. Storage is basically free.

        As for the other risks. I wouldn't suggest it.

    • Aureus on 19/04/2021 - 00:34

      Arbitrage almost always has risks. I suggest you do some research.

      • mungas on 19/04/2021 - 08:49
        +2

        No - a true arbitrage has no risk.

        A true arbitrage is effectively impossible given inherent risks on most transactions.

        • Aureus on 19/04/2021 - 09:19

          Exactly.

          Which is why people who work in finance etc who talk about arbitrage are never talking about risk free trades, but exploiting price differences between markets.

  • Laziofogna on 18/04/2021 - 23:51
    +4

    The millionaire asking advice on Ozbargain. Fcuk me.

  • Cave Fire on 19/04/2021 - 00:19

    Ikea, because they have so much extra stock that they throw it away some times… Managers also have some leeway in discounting at their own store.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/04/2021 - 00:24

      Thanks for the reply. I might go browse around at some of them and introduce myself.

    • solidussnake on 19/04/2021 - 09:56

      Don't they have their own reduced to clear section where returns EOL products go as 40-60% off I doubt they would throw much out unless it's broken or soiled

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join