Buying closeout merchandise by the pound
Buying by the pound means paying a price per pound of goods, usually in gaylord boxes or bales, instead of a price per unit or per pallet. It suits goods that are hard to count, such as mixed apparel, shoes, soft toys and small returns, and buyers such as bin stores and thrift-style shops that sort and price by the piece. Some loads on Skyline Dealz Marketplace are offered by weight to approved buyers.
Reviewed by Tyler Kober · Updated
Key takeaways
- By-the-pound lots are priced on net weight of goods, so ask how the weight was measured and whether the box and pallet are included.
- A scale ticket from a certified scale is the best proof of weight.
- Cost per piece depends on how many items make up a pound, which varies hugely between categories.
- By-the-pound loads are usually unmanifested, so they suit buyers who sort and price by hand.
What "by the pound" means
Most closeouts are sold per unit, per pallet or per truckload. By-the-pound lots are different: the seller weighs the goods and charges a set price per pound. The buyer does not get a full item list. Instead, they get a description of the contents, such as "mixed women's apparel, new with and without tags", a weight and, ideally, photos of the open boxes.
Weight-based pricing makes sense when counting is not worth the labor. A gaylord of mixed clothing might hold hundreds of pieces of different sizes, styles and brands. Counting and listing every piece could cost more than the goods are worth to the seller. Selling by weight moves the sorting job to the buyer, and the price reflects that. Our guide on how closeout loads are priced compares weight pricing with other methods.
How by-the-pound lots are packed
| Pack | Description | Common goods |
|---|---|---|
| Gaylord on a pallet | Large corrugated box on a 48 by 40 inch pallet, filled loose | Apparel, shoes, plush, small returns |
| Bales | Goods compressed and strapped into a dense block | Apparel and textiles; easy to stack and ship |
| Cartons by weight | Mixed cartons weighed together | Accessories, small goods, media |
See the glossary entry on the gaylord for sizes and how they are used.
Weight: what to ask
- Net or gross? Net weight is the goods only. Gross includes the box, pallet, wrap and any dunnage.
- Tare weight. If the price is on gross weight, ask how much the empty gaylord and pallet weigh. Box wall thickness, lids and pallet type all change it, so ask for the tare of these actual units, or for a net weight taken after the empty containers were weighed.
- Scale ticket. A printed ticket from a certified scale, showing the date and weight, is the best evidence.
- Moisture. Damp goods weigh more. Goods stored outdoors or in humid conditions can carry extra weight that you pay for.
Cost per piece: the number that matters
Price per pound only tells half the story. What you really pay depends on how many sellable pieces make up a pound.
- Light items such as T-shirts, socks, lingerie, accessories and baby clothing give many pieces per pound.
- Heavy items such as jeans, coats, boots and home textiles give few pieces per pound.
Do not rely on a general items-per-pound rule. The figure swings with the mix inside each box, so build your own: weigh and count a sample from a test lot, and keep a record by category. After a few loads, your own numbers are the most reliable guide you have.
To compare offers:
- Multiply the price per pound by the net weight to get the lot cost.
- Add freight to your door.
- Estimate the number of pieces from the items-per-pound figure for that category.
- Subtract the share you expect to be unsellable.
- Divide total cost by sellable pieces.
For illustration only, with round numbers that are not market prices: a 500-pound net lot at $1.00 a pound costs $500. Add $150 freight for $650 in total. If your sample says about three pieces a pound, that is roughly 1,500 pieces; if a fifth are unsellable, you have about 1,200 sellable pieces at around 54 cents each. Change any one input and the answer moves, which is why the sample count matters.
Condition and season in weight-based lots
Weight lots still have a condition story, and it changes the value of each pound. New overstock with tags is worth more than customer returns, which may include worn, stained or incomplete items. Ask the seller three questions: where the goods came from (a store, a warehouse, an online returns center), whether they have been sorted at all, and whether anything was pulled out before sale. A lot that has already been "cherry-picked" for the best brands is worth less per pound than an untouched one. Season matters too: a gaylord of winter coats bought in spring needs dry storage for months before it sells.
Who should buy by the pound?
- Bin stores, which price by the piece or by the day and want the lowest cost per piece. See closeout supply for bin stores.
- Discount and thrift-style shops that sort, hang and price apparel by hand.
- Flea market and swap meet sellers who sell items at fixed low prices.
- Exporters of new apparel and shoes to markets where goods are sold piece by piece.
It suits buyers who have sorting space and staff time. It does not suit online resellers who need item-level data to list products, or anyone who needs to know exact quantities in advance.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low cost per piece on light goods | No manifest; contents are an estimate |
| Simple pricing and fast deals | Sorting and pricing take labor |
| Good for categories that are hard to count | Easy to overpay on heavy or poor-quality mixes |
| Steady supply for bin stores | Weight disputes if the scale and tare are unclear |
Because most by-the-pound lots are unmanifested, read our guide on whether to buy unmanifested loads before your first order.
Receiving and storing weight-based lots
- Weigh a sample gaylord or bale on arrival if you have a scale, and compare it with the ticket.
- Note any wet, crushed or open boxes on the delivery receipt.
- Sort quickly: unsorted gaylords hide damage and tie up space.
- Keep apparel dry and off the floor; damp textiles can mildew.
- Track pieces per box and sell-through per box, so you know which kinds of lots work for you next time.
For apparel in particular, see wholesale closeout apparel, and compare with buying single liquidation pallets when you want item-level detail.
Buying by the pound on Skyline Dealz Marketplace
Skyline Dealz Marketplace offers closeout loads to approved members, and some are offered by weight. Request access and set alerts for by-the-pound lots in your categories. A by-weight listing states how the goods were weighed and includes photos and a freight estimate, so you can work out cost per piece before you make an offer.
Frequently asked questions
What does buying merchandise by the pound mean?
You pay a set price per pound for the goods in a lot, rather than per item or per pallet. The seller weighs the boxes or bales, deducts or includes packaging as agreed, and multiplies by the price. It is common for apparel, shoes, soft goods and small mixed returns that would take too long to count item by item.
Is the weight of the gaylord and pallet included?
It depends on the deal, so ask before you buy. Some sellers quote gross weight, which includes the box and pallet; others quote net weight of goods only. On a heavy wooden pallet and a large double-wall gaylord, the difference matters. Ask for the tare weight and a scale ticket.
Is buying by the pound good for a bin store?
It can be. Bin stores price by the piece or by the day, so cheap cost per piece matters more than knowing every SKU. By-the-pound loads of small, light items can give many pieces per dollar. Loads of heavy, low-value items give few pieces per dollar. Learn your category's items per pound before you commit.
What kinds of goods are sold by the pound?
Mostly soft and mixed goods: new apparel overstock and returns, shoes, accessories, linens, plush toys, small mixed returns, and sometimes books or media. Hard goods with high value per unit, such as electronics, are rarely sold by weight, because weight says little about their value.
Related
Approved buyers see live loads, prices and manifests. Or call +1 215 278 4122.