Black Friday is one of the most exciting times of the year for Amazon sellers. With deals starting earlier than ever, it’s crucial to have a plan to capitalize on the massive opportunities for profit. Here are 15 Black Friday Sourcing Tips to maximize your success this Black Friday and throughout the holiday season:
- Black Friday Deals Start Early: Don’t wait for Black Friday itself to start sourcing. Deals begin as early as the Sunday before Thanksgiving, giving you a head start on the competition.
- Get Sales Tax Right in SellerAmp: Ensure your sales tax settings in SellerAmp are accurate. Avoid counting it twice by adding it both to the miscellaneous fee and the buy cost. Enter it in your settings to streamline profit calculations.
- Use Coupon Extensions: Lower your buy costs by using free coupon extensions like CapitalOne Shopping and CouponBirds. Many websites offer additional discounts of 10–20% that can make a huge difference in profitability.
- Leverage Reseller Certificates: Many websites and stores accept reseller certificates for tax exemption. Whether you’re sourcing online or through retail arbitrage, this is a great way to save on sales tax.
- Buy Discounted Gift Cards: Platforms like CardBear and TopCashback offer discounted gift cards that provide an extra 4–15% off. This can transform marginally profitable items into top-performing products.
- Stock Up on Shipping Supplies: Prepare for Fulfilled By Merchant (FBM) orders by stocking up on 9×12 and 12×15.5 polymailers from Amazon and boxes from Walmart. Quick shipping is key to capitalizing on Black Friday momentum.
- Avoid Speculation: Focus on buying profitable items now, rather than speculating on potential price increases. Many new sellers lose money each year waiting for prices to rise.
- Plan for Cyber Monday and Beyond: Black Friday deals often extend into Cyber Monday and early December. Start with small test buys, then replenish items that perform well.
- Organize Leads with SellerAmp: Use SellerAmp spreadsheets to track and organize your leads. Catalog out-of-stock items or those that just miss your profitability threshold to revisit later when opportunities improve.
- Price Above the BuyBox: During Q4, you can often price above the BuyBox and still make sales. Use SellerAmp’s BuyBox Analysis Chart to identify when this is viable.
- Utilize Retail Arbitrage: Local retail stores often have great deals during Black Friday. Call ahead or visit in person to scan products and find hidden gems. Retail arbitrage can get products to market quickly.
- FBM-Friendly Items: Focus on items priced at $20+ but weighing under 1lb, like clothing. These often perform better as FBM, and SellerAmp’s calculator can help you determine profitability.
- Test Higher Prices for Fast Sellers: If an item sells faster than expected, try raising the price. Start with a $1 increase and monitor sales and BuyBox share. Adjust accordingly to maximize profits.
- Stack Discounts and Rewards: Combine coupons, gift cards, tax exemptions, and rewards programs to pay the lowest possible price. The more discounts you stack, the greater your profits.
- Prepare for High Volume Through Christmas: Expect a surge in demand from Black Friday through Christmas. Take your time with initial Black Friday buys, test across multiple products, and go deeper on successful ones as needed.
By following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate Black Friday sourcing and set yourself up for a profitable Q4. Use SellerAmp to streamline your process, track your leads, and optimize your strategy for success.
Happy sourcing and selling!
