Hit $10K/Month with Manual Sourcing!
If you’re looking to build a profitable Amazon arbitrage business without blowing your budget on software or wholesale orders, you’ve got to learn the art of manual sourcing. It might not be the flashiest method, but when it comes to finding hidden gems with great profit margins, it’s one of the most effective strategies out there. Let’s break down what manual sourcing is, how to do it step-by-step, and how to stack discounts and coupons to boost your ROI.
What Is Manual Sourcing?
Manual sourcing is exactly what it sounds like: finding products to resell on Amazon by hand. You browse online retail stores or walk into brick-and-mortar stores, compare prices with what the same items sell for on Amazon, and identify profitable arbitrage opportunities. It takes time, but it’s beginner-friendly, low-cost, and perfect for building sourcing skills that will serve you long-term!
How to Manually Source Products Online
1. Pick a Retailer Website
Start with major retailers like:
- Walmart
- TKMaxx
- Target
- CVS
- Walgreens
- Tesco
- Kohl’s
- Home Depot
Visit their clearance, sales, and weekly specials sections to find discounted products.
2. Choose High-Demand Categories
Try categories that sell well and are easy to research, like:
- Toys & Games
- Home & Kitchen
- Beauty & Personal Care
- Tools & Home Improvement
- Baby Products
3. Find the Product on Amazon
- Copy the product name or UPC and search for it on Amazon. Make sure:
- It’s an exact match (brand, quantity, variation)
- It’s not a restricted brand for your account
- There’s a healthy price difference between your buy cost and the Amazon sell price
4. Analyze Profit Using SellerAmp
This is where SellerAmp SAS shines. A powerful all-in-one tool that helps you:
- Check Amazon fees
- Calculate profit and ROI
- See sales rank and estimated sales per month
- View competition and stock levels
- Identify hazmat, meltable, or restricted status
Just enter your buy cost and SellerAmp will instantly show if a deal is worth pursuing. Top Tip: Use the SellerAmp QVS (Quick View Simplified) extension to make your Amazon search page sourcing way easier! It shows a ton of data, such as potential profit, ROI, best seller rank (BSR), and sales history.
5. Use Coupons and Cashback to Increase Profit
Before checking out, don’t forget to look for extra savings. A $2 coupon or 10% cashback can turn a borderline deal into a winning one!
Here are a few tools and websites for savings:
- Rakuten
- CardBear
- Capital One Shopping
- Gift card resellers – buy discounted store gift cards to save even more!
6. Check Sales Rank and Demand
Within SellerAmp, you’ll see the product’s BSR (Best Sellers Rank), historical price data, and estimated monthly sales. Look for products with consistent sales and manageable competition — avoid listings flooded with low-ball sellers!
7. Buy Small to Test, Then Scale
Start by buying a few units to test. If the product moves well and your profit checks out, go back and grab more while the deal lasts!
What About In-Store Sourcing?
Manual sourcing also works great in physical stores a.k.a Retail Arbitrage. Take your phone and the SellerAmp app, head to clearance aisles, and scan barcodes. You’ll often find local markdowns that aren’t available online.
Look out for:
- Yellow sticker clearance at Walmart
- End-of-season discounts at Target
- Manager’s specials or “last chance” shelves
Combine these with your sourcing know-how and back at home to research and validate your finds.
Below, arbitrage expert Flips4Miles goes through some real time examples of manual sourcing. Check it out!
So, Is Manual Sourcing Worth It? Absolutely! Manual sourcing teaches you how to spot real arbitrage opportunities, understand Amazon’s marketplace, and build your selling instincts. If you’re starting on a budget or just want to keep things lean, this method can help you build your Amazon FBA side hustle into something serious. With the right approach, solid research using SellerAmp, and some savvy couponing, you can turn everyday retail discounts into real Amazon profits.
So what are you waiting for? Open up those deal pages, fire up SellerAmp, and start hunting. Your next profit goldmine might be hiding in plain sight!
