When searching for different ways to shop smart, you’ve probably encountered the phrase “buying in bulk” or “wholesale buy” a few times. BackpacksUSA is a proud wholesale provider, here to be your guide to buying in bulk. In this article, we’ll cover the dos and don’ts of making large purchases.
What Buying in Bulk Means
Wholesale purchases or buying in bulk means purchasing large sums of just one product at once. At BackpacksUSA, you’ll find each of our products at a wholesale rate. With bulk buying, you can acquire a high volume of materials at an affordable price.
What Are the Perks of Bulk Buying?
Folks who bulk buy are typically well aware of the perks. If you are considering getting into wholesale purchasing, know that you will reap the following benefits of doing so.
Minimized Cost per Unit
Bulk items are generally sold at a cheaper rate than individually priced products. Though you might be paying a greater upfront price when you make a bulk purchase, the math works out in your favor. An investment in wholesale goods might be steeper but know that it will be more valuable than buying single sale items.
To make the calculation easier for customers, most wholesale shops will offer a unit price. You can make a comparison to other store rates and ultimately make an informed purchase.
Decreased Detrimental Waste
If you have a passion for sustainability, that’s just another reason to buy in bulk. Because bulk items are often packaged together, this means less annoying wasteful plastics to deal with.
There’s a lot of minor waste that’s reduced when you opt for wholesale purchasing. Foregoing one-off purchases creates fewer receipts, fewer round trips to the grocery store and fuel consumption, and less time configuring proper trash disposal.
Tips for Bulk Buying for Your Home, Office, or Donations
Whatever you are buying in bulk for, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Your guide to buying in bulk recommends you keep the following items in mind to make a smart choice when it comes to wholesale selection.
Only Go for What the Home, Office, or Organization Needs
It may seem obvious, but you should always prioritize needs over wants when you are bulk buying. Though it may be tempting to buy as much as possible at wholesale rates, not every grocery item on your list is worth bulk buying.
Limit your bulk shopping to a refined grocery list. Doing so will prevent you from getting home and realizing you totally overbought, now unable to provide the space for all your goods and probably letting a good amount of them go to waste.
Try To Stick To Products That Have a Long Shelf Life
One of the main purposes of buying bulk is to stay stocked up on items. That said, your bulk items should always have a long shelf life. You’re not likely to run through a wholesale purchase in a week, or even a month, so make sure the expiration date on the products is a long way away.
Purchase Things That You are Familiar With and Have Tried Before
Nothing is worse than buying a huge quantity of something new only to find out it performs poorly or doesn’t taste right. Unless you have a bunch of friends to redistribute the product to, or the item is acceptable for donation, you’re going to end up with a lot of waste.
To avoid this problem, only buy materials that you’re familiar with. If you’ve used the product before or it comes highly recommended from a trusted source, you’re in a better position to buy in bulk.
Opt for the On-Sale Items
Of course, don’t go buying goods merely because they are on sale. But, if you’re perusing for a grocery list item and find it on sale, it’s likely the perfect time to buy!
It’s easy to get lured in by deals and discounts, so try to keep blinders on when roaming through the sale aisle. Narrow your sight on the materials that are necessary purchases rather than exciting ones.
What Kinds of Items Should I Buy in Bulk?
So, which items make the wholesale cut? Learn which materials have a long shelf life and are best bought at a bulk rate below.
The Best Items To Buy in Bulk
Paper Goods
Products such as toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins go quickly in a large household. Never get caught without TP by purchasing bulk paper products for the home.
Office and School Supplies
Stocking up on office and school supplies is never a bad idea. You’ll save with a bulk purchase, and supplies that goes unused can carry on throughout the next year because of its long-lasting shelf life. At BackpacksUSA, we have a vast selection of backpacks and school supplies at affordable wholesale rates.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent has a considerable shelf life. Since the need to do laundry will always persist, investing in some wholesale detergent is well worth it.
Batteries
Batteries can get quite pricey. Since they charge a bevy of different devices, a bulk purchase will be worth it, as you’ll receive a better unit price.
Alcohol
As you may know, alcohol’s shelf life is quite impressive. If you like to experiment with different cocktails or have a party coming up, opting for wholesale alcohol can save you lots.
Other Items That Are Best Bought Wholesale
- Trash bags
- Gift cards
- Lightbulbs
- Butter
- Toothpaste
- Packing tape
- Diapers and baby wipes
What Kinds of Items Should I Avoid Buying in Bulk?
When strolling through the wholesale store, refrain from buying the following items in bulk.
Different Items You Shouldn’t Buy in Bulk
Sunscreen
If you have that one giant sunscreen bottle from years past, we’re sorry to say that it might be expired. Buying sunscreen in bulk isn’t a good idea because it typically loses its efficacy after exposure to extremely high temperatures or after a few years in storage.
Condiments
Once they are opened, most condiments’ shelf lives are fairly short. Avoid purchasing massive jars of mayo, mustard, ketchup, or relish unless you plan on hosting an outdoor family barbeque or similar event.
Frozen Items
It might come as a surprise, but even frozen items have a limited shelf life. Though frozen goods last for a long time, there’s still the chance of freezer burn ruining them before their expiration date. Don’t overwhelm your fridge with an abundance of frozen products, and only go for frozen goods you know will get used.
Other Items To Avoid When Bulk Shopping
- Brown rice and whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Liquid bleach
- Spices
- Olive oil
