Sourcing Trip ROI
Is that thrift run worth it? Break-even finds and expected profit per trip.
The True Cost of Sourcing
- Gas adds up. Mileage, parking, tolls, and vehicle wear count before you find anything.
- Time is money. Driving, browsing, checkout, and unloading all belong in the trip cost.
- Not every trip hits. Expected value should include dud trips and inconsistent store quality.
Sourcing Strategy
Batch Your Trips: One route with multiple stops often beats several single-store trips because fixed travel cost is spread across more chances to find inventory.
Know Your Stores: Track hit rate, average profit per find, and time required by location. Data can reveal that a less exciting store is actually more profitable.
Compare to Existing Inventory: Before sourcing, ask whether listing unlisted items you already own would produce a higher return.
Common Questions
How do I calculate if a sourcing trip is worth it?
Add up gas, vehicle wear, fees, and the value of your time. Then compare those costs against expected finds, expected profit per find, and your historical hit rate.
What is a realistic hit rate for sourcing trips?
Hit rate varies by store type, competition, and experience. Track your own results by location because a nearby store with predictable finds can beat a far store with occasional big wins.
Should I count my time when calculating sourcing ROI?
Yes. If a three-hour trip creates $30 profit and you value your time at $20/hour, the trip is not profitable on a true hourly basis.
How many finds do I need per trip to break even?
Divide trip cost by expected profit per good find. If gas and time cost $80 and each good find nets $15, you need six good finds before the trip becomes worthwhile.
Is driving further for better stores worth it?
Sometimes, but only if the better store produces enough additional profit to cover extra mileage and time. Compare scenarios rather than relying on intuition.
What about dud trip risk?
Not every trip produces inventory. Include your historical dud rate in expected profit so one zero-find trip does not surprise your cashflow.
Methodology & Limits
How it works
This planner plans a reselling scenario from your inputs, then surfaces the result as decision-oriented numbers.
Assumptions
Uses current platform fees assumptions where relevant.
Use it as a screen
Treat the output as a planning estimate. Share the current scenario URL when you want to revisit or compare assumptions. Validate the numbers with real payouts, costs, deadlines, and local rules before committing money.
Next action
Keep Going
Use your result as the starting point for one of these next calculators.
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