Where can I buy wholesale secondhand clothing for resale?

If you’ve been wondering where to buy wholesale secondhand clothing for resale, you’re not alone. Sourcing reliable, profitable inventory is one of the biggest challenges resellers face, whether you’re just starting out or running a high-volume operation. In this guide, we’ll cover trusted sourcing channels that offer different advantages, price points, and product types so you can find the best fit for your resale business.

1. Specialized Online Wholesale Platforms

Platforms like NuSource cater directly to resellers by offering curated, brand-sorted secondhand apparel and mystery boxes shipped straight to your door. Inventory can be filtered by condition, brand, or season, with transparent per-unit pricing. This eliminates the guesswork and time sink that comes with sourcing from unstructured channels.

Why it works: Online wholesale platforms give you predictable quality, consistent supply, and easy access to trending brands, perfect for fast listing and quick turnover.

2. Bulk Graders or Rag Houses (Local Textile Recyclers)

Local “rag houses” process massive amounts of donated clothing, sorting them into bales like denim, mixed apparel, or “credential clothing” (unsorted donations). They sell by the pound, making them one of the cheapest sources for bulk inventory.

The trade-off: Quality can vary greatly. Visiting in person, checking samples, and building relationships with the graders can help you secure better grades while reducing unsellable stock.

Where can I buy wholesale secondhand clothing for resale?

3. Thrift Store Outlets & Charitable Bulk Sales

Goodwill Outlets—nicknamed “the bins”—and charity bulk sales can be goldmines for unique inventory at rock-bottom prices. Clothing is sold by weight, sometimes for pennies per pound.

The hunt is unpredictable, but you can uncover vintage pieces, niche brands, or high-quality staples that deliver strong ROI. These outlets are perfect for supplementing your core inventory with special finds.

4. Online Auctions and Marketplaces

B2B auction sites like MyThriftXchange and shopgoodwill.com list wholesale lots in categories ranging from vintage tees to seasonal apparel bundles.

Before bidding, consider:

Photo quality (can you see enough detail?)
Shipping costs (heavy lots can be expensive)
Competition (factor in final price after bidding wars)

When approached strategically, online auctions can be a reliable secondary sourcing channel.

5. Overstock and Liquidation Wholesalers

Suppliers like Via Trading and Merchandise Liquidators specialize in ex-store returns and overstock merchandise—many of which are NWT (new with tags) or NWOT (new without tags).

These are technically not secondhand, but mixing new inventory into your resale offering can:

Best Practice: Mixed Sourcing Model

Use online wholesale platforms like NuSource for reliable, ready-to-list inventory with transparent condition and pricing.

Supplement with local rag houses or thrift bulk lots to add unique or low-cost items.

Watch for overstock lots from liquidation providers to include NWT/NWOT pieces when your business logic supports them.

If you’re new to managing large amounts of resale stock, the SBA’s Inventory Management Basics guide is a great starting point for setting up a sustainable system

This balanced approach ensures a steady, consistent baseline of quality inventory—while keeping options open for special finds and high-margin opportunities.

What makes NuSource different from other wholesale suppliers?

NuSource specializes in curated secondhand and NWT/NWOT apparel designed for resellers. Their inventory is brand-sorted and condition-checked, with transparent unit pricing and pack filtering by season or condition—ideal for streamlined sourcing without over-sorting your own inventory. Check their online collections filter and custom order options on their site.

Are rag houses or bulk textile recyclers a good source?

Yes—rag houses and wholesale platforms like NuSource offer extremely low per-pound costs by selling large assortments of clothing bales. However, quality can vary widely, and you’ll need to sort and discard many unsellable items. If you can visit in person or sample a bale first, this can be cost-effective for high-volume sourcing. Alternatively, NuSource provides curated, condition-checked inventory, making it a more reliable option for resellers looking for consistent quality without the need for sorting.

Should I combine multiple sourcing methods?

Yes—many successful resellers use online wholesalers like NuSource for consistent, quality baseline inventory and supplement with local rag houses or thrift bulk finds for unique or bargain pieces. This hybrid strategy balances convenience, cost, and uniqueness, offering the best of both worlds: reliable inventory and the opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind or low-cost items.

How much does shipping affect wholesale sourcing?

Shipping is critical—bulk lots like pallets or bale containers can incur high freight costs, especially from auction or overseas suppliers. Platforms like NuSource ship smaller curated boxes with standard carrier rates, while rag houses often require in-person pickup or freight arrangements.

Written by: The NuSource Reseller Insights Team – specialists in wholesale sourcing for resellers across online and retail platforms.

For more on wholesale and resale trends, visit our Reseller Insights blog.