Keeping abreast of the latest overstock news and trends lets you keep your business in sync with the best buying opportunities. While you may find information about overstock news and trends in any business magazine, the Internet remains your most reliable source for current overstock information.

The key to getting the best overstock news and trends for your business is staying away from gimmicky overstock and closeout sites that cater to retail buyers. Get the news and trends information you're looking for with the following tips:

1. Sort through blog aggregators that specialize in overstock related content.
2. Seek out websites that offer regular e-mail updates about overstock news, trends and sales.
3. Look for websites with dedicated RSS feeds or update services, which is a sure sign of a legitimate source of overstock deals and information.
   

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Find relevant overstock blogs through specialist services

Using specialist services helps you to quickly sort through the chaff and find relevant overstock content. Searching overstock blogs instead of general websites also helps you to avoid gimmicky websites and consumer retail traps.

I recommend: Blog Toplist collects and catalogs the most recent and relevant overstock related blog posts; it lets you page through short summaries and teasers to select which posts you want to read in full. Overstocks by the Truckload Wholesale Liquidation is a blog with posts about overstocked merchandise at a variety of retail stores.

Subscribe to overstock and closeout related e-mail newsletters

Signing up for overstock related e-mail newsletters saves time by bringing the latest news and trends to you. Look for reliable sources that you're interested in hearing from on a continuing basis. You also can subscribe to newsletters simply to scan the headlines and get an idea of the latest news.

I recommend: AAA Closeout Liquidators offers a free closeout mailing list for closeout and overstock news, delivered electronically. Veseys, a retail garden shop, provides information about end-of-season overstocks available at significant discounts through its newsletter.

Keep current with overstock RSS feeds and dedicated update services

You must act fast to keep up with the latest overstock news. Look for RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds or dedicated update services on overstock and closeout related sites to make sure you get the most frequent, current updates about overstock news and trends. You can subscribe to RSS feeds through most mail programs, as well as a dedicated software known as a 'feed reader.'

I recommend: Learn about Overstock.com's digital marketing platform for sharing special deals and promotions through mobile phones at Mobile Marketer. Get RSS feeds with the latest overstock and clearance items sales and promotions from a variety or retailers at DealCatcher.

If you know anything about overstock products, you realize that buying surplus merchandise can mean major savings for you as a retailer. The key is to find products that your customers want to buy, and then negotiating the best deal possible. Once you've found the best deals, you can simply stock your shelves and wait for the profits to come rolling in.

When you want to find overstock companies, there are a few things that you need to discover about the way each operates. Typically, these things are stated on the company's website, but occasionally you may have to call to get the specifics. You need to find out important information including:

1. Type of overstock items in the company's inventory-- it could be electronics, leather goods or other items.

2. Minimum order requirements-- either a set dollar amount or a set number of overstock units.

3. Shipping arrangements-- you might want an overstock provider that offers drop-shipping to your customers.

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Gather all the overstock information you need to make your decision

If you're new to the world of overstock goods, you should spend a little time familiarizing yourself with how surplus buying works. You typically buy inventory by the case or pallet, and receive a discount based on the amount you buy. You don't have much control over the selection or color choices; you have to accept whatever is available at the time.

I recommend: Get familiar with the industry by visiting overstock forums and websites. Surplus.cc is a great site for insider information. It features forums that you can participate in to get all of your questions answered and learn who's who in the overstock business. Via Trading has a helpful FAQ page that can help you make your overstock buying decision and walk you through the process.

Work with a supplier that has a large selection of overstock inventory

While you may occasionally come across a local company that's going out of business, you'll make most of your overstock purchases through a wholesale site that acquires inventory from several sources. You should look for a company that has a wide assortment of items to choose from and is constantly updating its inventory. This will help you keep your inventory fresh and get the best deals on some of the hottest products on the market.

I recommend: Do business with a large wholesaler. Kole Imports does nothing but buy and sell overstock items of all kinds. This one-stop-shopping concept can save you a great deal of time and energy. Wholesale EZ is a website that offers links to connect you with other wholesalers so that you can get the best possible deal.

Negotiate the best price for merchandise overstock

Once you find the products that you want to buy, it's time to get serious about pricing. The key to getting the best price on overstock surplus is to learn how to negotiate terms. If the price is good to begin with, your work is already done, but you may be required to bid on the item in an auction format or call the company directly to get a price reduction.

I recommend: Call around to see what sort of deals you can make. Smaller companies like MyLeather and Omaha Closeouts don't have the size of the corporate giants, so they may be more willing to come down on price in the hopes of making a large deal.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be wary of overstock companies that make you pay a monthly fee to access their inventory lists. Stick with companies that list their product information for free.

Purchasing other company's overstock in order to stock your store can be a profitable move. However, there is a lot to learn if you want to get started. One of the most important aspects of any new venture is to first learn the terminology that is associated with the field. This is true of overstock as well. When you purchase a pallet, for example, you want to know what to expect and make sure that you have enough space for it. If not, consider drop shipping. Get started with these words.

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Pallet

A pallet is a square or rectangular wooden base that companies can stack several boxes on top of. The boxes are then shrink-wrapped for shipping. Those interested in purchasing overstock will come across this term often, as you are usually purchasing a pallet of a particular type of goods.

I recommend: Learn more about pallets, along with a picture, from RoadTransport.com.

Drop shipping

In drop shipping, goods remain at the warehouse. When you sell an item, the drop shipping company will ship it directly to your customer. This is a smart choice for business owners that don't have much space for product storage. Some companies specialize in drop shipping overstock items.

I recommend: Look to wiseGEEK to learn more about drop shipping.

Liquidation

Some companies that specialize in overstock also have liquidation products. These are products that a store wants to get rid of because it is not cost-effective for them to sell.

I recommend: Learn about the difference between liquidation and overstock from Worldwide Brands.

Closeouts

Closeouts are typically goods that a store wants to sell because they are not in season or it's a style that has been discontinued. You can purchase these items at a reduced price to sell in your store.

I recommend: Event Sales discusses closeout products.

Internet Marketing Association of Surplus, Wholesale and Closeout Dealers (IMASD)

The Internet Marketing Association of Surplus, Wholesale and Closeout Dealers, or IMASD, is a group of professionals that deal in the overstock business. Unfortunately, there are many scams within the industry and membership to the IMASD can help you to determine which sites are legitimate and which are not. Members also receive buying leads and advertising opportunities.

I recommend: Learn more about the IMASD from Surplus.net.

Customer return products

Customer return products, or department store returns, are items that a customer has returned to the store. In some cases, the store cannot put the item back on the shelf and sell it for full price, so they sell it to overstock buyers.

I recommend: Learn about customer return products from Via Trading.