Bulk Order Cost Calculator
The quoted saving overstates the real one.
True cost at the larger quantity
$7.88
$6.98 at the smaller one
The bulk discount does not survive the carrying cost of 16.7 months of stock. A lower unit price on stock you will still be holding next year is not a saving.
How the Bulk Order Cost Calculator works
The quoted saving on a bulk order overstates the real one, because it ignores the storage, capital and obsolescence of holding more stock for longer. Sometimes the discount still wins, but the comparison has to include all three.
Also known as: large order pricing · volume purchase cost · bulk buy cost calculator
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price, check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare order quantities properly?
Add storage, capital cost and obsolescence over each quantity's sell-through period, then compare total cost per unit rather than quoted price per unit.
What obsolescence rate should I use?
Your own history of what eventually gets discounted heavily or written off. Fashion and technology run high; staples run low.
Does the cost of capital really matter?
At 12% a year on stock held for eight months, it is 8% of the stock value. That routinely exceeds the bulk discount being offered.
When is bulk clearly right?
For fast-moving staples with stable demand and no obsolescence risk. Everything else needs the calculation.