Hypothetical example: supplier-to-payout cash calendar for a $30,000 inventory order
| Day | Event | Cash in | Cash out | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Operating cash on hand | $12,000 | ||
| 0 | Funding assumed received, supplier paid | $25,000 | $30,000 | $7,000 |
| 4 | First marketplace payout | $8,400 | $15,400 | |
| 7 | Ads, shipping and supplies | $6,500 | $8,900 | |
| 11 | Second marketplace payout | $9,100 | $18,000 | |
| 14 | First scheduled repayment (placeholder) | $5,000 | $13,000 |
All amounts and days are hypothetical, including the assumed funding date; the $2,500 reserve held by the marketplace is not counted as cash.
How do payout schedules and holds work?
Marketplaces usually pay sellers on a set schedule, but they can delay or hold part of a payout for reserves, new-account reviews, returns or policy checks, so the date on your calendar is an estimate.
Read your own seller account to see the actual schedule, the current reserve and any amounts marked pending. Write down three figures: the amount scheduled for each payout date, the amount held back, and the date the hold is expected to release, if one is shown. If a hold has no date, treat it as unavailable for planning.
Funders reading your file will look at your bank deposits, so keep your statements current. Sellers on every kind of platform can find more on the ecommerce sellers page.
What is the supplier's cash deadline?
The supplier's deadline is usually fixed before your payout date, which is why the gap exists: the supplier needs cash on delivery or in advance, while the marketplace pays you after the customer buys.
Ask for the supplier terms in writing: the total, the deposit, the balance due date and the production or shipping time. A longer production time can shrink the gap, because some payouts may arrive before the final balance is due.
If the order is for a seasonal peak, count backward from the date you must have stock in the warehouse. Add shipping to the marketplace's receiving center and any check-in time, since goods that are still in transit cannot sell. The calendar above shows the pattern: the money leaves first and returns in pieces.
How much can I fund versus expected receipts?
Fund the purchase and a small cushion, then compare repayment against payouts you can document, not against the full sales you hope to make.
In the calendar, the order is $30,000 and expected payouts in the first 11 days are $8,400 plus $9,100, which totals $17,500. That is less than the order, so payouts alone cannot cover the bill. The request has to cover the gap, and the balance must leave room for the ads, shipping and supplies of $6,500.
- Count only payouts that show in your seller dashboard or bank statements.
- Leave out held reserves until the marketplace releases them.
- Include the costs of selling: fees, ads, freight and returns.
- Write funding cost in dollars, taken from the written offer.
Funding ranges from $25,000 to $5,000,000, depending on the product and the business. A purchase below $25,000 may need a different approach. Read about working capital for inventory deals to see how requests are structured, and the working capital for inventory purchases page for the offer in brief.
What if the payout is slower than planned?
A slow payout can turn a healthy calendar into a shortfall, so test the plan with a delay before you accept an offer.
Take the same calendar and push both payouts back to day 21. The balance after the supplier payment is $7,000. After the day 7 costs of $6,500, you are left with $500. On day 14 the repayment of $5,000 is due, and the balance falls to negative $4,500. The business is short even though it is selling well.
If the slow case fails, you have options. Ask for a smaller order, a payment schedule that matches the payouts, or a reserve of operating cash set aside before you buy. Be honest in your summary about the risk. A funder reviewing the file, and you reading the offer, will both prefer a plan that survives a delay.
Gather your statements, the supplier quote, ID and a voided business check, and start on the application when the numbers hold up. Sole proprietors can apply, there is no obligation to accept an offer, and checking your options does not affect your personal credit score.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a marketplace payout as proof of income?
Payouts show up as deposits in your business bank statements, which funders review. Recent statements are among the documents commonly requested, so keep them current and complete.
Does Prime promise when the money arrives?
No. A decision is typically made within 24 hours of a complete application, but actual funding time varies by product. The calendar above assumes a funding date only to illustrate the math.
Should I count the marketplace reserve as cash?
No. A reserve held by the marketplace is not cash until it is released. Leave it out of your plan, and treat any release as a bonus.
What if my order is under $25,000?
Prime's funding range starts at $25,000. For smaller purchases, you may need to consider a different source, or combine the order with a larger planned buy.
Can a new online seller apply?
No fixed minimum time in business, revenue or credit score is published, and each request is reviewed case by case. A clear supplier quote and recent statements make the review easier.
Supplier due before the payout?
Describe your purchase and deadline in one online application, with no obligation to accept an offer.
Updated October 17, 2026 · Prime Funding Now Funding Team