Hypothetical example: two-inventory-pool cash forecast, old stock plus a $36,000 new lot
| Month | Old stock sales | New lot sales | Repayment | Net cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $4,000 | $9,000 | $9,900 | $3,100 |
| Month 2 | $3,500 | $17,000 | $9,900 | $10,600 |
| Month 3 | $3,500 | $18,000 | $9,900 | $11,600 |
| Month 4 | $3,000 | $16,000 | $9,900 | $9,100 |
| Total | $14,000 | $60,000 | $39,600 | $34,400 |
| Stress case: new lot sells half | $14,000 | $30,000 | $39,600 | $4,400 |
| Worse stress case: old stock also stalls | $0 | $30,000 | $39,600 | -$9,600 |
All figures are hypothetical: old stock cost $20,000 and is expected to recover $14,000; the new lot costs $36,000 and repays $39,600 in four payments of $9,900.
How old is my current stock, and what does the age tell me?
Age your current inventory by how long each group of items has been on the shelf, because older stock sells slower and recovers less.
Sort your unsold goods into three groups: under 90 days, 90 to 180 days, and over 180 days. Items in the oldest group often need deep markdowns or bulk exit. In the example, the old stock cost $20,000 and is eight months old.
Be honest about what the oldest group means for the new purchase. If you could not sell these goods at a reasonable price in eight months, adding a second lot does not fix that problem; it adds a second set of goods to sell with the same time and attention.
What will my old stock actually recover?
Estimate recovery in dollars you expect to receive, not at the cost you paid, and assume the unsold stock will sell for less than you hope.
In the example, the $20,000 of old stock is expected to recover $14,000 over four months, which is 70 percent of its cost. The shortfall of $6,000 is a loss you have already taken whether or not you buy the new lot. It matters here because that $14,000 is part of the cash that supports the new repayment.
Do not assume old stock cash will be there on time. If you markdown to move it, give it a firm plan: price, channel and date. Our working capital for inventory deals page explains what funders look at when reviewing a purchase like this.
Is the margin on the new purchase strong enough?
The new lot should earn enough, after every cost, to repay its funding and still leave a profit even if it sells slower than expected.
In the example, the new lot costs $36,000 and is expected to sell for $60,000. Funding cost is $3,600 ($39,600 repayment minus $36,000 received), so the lot earns $20,400 before selling costs ($60,000 minus $36,000 and $3,600). Subtract fees, shipping and labor, and the margin is smaller.
Ask what happens if the new lot sells for half. In the example, sales drop to $30,000, which is below the $36,000 you paid. A margin that disappears when sales fall by half is a warning sign. Read our guide to closeout inventory financing for more on judging whether a closeout is worth it.
What is the combined repayment and inventory risk?
Add the old stock and the new lot together and ask whether your monthly cash can cover the repayment if both sell below plan.
In the base case, the four months produce $34,400 of net cash. In the first stress case, with the new lot at half of plan, net cash falls to $4,400 over four months. In the second, with old stock also stalling, you are $9,600 short and need other income to meet the payments.
Compare these three rows to your other costs: rent, payroll, supplier bills and taxes. If the worst case would force you to miss other bills, consider a smaller purchase, a longer schedule or skipping the deal. You can also model the timing with the inventory deal cash timeline.
If the numbers hold, apply with the new lot quote and your forecast, and mention the unsold stock plainly. A funder sees your bank statements anyway, so a clear plan helps. The closeout inventory funding page lists what to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get funding for new inventory if I have unsold stock?
Funders review each file case by case. Unsold stock is not an automatic problem, but they will look at your sales and bank history, so a clear plan for both the old stock and the new lot is helpful.
Should I sell the old stock first?
If the old stock ties up cash you need, selling it first can be wiser, even at a markdown. Compare the cost of waiting with the closing date on the new lot, and choose the path that keeps your cash safe.
How do I decide if the new lot is worth it?
Estimate the dollars you will receive from the new lot, subtract its cost, funding cost and selling costs, then repeat with sales cut in half. If the deal still holds, it is stronger.
What happens if both pools sell slowly?
Repayments still come due, so you would need other income. This is why the stress case in the forecast matters. Test it before you accept any offer, not after.
Do I have to accept an offer?
No. There is no obligation to accept, and checking your options does not affect your personal credit score. Funders make the offers and set the terms.
Describe your purchase and deadline
Share the new lot, your current stock and the deadline, and we will help you get it in front of funders.
Updated October 17, 2026 · Prime Funding Now Funding Team