Hypothetical example: early-order versus later-order comparison, 6,000 units
| Line | Early order | Later order |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price | $18.00 | $20.50 |
| Units | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Order total | $108,000 | $123,000 |
| Order placed | Jan 20 | Mar 15 |
| Goods arrive | Feb 25 | April 30 |
| Season starts | April 15 | April 15 |
| Funding cost (hypothetical) | $4,200 | $0 |
| Total cash out | $112,200 | $123,000 |
| Difference | $10,800 lower |
All figures are hypothetical: 6,000 x $18.00 = $108,000 and 6,000 x $20.50 = $123,000; early cash out is $108,000 + $4,200 = $112,200, which is $10,800 less than $123,000. Use the cost from your own written offer.
How much does early-order pricing actually save?
Multiply the unit price difference by the number of units, then subtract the full funding cost; what remains is the real saving.
In the example the early price is $18.00 and the later price is $20.50, a $2.50 difference. On 6,000 units that is $15,000. After a hypothetical $4,200 funding cost, the saving is $10,800. If your offer cost $15,000 or more, the early price would not pay for itself and you should pass.
Ask the supplier what the early price requires: a deposit, full payment, a minimum quantity, or no returns. Get the early price and its conditions in writing, with the date the offer expires, so the funder and you are looking at the same numbers. Our pre-season inventory buying guide covers how to choose the quantity.
Will the inventory arrive before you need it?
Check the supplier's production and shipping time against your first selling date, because stock that lands late can cost more than the discount saved.
The early order in the table arrives Feb 25, well before an April 15 season start, leaving time to count, price and photograph the goods. The later order, placed Mar 15, arrives April 30, which is after the season has already begun. Those two weeks of missed sales can outweigh the unit price gap, so put a dollar figure on them.
Ask for written lead times and what happens if shipping slips. Late-season stock is the hardest to sell, and a supplier who cannot commit to a ship date in writing is a risk you should price into the decision. Also confirm who pays freight, whether the early price includes it, and whether you can inspect or reject a short or damaged shipment before the balance is final.
When does the season actually start?
Use the date customers begin buying, not the date your calendar says the season begins, and count back from it.
If demand ramps up three weeks before the official start, your cut-off for stock on the shelf is earlier than you think. Look at your own past records of when sales began to rise. Do not rely on a guess, and note any events, holidays or weather patterns that move your first big sales week. The more the season depends on one launch weekend, the more it matters that goods are in hand a few weeks before.
Write the date next to the arrival date on the comparison, and calculate the number of days of buffer. In the example, February 25 to April 15 is a buffer of roughly seven weeks. A buffer of two to three weeks gives room for freight delays; a buffer of two days does not. The inventory deal cash timeline can lay these dates out for you.
Can your slow-season cash handle the payments?
Look at your slow-season monthly cash flow and make sure it covers payments before the inventory has had a chance to sell.
In the example the total repayment is $112,200. Spread evenly over six months, that is $18,700 a month. If slow-season cash after expenses is lower than that, the schedule is too tight and the early order becomes a strain. A longer term, a line of credit that you repay as stock sells, or a smaller order may fit better. Schedules, terms and costs vary by product and by the strength of the business.
A line of credit for buying opportunities is one way to draw for the order and repay as sales come in, though the same dollar test applies. Compare the total repayment minus the cash received against the saving, and compare the payment schedule against your real slow-season cash. There is no obligation to accept an offer. If the numbers work, start your application with the supplier quote and the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth funding a preseason order for a lower unit price?
Only if the saving is larger than the full funding cost in dollars and the stock arrives before the season. Compare total repayment minus cash received with the price saving on your own numbers.
What if my slow-season revenue is too low to cover payments?
Ask about longer terms, a line of credit or a smaller order. Payment schedules vary by product, so read the written offer and test it against your actual slow-season cash before accepting.
What documents do I need to apply?
Commonly a supplier quote or purchase order, recent business bank statements, a government-issued ID and a voided business check. Larger requests may add tax returns or financial statements.
How quickly will I hear back on an application?
A decision is typically within 24 hours of a complete application. Actual funding time varies by product, so apply before the supplier's deadline with room to spare.
Should I order the full quantity early?
Not necessarily. Size the order to a realistic sales estimate, not the best case. A smaller early order plus a later top-up can reduce risk if the supplier allows it.
Describe your purchase and deadline
Tell us what you are buying, what it costs and when payment is due, and the application takes it from there.
Updated October 17, 2026 · Prime Funding Now Funding Team