How to Keep Costs Down for Online Arbitrage?

• Use Price Tracking Tools

One of the smartest ways to save money in online arbitrage is by using tracking tools. These tools help you monitor product trends over time so you can buy when costs are low and avoid overspending. Instead of checking manually every day, they show you full pricing history, send alerts when there’s a drop, and help you spot the best time to make a purchase. They also give insights into how often an item sells, helping you avoid slow movers and focus on products in high demand.

Here are some of the most popular and useful price tracking tools used by successful online arbitrage sellers:

• Keepa

Keepa is one of the most trusted tools for tracking product trends and sales rank history on Amazon. It gives you detailed graphs that show how an item’s cost and popularity have changed over time. You can also set alerts to get notified when a product’s price drops or when the Buy Box changes. For a deeper look at how Keepa works and what makes it useful, check out our article Keepa Reviews.

• RevSeller

RevSeller gives you real-time data directly on Amazon product pages. It shows sales rank, estimated profit, ROI, and how many other sellers are listing the product.

• AZInsight

This tool looks at what other sellers are doing. It shows you how well a product has sold, how they set their prices, and even gives an idea of how many items they still have to sell.

• BuyBotPro

BuyBotPro is a powerful analysis tool that checks if a product is suitable for selling, along with its profit potential, competition, sales history, and more , all in real time.

These tools help you find the best time to buy and avoid mistakes. But if you really want to improve, don’t miss our Tips for Getting Started in Online Arbitrage to build a strong foundation.

• Use Online Arbitrage Leads Lists 

Instead of spending hours trying to find good products to sell, you can save time by using online arbitrage leads. These ready-made lists are created by experts who check each item for profit, demand, competition, and sales rank—so you can find great deals faster and make smarter buying decisions.

These ready-made lists, created by OABeans experts, include key details like buying cost, selling price, ROI, sales rank, number of competitors, and even coupons or deals—helping you quickly spot high-potential items without hours of manual research. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced seller, these leads give you everything you need to make informed decisions and grow your Amazon business with confidence. 

• Purchase Enough to Qualify for Free Shipping

Shipping costs can make your products a lot more expensive. To save money, try to spend enough to get free shipping—many stores offer it when you reach a certain amount. This easy tip helps you avoid extra charges and can really help you save, especially if you buy from many stores often. For example, if you’re buying online arbitrage products from Target and your cart total is $30, adding one more item to reach $35 can qualify you for free shipping.

• Utilize Cashback Portals

Before you place an order, check if the store is on cashback websites like Rakuten, TopCashback, or BeFrugal. These portals give you back a percentage of what you spend, helping you lower the cost of each item. Consistently using these portals can save hundreds of dollars annually.

• Buy Smaller, Lightweight Items

One of the easiest ways to save money is by choosing small and light products. Heavier items cost more to ship and store, especially if you’re using Amazon FBA. But lighter products help keep your fees low and make it easier to start selling without spending too much upfront.

For example, selling a small item like phone chargers costs much less to ship and store than a bulky kitchen appliance. That means more profit in your pocket.

If you’re not sure where to find products like these, check out our list of the best online arbitrage websites for beginners and start sourcing smart.

• Stack Coupons, Promo Codes, and Discounts

 One of the easiest things you can do is use tools like Honey or RetailMeNot. These are free browser extensions that automatically search for and apply coupon codes at checkout. 

Also, don’t forget that many online stores give special discounts to first-time customers or people who sign up for their email newsletters. It could be something like 10% off your first order or free shipping. These small savings may not seem like much, but when you’re buying a lot of products, every bit adds up and helps you earn more profit.

• Buy from Clearance and Outlet Sections

A great way to save money and find profitable products is by shopping in the clearance or outlet sections of online stores. These are parts of the website where items are sold at much lower prices, sometimes 50% off or more, because the store wants to get rid of extra stock or products that are no longer being made.

But before you buy too many of one item, it’s important to check a few things. First, make sure the product  sells quickly on Amazon. If it takes too long to sell, your money will be stuck. Second, check how many other sellers are offering the same product. Too much competition can lower your chances of making a profit.

• Start Small and Test First

When you find a product that looks like it could make you a good profit, it’s best not to buy a large amount right away. Even if the numbers look good, things don’t always go as planned. Prices might change, demand could drop, or more sellers might start offering the same item.

That’s why it’s smart to start with a small order—just a few units. This way, you can test how fast the product sells and if you actually make the profit you expected. It also gives you a chance to see if there are any issues, like customer returns or price drops.

• Take Advantage of Holiday and Seasonal Sales

One of the best times to find cheap products for online arbitrage is during holiday sales or special shopping seasons. Stores often offer big discounts around events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, back-to-school season, Christmas, or New Year. 

During these times, many popular products are sold at much lower prices. This is a great chance to buy items that people want, but pay less for them. Then you can resell those items on Amazon for a profit.

• Keep an Eye on FBA Fees and Try to Lower Them

When you use Amazon FBA , they take care of packing, shipping, and storing your products. But this service isn’t free. These FBA fees can change depending on a few things, like the size and weight of the product and how long it sits in Amazon’s warehouse.

If a product is big or heavy, or if it doesn’t sell quickly and stays in storage too long, the fees can be pretty high. That means you might make less profit than you expected. To avoid surprises, it’s a good idea to use tools like the Amazon FBA Calculator or AZInsight before you buy a product. These tools help you see how much money you’ll actually make after Amazon takes out its fees. To learn more about all the fees involved, check out our full guide Amazon FBA Fees & Costs for Sellers in 2025.

Final Thoughts

Saving money in online arbitrage isn’t about taking shortcuts—it’s about making smart choices. Whether you’re buying from the right places, saving on shipping, or using helpful tools, each tip helps you spend less and earn more.

If you’re ready to begin, check out our Tips for Getting Started with Online Arbitrage to help you take the first step!

FAQ

Is online arbitrage allowed on Amazon?

Yes, but there are rules you need to follow. Some brands or categories, such as pharmaceutical, health, and beauty products, may be restricted.

What’s the smartest way to earn extra savings when buying inventory?

One of the easiest ways to save more money is by using cashback websites. Sites like Rakuten, TopCashback, and BeFrugal give you a small percentage of your spending back after each purchase. 

 How can I stop losing money on storage fees?

To avoid high storage costs with Amazon FBA, make sure you’re selling products that move quickly. Avoid large or heavy items that take up more space and cost more to store. It also helps to use tools like AZInsight or the FBA Calculator to check the fees before you send items in.