A sourcing scorecard isn't about removing judgment — it's about applying the same judgment consistently across dozens of quick decisions a week, instead of each one depending on mood, energy level, or how good the seller's pitch was. Three factors cover most of what actually predicts a good sourcing decision: demand, margin, and turnaround.
The three scoring factors
Scorecard factors
| Factor | What it measures | How to score it (1–3) |
|---|---|---|
| Demand | How confident are you a buyer exists in your market, based on comparable listings or past sales? | 1 = uncertain/never sold this type; 2 = some comparable activity; 3 = you've sold this exact category reliably before |
| Margin | Expected profit relative to purchase price, using the maximum-purchase-price formula | 1 = thin margin even at the ceiling price; 2 = moderate; 3 = well above your typical target margin |
| Turnaround | How quickly you expect this to sell based on category and condition | 1 = likely slow-moving; 2 = typical for your inventory; 3 = typically fast-moving in your experience |
Total score
demand + margin + turnaround = total (range 3–9)
Example (illustrative): An item scoring demand 3, margin 2, turnaround 2 totals 7 — a solid buy by this method. An item scoring 1, 1, 1 (uncertain demand, thin margin, likely slow) totals 3 — a clear pass, even if the individual seller's story about the item is compelling.
Setting your own thresholds
There's no universal cutoff that fits every reseller's risk tolerance or cash position — set your own thresholds based on how much sourcing volume you actually need and how much slow-moving inventory you're willing to carry. A common starting approach: treat 7–9 as a clear buy, 5–6 as a judgment call weighted by cash on hand, and 3–4 as a pass by default.