Bin Store Gear4 products compared·March 19, 2026·2 min read

Best Bin Store Gear for Resellers 2026

Essential gear for bin store shopping — gloves, bags, portable scanners, and tools every reseller needs.

Our Top Pick

Mechanix Wear Original Gloves

The go-to gloves for bin store regulars. Thin enough to feel fabric and check labels, tough enough to protect against broken glass and sharp edges in bins.

Quick Comparison

Our Top Pick

Mechanix Wear Original Gloves

$15
MaterialSynthetic leather
TouchscreenYes
WashableYes
Durability3-6 months
View Deal
Best Value

IKEA FRAKTA Bags

$1
/each
MaterialPolypropylene
Touchscreen
Washable
Durability
View Deal
Best for Scanning

Netum Bluetooth Barcode Scanner

$36
Material
Touchscreen
Washable
Durability
View Deal
Essential

Accuweight Digital Postal Scale

$13
Material
Touchscreen
Washable
Durability
View Deal

Key Takeaways

  • Touchscreen-compatible gloves are non-negotiable — protect your hands while still using your phone
  • IKEA FRAKTA bags are the universal bin store shopping bag for good reason
  • A Bluetooth barcode scanner pays for itself in one trip with faster, more accurate scanning
  • A postal scale eliminates shipping cost guesswork and saves money on every label
  • Total starter kit cost is under $70 — invest in gear before investing in software subscriptions

The Bin Store Starter Kit

You don't need much to start sourcing at bin stores, but the right gear makes a massive difference in comfort, efficiency, and profitability. Here's what experienced resellers bring to every trip.

Protect Your Hands First

This isn't optional. Bin stores contain broken items, sharp packaging, and mystery liquids. Gloves are the single most important piece of gear for bin store shopping. The key is finding gloves thin enough to feel fabric and check labels, but tough enough to protect against glass and sharp edges.

Avoid thick rubber gloves or gardening gloves — you need dexterity. Mechanix Wear or similar mechanics' gloves hit the sweet spot. Make sure they're touchscreen compatible so you don't have to remove them every time you scan a barcode.

Bag Strategy

Your bag choice affects how much you can carry and how organized your finds are. Most resellers bring 2-3 large bags and sort as they shop:

  • Bag 1: Keep items (clothing, shoes, accessories)
  • Bag 2: Scan and decide items (electronics, sealed boxes)
  • Bag 3: Overflow / bulky items

The IKEA FRAKTA bag has become the unofficial standard in the reseller community. At $1 each, there's no reason not to have a stack.

When to Invest in a Scanner

Phone cameras work fine for casual scanning, but if you're spending more than 2 hours per trip and scanning 50+ items, a Bluetooth barcode scanner is a game-changer. The Netum C740 pairs with your phone and scans barcodes 5-10x faster than a phone camera — including damaged and dirty barcodes that phone cameras struggle with.

Clip it to a lanyard around your neck for hands-free operation. Hold the item with one hand, scan with the other, check your phone for the result.

The $70 Complete Kit

Here's the full bin store starter kit for under $70:

  1. Mechanix Wear gloves — $15
  2. IKEA FRAKTA bags (3x) — $3
  3. Netum Bluetooth scanner — $36
  4. Accuweight postal scale — $13

That's everything you need to source profitably and ship accurately. Add a phone charger bank ($15-20) and you're set for marathon bin store sessions.

Detailed Reviews

Our Top Pick

Mechanix Wear Original Gloves

4.7/5
$15

The go-to gloves for bin store regulars. Thin enough to feel fabric and check labels, tough enough to protect against broken glass and sharp edges in bins.

Pros

  • Perfect balance of dexterity and protection
  • Touchscreen compatible — use your phone without removing
  • Machine washable (essential for bin store use)
  • Durable — lasts 3-6 months of weekly bin diving
  • Available in multiple sizes for a snug fit

Cons

  • Not waterproof — wet bins will soak through
  • Wear out faster than leather alternatives
  • Black color shows dust and debris
Best Value

IKEA FRAKTA Bags

4.8/5
$1
/each

The unofficial reseller shopping bag. Giant capacity, virtually indestructible, and dirt cheap. Every bin store regular has a stack of these.

Pros

  • Massive capacity — fits an entire bin's worth of finds
  • Nearly indestructible — handles heavy loads easily
  • Only $1 each — buy several
  • Easy to clean — wipe down or hose off
  • Folds flat for storage

Cons

  • No internal organization — everything goes in together
  • Blue color is conspicuous
  • Not available at all IKEA locations
Best for Scanning

Netum Bluetooth Barcode Scanner

4.4/5
$36

The budget Bluetooth scanner that serious resellers swear by. Pairs with scanning apps like Scoutly and ScoutIQ for 5-10x faster scanning than your phone camera.

Pros

  • 10x faster than phone camera scanning
  • Long battery life — 8+ hours of continuous scanning
  • Works with all major scanning apps (Scoutly, ScoutIQ, Amazon Seller)
  • Pocket-sized — clips to belt or lanyard
  • Reads damaged and dirty barcodes that phone cameras miss

Cons

  • Extra device to carry and charge
  • Bluetooth pairing can be finicky initially
  • Won't scan QR codes (1D barcodes only)
  • Learning curve for first-time setup
Essential

Accuweight Digital Postal Scale

4.5/5
$13

Essential for accurate shipping labels. This budget scale is accurate to 0.1oz and handles packages up to 86 lbs — covers virtually everything resellers ship.

Pros

  • Accurate to 0.1 oz — critical for shipping cost calculations
  • 86 lb capacity covers even heavy bin store finds
  • Tare function for weighing items in boxes
  • Hold function locks weight for reading
  • Budget-friendly at $13

Cons

  • Plastic build quality — handle with care
  • Small display can be hard to read
  • Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included)

How We Evaluated

Our recommendations are based on hands-on testing and extensive research across the reseller community. Here's what we looked for:

Durability

How long does the gear last under weekly bin store use? We prioritize items that hold up over months.

Value for Money

Cost relative to quality and lifespan. Bin store gear should pay for itself quickly.

Practicality

Does this actually solve a real problem at bin stores? We avoid gimmicky recommendations.

Reseller Community Consensus

What do experienced resellers actually use and recommend? We surveyed 50+ active bin store shoppers.

Our Verdict

Start with gloves and bags — these two items will make your first bin store trip dramatically more productive and comfortable. Add a Bluetooth scanner when you're ready to level up your sourcing speed, and a postal scale as soon as you start shipping. Total investment: under $70 for a complete bin store kit.

Free Bin Store Starter Kit

Beginner's guide + weekly restock alerts delivered to your inbox.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need gloves for bin stores?

Absolutely. Bins contain broken glass, sharp plastic edges, loose staples, and unknown liquids. Experienced resellers always wear gloves. Mechanix Wear gloves offer the best balance — you can still feel fabric quality and read labels while staying protected.

What bag should I bring to a bin store?

Large, durable bags with wide openings work best. The IKEA FRAKTA bag is the reseller community standard for good reason — it's cheap, huge, and nearly indestructible. Bring 2-3 and sort finds by category (clothing, electronics, home goods) as you shop.

Is a Bluetooth scanner worth it for beginners?

Not initially. Start with your phone's camera and a scanning app. Once you're consistently spending 2+ hours at bin stores and scanning 50+ items per trip, a Bluetooth scanner's speed improvement (5-10x) justifies the $36 investment.

What else should I bring to a bin store?

Beyond the gear listed above: phone charger or power bank (scanning drains batteries fast), hand sanitizer, a small flashlight for checking items in dark corners, and comfortable shoes — you'll be standing for hours.