How do I check a barbershop’s supply of blades, capes and neck strips?

Start with a stock count. Ask the seller to show you the storage area, and count what is there: blade packs, clean capes, neck strips, towels, disinfectant and sprays. Compare it to how many clients the shop serves in a week, so you can estimate how long the supply lasts. A shelf that is nearly empty before a long weekend is a sign of last-minute ordering.

Next, look at purchase invoices for the past year. Which suppliers appear, how often, and at what prices? If most items come from one supplier, ask what happens when that source runs out. Check whether any terms are tied to the current owner, such as a discount or credit line.

Ask about laundry too. Capes and towels need washing, and the cost and routine are part of running the shop. Does the shop use a service or its own machine? Finally, think about waste. If barbers use more blades than needed, or take supplies home, ask how the owner tracks it. Remember that small items add up. Ask the seller to estimate the weekly cost of consumables per client, and compare that with what you see in the invoices. Look at how often disposable items are used once and thrown away versus cleaned and reused. Look at how often disposable items are used once and thrown away versus cleaned and reused.

Key takeaways

• Count consumables and compare them with weekly client numbers.
• Review a year of invoices for suppliers, frequency and terms.
• Ask how laundry is done and how supply use is tracked.