Thrifting for profit is a simple at-home business to start. All you have to do is find a thrift store, buy some items, and resell them!

Of course, nothing is that easy and you will have to do some legwork to get up and running and start earning a profit.

I mean, they don’t call it a side hustle for nothing!

It takes time, money, and effort to find and sell valuable items or upcycle used items – but it is a great way to earn some extra cash.

And, who knows? You may be able to develop it into a full-blown business!

Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know about thrifting for profit:

What Should I Sell?

There are many thrift items you can easily sell to make a profit!

Here are some ideas worth considering:

Clothing, Handbags, and Shoes

If you can find good deals on top brands in new or great condition, you can easily resell clothing, handbags, and shoes.

Look at the retail price of items you find online so figure out if it is worth buying or not.

And make sure you don’t price the items you find higher than the retail cost. It’s okay to mark up the price from what you paid to make a profit, but you don’t want to overcharge people.

Home Goods and Cookware

People will pay money for good homeware, such as vases, dishes, pots, pans, and decorations – especially if it’s sturdy and spruced up.

For example, you can buy questionable-looking cast iron pans for cheap at thrift stores, but they are super easy to clean! You can also make a profit selling items such as vintage Tupperware or Pyrex.

Toys and Games

If you’re interested in selling toys and games, be on the lookout for vintage items and complete sets. For example, the original Cabbage Patch Dolls and My Little Pony toys have a high value because they are vintage and rare.

However, if you can find a complete set of Paw Patrol toys, this has a high value too!

Electronics

People are willing to buy secondhand electronics in order to save money. If you’re good with electronics, you can buy rare, underpriced, or in-demand items and fix them up to sell.

Books and Textbooks

While individual books are not a huge moneymaker, book sets tend to sell very well. You can even keep an eye out for college and university textbooks since students are always looking to save money on their educational costs.

Sporting Equipment

Brand new sporting equipment can be expensive and more often than not people are okay with gently used equipment that will get the job done.

Look for sporting equipment that is in good shape without rips, tears, or signs of deterioration.

Figure Out Where to Source Your Items

Before you can start selling your finds for profit, you need to figure out where to get them! The easiest thing you can do is start in your own house.

Look for items you no longer need that are in good condition. This will help you get familiar with the process of selling upcycled and used items without having to spend any money to get started!

Once you make a few sales, you can move on to buying stuff to resell. Here are some places you should definitely check out:

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores such as the Salvation Army are great places to start looking for items to resell. They have a variety of items from clothes to books and household items.

Just be careful you don’t fall into a price trap – many thrift stores can be overpriced! Be sure you are getting a good deal on an item by comparing it to its original retail price.

Yard Sales

Summertime is the peak time to check out some yard sales! You’ll usually find stuff far cheaper than at a thrift store and you can negotiate the price with the seller.

Plus, if you head out in the late afternoon, many sellers will mark their items down just to get rid of them. Just keep in mind that many of the good items will already be gone by then.

Online

Check out Facebook Marketplace for deals on used items or join your local Buy Nothing group to snag up some unwanted items.

Managing Your Inventory

It’s important to manage and organize your inventory so your entire home doesn’t end up looking like a gigantic junk drawer!

Start by investing in storage in order to organize your items. A clothing rack, for example, is perfect if you plan on selling clothes. You can also buy totes and containers to store other items.

Just make sure you label everything!

You can also use spreadsheets on your computer to keep track of what comes in and what goes out. This is also a great way to track your spending and your profits.

Lastly, set yourself up with a workspace and grab some supplies. You’ll need boxes, packing tape, a printer (for labels and invoices), a boxcutter, etc.

Where to Sell Your Items

You can definitely hop on Facebook and sell your items on the Marketplace, but there are some other options when it comes to selling your thrift items:

• eBay: eBay can be inconvenient but it reaches so many people, making it easy to find buyers.
• Amazon: You can sell your items on Amazon and reach millions of users worldwide but the seller’s fees can be high.
• Instagram: Yes, you can sell on Instagram! While there are no fees to do so, you are responsible for setting up and marketing your seller’s profile.
• Poshmark: Poshmark has no listing fees and sets you up with USPS Priority Mail shipping, but the seller’s fees are high as well.

When it comes to listing and selling your items, make sure you take good pictures. Online buyers will be drawn to items that are well-lit, clearly photographed, and shown from different angles.

Be sure to also include an accurate description and be honest about the item’s condition. You also want to price your items fairly at a reasonable price. If you appear greedy, no one will buy your stuff!

How to Ship Your Items

Depending on where you live, shipping prices can get quite high. Although your buyers are paying, you want to encourage them to buy your items by offering low shipping costs.

You can check out online shipping services such as ShippingEasy and EasyShip. They will automate the entire process and provide you with postage and shipping discounts!

When you do ship your items, make sure they are secured tightly. Use bubble wrap for delicate items to avoid damage in transit.

Are You Ready to Get Thrifting?

Thrifting for profit is a great way to turn a hobby you enjoy into a profitable side-hustle!

Just keep in mind that your profitability depends on how much time and energy you can dedicate to it. If you can’t in the beginning, that’s okay! Let your business grow naturally.

Have you ever tried thrifting for profit? Flipping items to make money? Tell us about your experience in the comments!