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Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

The goodwills near my location have pretty bad reviews saying that their prices match Walmart's. What do you guys do to obtain stock to sell on eBay? And how do I know it's worth buying and if it will sell?

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Lots and lot of research

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Mind telling me from your experience? appreciated.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Well trying to do what your doing then that really is the only answer. Lots of research and you will get a feel for what will and will not sell

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Research is key OP - tough to make decent money on flipping thrift items unless you do VOLUME.

Some people may sell you info if you're willing to purchase - just be aware.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

you need a good eye if you buy at a charity shop and you might find something that will turn a profit, eg. a brand named item. If you list something long enough, you should sell it, it could take relisting a lot. Is it a business model? no, too hit and miss.....

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Some people make huge money like this. Like anything, you have to know your market. How do you know what to buy and for how much you ask? Research. Price items out, and check and see what they are selling for.

No magic crystal ball, especially when flipping other peoples trash into other peoples treasures.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Got started with Poundland years ago
Got used to shop there and empty shelves around
now saturated

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

I wouldn't bother with thrift stores. You need to shift a lot of stuff to make any money.

There are really good margins on expensive, popular gadgets and electronics. BUT, big BUT ... Higher risk of fraud. Higher risk of ebay/paypal limitations, so it's more difficult to stealth with. Higher risk of returns if you can't troubleshoot problems.

I don't think anybody will tell you outright what to buy and sell as they would much rather have less competition but you need to study a category of item that you think you can buy low and sell for profit in. It also helps if you enjoy the products you sell, so it's something you use all the time anyway.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Like just about everything else in life, the higher the risk, higher return. Sure, you might get lucky and find low risk trinkets to sell with decent margins, but chances are you will not be the only one selling those items.

I'm fortunate to have access to suppliers you will NEVER find anywhere online, they are private sources, through word of mouth only. If you spend some real time researching markets, you will have an idea. Hint: Some wholesalers have access to items they NEVER have for sale. You have to ask!

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

I purchased an Alienware pc on craigslist which is going for 3000 plus 30 shipping on Costco for 1350 and haggled my way down as he needed money and he added 2 year warranty which was another 250 so total cost of pc was around 3300 (but more on warranty below.. scam) and I got it for 1350. Saw on ebay same specs people are paying around 2k for this and was gonna go that route but decided to keep it. Basically I'm saying yeah if you do research well and know your stuff you certainly can. You just gotta know the stuff and deal . Takes time but if I ended up selling this and profit around 700 then it was worth it.


Keep in mind though , this guy sold me a great laptop and ownership transfer but the 2 year warranty was taken out as he called dell and cancelled the 2 year warranty. I was pissed cause he scammed me. But still got a good deal . Craigslist is not very legit but if you know your stuff and research has it's purpose

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Fantastic money to be had flipping items purchased from thrift stores. Search eBay completed listings on items to see what they sell for and how frequently they sell and make your buying choices with that info. If one thrift store is charging silly money go to another, they do vary. Plus remember they have half off days and other promotions.

Then there is yard sales as well. Craigslist, as someone has already mentioned. Lots of oppertunity.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

As long as you are ready for legwork and research

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Too much work.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Facebook marketplace is good as well. Picked up a few bargains there, just spoke to the seller and arranged UPS to collect and paid via paypal.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

thrift stores, are stores that sell donated goods for charity. Not like poundland.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Poundland sounds like a fun spot though - the name...

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Yeah, you can, but only few amounts of money

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Can be about volume though

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Must do the legwork, the research and have Luck.

:juggle:

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

START With something you like or familiar with,what do you like?
casino chips>
stamps,daggers,radios,dolls,fetish,Indian jewelry,Faberge eggs?are there trade shows near you ,there are different kind of trade shows-books,watches,jewelry,paintings etc,gifts are the most diverse.
is there a wholesale district in your city?
You speak Spanish,live closeto the border?
TAXCO,Mexico HAS A silver festival each year,2 hours busride from Mexico city

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

It depends where you live and what thrift stores you go to. Goodwill stores suck, flea markets are the best.

^ agent006140's advise is pretty good

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

And about volume and diligence on top of Arde's posting.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

The problem with thrift shops is that if there is anything worth selling,the clerks would have bought them.
Some of what they have cost more than new ones you can buy at Walmart.
No one mentioned Ebay,Ebay is the best hunting ground for brick and mortar dealers.
They have a keen eye for things and they can afford to pay more since they have a shop and they always mark them up enough to turn a profit

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Yes, you can make good money flipping items from thrift stores, flea markets, swap meets, yard sales, and even junk/scrap yards (auto parts).

Just be prepared to bust your ass and work for it. It's not as easy as it seems, and you need to have a vehicle to move the stuff around (such as a van/truck) and factor in logistical expenses.

I have a friend who lives in Reno, NV and does this on the weekends. He gives me a call every so often to swap stories and tell me his finds. He makes maybe $200-$400 per weekend, mainly visiting a place called the El Rancho Swap Meet. He finds all kinds of stuff which he flips on eBay- it typically involves from 8 to 10 hours per day of real work.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

In my area, on Craigslist, there are currently 513 items in the FREE SECTION! If someone can't make some decent money from that, they don't need the money bad enough.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

There is an article of 2 AMZN third party sellers,when WMT closes its superstores,the markdown could be 35-65 %,
both sellers sell strictly on AMZN,they have no brick and mortar presence.
One went with his brother in law and mother in law,she has a station wagon,so with 3 cars,they loaded up $30K worth of goods to resell on AMZN,they expect 100% gross proft.
The other has a $100k line of credit from local bank,sent 2 employess and a semi trailer,he also expect 100% gross margin.
I would think the second party would have contacted WMT manager in advance they are coming and ask WMT to set up an area with cashier to park and ring up the stuff so not to hold up the lines.
I would sent 2 staff and 2 kids (assistants) so they will have 4 shopping carts,when 2 are filled,the kids will dump the content at the set up area and return with empty carts,
the popular items would be snatched up fast,so doing your homework the day before helps.
Any of you can do the same,with your family,friends.
Think of the shipping cost you save if you have to order from different suppliers.
No need to go to thrift shop,go to Sears,Walmat,JC Penny,

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

These are established stores on AMZN marketplace,they dont just source from WMT,they source from traditional wholesalers/dsitributors and manufacturers as well.
I have b een selling on different venues since 1990s,THE ONLy time I was asked was someone asked me to sell some Precolumbian artifacts,I have to take a picture of myself with my Ebay ID and my artifacts,plus faxing my passport??
Only on this forum are the sellers asked to show invoice,I know many who sell on multiple venues,they were never asked?

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

One thing I learn from selling since 1990s is that people do care about quality,and they will pay for such.
Instead of dumpster diving,go to trade shows and see what you can find,

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

Of course some people care about quality.
I am one of those people. I'd gladly pay a premium for something if I think the item is worth it.

I trade in Numismatics (rare coins) and sometimes come across pieces that are undervalued, or were under graded. There are sellers who have no clue what their stuff is worth, but if you are an expert and know what you are looking for, you can often find diamonds in the rough.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

we all have stories of how we find or know someone who have found diamond in the rough or once in a life time deal on Ebay,making everyone wants to try to do the same.
But this is getting harder and harder now,as a new seller will search past and current auction and figure he could do just as well,what he does not realise is those unsold listings are there because buyer wont pay the asking price.
It is not just on Ebay,you can go to a garage sale and the seller has already done his research,he will tell you it sells for $87 on ebay and now you can have it for $65,then you bought and list it at 87,after paying FVF and Paypal fee,how much do you make?
Ditto with thrift shops,the clerks hid the better items so she can buy and resell on Ebay.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

You have to go in the small thirft store in the suburb sometime they no have clue of the value, can find intersting thing like vintage.time ago a friend of mine i found an ancient grammophone working . and painting original of french painter
They were left in the dirt hided in a corner , paid Just few hundred euros i think he sold for much more

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

man you're writing these long paragraphs lol.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

go to Ebay forum and read about how they ask each other the junk they found in garage sale,thrift shops.
But someone have a gold bracelet marked but cant read the characters,the two Kansii characters mean full gold,which is 24k gold !

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

this is nuts man...

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

you will not find diamond in the rough from thrift shops,as the clerks have already found and listed them on Ebay.
Try the clearance bins of BBY,HD,LOWE and large supermarket chains like KR,it may not make you rich but they are new ,someone may want them.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

From my experiences I'd be inclined to agree. the costs of decent shirts in our local "charity" shops compared to what they were selling for on eBay, add in postal costs, was making pennies in profit. Be a tough gig to make any major coin.

Re: Can you make decent money flipping items from thrift stores?
 

One other thing I'd mention too, which may seem obvious to some, is go to the thrift stores in and around affluent neighborhoods. Usually get better quality stuff being donated, naturally.