you better know where and how to buy your products.
Our tips will help you find the best products.
This section covers what thrift flipping is, what it isnt, and whether its ethical.
What is Thrift Flipping?
For example, if you want to sell vintage clothing, you may need to learn how to sew.
Want to see electronics?
you better be good with tech.
Is Thrift Flipping the Same as Upcycling?
By definition, upcycling is when a person sells items theyve used and already owned to another person.
On the other hand, thrift flipping describes the act of buying used products from somewhere else.
Both involve selling used goods, but only one requires you to buy items first.
Is Thrift Flipping Ethical?
Some sellers intentionally scam customers, but there are many reputable sellers that dont do this.
Another issue is price gouging.
With that said, corporations should take the blame for this, not individual sellers.
you’re free to find lots of used goods all over your city and across the internet.
While you could buy new products, theyre less likely to sell for a profit unless theyre incredibly discounted.
you’re free to choose to get the item in person or order online.
Apps like Poshmark and Etsy are exclusively for sellers who want to sell handmade or used goods.
It wont take long for you to find some hidden gems.
If you have a thrift store nearby, start rummaging through.
Thrift stores contain a whole host of items, ranging from furniture to clothing to board games.
Grand openings often run limited-time deals.
UseOpenings24to find a plethora of grand openings and re-openings for stores and services in your area.
During the spring and summer, drive around your town and stop by a few yard sales.
Theyre the perfect place to find quality used items for a fraction of the price.
Also called a swap meet, a flea market is a street market where people sell second-hand goods.
you’ve got the option to find lots of expensive items for incredibly low prices.
Want to buy used or low-cost new items and support your community at the same time?
Then go to a local fair!
Youre bound to find something interesting to sell.
The steps youll go through to reach this conclusion will depend on the item and your market.
Heres how you’re able to tell if an item is worth selling.
Is it in a High-Selling Category Item?
The used market, like any other market, has its fair share of profitable and unprofitable markets.
From there, you search for individual products.
Am I Knowledgeable About This Category?
Lets say you see a large selection of Pokemon cards at a thrift store.
They have a bit of dirt on them, but youre sure you’re able to clean them.
But youve never sold, played with, or researched the value of these cards before.
Show you buy them anyway and take a chance?
The answer is hopefully no.
If you dont know anything about a category, dont buy from it until you do.
Is the Item in Good Condition?
If possible, purchase an item thats in good condition.
Good condition can mean something different depending on the item.
This is another reason why product and category knowledge is so important.
Without this knowledge, you could end up buying a lot of aesthetically appealing but useless junk.
Does the Condition Actually Matter?
In other cases, the condition matters, but its irrelevant if it looks pretty or not.
This is true for car parts, vinyl records, TVs, video games, and gym equipment.
Do I Have the Skills to Spruce it Up?
This is a pretty easy hurdle to jump because you should be aware of your own skill level.
Do you want to sell clothes, but you cant sew?
You have two options: learn how to sew or shop in another category.
Can you sew, but not well?
Consider if you want to upgrade your skills.
If you cant, move on to a project thats easier to complete.
Do I Have the Time to Spruce it Up?
Remember that youre doing this to make a profit.
If its not sellable, then it might as well be useless to your business.
Can You Sell the Item in a Reasonable Time Frame?
This question is hard to answer because the used market is volatile.
If possible, dont sell it for less than what you paid for.
Is it Sought-After or Rare?
This is a no-brainer, but itll take category knowledge to get this right.
Itll also take a lot of shopping around.
Rare or sought-after items typically fly off shelves quickly, so be vigilant.
Would the Average Person Use This?
With that said, you could be facing more competition.
Thats why you should add some niche items to your online used shop.
Can I Sell this to a Profitable Niche?
Then go for it!
One niche that sells well thats often overlooked is alternative fashion.
Think goth, cottage-core, rockabilly, and punk.
You could be that store that fills that need.
