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Originally posted on: https://thrifttownstores.com/thrift-store-flipping-best-items-to-flip/
Thrift Store Flipping: Best Items to Flip for Profit
If you are looking for a side hustle that is a lot of fun, as well as being potentially profitable, then you could do a lot worse than to get into thrift store flipping. Yes, it’s already super popular right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make a decent profit by getting into the game, especially if you really know how to flip thrift store items for profit, because so many people buy any old things and try to sell it on, not realizing that there is little to no profit in it.
Hopefully, the guide below, which delves into the best thrift store items for reselling will help you to become the savvy shopper you know you can be, so that you can make a great profit on your flipping journey.
Why Thrift Store Flipping Work
Okay, so before we go any further, let’s get into why thrift store flipping actually works and why it can really be profitable. Some factors in its effectiveness are:
- Many items are only gently used and sometimes even new
- Vintage pieces often gain value as the years go by
- Certain categories always have demand
- Thrift store prices are low enough that you can reach a healthy resale margin
- Inventory is constantly changing
The key to success is, therefore, knowing what’s trending, what retains its value well and what buyers are actually buying online, as well as how much they are willing to pay.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best thrift store items for reselling.
1. Clothing (Especially Name Brands and Vintage)
Clothing is and has always been one of the best thrift store items for reselling due to its high availability and the strong demand for clothing across resale platforms, because everyone needs something to wear, right?
What to Look For
- Premium outdoor brands like Patagonia and The North Face
- Designer labels like Coach, Gucci and Lululemon
- Vintage denim (Levi’s 501s are particularly sought after)
- Band tees and concert merch
- Leather jackets
- High-quality natural fabrics, particularly wool
- Items that are new with tags
Why it Sells
Clothing sells well because we all need it, and because it appeals to bargain hunters as well as collectors and people who are looking for more sustainable ways to shop.
In Thrift Town Dallas we have a huge selection of vintage and designer clothes you should check out.
Where to Sell
- Poshmark
- eBay
- Depop
- Vinted
- Mercari
- Etsy (if it’s vintage)
Profit Potential
You could sell a $6 jacket for as much as $35+ if it’s interesting enough. If it’s a vintage denim jacket for example, then it could fetch as much as $120 depending on condition.
2. Shoes (Sneakers, Boots and Speciality Footwear)
Clothing is not the only thing we wear, and shoes can have just as much, if not more, resale profit, especially if they’re in good condition and are from a good recognized brand.
Look For
- Running shoes like Hoka, Asics or Brooks
- Leather boots, especially Doc Martens or Red Wing
- Designer heels
- Limited edition sneakers
- High-quality children’s shoes (great because they are often lightly worn
Why Shoes Are Great to Flip
Shoes are great to flip because they are durable, you can clean them up easily, and they often retain their value well. Many shoppers like to buy gently used footwear, not just to save money, but also because they can get better brands for their money, and some people even find them more comfy.
Where to Sell
- eBay
- Poshmark
- GOAT or StockX if they’re high-end sneakers
Profit Range
You can expect to sell a $10 pair of Hokas in good quality for $50-100. Designer boots and heels can potentially make hundreds of dollars depending on the brand.
3. Books (Especially Textbooks and Vintage Editions
Books are great because they’re really easy to list, store and ship, which is why many people start out their thrift store journeys with them.
Best Titles to Flip
- College textbooks
- Vintage hardcovers
- First editions
- Popular fiction series, like Harry Potter or Stephen King
- Out-of-print speciality books
- Cookbooks from well-known chefs
Where to Sell
- Amazon
- eBay
- Etsy (for vintage books)
- Facebook Marketplace (great if you have large sets to get rid of)
Profit Potential
Textbooks that you buy for 2 or three dollars could sell for $20-80, depending on the demand. Vintage hardcovers could sell for hundreds depending on how rare they are and how in demand. Signed books could fetch even more. Check out our Thrift Town San Antonio store for options.
4. Home Decor and Small Furniture
Home decor items are often very profitable to flip because they can be expensive to pick up new, but also because they are pretty easy to upcycle and give a new lease of life to, too.
Items to Look For
- Mid-century modern furniture
- Wall art
- Vases, candleholders, and sculptures
- High-quality baskets
- Rugs in good condition
- Mirrors (especially gilded, vintage or ornate ones)
Why It Sells
People are always looking for things to beautify their homes or add practicality to their spaces, and many of them are doing so on a budget.
Where to Sell
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- Etsy (vintage and upcycled pieces)
Profit Range
A vintage mirror bought for $15 could make as much as $75-150. Tables, chairs and dressers that you upcycle and flip could sell for hundreds. Shopping at Thrift Town Albuquerque will make your search a lot easier.
5. Kitchenware and Cookware
People love to cook and high-quality cookware can last decades, if not a lifetime, which is why they are very sought after in the secondhand market.
Items Worth Flipping
- Cast iron pans like Lodge and Griswold
- Le Creuset and Staub cookware
- Pyrex (especially if it is vintage or patterned)
- Stainless steel pans
- Quality utensils and serving sets
Where to Sell
- eBay
- Etsy
- Facebook Marketplace (great for heavier items)
Profit Potential
Vintage Pyrex bought for $4-6 can sell for as much as $40-100 if you’re lucky. Cast iron pans can as much as triple your initial investment.
So, is Thrift Store Flipping Worth it?
Yes, if you take it seriously, you learn how to flip thrift store items for profit, and you know which items are sought after, you can definitely make money with thrift store flipping, so why not head over to Thrift Town and start your thrifting journey today?