Whether you're browsing through the racks in a thrift store or rummaging through a pile of discarded clothes at a garage sale, the idea of stumbling on an item that's worth more than it's being sold for is an exciting prospect. Thrift stores and flea markets hold the promise of treasure for someone willing to put the hard work in if they know what they're doing, and put a few extra dollars in their pocket.
Today we’re going to go over some of the best items to flip and where you can go to sell those items.
1. Video games
Nothing says nostalgia like retro video games, so stumbling on some old but still functioning video games can be some of the best items to flip. Typically, the items that sell the best will be the oldest and also the newest games, so you shouldn’t go for games from systems that aren’t old enough to be considered truly retro. This could be anything that came out in the 2000s. Finding games for the Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which came out in the late 80s and early 90s, is the sweet spot you’re looking for. Alternatively, finding games that came out within the year could also be worth flipping.
2. Picture frames
A lot of thrift stores will have a decent amount of art, but it can be difficult to assign a value to a painting. After all, what may be a great piece to one person may be worthless to someone else, so it can be one of the riskier flipping items to go for. But luckily, if the picture comes in a nice frame, it may have some value that’s a little easier for you to quantify.
People are always looking for picture frames, and the bigger and more ornate, the better. If a thrift store has an art section, look through it to see if there are any frames that are in great condition. If you find any big frames, they might be easier to sell locally, while smaller ones are easier to ship.
3. Books and textbooks
You may not think of books as being some of the best items to flip, but they can be worth flipping if you know what to look for. While you may not be making the big bucks from selling books individually, you may be able to sell a well-known box set in good condition for a surprisingly significant amount. For example, if you search “Harry Potter box set books” on Ebay, you’ll be able to find sets of these books going for $80 or more. If you can manage to find these in a thrift store for much cheaper, you may have struck gold.
Keep your eyes peeled for box sets of popular books series, like The Lord of the Rings or The Hunger Games. If you don’t manage to find the entire series together, individual copies still might be worth picking up and seeing if you can sell them to someone looking to round out their collection.
You should also look for any relatively recent editions of college textbooks, as students will sometimes donate these without knowing what their resale value is. Just make sure that you do some research to see how much these books are going for before buying them, since some may be out of date and not worth much.
4. Sporting equipment
Paying for your kids to play sports can get expensive, and it often starts with the cost of new equipment. So, if you find some sports equipment that is still in good shape, these can be some of the best items to flip. If you can find a whole set of equipment, like a set of hockey equipment for example, that’s even better. Just remember to make sure there aren’t any rips or tears in the equipment and that it’ll be easy to clean.
5. Designer clothing or clothing lots
Finding clothing items worth flipping can be harder than you might think, as it can be difficult to have an eye for things that are being undervalued. But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t an avenue worth pursuing. If you want to make some money flipping clothes, two ways to do it would be to look for high-end brands or put together a clothing lot.
Designer brands
Finding a brand name item is a great way to flip something that will likely sell, as it’s a good way for people to find a brand that they love without needing to pay full price at an expensive department store.
If you’re on the hunt for some designer brand items at a discounted price, start by going to thrift stores in affluent neighborhoods. These stores can often pull in higher end clothing from its clientele, so you may have an easier time finding high end brands that are in good condition. You should also find out if these stores are having any upcoming discount days and ask when they restock their shelves, so you know when to come in to get the first crack at new merchandise.
Clothing lots
Putting together a clothing lot is another way that you may be able to make some money from flipping clothes. Assembling eight items that all fall into the same category of clothing may be a little more enticing to people than buying a single item on its own. You can also save on shipping costs if you’re selling clothes online, as you’ll only have to ship one order instead of multiple.
If you want to create a clothing lot, put a set of clothes together that are the same size and type – like summer clothing, maternity wear, or winter clothes – and throw in a couple of brand name items with some lower-end pieces.
Where to sell your items
There are a few different places for you to be flipping items, but one of the most obvious ones is eBay. You’ll have access to a huge base of customers and the process of selling your items is easy. They also have a great app to simplify the process.
If you’re selling clothes, you can check out an online consignment store, or if you’re selling other items, you may have some luck with certain selling apps. Aside from that, putting your items up on Craigslist or having a garage sale are both great ways of selling items in your area.
The best items to flip may be waiting at the nearest thrift store
Finding a hidden gem at a thrift store can be an exciting prospect, and if you’re in the business of thrift store flipping, it could mean some extra cash in your pocket. Whether you’re doing it as a hobby or you’re looking to develop a side hustle, you’ll need to have the right thrift store flipping tips in hand and know what the best items to flip are.
Keep this list in mind and do some more research on how to smooth out this process. If you’re prepared to do some digging, then the best items to flip may be out there waiting for you to find them!
Posted in: Lifestyle
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or other professional advice. For full details, see MoneyKey's Terms of Use.
