Best items to flip in your spare time!
Who doesn’t love a good side hustle? If you’re looking to make some extra cash on the side, why not check out some of the best items to flip for a profit?
From clothes and furniture to technology and appliances, there are plenty of things you can sell for a profit. So get creative and start flipping today!
Here is a list of the all-time best things to sell online as a side hustle you can do from your home.
Why Is Flipping Items for Profit So Popular?
Finding stuff to sell online is gaining popularity for several reasons. Most online platforms require little to no upfront costs.
Flipping items for profit works by buying items for a low cost that you then mark up at a higher price for selling online.
Many flip things for profit as a fun hobby, a part-time gig to make a little cash on the side, or turn into a full-time profitable business.
To start flipping items for a profitable side hustle, you’ll need some effort and a little time. You don’t need any special skills or training—anyone can do it!
29 Best Things to Buy and Sell for a Profit
The Best Things to Buy and Resell
Here are 30 of the best things to buy and resell to get the most bang for your buck.
1. Power tools
One of the best categories to sell online is power tools. New ones can be expensive, so potential buyers highly seek out second-hand tools to save money.
If you want to sell things in the power tool category, start by seeking out popular brands for a higher price.
Second-hand and gently used tools are the top items to flip at garage sales because they have a long life span. Plus, potential buyers are always on the hunt for a good deal.
You can make good money from a set of nice-looking tools.
2. Sports memorabilia
Some people are such sports fanatics that they eagerly purchase sports memorabilia. Popular items that can go for high prices include:
- Cards
- Autographed sports items
- Ticket stubs
- Vintage shirts, jerseys, and hats
- Bobbleheads
- Championship rings
Collectible items that are high in demand can be expensive, leaving you with a good source of passive income.
3. Car parts
Car parts are another costly category that’s often in high demand.
If you’re interested in selling car parts, you can find good deals at salvage auctions, online marketplaces like eBay, and junkyards.
The biggest challenge of flipping car parts is understanding what pieces are in demand. By pooling your resources to find the best items to sell online, you can make a significant profit.
4. Furniture
If you’ve ever browsed thrift stores or online marketplaces, you’ll notice that high-quality furniture is in high demand.
Older wooden furniture pieces have a strong quality content, giving them a longer life span. Potential buyers are willing to pay extra money for pieces made of real materials.
People are always moving, redesigning their homes, and decluttering their spaces. They may donate their used furniture to thrift stores, have garage sales, or list them on online marketplaces. You can often find quality wood furniture pieces at a low price.
You can sell wooden furniture in good condition at a high price. You can also increase the price of flipped furniture by giving it cosmetic updates.
5. Strollers
Another product often in high demand is baby supplies. Brand-new kids’ items are usually expensive, especially for unprepared parents. And since these products are only good for a short time, it’s often better to purchase items second-hand.
You can purchase used items, such as strollers, from a yard sale. Then, you can renovate or refresh them to resell them for a profit. Since baby gear is in high demand, it’s one of the easiest things to flip for profit.
Strollers are among the top items sold on eBay. A friend of mine picked up a free, gently used jogging stroller, which sold on eBay for $$$.
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6. Arcade games
Most people love arcade games, whether to relive their childhood or to bring joy to their friends and family time.
Not only are arcade games a blast from the past, but they’re also a great addition to any household and can be quite valuable to flip.
7. Collectibles
Any collectible is a great item to flip for a profit. That’s because collectibles are highly valuable because they are hard to find.
Some of the best collectibles to flip for profit include wine, vintage toys, coins, comics, and classic cars. Most collectible items have sentimental value, inspiring collectors to pay more for them.
Always look for collectible items when browsing thrift stores, garage sales, social media platforms, and websites.
8. Records
Vinyl records have made a major comeback in recent years. Many people still have an obsession with vintage items, and older music records have a lot of sentimental value for collectors.
So, these records can be worth high prices. But you can also earn cash on cassette tapes and some CDs, depending on the music album.
9. Computers
Computers and laptops offer a high flipping potential. For example, if you’re good with tech, you can buy damaged electronic items you fix and resell.
There is a large market for refurbished laptops and computers. Because these electronics are expensive, many prefer to spend less on a used product.
10. Vintage electronics
You can find vintage electronics to flip at thrift stores and yard sales. Some of the best vintage electronics and accessories include:
- Record players
- Walkmans
- Eight-track players
- Film cameras
As with other vintage things, these old electronics offer sentimental value to collectors. Because of that, people are often willing to pay higher prices for their purchases. If you want to make easy money, flipping vintage electronics is the way to go.
11. Baby items
Baby items are great to sell for extra cash. Many parents are willing to buy second-hand toys, clothes, diaper bags, and other expensive accessories for their babies.
You can find a lot of gently used baby supplies at thrift stores and yard sales. Then you can bring them home to make money selling to everyday people.
Related article: How to Score Cash for Clothes You No Longer Wear
12. Yard equipment
Yet another of the best things to flip to make money is yard equipment. Yard equipment is easy to sell and has a high price tag, even for used stuff.
The best places to find used yard equipment you can sell are yard sales, the side of the road, and estate sales.
But what is the best yard equipment to flip?
You can usually find used yard equipment for a fraction of the price of new equipment. You can sell these items on online classifieds, resale sites, and social media platforms.
13. Sports equipment
Another successful category of products that is good to sell is sports equipment. Think of items like treadmills, home gyms, weights, and exercise bikes. All of these things sell for good profit margins.
Sellers are usually happy to get rid of them and willing to make a deal since they take up so much room.
14. Smartphones
Smartphones are great electronic devices to flip to make money. Everyone wants a smartphone. But not everyone can afford them brand new. Many people are willing to spend money to buy used smartphones.
If you don’t have extra smartphones lying around, go to yard sales or thrift stores. If you have a keen eye and do a little research, you can start a side hustle selling old smartphones.
15. Video game consoles
One of the biggest industries in the world is the video game scene. New consoles and video games come out nearly every year, and there’s always a huge demand for used electronics.
You can also make money by selling video games. Most people keep their games or consoles for a few months. If you shop in the right places, you can find great deals on gently used items.
There is a wide profit market available for flipping video gaming consoles. It’s best to understand the market first to know what sells and what doesn’t.
Easiest Things to Flip for a Profit
When it comes to flipping for a profit, some items are easier to sell than others.
16. Lego sets
Lego sets, especially when they’re limited editions, make great toys that you can flip to earn a good profit margin. You can find some interesting Lego sets at garage sales and thrift stores.
Before investing in Lego sets, there are a few things to know.
First, do your research to check the value of your set. You can do this by checking online auction sites or doing a Google search for the set.
Next, make sure all the pieces are there. You can only make money from a product that has everything with it.
17. Board games
Board games have recently gained popularity, making them a good deal to earn extra money.
Selling board games can be one of the easiest things to flip, especially during the holiday season.
TIP: Always make sure board games have all of their pieces. A board game isn’t worth much if only half of the pieces are there.
18. Baseball cards
Sports and baseball cards are always of interest to collectors. Some cards are worth more than others.
If you’ve picked up any sports cards, you can make money by listing your cards on eBay.
19. Old video games
You can’t find old video games at many retailers anymore. But they are still in high demand with the right audiences. Not all old video games will make money, so it’s best to know which ones are popular brands before investing.
20. Book collections
Despite the ability to read your favorite books on digital appliances, many people still prefer the real paper and ink formats. You can find quite the market for used textbooks.
You can find potential customers at your local used bookstore, second-hand thrift stores like Goodwill, or online.
Related article: 19 Ways You Can Get Paid to Read From Home
21. Textbooks
Some textbooks can help you earn a little cash on the side. The average price for second-hand school textbooks is between $20 and $80. Check out BookScouter to get an estimate for specific textbooks.
22. Fitness equipment
The higher price of fitness equipment makes it a profitable category to sell and make a little cash on the side. There is a high demand for used items like dumbbells, resistant bands, mats, and more as people try to live healthier while saving money.
If you see someone selling used fitness equipment at garage sales or online, you can purchase it at a discounted price to add to your business model inventory.
23. Puzzles
Puzzles are a hobby many everyday people complete for some time alone. And they’re among the easiest things to add to your side hustle. Many people will pay good money for puzzles, making them a great business opportunity.
24. TV’s
Televisions are another electronic device you can turn into a business. Because they can be relatively expensive, selling used televisions for profit is a great opportunity.
Before you buy used televisions, test them to ensure they work properly. It’s also helpful to do research online to find the models that are selling for the most money.
25. Vintage items
There is a high demand for vintage items, but only some are valuable. But you can find many people interested in purchasing anything vintage. You can make big bucks selling certain vintage pieces.
Do research on eBay and other online sites to see how much people are paying for different items. Then, to achieve success, set your prices competitively.
26. Lawnmowers
Anyone who owns enough real estate to have a yard will need a lawnmower to tend it. But these machines come with a hefty price, even if you catch them on sale. So, if you can get lawnmowers and other equipment, you can sell them fast and for a decent profit.
27. Outdoor Furniture
Another valuable product to sell as a side hustle is outdoor furniture. These pieces can cost upwards of thousands of dollars brand new. But plenty of people buy second-hand pieces in good condition.
28. Bikes
Bikes are great for buying and reselling because they’re readily available and always in demand. You can find used bikes to buy online or at garage sales. While all bikes can make you money, you’ll see the biggest return on vintage or branded bikes.
29. Old Disney Movies
Reselling vintage Disney movies can be a huge business idea as younger generations discover the magic of movies on film. You may have some money hidden in your closet or the attic. Otherwise, hit flea markets and garage sales. Be sure you check online to see what movies are worth the most.
How to Find Items to Flip for a Profit?
You can find items to flip in various places. Searching and selling locally is a great way to have a business. But you can also sell your flipped items with an online business. Or do the smart thing and do a combination of the two.
Here’s where to find the best deals for flippable items.
Garage Sales
Check out local garage sales in your area. You can find some great deals on items to flip.
Look for items that are in good condition and priced low. Usually, people who are having a sale just want to get rid of stuff quickly, so they’re more likely to sell items at a lower price.
Once you find an item, research its worth and offer the person a lower price. If they accept your offer, you’ve just made a profit!
Yard Sales
A yard sale, similar to a garage sale, is one of the best ways to find things to flip for profit.
Many people considering decluttering their storage or garage space usually set up a sale to get rid of all the things collecting dust in their garage or storage unit. But for you, those things could be pretty valuable.
And because sellers want to get rid of everything fast, they’re often more willing to accept a lower price for their stuff.
Auctions
Actions are a great way to score more expensive stuff that you can sell for money. You can score good deals on artwork, used cars, vintage clothing, jewelry, and high-quality wood furniture.
Like other sales, you can likely find open actions in your area from people trying to declutter or move.
Check online auction websites and classified ads, and ask friends or family about actions in your area. You can also find online auctions like eBay.
After finding an auction to join, do your research to find out what items are available. Then, set your budget and start bidding.
The item is yours to resell if you are the highest bidder.
Flea Markets
The flea market is your secret weapon for reselling handmade crafts. At flea markets, you can find anything from hygiene products to jewelry—costume and handmade—and often have interesting wares.
TIP: When visiting flea markets, always remember to haggle for the best price.
The Side of the Road
Don’t freak out, but some of the best places to find flipping items are on the roadside and next to dumpsters.
People tend to leave behind clothes, household appliances, furniture, and exercise equipment because they don’t want them or need something fixed.
Often, these items are in usable condition. You may have to do some minor repairs or cleaning. But because they’re free, you profit no matter how much you sell it.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a digital version of garage sales. People usually post used or new stuff for sale that they don’t need anymore.
Yard sales or storage unit cleanouts are often advertised on Facebook Marketplace as well. You can find some great deals if you keep an eye out!
Keep your eye out for great deals! You can set your city location or search for specific profitable items. Try searching for individual items like a couch or coffee table.
Your Home
Being profitable can sometimes require spending money upfront. You can often find things for flipping right at home.
Start by going through your things to find items you no longer use. Some things include old furniture, kid gear, good-quality shoes, used power tools, and vintage board games.
Selling profitable items from your house is a great way to make money from decluttering.
Thrift Stores
Local thrift stores are excellent resources for a business that resells clothing. You can find clothing in excellent condition at thrift stores at a reasonably low price, which you can list at a higher price.
Now is the time to check out your local thrift shops if you haven’t done so already!
Estate Sales
Estate sales are the best place to find high-end items to resell. An estate sale is usually when a family sells items from a recently passed family member.
You can score hauls you can’t find at second-hand stores, such as art, jewelry, furniture, and other high-end items.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a digital alternative to yard sales, like a Facebook marketplace where you can find used stuff at fair prices.
The site lets you search for items by category, but you can also browse the listings for things that catch your eye. Remember to look for items that are in good condition at a low price. You want things you can resell for a profit that only needs a little work.
Steps to Start Flipping Items for a Profit
Step 1: Create a designated space for working
Many people choose to flip things that require reworking or renovations. Before you start listing items for sale, it’s a good idea to create an area to work in.
Step 2: Take pictures of the items you plan to flip for a profit
After you’ve prepared your items for sale, take pictures and upload them to different online marketplaces to attract more traffic from online buyers.
Pro tip: Ensure that there’s enough daylight and declutter the background to take the most appealing pictures of your stuff. Also, make sure the item you’re selling looks as clean as possible and showcases it from different angles.
Step 3: List your best items to sell
After you’re done shooting appealing photos for your items, you can start listing your items on online platforms.
In addition to uploading pictures of your item, you’ll also need to write a descriptive title and detailed description. Make sure to include any specifications of your item as well as its actual condition.
Step 4: Sell your items, get paid, repeat
Selling online is as easy as making an arrangement with the buyer, handling the shipping or delivery procedures, and receiving your payment in cash or through a preferred online payment method.
Once your sale is done, you can repeat the process with new items over and over to maximize how much you earn from your flipping.
Where Should You Sell Items You’ve Flipped?
eBay
eBay is the largest global marketplace for selling and buying used stuff and is one of the best places to sell items you’ve flipped.
While listing your stuff on eBay is a straightforward process, there are two types of fees you’ll be charged – insertion fee and selling fee. Both fees vary from product to product.
However, setting up your first 200 eBay listings per month is free, after which you’ll need to pay $0.35 per listing.
Here’s how eBay fees work by product category:
Category | Insertion fee | Selling (final value) fee |
Musical Records Motors Parts & Accessories Automotive Tools & Supplies | Free for the first 200 listings per month. Then $0.35 per listing. | 10% (max. fee $750) |
Books DVDs & Movies Music (except Records category) | 12% (max. fee $750) | |
Musical Instruments & Gear > Guitars & Basses | Free | 3.5% (max. fee $350) |
Select Clothing, Shoes & Accessories categories:Men > Men’s Shoes > Athletic ShoesWomen > Women’s Shoes > Athletic Shoes | Free if the starting price is at least $100 | 0% if the selling price is $100 or more10% if the selling price is less than $100 |
Select Business & Industrial categories: Heavy Equipment Parts & Attachments Printing & Graphic Arts > Commercial Printing Presses Restaurant & Foodservice > Food Trucks, Trailers & Carts | $20 | 2% (max. fee $300) |
Facebook Marketplace
Our next place to list items for flipping is the Facebook marketplace. It’s the best option for selling your flipped items locally.
The Facebook marketplace is entirely free to use. You don’t have to pay listing or selling fees for the items you sell.
Craigslist
Craigslist is another go-to place where people seek to sell or buy used items across the nation.
It’s also free to list your items for sale on their site. There are no selling fees or insertion costs.
Best Items to Flip- Summary
Generally, you can make a profitable business by flipping any item. But it’s best to do your research first to determine its popularity.
However, depending on current events and trends, everything comes in and out of demand. You should always keep up with the market and research before buying anything for flipping.
If you enjoyed this article, follow me on Pinterest for more ways to make and save money.
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