How to Resell Thrift Store Finds: 5 Things That Sell & 3 That Always Flop

Let’s be real—thrift stores are like a chaotic treasure hunt. You walk in, it smells like 1998, and you wonder if you just wasted gas and hope. But if you know what to look for, how to price it, and where to sell it, you can turn a $5 find into a $50 payday. And yes, I’m sharing  the blueprint.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, side hustle queen, or a broke college student with Venmo and vibes, this guide will show you how to resell thrift store finds like a pro—even if you’ve never flipped anything except pancakes.

Why Thrift Store Reselling Works

Before we dive in, here’s why this side hustle slaps:

• Low risk, low cost – Most items are under $10.
• Unlimited niches – Fashion, kitchen gear, electronics, you name it.
• Treasure hunt thrill – It’s the only shopping spree where spending less makes you more.

If you’ve got $20 and a few hours, you’ve got what it takes to get started.

Step 1: Know Before You Go        

You can’t just walk into a thrift store and expect dollar signs to start dancing in your eyes. You need to know what sells.

Here’s how to prep like a resale ninja: 

• YouTube is your free coach. Watch resellers show what they find and what it sells for. It’s like game film, but for hustlers.
• Instagram = real-time flips. Follow hashtags like #thriftflips and #resellerfinds to learn from others.
• Start with what you know. Love fashion? Search brands. Into sports? Flip gear. Gamer? Resell controllers and games.

✅ Make a hit list of brands, categories, or items you’re familiar with and bring it with you.

Step 2: Plan Your Thrift Route Like a Boss

Use Google Maps to search:

• “Thrift stores”
• “Goodwill”
• “Salvation Army”

✅ Write down addresses and plan a route. Use Google Route Planner or go old school with MapQuest if you like that retro feeling.

Step 3: Thrift Like a Strategist, Not a Tourist

The method to the madness: 

• Start on the outside (shelves, electronics, shoes), then work into the middle (clothes, books).
• Use the eBay app to check comps. Scan barcodes or search manually.
• Look for sell-through rate. More sold than listed = good.

✅ Find a Honeywell thermostat for $5? If 27 sold in the last 90 days and only 18 are listed, that’s a green flag. It sold for $58 in days. =)

Step 4: Set Your Profit Standards

Everyone’s different. Some are cool with a $2 profit; others only chase $50+ flips.

Ask yourself:

• Is it worth photographing, listing, and shipping?
• Does this profit margin make me happy?
• How many can I sell each week at this pace?

✅Set your threshold early—no shame in saying “nah” to junk.

Step 5: List It Like You Mean It

Focus on these 3 things:

1. Photos: Clean background, good lighting, show details (not glam shots, just clarity).
2. Price right: Average the last 5 sold items on eBay.
3. Item specifics: Fill out every detail—brand, size, model, condition, etc.

✅ Remember, no one buys what they can’t find or understand.

Step 6: Prep to Ship Without a Breakdown

Your box should survive being thrown off a second-floor balcony. (Seriously.)

• Use bubble wrap, poly mailers, or boxes as needed.
• Print shipping labels through eBay—it’s cheaper.
• Always include a packing slip or thank-you note—adds trust and ups your seller game.

✅ Think of it this way: your packaging should impress and protect—like a bodyguard in a tuxedo.

Step 7: Track Your Profits (Before the Taxman Finds You)

Even if you’re making coffee money, it’s still income.

Your options:

• Spreadsheet gang: Manual, free, and beginner friendly.
• My Reseller Genie: Paid but super easy to automate.
• Notebooks & Receipts in a Shoe Box: Old school and chaotic—use only if you like panic in April.

✅ Either way, track every flip, every fee, and every dollar. Your future self will thank you at tax time.

Important: Keep Your Inventory Organized!

Use bins, labels, and eBay’s custom SKU feature so you’re not digging through closets looking for “that one shirt with the flamingo.”

5 Items I Never Pass Up

These are my top thrift finds—especially when suitcase space is tight!

1. Hats with Hype (Think Grateful Dead)

• Lightweight and easy to store
• Can flip for big profits if you know the trends
• Great conversation starters that often sell fast on Instagram or eBay
  

TIP: Grateful Dead gear (yes, even weird hats with dancing bears or money bags) sells fast. Don’t sleep on niche fan merch!

2. Specialty Sneakers

• Converse (especially Valentine’s editions)
• Keens (always check condition)
• Limited edition collabs

Look for:

• Bold colors
• Unique collab tags
• Styles that scream “I don’t just run—I thrift in style”

TIP: If the brand is searchable, you’ve probably got a winner. Rare colors and/or holiday editions will sell for even more!

3. Fanny Packs, Wallets & Crossbody Bags

• Easy to store
• High value on platforms like Poshmark and eBay
• Great finds include Kate Spade wallets, leather kiss-lock coin purses, and quirky novelty bags

TIP: Always check zippers and linings. Sticky zippers are heartbreakers.

4. Squishmallows (Yes, Really)

Some go for $10. Others? $50, $60—even $100+ for rare ones.

• Always check size (16″ can bring way more than a 5″)
• Condition matters: look for tags!
• Rare styles like corgis, burger squishies, and black cats (named “Jack,” of course)
                                     

TIP: If you’re not sure, search its name + size on eBay and filter by “sold.”

5. Paperweights & Non-Breakable Decor

Think fancy millefiori or dichroic glass paperweights.

• Can go for $40 to hundreds
• Look for signed pieces or unique swirls
• Skip anything chipped or super heavy unless the profit’s worth it

TIP: If you’re packing glass, make sure it’s worth 3–5x the risk.

3 Thrift Store Finds I Always Skip (Because They Just Don’t Sell)

Not everything in a thrift store is a hidden treasure. Some things are just… dusty duds.

If you want to actually make money, skip these space-wasters:

1. Common Coffee Mugs

Sure, mugs can be collectible—but 95% of them? Total clutter.

Why I skip:

• Oversaturated market
• Low resale value (like, $5 max)
• Too fragile for the profit they bring

Unless it’s like vintage, branded (Starbucks, Disney), or ultra-quirky, do yourself a favour and just skip it.

2. Generic Home Decor

Suuuuure, it’s cute.  But so is the exact same one at Dollarama!

Why I skip:

• No brand = no resale value
• Heavy = expensive shipping
• Everyone and their cousin is reselling the same “Live Laugh Love” sign! Lol.  Yuppers, you know the one too!

3. Used Board Games or Puzzles

They seem like a smart buy… until you realize they’re missing pieces.

Why I skip:

• Nightmare to inventory
• Buyers hate incomplete sets
• Only rare vintage games actually sell

TIP: If it’s breakable, boring, or borderline junk—don’t romanticize it. You’re running a side hustle, not a thrift museum.

How to Resell Thrift Store Finds FAQ

The Bottom Line:

You don’t need a storefront. You don’t need experience. You just need Wi-Fi, a phone, and the courage to dig through a few racks.

Whether you’re looking for grocery money or your next big side hustle, learning how to resell thrift store finds is a smart (and kinda addictive) way to turn clutter into cash.

The biggest takeaway should be: Flipping Thrift Finds Works (If You Do)

Learning how to resell thrift store finds is part hustle, part treasure hunt. So, whether you’re browsing in your hometown or halfway across the country, once you train your eye and learn what sells, the game changes.

And the best part? You get to make money doing something you already love—thrifting.

Ready to Start?  Try This:

• Grab $20.
• Hit your local thrift.
• Use the eBay app.
• List your first flip.

Then come back and tell me how much you made!

👉 And if you liked this post, you’ll love this post on food to sell to make money.