What to Look For at Garage Sales (To Flip For a Profit)

One side hustle that will be very profitable is retail arbitrage, the act of shopping for items to resell. But how do what to search for at garage sales and other places?

What are probably the most profitable items you possibly can buy and resell? The items listed below are amongst the very best things to resell for a profit. 

Read on to learn the specifics of what it’s best to search for while you’re working to make cash with retail arbitrage. 

28 Best Things to Resell For a Profit

Inside each of the categories mentioned below, there are hidden tricks to show you how to select the precise items throughout the category. 

On the subject of making the very best profit on the items you’re reselling, the main points matter. 

Antiques

On the subject of reselling antiques, you’ll wish to keep three things in mind: authenticity, demand and condition. 

Search for popular antique items reminiscent of furniture pieces, serving ware, coins and residential decor. At all times search for a maker’s mark and other signs as you educate yourself on early era producers of antiques. 

Appliances

Persons are all the time seeking to buy appliances, whether it’s a big appliance like a refrigerator or a small appliance reminiscent of an InstaPot. 

Search for pricing that indicates the vendor just “wants it gone.” Again and again, you possibly can even find larger appliances free of charge when persons are remodeling their kitchen or moving. 

Artwork

Flipping artwork will be interesting for 2 reasons. First, you may discover a hidden gem of artwork that’s lesser known but made by a famous artist.

Second, art frames are sometimes more useful than the artwork itself. Get to know artists and their work so what you’re looking for as you shop, and pay special attention to the frames around artwork. 

Anything that appears antique or has an ornate design could possibly be a money maker. 

Baby Gear

Baby gear is expensive, and persons are comfortable to purchase used baby gear so long as it’s clean and in decent condition. 

Seek for good deals on items reminiscent of cribs, changing tables, high chairs, booster seats, clothing, baby carriers/wraps, blankets and toys. 

Higher yet, use these ways to get free baby stuff to resell.

Books

Books are one other hot item that you could often find at garage sales and flip. This is applicable to each recently published college textbooks and to fiction and non-fiction books. 

Use the Amazon Seller App to get an idea of what a book is selling for on Amazon, and get an idea of whether or not the books you discover are flippable. 

Cameras

Vintage cameras are likely one among the highest money makers you possibly can buy low-cost and resell. 

Nevertheless, this present day of the smartphone camera, you possibly can make cash by reselling newer cameras as well.

Bonus tip: As a substitute of reselling the camera, find camera and use it to make cash taking pictures. 

Automobile Accessories

When shopping garage sales for automotive accessories you possibly can flip, search for items that help with automotive care. Some examples are:

• Steering wheel covers
• Floor mats
• Automobile washing accessories and cleaners
• Seat covers
• Automobile covers

And more. Look for brand new items which might be being sold for affordable, and don’t be afraid to bargain. 

Chinaware

Effective china is one other item that may often be found low-cost at garage sales and flipped for an important profit. 

There are various various kinds of china with different values, so that you’ll must perform a little research to learn which china brands and pieces are Most worthy. 

That being said, it’s not unusual to search out useful china pieces for dirt low-cost prices by garage sale owners that just want the clutter gone. 

Collectibles

Collectibles can often be flipped to make a profit. When shopping garage sales, search for items reminiscent of sports motion figures, corkscrews and shot glasses. 

Do not forget that collectibles are sometimes more useful in the event that they’re in tip-top condition. And for those who’re excited by one other solution to make cash with collectibles, take a look at our Rally Rd. review. 

Designer Clothes

Designer clothes in good or higher condition can often be sold for a profit too. Search for brands reminiscent of Louis Vitton, Coach, Chanel and Tommy Hilfiger. 

Buy the garments at a deep discount at garage sales, after which resell them on sites like Poshmark that specialise in designer clothing sales. 

See our Poshmark review for more information on how the positioning works.

Exercise Equipment

Exercise equipment is continuously available at garage sales, and frequently marked at super low prices. 

Buy them and resell on local sites reminiscent of Craigslist and OfferUp. See our OfferUp review to find out how OfferUp makes local buying and selling safer.

Fashion Accessories

Fashion accessories reminiscent of belts, necklaces, bracelets and purses will be very profitable within the retail arbitrage market. 

Search for designer items which might be in great shape. Resell on eBay, Poshmark or other consignment web sites. 

Furniture

Furniture pieces resell quicker in the event that they have a novel flair to them. Antique or shabby chic pieces of furniture sell best. 

Other furniture items that sell quickly within the resale market include dressers, dressing tables and storage pieces. 

Jewelry

When looking for jewelry at garage sales, it’s not unusual to search out useful pieces that sellers just want gone. 

The perfect jewelry pieces for reselling are higher end items. Search for gold stamps (i.e.14k gold) or name brand stamps on jewelry pieces. 

Legos

Legos never fail to please within the resale market. Kids can’t get enough of them and fogeys aren’t all the time wanting to pay full price. 

Search garage sales for deals or visit on the last day of the sale and make a lowball offer. 

Maternity Clothing

Maternity clothing is commonly an enormous seller within the flipping world. Many pregnant people don’t see the purpose in buying recent since they’ll be wearing the garments for such a short while. 

Search for clothing in good condition, and sell on local buy/sell sites like OfferUp.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia often has a marketplace for buyers, especially on sites like eBay. Search for sports and other trading cards, musical group posters, guitar picks and similar items. 

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are quite expensive when purchased recent. Find great deals at garage sales after which resell the instruments for the going market price. 

Outdoor Gear

Outdoor gear reminiscent of tents, backpacks and fishing gear will be great items to flip for a profit as well. 

Again, condition is essential so search for items in great shape. 

Retro Clothing

Retro or vintage clothing is all the time hot within the reselling market. Search for wild colours and patterns, and graphic tees with brands and musical groups featured on them. 

Silverware

Silverware is an important item to flip for a profit for those who can find some for affordable. Just make sure you’re buying real silverware and never a well-crafted fake or a silver plated piece.

Bring a magnet with you to check the silverware, as real silver is not going to stick with a magnet. 

Sports Equipment

Parents in all places love buying used sports equipment for his or her kids. Search garage sales for soccer, football and other sports equipment you possibly can get a deal on. 

Sunglasses

You’ll wish to search for name brands when looking for sunglasses at garage sales. Brands reminiscent of Ray-Ban and Revo offer the very best likelihood of flipping for a profit.

Condition is essential too, so make sure the sunglasses you purchase are in great condition. 

Tools

I’ve been to garage sales where tools reminiscent of wrenches, socket sets and more are sold for as little as 25 cents each. 

When you run into an important deal on tools at a garage sale, scoop it up and resell them on local ad sites reminiscent of Craigslist. 

Typewriters

Typewriters are a long-gone accessory that served writers and office personnel well back within the day. 

And there’s a gaggle of individuals (me included) that will be comfortable to own a typewriter again. Sell on eBay or at a consignment store. 

Video Games

Video games and video game consoles and other accessories are popular within the retail arbitrage market. 

Whether current or vintage, you possibly can often sell video games and video game accessories on sites like Gamestop and Swappa. 

Vintage Serving Dishes

As with high-quality china, vintage serving dishes are highly wanted within the reselling world. Vintage Pyrex sells well.

Nevertheless, just about any brand of vintage serving dish can be wanted on sites like eBay and Amazon. 

Vintage Toys

Vintage toys never fail to garner interest amongst online buyers. Look specifically for older model Fisher Price toys, rocking horses and baby toys.

The higher condition the toys are in, the faster you’ll have the ability to resell them.

Regularly Asked Questions

Summary

Knowing what to search for at garage sales to flip for a profit can really maximize your earnings as a reseller. 

Use the list above to make probably the most money as you’re employed this potentially lucrative side hustle.