Your thrifting can be a simple hobby or, with a little diligence, you can easily create a regular side income. Not sure where to start? Look for these common thrift store finds that will make you money:
- Brand Name Clothes. Although a bit of an obvious choice, it is one of the easier finds in a variety of locations. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, yard sales and local Facebook groups are all examples of areas where you can find gently used or even completely new clothes that you can resell online. You shouldn’t expect an extreme profit from these; however, brands like Patagonia, North Face and Lululemon can earn a nice buck if you sell on Ebay in the right season. Other big names to look for to resell include Coach, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. These high-end items tend to gain more attention due to individuals loving the label without the price of department stores. You can also save on shipping costs by opting for doing clothing lots, which is placing a bunch of items together for one price. These tend to do well by combining the same size and group, such as maternity clothes and seasonal items.
- Vintage Games. Old-school board games and video games can be a huge hit online, as long as they are in fair condition. These are perfect for those nostalgic shoppers. When planning to market prime video games, choose ones for classic or iconic consoles such as the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). As far as board games, value depends on its state and year. A good site to check for their worth is www.boardgamegeek.com.
- Pyrex and Other Glassware. Vintage Pyrex and glassware sets are frequently overlooked and undervalued at yard sales and thrift stores, but you often can make a nice profit on these kitchen pieces due to individuals considering them collectibles. Obviously, the better the condition, the better the value, and try to retrieve complete sets to increase your sale. Also, be sure to not wash in the dishwasher as the heat will destroy the designs and finish. Etsy and eBay are two big hits for these items. When shopping for these and similar glassware, keep your eyes peeled for rare designs and anything out of the ordinary. Products includes tumblers, coffee mugs, mason jars and anything that may appear vintage. (Hint: check the bottom of the pieces for dates)
- College Textbooks and Classic Novels. Students tend to donate their textbooks without checking the resale value, which can be good news for you but bad for them. While reselling books may not make you a fortune, you can always check online to see their worth. Reviewing auction sites ahead of time may help you to see if its in high demand. Vending books in box sets or single volumes from a series are also an option for your efforts. You can check AbeBooks.com to check a value of a book to help provide you with an idea as you set up your resell “store.”
Other items to consider include records, record players, picture frames and truly anything vintage. Having a smart phone handy as you peruse thrift stores and garage sales will be especially beneficial in your attempt to turn a hobby into a profit.
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