We tend to go to thrift stores to find good deals and to save money. But have you ever thought about making money at a thrift store instead?
The idea is to buy items that you can resell at a higher price online.
Ecommerce expert Glen Zubia buys and sells items for a living on sites like eBay and makes up to $10,000 a month.
So what are the things to look for?
“First probably go electronics; electronics people buy DVD/VHS combos, old video games,” said Zubia.
When first starting out, he suggests you stick with familiar items. For example, Zubia suggests items related to pop culture, Disney items, and certain exclusive products tied to sports teams.
"And then of course, vintage always comes back," said Zubia.
If you go to a thrift store and see an item you would never buy, just know there is likely someone out there who would. The key is to do some quick research online to find out what people are wanting and how much they are willing to spend.
Zubia points out that just because something is listed on eBay at a certain price, it doesn't necessarily mean it will actually sell for that price. "But the completed listings will tell us, 'okay this is selling for $30,' here it is in my hand for $2. Now I have an expectation to make a certain amount of money,” said Zubia.
There are other sites besides eBay where you can sell your items like Tradsey, Poshmart and Amazon. Zubia recommends first time eBay sellers build their clientele before pricing items high.
“You’re at zero. A lot of buyers aren’t going to trust you right away. So, it’s always good to start off with stuff you already have, cheaper items, building up your feedback and then you’ll get more customers coming in,” said Zubia.
Also, don’t just limit yourself to thrift stores to find these money-making treasures. Try shopping at garage sales, yard sales and swap meets.
