Reselling & Flipping

Best Things to Flip for Profit: 20 Items Resellers Love

Twenty items resellers flip for profit, where to find them cheaply and where they sell best, plus how to price a flip once fees, shipping and time are counted.

By Online Buying & Selling Editorial TeamPublished Updated 3 min read

A thrift-store haul of a denim jacket, cast-iron skillet, film camera, sneakers and records
Illustration: Online Buying & Selling / AI-generated.

Key takeaways

  • The best flips are items you understand, can inspect easily and can sell locally or ship cheaply.
  • Price from recently sold listings and subtract fees, shipping, cleaning and your time.
  • Check recalls before reselling baby gear, and authenticate designer items.
On this page

Flipping means buying items below their market value and reselling them for more. Done well, it’s a flexible side income; done badly, it fills your garage with stock nobody wants. The secret isn’t finding a magic item. It’s choosing things you understand, buying at the right price and knowing where they sell.

How to judge a flip before you buy

  • Check sold prices, not asking prices. Filter marketplace searches by “sold” or “completed” to see what people actually paid.
  • Count every cost. Platform fees (often 10–15% on major marketplaces, depending on category), payment fees, shipping, packaging, cleaning or repairs, and fuel.
  • Value your time. A $20 profit that takes four hours is a hobby, not a business.
  • Use a buying rule. Many resellers aim to pay no more than a third of the expected sale price, which leaves room for fees and mistakes.

20 items worth flipping

ItemWhere to find it cheapWhere it sells wellWatch out for
Solid-wood furnitureEstate sales, curb alertsLocal marketplacesBulky; needs a vehicle
BikesGarage sales, moving salesLocal marketplacesWorn parts; stolen bikes
Power toolsEstate sales, pawn shopsLocal marketplaces, auctionsTest under load
Video game consoles and gamesGarage sales, bundlesOnline auctionsCheck discs and accounts
Vintage denim and jacketsThrift storesClothing resale appsKnow the labels
SneakersThrift stores, outletsSneaker resale platformsFakes are common
Designer handbagsEstate sales, thriftLuxury resale sitesAlways authenticate
Cast-iron cookwareThrift stores, estate salesOnline auctionsCracks, warping
LEGO setsGarage sales, bulk lotsOnline auctionsCompleteness
Textbooks and rare booksLibrary sales, thriftOnline book marketplacesEditions matter
Vinyl recordsEstate sales, thriftRecord marketplacesGrade condition honestly
Cameras and lensesEstate sales, thriftOnline auctionsFungus, haze, shutter faults
Stand mixers and small appliancesThrift storesLocal marketplacesTest before buying
Strollers and baby gearGarage salesParent groups, local salesCheck recalls
Musical instrumentsPawn shops, estate salesSpecialist marketplacesNeeds setup or repair
Camping and outdoor gearEnd-of-season salesLocal and onlineTears, missing parts
Board gamesThrift storesOnline auctionsCount the pieces
Trading cardsCollection buyoutsCard marketplacesCondition grading
Phones and tabletsUpgrades, trade-insOnline and localLocks and blacklists
Golf clubsGarage sales, estate salesOnline auctionsShaft and grip wear

Before you flip any phone or laptop, run through our used electronics checklist so you don’t buy a locked or stolen device.

Where to source stock

  • Thrift stores: learn their discount days and when new stock goes out.
  • Garage, yard and estate sales: arrive early for the best items and late for the best prices.
  • Online “free” and bulk listings: people moving house often sell or give away items quickly.
  • End-of-season clearance: buy seasonal gear cheaply and sell when the season returns.
  • Returns and liquidation pallets: higher risk; start small until you understand the quality.

Listing tips that sell faster

Good photos taken on your phone and a realistic price do most of the work.

  1. Take bright, honest photos from every angle in natural light, including flaws.
  2. Write searchable titles with brand, model, size and condition.
  3. Describe condition precisely. Honest listings mean fewer returns and better ratings.
  4. Price to sell. Slightly below comparable sold listings moves stock faster; you can always adjust.
  5. Respond quickly and be ready for a little negotiation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest thing to flip for beginners?

Items you already know well, such as furniture, sneakers or games, because you can judge quality and price quickly. Start with local sales to avoid shipping costs.

How much can you make flipping items?

It varies widely. Many part-time flippers make a few hundred dollars a month; profits depend on sourcing, pricing and the time you invest.

Do I have to pay taxes on flipping income?

Often, yes, once reselling becomes a business rather than clearing out personal items. Rules vary by country, so check with a tax professional.

Sources

  1. US Consumer Product Safety Commission — Recalls
  2. eBay — seller fees and sold listings

Every article is edited by a human and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Keep reading