Selling items through thrift stores has become an increasingly popular way to make extra income in recent years. Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army provide a marketplace to buy and sell pre-owned goods, with the number of resale shops growing 7% annually over the past two years according to thrift store industry statistics (https://gitnux.org/thrift-store-industry-statistics/). The secondhand retail market in the United States is forecast to reach about $53 billion by 2023, with 16-18% of Americans shopping at thrift stores regularly (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/thrift-store-day.html).
The popularity of shopping at and selling through thrift stores has grown for several reasons. First, buying and selling pre-owned goods is an eco-friendly alternative to constantly producing and purchasing new items. Shopping secondhand reduces waste and carbon emissions. Selling unused items also allows others to enjoy products at discounted prices. Additionally, the thrill of thrifting and finding unique vintage or designer pieces draws many shoppers. Selling through thrift stores provides an easy way to declutter, make extra money, and promote sustainability simultaneously.
Choosing Products to Sell
When sourcing products to sell on a thrift store, look for rare, vintage, collectible and branded items in good condition. These types of unique and high-quality products tend to sell for higher prices than common mass-produced items.
Scan the shelves for anything that stands out as rare or vintage. Look for items from past decades that are no longer in production. Vintage electronics, appliances, furniture, toys, games, and clothing from the 1950s-1990s tend to be popular. Also look for antiques and collectibles like jewelry, coins, stamps, and trading cards. Limited edition and discontinued items can also command high prices.
Branded items in good condition are always in demand, especially iconic brands like Levis, Doc Martens, Patagonia, etc. Look for clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories from recognizable brands. Even everyday items like mugs, stationery, and home decor sell better when branded.
Inspect items carefully for any defects, stains, damage or missing pieces. Well-maintained items in excellent condition will fetch higher prices. Pass on items that are overly worn, damaged or with pieces missing. It takes more effort to sell flawed items which may end up selling for less.
Research items you’re unsure about on eBay and other selling platforms to gauge demand. Focus your efforts on products already proven to sell well in the secondhand marketplace. Consider seasonality too – some types of clothing and outdoor equipment sell better at certain times of the year.
Pricing Your Items
One of the most important aspects of selling thrift store finds online is determining the right price. You’ll want to price items so that you can turn a profit, while still remaining competitive.
Start by researching current market rates for the items you plan to sell. Search sold listings on eBay to see what similar items have recently sold for. Check sites like Poshmark and Mercari as well. This will give you a good baseline for pricing.
Next, factor in the condition of your item. The better the condition, the higher you can usually price it. Be honest in assessing any flaws or defects. Price items in more worn or damaged condition accordingly lower.
Finally, make sure to leave enough room for profit in your pricing after accounting for your costs. Consider what you paid for the item, plus fees from the selling platform, shipping supplies and shipping fees. Price items so that you make a reasonable profit after these expenses.
Following these tips will help you strategically price thrift store finds for resale online at a competitive rate, while still making a good profit on each sale.
Photographing Your Products
Taking high quality photos of your products will help them sell faster on thrift store sites. Here are some tips for capturing great product shots:
Use clean, simple backgrounds – Photograph your items against a white, light gray, or subtle patterned background. Complex backgrounds are distracting. Drape a clean sheet if needed.
Include measurements – Lay a measuring tape next to the item or hold it in the photo. This gives buyers a clear sense of scale.
Show any flaws – Don’t try to hide imperfections. Take close-up shots of stains, defects, or wear and tear so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.
Take photos in bright, natural light – Position near a window for illumination. Don’t use a flash, which can create weird shadows.
Take shots from multiple angles – Capture the front, back, sides, and close-ups of details like tags or logos.
Edit photos – Adjust lighting if needed and crop to show just the product against the background.
Listing Your Items
Writing detailed and accurate descriptions is crucial when listing thrift store items for sale online. Be transparent about any flaws or defects, and disclose the condition honestly. Use keywords that buyers are searching for, but avoid keyword stuffing that violates platform policies. According to a top eBay seller, “A good rule of thumb is to sell what you know! If you are interested in clothing, find awesome clothing that you like, more often than not, your buyers will like them too.”
When inspecting used clothing or household items, note any tears, stains, or other damage. Mention any missing pieces, parts, or accessories that typically come with the item. Providing measurements can also help buyers determine if the item will fit their needs. Compare your item to a similar new version when describing the condition. State clearly in your listing title and description if the item is used, vintage, or new with tags.
Research keywords that buyers frequently search for when looking for your type of item. For example, include the brand name, item type, color, size, and other relevant details. But avoid stuffing keywords artificially as this can get your listings removed. Write naturally for customers while including important keywords searched for.
According to the eBay Community forums, some thrift stores mark their purchase price on items. Consider gently removing price tags or covering markings with decorative tape to provide a more polished presentation. With honest descriptions and optimized listings, you can successfully sell thrift store finds online.
Shipping and Packaging
When selling thrift store items online, properly packaging and shipping your products is crucial. You want items to arrive safely and undamaged to your customers. Here are some tips for shipping and packaging thrift store finds:
Pack items securely to prevent damage during shipment. For clothing, use plastic garment bags or wrap items in tissue paper before placing in the shipping box or mailer. For fragile items, use plenty of bubble wrap or packing peanuts to cushion the product. Make sure to use boxes or mailers of appropriate size – don’t cram items into too small of a container.
Offer free shipping if possible to attract more buyers. You can build the shipping cost into your item’s list price. Free shipping makes your items more enticing. According to Paper Mart, free shipping can increase sales conversions by 20-30%.
Provide tracking for all shipments. This allows you and the buyer to see where the package is in route. Tracking provides security to the buyer and protects you if an item gets lost or delayed. Services like USPS and FedEx offer reasonable rates for packages under 1 lb. Print the tracking label and package receipt right from your ecommerce site.
Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is crucial when selling online. Make sure to respond quickly to any questions buyers may have about your items. According to the Business.com article, you should aim to respond to questions within a few hours whenever possible.
Also be prepared to handle returns gracefully. Let customers know upfront what your policies are for returns and exchanges. As recommended in the HelpScout article, outline your policies on your sales listings to set clear expectations. When customers do need to make returns, make the process as seamless as possible.
Finally, follow up with customers after the sale. Check in to make sure they are satisfied with their purchase. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask for feedback or product reviews. As noted in the LinkedIn article, following up shows customers you care and helps build loyalty.
Scaling Your Business
As your thrift store reselling business grows, you’ll need to streamline your processes to save time and scale efficiently. Here are some tips:
Use inventory management software like Finale Inventory or Skubana to organize and track your inventory, sales, and shipping. Automating processes will save you time as your sales volume increases.
Invest in tools that make photographing and listing faster, like a photo lightbox and bulk listing software. The more efficiently you can process new inventory, the faster your business will grow.
Consider hiring part-time help for tasks like shipping, photographing inventory, and customer service. Virtual assistants can help with administrative tasks as well. Outsourcing repetitive tasks gives you more time to focus on acquiring inventory and growing the business.
As sales volume increases, negotiate better shipping rates with USPS or UPS. Look into fulfillment services that can store your inventory and handle shipping for you.
Continuously evaluate your pricing, best-selling brands and categories, and inventory turnover rate. Tweak your sourcing strategies to maximize profits as your business scales.
Record Keeping
Keeping detailed records is an important part of running a successful thrift store selling business. Here are some tips for tracking your operations and profitability:
Use accounting software or spreadsheets to track income and expenses. Log each purchase cost, listing fee, shipping charge, sale price, returns, and other costs. This will allow you to calculate net profit for tax purposes and see which items are most profitable.
Create an inventory system to track what you currently have listed for sale, as well as what has already sold. Include details like item description, cost, listed price, sale price, and profit. Review periodically to see which types of items perform best.
Develop an organizational system that works for you. This may include notebooks, folders, cloud storage, or productivity apps to keep important documents accessible. Have a consistent naming convention and filing method.
Save receipts and documentation related to purchases, shipping, listing fees, and other transactions. These records can help verify income, expenses, inventory, and profitability if needed.
Review sales data, bestselling items, profits, and other metrics regularly to analyze what is working well and what can be improved. Use this information to guide future sourcing and sales strategies.
Tracking details in an organized system takes a little extra work but is essential for gaining insights into your thrift store selling business over time. Invest time in record keeping to operate more efficiently and profitably.
Conclusion
In summary, selling items at thrift stores has many benefits. First, it allows you to declutter your home and make some extra money at the same time. Additionally, thrift stores often accept a wide variety of items, from clothing to furniture, so you can typically find something in your home to sell. Selling at thrift stores is also an environmentally-friendly way to recycle used goods. Rather than throwing away unwanted items, you can donate them to thrift stores where others will buy and enjoy them. This keeps items out of landfills. Finally, selling at thrift stores helps support charitable causes. Many thrift stores are run by non-profit organizations and the proceeds go to funding their initiatives. So by selling your used goods at these stores, you can do good while also making some money. With the right items and pricing strategy, selling at thrift stores can be a rewarding endeavor both financially and philanthropically.