When I am working with new clients, and teaching them about thrifting for items to sell on eBay, they often seem overwhelmed by the lists of "what to sell" and how much to pay for an item to resell. To simplify this process, I created my top 5 list that contains 5 items that I can regularly find that also sell for a nice profit.
Cashmere Sweaters
Look for 100% cashmere sweaters and sweater vests. Look for any style, any color, any size. Men’s or women’s. Make sure there are no moth holes or stains. The brand does not matter as long as the item is 100% cashmere. Don’t pay more than $5 per item. When preparing the item to photograph, remove any pilling. They will sell even if damaged -here is why.
Dansko Clogs
These are popular in the restaurant and medical industries because they are made of an oiled leather that repels liquids and protects the foot. These shoes can cost over $200 new. Look for the clog style. They come in European sizing and are unisex. Don’t pay more than $7 per pair.
Eileen Fisher Women’s Apparel
This is a high end brand of women’s clothing sold at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Saks 5th Avenue. The fabrics are usually organic cotton, silk, and other very comfortable and expensive materials. Some of the pieces retail for over $300. The black pants do very well on eBay. Also look for tops, sweaters, jackets, and skirts. And if you are lucky enough to find these with the tags on them, that’s even better. Don’t pay more than $5 per piece.
Under Armour Apparel
Under Armour is a brand of athletic and casual wear made from performance fabrics. You can find this in men’s women’s, and children’s. The hoodies do great. Look for ANYTHING in good condition with this logo. Don’t pay more than $5 per piece.
Bobby Jones Men’s Golf Shirts
These cost around $100 new. You only want large, XL, and 2XL. The smaller sizes don’t sell. The ones with golf course and tournament logos do great. Even if it has a company logo, it will still sell. Make sure you get the ones with the golfer design on the placket. Don’t pay more than $5.
Check out my online class, "The Profitable World of Selling Women's Pre-Owned Clothing on eBay" for a complete course on how to make money selling used clothing.
12 comments:
Thanks for the ideas! I am always so afraid to look at used clothing. I might give it a try now.
Suzie
http://www.asktheebayqueen.com
Hmm...my top 5 would be something like this:
1. Lacoste polos
2. Nike anything
3. Jeans, jeans, and more jeans
4. Blazers
5. Hollister anything
Thank you so much Suzanne! I love your tips
One item that is a great seller is Medela Breast Pumps. The Medela Pump in Style Advanced costs almost $300 new. I have found used ones on Craigslist for $50, bought new accessory kits/tubing for around $20, then sold them for $150-160. Pretty good profit!
From www.rocketcitysales.com
My Top 5 Thrift Store finds, items I search for when I 1st walk in the store are:
1970s/80's Clairol Hot Roller Sets in very good to mint condition, must work, complete with clips (but can be purchased at Sally's for a few bucks). Do not pay more than $5. May sell for as much as $20 to $40.
Conair/Remington Bendable Hot Sticks in very good to mint condition, must work. Sells great for beauty pageants. Do not pay more than $3. May sell for $15 to $30.
Clairol 3-way Lighted Make-up Mirror, Mint, Working Condition. With box is even better. Do not pay more than $5. May sell for $20 to $40.
Curly Top Hairdryers, MINT, working condition. Various makers, Windmere, Conair, Wave Rage, etc. Do not pay more than $2 or $3. May sell for $15 to $20.
Old/New Cookbooks in Very Good to Mint condition. Some of the more popular ones are Southern Living (any type Annual Recipes, Christmas, Specialty, etc.), Crock Pot/Slow Cooker, Community Church Cookbooks, Weight Watchers, Betty Crocker with the Pie on front (70's era), really old 1940/50's Betty Crocker Picture Cookbooks, Bisquick Recipes, Julia Child (really hot since her death), Popular Food Network stars such as Paula Deen. The trick here is to not pay more than .50 or $1. If you know your market you can pay up $5 for an old mint condition Betty Crocker. I have seen signed Paula Deen 1st released, the ones she printed and published herself go for as much as $300-$500.
Dazey Chef's Pot Fryer/Cooker, MINT Complete with Box, Fryer Basket, Cord, etc., and Recipe Booklet from the mid 70's to early 80's. Some came with ceramic crock liner for slow cooking use (this was before Rival and hence the Crock Pot was born), most are used a French Fryer. Do not pay more than $5 or $10. May sell for $20 to $30.
Lori McAulliffe
Great tips!
We've had huge success with Eileen Fisher clothing; especially plus sized pieces. I'd say it is safe to go up to $10 on those.
Cashmere does really well for us as well.
Blue Fish clothing is another brand to watch for; it is hard to find and quite artsy but always resells well.
St. John (NOT St. Johns Bay--huge difference) and Geiger are other great brands to snap up at thrift/resale stores.
Keep the tips coming, you rock!
1. Remington Hot Rollers
2. Name brand stuffed animals
3. Gymboree children's clothes
4. Current or really old video games
5. Vintage Tupperware sets
Thanks for your list! I've learned a LOT from you!! :)
SUZANNE, you are the best, and so are your followers. Everyone is so giving to share their success. What I look for is:
1.Waterford or other high end crystal (No more than $5-$10)
2. Hawaiian/Tropical Print shirts (no more than $5)in XL and Plus Sz.
3. Childrens high end clothes: Ralph Lauren especially, $3 or less.
4. Womens Size 11 shoes, high end, like Cole Haan, in good cond. Spend no more than $7. Sells quickly.
I also scout out the housewares clearance tables at high end department stores for super sales on crystal and china.
Thanks to every one.
Mine would be:
1. The North Face clothes, any
2. Patagonia clothes, any
3. Peanut sheets (Charles shultz)
4.Tony Lama or Frye cowboy boots
5. Keen or Merrell shoes
Interesting to see in the comments about the Curly Top hairdryer. I used to have one of those! Maybe I still do somewhere?
And I definitely saw one at a thrift store the other day. I'll go back and see if it's still there!
1. Not Your Daughters Jeans (NYDJ). These ALWAYS sell and for any wear from $10 - $50, and I have never had one that I had to relist. I just sold a pair for $41.
2. Eileen Fisher. Again, this brand always sells on the first listing.
3. Maternity jeans and pants. AGAIN, these always sell. The plus sizes do the best.
4. Ralph Lauren. I have been having a lot of success with Polo by Ralph Lauren mens polo shirts and dress shirts. Also womens Lauren pants.
5. Chico's Travelers "slinky" pants.
Great info! I dont have a thrift shop tip- but here is one for department stores.
I buy new with tag items at Macy's, from the mens dept clearance racks. There are five different areas within the mens dept at my local store with a rack of clearance stuff.
Macy's has twenty percent off all day coupons you get in the mail, if you have a Macys charge account.
Best deal is the $10 off a $30 purchase coupon they run sometimes. THose you can download, as many as you want, from the Macy website. But only when they are running that particular promotion.
I buy things that I would wear myself, and in my own size. So if they dont sell, they just go in my closet.
Early in the morning is the best time to shop, the clearance items get stocked early before the store opens. Check the price at the customer scanner - there are often markdowns below what the sign or ticket read. Macy's recently downsized their support staff to save money, and they aren't keeping up with the markdowns.
My favorite five brands are Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger and Van Huesen.
Any type of shirt or sweater; also jeans. After the discount coupons, I pay from 3 to 15 dollars each- as long as its less than 25 per cent of the ticket price. Not every piece will sell, but 80 or 90 per cent will, and usually at twice my cost or more.
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