10 High-Margin, High-Potential Thrift Store Categories

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Thrift stores can be a goldmine for flipping items—if you know what to look for. Many resellers build profitable side hustles (or even full-time businesses) by sourcing undervalued items from thrift stores and reselling them on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy.

Here’s a list of high-margin, high-potential thrift store categories for reselling:

🧥 1. Clothing (Especially Name Brands & Vintage)

Best for: eBay, Poshmark, Depop

  • Vintage Levi’s jeans, jackets

  • Band t-shirts or concert tees

  • Designer brands (Ralph Lauren, Patagonia, The North Face, Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, etc.)

  • Leather jackets

  • Ugly Christmas sweaters (around Q4)

  • Y2K fashion (popular on Depop)

Pro tip: Look for rare sizes, made-in-USA tags, and niche styles.

👟 2. Shoes

Best for: eBay, Poshmark, Mercari

  • Running shoes (Hoka, Brooks, Asics)

  • Hiking boots (Merrell, Keen, Danner)

  • Dress shoes (Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy)

  • Designer heels (Clarks, Franco Sarto, etc.)

  • Retro sneakers (Nike, Adidas, New Balance)

Pro tip: Clean them up with a Magic Eraser and sell with “gently used” in the description.

👜 3. Handbags & Accessories

Best for: Poshmark, eBay

  • Name-brand purses (Coach, Fossil, Michael Kors)

  • Leather belts, wallets

  • Vintage scarves or silk items

Pro tip: Make sure zippers, linings, and logos are intact—authenticity matters.

📚 4. Books (Especially Sets or Niche Topics)

Best for: Amazon, eBay

  • Vintage or collectible books

  • Niche nonfiction (DIY, tech, medical, religion)

  • Homeschool curriculum

  • Textbooks

  • Manga, comic books, or graphic novels

  • Book sets (like Harry Potter, Goosebumps, Nancy Drew)

Pro tip: Use the Amazon seller app or ScoutIQ to scan barcodes and check for resale value.

🎮 5. Electronics (Working or for Parts)

Best for: eBay, Facebook Marketplace

  • Vintage radios, cassette players, CD players

  • Cameras (especially 35mm film cameras)

  • Game consoles & controllers

  • Video games (even scratched ones can be resurfaced or sold for parts)

  • Calculators (TI-83/84 sell well)

Pro tip: Always test items in-store when possible or have a return plan in place.

🏡 6. Home Decor & Small Furniture

Best for: Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace

  • Mid-century modern pieces

  • Brass, rattan, or ceramic decor

  • Picture frames, candle holders, wall art

  • Wicker baskets

  • Barware (vintage glasses, cocktail sets)

Pro tip: Look for unique or trendy aesthetics (boho, retro, farmhouse).

🧩 7. Toys & Games

Best for: eBay, Facebook Marketplace

  • LEGO sets

  • Vintage board games (1980s/90s)

  • Action figures

  • Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering cards

  • Nerf guns or toy sets with all parts

Pro tip: Verify pieces are complete or disclose if parts are missing.

🛠 8. Tools & Workshop Items

Best for: Facebook Marketplace, eBay (for vintage tools)

  • Power tools in working order

  • Vintage hand tools (Stanley planes, old wrenches)

  • Toolboxes or storage systems

🎄 9. Holiday & Seasonal Decor

Best for: Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace (especially in Q4)

  • Vintage Christmas items (ceramic trees, blow molds)

  • Department 56 villages

  • Halloween props

  • Easter/Spring vintage finds

Pro tip: Buy off-season and list when demand spikes.

🧵 10. Craft Supplies or Hobby Materials

Best for: Etsy, eBay

  • Yarn, embroidery thread, quilting fabric

  • Sewing patterns (especially vintage)

  • Rubber stamps, scrapbook supplies

  • Paint-by-number kits

  • Beads and jewelry making tools


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