The best things to resell are things you have on hand.
The best things to resell are things you have around the house that you no longer want or need. Clothing that you haven’t worn in over a year or that doesn’t fit any longer is a great place to start. Clean out your closets to find stuff to sell. Look for name-brands and trendy pieces. Designer and vintage articles bring the highest prices but other items like jeans, shirts, and even novelty ties can be sold for a good amount.
Have your wife go through her stuff, too. Dresses, blouses, trousers, skirts, jumpsuits, activewear, and even lingerie can bring big bucks if in good condition. Children’s clothes are also big sellers. Don’t forget shoes, coats, athletic wear, jerseys, graphic tees, swim trunks, swimsuits, belts, gloves, purses, wallets, suspenders, scarves, watches, and hats. Accessories are always big sellers.
Reselling hard goods like glassware, kitchen items, and nick-knacks
Some of the best things to resell are collectibles. Murano glass, signed pottery pieces, rare books, stamp collections, silver coins, sports memorabilia, pottery, and antiques bring in good money if you can find the right buyers. Dishes, pots and pans, silverware, canister sets, recipe books, coffee cups, teapots, linens, and small kitchen appliances like toaster ovens are also good sellers.
Don’t forget nick-knacks! People of all ages are attracted to things that you might consider worthless, especially if it reminds them of their childhood. Bells, figurines, trinket boxes, candle holders, paperweights, vases, ashtrays, cookie tins, and even old canning jars can bring in the money. One man’s trash really is another man’s treasure.
Reselling ephemera and paper items like comic books, vintage posters, and old photographs
Comic books, historical documents, political campaign signs, and other paper items are one of the best things to resell. Nowadays, there are thousands of people that collect everything from old comic books and concert tickets to photographs and postcards. Old posters, holiday decorations like cardboard skeletons, diaries, vintage magazines, old newspapers with historical significance, vintage calendars, letters, board games, calling cards, greeting cards, and even Sears catalogs can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Reselling children’s clothes and toys
Children outgrow their clothes and toys quickly and parents are always on the lookout for good deals. Bundle clothes and sell them per bag to move them quickly. Toys are also popular things to resell. Dollhouses, toy boxes, dolls, stuffed animals, toy cars, movies, video games, and everything else that your children no longer use are potential moneymakers.
Reselling furniture and appliances
Furniture and appliances sell great on Facebook Marketplace, especially when you offer local pick-up. You can sell refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, stoves, and dishwashers as long as they work and are fairly clean. Grills, lawnmowers, outdoor furniture, gardening tools, and even dog houses are popular items. Some of the best things to resell are tables, bed frames, dressers, chests of drawers, shelving units, desks, chairs, sofas, loveseats, recliners, and area rugs.
If you ever remodel your house, don’t throw out the old sink, cabinets, windows, tubs, shower units, and doors! If you offer them at a bargain price, you are sure to recoup some of the money spent on new items.
Reselling electronics and accessories
Some of the best things to resell are TVs, computers, laptops, phones, stereos, speakers, and radios. Even old walkie-talkies, used security systems, cameras, video recorders, and other outdated electronics are of interest to some people.
Where will you be reselling your stuff?
The best things to resell often depend on where you plan to sell them. If you want to sell online, places like EBay are great for listing everything from small electronics to collectibles. Online platforms like Poshmark are great for selling designer handbags, shoes, and upscale clothing.
People online are especially on the lookout for unusual things. Once, I listed a doll’s wig and it sold for $50. My neighbor sold a one-of-a-kind chamber pot for $100. I even know a man that sold a bag full of dried corn cobs. You never know what someone might want to buy.
If you are selling at yard sales or from your garage, furniture, toys, and clothing do well if put out where people can see them. Things that are too heavy, bulky, or fragile to ship should definitely go into your yard sale. Try selling couches, large mirrors, king sized quilts, sleeping bags, heavy wool coats, power tools, treadmills, and bulky sports equipment from home. You sure don’t want the hassle and expense of packing and shipping a large set of fine china, fragile glassware, or a bowling ball!
Flea markets are a great place to sell name-brand clothing, household items, musical instruments, sports equipment, camping supplies, sewing supplies, fabric, artwork, and crafts. Be prepared to follow rules and pay set-up fees as required. You will also want to bring your own tables and racks to display your goods.
Don’t forget to have cash on hand to make change. When selling at flea markets, I always take a comfortable lawn chair, a cooler with bottled water, some snacks, and a help mate. It can be a long day and having someone else on hand can be a lifesaver. They can take care of things when you have to use a restroom or want to look around.
Consignment shops are an option if you are pressed for time. The shop workers do the selling, so all you have to do is drop off items and collect your money after things are sold. Most consignment shop owners love designer clothing and high end home goods but won’t take lower end items. Remember to call ahead to see what kinds of things they accept before loading up your car.
Keep trying until you find your niche.
Some people can sell a bag of poop for $10. Others might not be able to sell gold for $1. Don’t give up! Reselling can work if you find the right niche. I find that clothing doesn’t do well for me, but I can sell jewelry at the drop of a hat. Everyone is different and what works for one person will not work for everyone. Start with what you have on hand and see how you do. Then move on to other things that you find interesting. In a month or two, you will know what works best. Build upon that and you will have a great future in the reselling world.
