Are you searching for new ways to make extra income? Let us introduce you to reselling and give you ideas on the best items to resell. We’ll discuss where to find items and where to sell them as well.

If you’re a natural bargain hunter, keep reading to learn how you can use that skill to make extra cash. Let’s get to it!

How does reselling work?

As the word implies, reselling involves buying items and selling them again for profit.

So, follow the age-old advice to buy low and sell high.

With the help of technology, it’s never been easier to build a reselling business. Nowadays, you can essentially sell anything.

Start with your own unwanted stuff. Then, move on to finding items from yard sales, auctions, and marketplaces. Sell items you find for a profit, making note of what sells best and for the most money.

Why reselling for cash is a great idea

Reselling is a great idea if you’re looking for ways to make money. It’s one of the best side hustles that you can do in your spare time.

You might even learn new skills. Most importantly, starting a side hustle can help you build a financial cushion through the following:

Build your emergency savings

With the extra income, you can build or boost your emergency savings account.

We’ve been living through a series of “unprecedented times.” Many households are feeling the effect of rising inflation, an unstable job market, and a looming recession.

That’s why it’s crucial to pad your emergency savings in case of job loss, medical emergency, and other unexpected expenses.

Pay off debt

You can also use any additional cash you generate to pay down debt. Paying off debt saves you interest and fees.

It also frees up more disposable income that you can spend on things you like.

In addition, being debt free not only benefits your bank account but also helps you feel better physically and mentally as well.

 Have cash on hand

Starting a side hustle and making extra money is an excellent way to save for vacations, home renovations, and other planned expenses you might have.

It also increases your ability to invest so you can have your money work for you.

The 16 best items to resell for a profit

There are two approaches you can take when choosing what to resell. The first is to buy or sell items you know enough about.

You can also research the most lucrative items for resale and learn how to sell them. Check out the list below for some ideas.

1. Sports memorabilia

With technology, it’s become easier to buy and sell sports memorabilia. In fact, it’s expected to grow into a 200-billion-dollar industry over the next decade.

People have always been passionate about their teams and sports heroes.

So, look for items connected to well-known teams and players since a large fan base means a bigger market for you.

In addition, the age, rarity, and condition of the items affect the price you can sell pieces for, as well as if the item is authenticated or not.

Sports jerseys, autographed pictures, game balls, action figures, and trading cards are some of the best items to resell.

2. Antique items

There’s always a market for antique pieces, and that’s why they’re some of the best items to resell. Think antique clocks, lamps, china, and decorative items.

With antique items, you’re dealing with a small number of products. So, you’ll most likely spend most of your time looking for inventory.

Check out thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for great options at affordable prices. You may be able to buy from auctions and other antique dealers as well.

Of course, don’t forget to check good ol’ Facebook marketplace and eBay too.

3. Shoes

There are many ways to resell shoes depending on who you want to sell to and what you know.

So, if you know sneakers, there’s money in selling limited edition sneakers like Adidas and Nike styles.

You can also make extra income from selling designer shoes from luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Louboutin.

Similarly, there’s a market for more mainstream brands like UGGs, Converse, or Michael Kors.

4. Toys and games

Collectible and old-school toys are some of the best items for reselling. You can always find buyers for vintage action figures and Barbies, Beanie Babies, and American Girl Dolls.

Apparently, there’s also a market for Pokemon trading cards.

If you don’t know anything about trading cards, you can make money selling video games and board games instead.

If you can find the season’s hottest toys, you can also make a good amount of money.

Although, this would mean making sure you’re up to date with what’s trending on social media.

5. Musical instruments

Kids and adults alike start and outgrow a hobby. That’s why musical instruments are great items to resell. There’s always someone looking to buy one and another looking to sell.

Guitars, basses, and amplifiers are the most popular to flip. But you can also sell drums, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, etc.

6. Sporting goods

There’s a high demand for used sporting goods because they’re expensive to buy new. Bikes, ski equipment, golf clubs, and camping gear are among the best items to resell.

Find items online at places like Facebook Marketplace or at garage sales that you can flip for profit.

7. Exercise equipment

Many people buy exercise equipment with the best intentions.

However, these items can sit for years without being used. Often they’re also heavy and bulky, so people are happy to get rid of them.

You can typically sell treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and home gyms for decent profits. Even weights, kettlebells, and yoga mats are some of the best items to resell.

8. Clothing

The secondhand apparel market is growing. In the U.S., it’s expected to become a $350 billion industry.

If you have a talent for fashion, you can niche down and only look for designer, vintage, or branded clothing to sell. You may also choose to curate well-loved pieces for everyone. It’s best to start with what you know and what you own.

You could ask family and friends for unwanted clothes as well.

Then, get comfortable sourcing items from consignment stores, Goodwill, garage sales, store clearance racks, and thrift stores. ThredUp is also a good place to find branded and designer items to sell.

9. Books

Books are one of the best items to resell because it’s not difficult to find inventory.

And may I remind you that it’s how Amazon got started. That said, you can resell books through Amazon.

Library sales and yard sales are great places to find books to sell. Sites like Offerup.com, NextDoor, and other local classified ads can turn up some good finds too.

The most popular books to resell are textbooks since they can get expensive. There’s an audience for most non-fiction books, arts and crafts, and sheet music as well.

10. Household items and decor

To start selling household items and decor, look around your home for stuff you want to get rid of. It’s a win-win! You get to declutter, make money, and try your hand at reselling.

It may take trial and error to find what sells in your area. But shelves, paintings, decorative pieces, and holiday decorations are great things to sell.

You can also make good money from selling expensive kitchen appliances such as air fryers, espresso machines, or blenders.

11. Furniture

You would need a large area for storage and a bit of sweat equity to resell furniture. But people are always looking for affordable furniture. So, they’re great items for resale.

Start with basic pieces like tables, chairs, couches, and desks. Mid-century modern furniture is making a comeback, so these are great items to look for.

You can also fix up pieces like dressers and sideboards and make more money.

12. Handbags

Just like shoes, handbags, especially luxury handbags, are a great reselling option. But again, it’s best to start with what you know because there are lots of imitations out there.

As you gain experience and get to know your buyers, you can focus your attention on brands that resell well.

You may choose to specialize in high-end designer bags like Hermes, Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. On the other hand, your bestsellers could be brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, and Longchamp.

13. Jewelry and other accessories

Jewelry and accessories are very lucrative resell items. Finely crafted jewelry can be worth a lot because of its quality and material. The same is true for high-end sunglasses and expensive watches.

For instance, a pair of diamond earrings or costume jewelry from well-known designers can fetch you a pretty penny. Just make sure you have authentication or an appraisal so you can ask for their real value.

With inexpensive accessories like belts, hats, and scarves, focus on selling more items. Show customers fun and interesting ways to wear them.

14. Tools

People usually buy hand tools and power tools for one project, then decide to sell them. On the other hand, these tools can get expensive, so many would look for previously owned items first.

This is why selling tools is a great way to make extra income. Look for name-brand tools like DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch because buyers want trusted brands.

Power tools like weed whackers, circular saws, and cordless drills sell well. But so do common tools like hammers, saws, socket sets, and screwdrivers.

15. Electronics

Electronics offer multiple avenues of reselling. Cell phones, gaming systems, cameras, and laptops are popular items that are both in demand and readily available.

At the start of your selling venture, stick to brands and models that retain their value, like Apple iPhones, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy phones.

There’s also a market for popular consoles and games from the ‘80s and ‘90s. So, you can make money sourcing and selling them.

In addition, record players and vintage audio equipment have great resale value.

16. Kid’s gear

Baby gear, clothing, and toys are expensive, and parents have to keep up with all the things as their kids grow. That’s why kid’s stuff is one of the best items to resell.

It’s also a great service to parents who are looking for ways to save.

There are ways to earn money selling gently used kid’s stuff. You can focus just on children’s clothes. Or you may choose to resell items like toys, strollers, high chairs, and cribs.

Where to list items for resale?

Now that you’ve got a few ideas on what to resell for profit explore your options to find the place where you can make the most money.

Different platforms cater to different customers. Check the fees and policies of the platform before you sign up and make sure it’s right for your inventory.

Here are a few sites to consider.

Social media sites

You can post pictures and descriptions of items you’re selling on social media sites. Instagram and Facebook Marketplace are free to use.

However, you have to keep in contact with buyers and give them directions on how to pay.

Another way to use social media is to get buyers interested. But redirect them to your website, where they can check out your products.

Your own website

You don’t have to be tech-savvy to create a website. You can also get one done from freelancing sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

Building and maintaining a website costs money, but it would also save you from paying commissions and fees.

Although to get eyes on your website, you would have to post on marketplaces.

Amazon

Amazon is a good place to sell everything we have on this list. To sell on Amazon, you have to sign up for a merchant account.

They also charge a fee for every item you sell, depending on your plan. But you get the advantage of selling on a well-known site with a built-in system.

eBay

Just like Amazon, there’s nothing you can’t sell on eBay. You can sell tons of items, including collectibles, antique items, video games, clothes, shoes, etc.

They also charge fees based on the item’s category and selling price.

On eBay, you have to build up a reputation with reviews.

So, it’s good to start with less expensive items first to establish your account.

Etsy

Etsy is another platform that’s been around for a while. The site generally caters to handmade items, but it’s also a great place to sell home decor, furniture, toys, and art.

Vintage items like clothing, jewelry, or cameras also sell well on Etsy.

Poshmark

Poshmark is another marketplace you might consider. It’s a great place to sell accessories, home goods, and designer clothes and shoes.

Poshmark also takes commissions. For sales under $15, they take a flat fee of $2.95. And for items that sell over $15, they take a 20% commission.

OfferUp

OfferUp is an app that allows you to buy and sell items locally. Once you download the app, you can upload photos and create descriptions for the items you want to sell.

Listing on OfferUp is free, and you can arrange payment and delivery with your buyer.

However, if you choose to accept payment through the app, you’ll be charged a service fee.

5Miles

Similar to OfferUp, 5Miles is an app you can use to buy and sell items locally. It uses your phone’s location to show your listings to buyers in your area.

The app is free to use with no transaction fees. It also offers in-app payment (5Miles Wallet) and shipping options.

Vestiare Collective

Vestiare Collective is an online luxury consignment with one of the most meticulous authentication processes, so you know you’re getting the real deal. It could be a great place to source vintage pieces and designer brands for your reselling venture.

Similarly, they accept designer bags, watches, jewelry, and clothing in case you need to offload pieces you can’t sell.

Finding the best items to resell is truly a great way to make extra cash. There are multiple ways to get started, like decluttering your home and selling your own unwanted stuff.

The start-up costs are minimal. Also, you can begin making money right away with a few listings on social media sites and apps.

Start today and use your extra income to pay off debts or go on a fancy vacation. And check out our completely free courses on investing and get your money working for you.