So you've scrolled past one too many TikToks of people finding $5 jackets and flipping them for $300. You're curious. Maybe a little skeptical. And you're wondering: is this actually a thing regular people can do?
Short answer: yes. But the longer answer involves understanding that the resale landscape in 2025 is different than it was even two years ago. The days of grabbing anything with a brand name and making easy money are mostly over. Today, successful flipping requires knowing what to look for, where to sell it, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that kill profits.
This guide covers everything you need to go from curious browser to confident seller. No hype, no promises of quitting your job next month—just a realistic roadmap for building a side income doing something genuinely fun.
What Is Thrift Flipping, Really?
Thrift flipping is the practice of buying undervalued items at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, or other secondary markets, then reselling them for profit on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari.
The core arbitrage is simple: thrift stores price items based on category ("shirts: $4.99") rather than actual market value. A Goodwill employee might tag a vintage Arc'teryx Gore-Tex jacket at $12.99 because it looks like any other windbreaker. You recognize it's worth $250+ to the right buyer. That gap is your profit.
But here's what the viral videos don't show: finding that jacket requires knowledge. You need to recognize brands, understand what makes something valuable versus just old, and know which platforms give you the best chance of actually selling. This isn't about luck—it's about building a skill set.
The Reality Check
Most successful resellers aren't making six figures. A realistic expectation for someone putting in 10-15 hours per week is $500-$2,000/month in profit after a few months of learning. Some people scale well beyond that, but treating this as a "get rich quick" scheme is the fastest path to burnout. For a more detailed breakdown, check out Is Thrift Flipping Actually Profitable?
What You Need to Get Started
The barrier to entry is genuinely low—which is both the opportunity and the challenge (more on that later). Here's your startup checklist:
The Essentials (Under $50)
- Smartphone — You already have this. It's your camera, research tool, and listing device.
- Measuring tape — Accurate measurements are non-negotiable for clothing.
- A free account on 2-3 platforms — Start with eBay and one fashion-focused app (Poshmark or Mercari).
- Basic cleaning supplies — Fabric shaver, lint roller, stain remover.
- Poly mailers or boxes — You can start with recycled Amazon boxes.
That's genuinely it. You can start flipping with money you'd spend on a single dinner out. The question of how much you need to invest in inventory is separate—and we'll get there.
Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure (25ft)
The industry standard. Durable, accurate, and the blade stays rigid.
Conair Fabric Defuzzer
Removes pills and fuzz in seconds. Makes thrifted sweaters look new.
Fiskars Fabric Scissors (8")
For cutting tags, trimming threads, and general prep work.
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Understanding the 2025 Platform Landscape
Where you sell matters as much as what you sell. Each platform has different fees, different buyers, and different cultures. Here's the honest breakdown for 2025:
| Platform | Fee Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | ~13.25% + $0.30 per order | Everything. Largest buyer pool, best for non-clothing items. |
| Poshmark | 20% flat (includes payment processing) | Women's fashion, mall brands, anything under $500. |
| Mercari | 10% + buyer pays additional fees | Toys, collectibles, general goods, gaming. |
| Depop | 0% selling fee (currently) | Y2K, vintage, trendy items for Gen Z buyers. |
A few things to note about 2025 specifically:
Mercari brought fees back. After eliminating seller fees entirely in 2024, Mercari reversed course in January 2025 and reintroduced a 10% commission. They also charge buyers a separate service fee, which has caused some pricing confusion. Factor this into your margins.
Poshmark switched shipping carriers. As of September 2025, Poshmark moved from USPS Priority Mail to USPS Ground Advantage. The buyer-facing rate dropped to $6.49, but here's the catch: you can no longer use free Priority Mail boxes. You'll need your own packaging, which adds to your costs.
Depop is fee-free (for now). They eliminated their 10% selling fee to compete for Gen Z sellers. The trade-off? Payment processing fees still apply, and the platform skews heavily toward trendy/vintage items. It's not ideal for selling Dad's old golf clubs.
What Actually Sells: A Realistic Framework
Here's where most beginners go wrong: they think "brand name = valuable." That's outdated thinking. In 2025, the resale market has matured. Generic mall brands are oversaturated. The real money is in specific categories:
High-Performers in 2025
Technical Outdoor Gear ("Gorpcore") — Brands like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and The North Face still command premiums, but the real sleepers are the technical hunting brands: Sitka Gear, Kuiu, and First Lite. A Sitka jacket thrifted for $25 can sell for $150-350 on eBay. Most thrift store employees don't recognize camouflage patterns as valuable.
Heritage Workwear — Filson, Carhartt (vintage, especially Made in USA), and Duluth Trading. These items are built to last decades, and buyers know it. A beat-up Filson Tin Cloth jacket often sells for more than a pristine one because the patina is part of the appeal.
Japanese Denim — Brands like Iron Heart, Samurai, and Momotaro are holy grails. These often get misidentified as generic jeans because thrift workers don't recognize the leather patches or selvedge details. A pair of Iron Heart 21oz jeans thrifted for $15 can sell for $200+.
Vintage Electronics (Analog) — CRT monitors for retro gaming, cassette decks, film cameras (especially Canon AE-1, Pentax K1000), and vintage audio equipment. The "right to repair" movement has driven demand for items you can actually fix.
For the full list of 50 brands that consistently perform, check out our BOLO Brands 2025 guide.
What to Avoid
Fast fashion brands (H&M, Zara, Forever 21) are nearly worthless on resale platforms—too much supply, not enough demand. Similarly, "vintage" doesn't automatically mean valuable. A 1980s polyester blouse might be 40 years old, but if nobody wants it, age is irrelevant.
Your First Sourcing Trip: A Practical Walkthrough
Let's get tactical. Here's how to approach your first thrift store run like a pro:
Before You Go
- Check if your local Goodwill has a color-tag discount system (many do 50% off certain colors each week).
- Download the eBay app and practice using the barcode scanner and "sold listings" filter.
- Set a budget. Start with $20-50. You're learning, not investing.
At the Store
- Start with the men's section. It's less picked-over than women's, and the brands (workwear, outdoor gear) tend to have higher margins.
- Look at labels first, garment second. Train yourself to flip to the tag before evaluating anything else.
- Check everything for damage. Stains, holes, broken zippers, and missing buttons all affect resale value. Some flaws are fixable; others are deal-breakers.
- When in doubt, check eBay sold listings. This is your price oracle. Filter by "sold items" to see what people actually paid—not what sellers are hoping to get.
What to Buy on Your First Trip
For your first outing, focus on items where the risk is low and the learning is high:
- A piece of technical outerwear from any recognizable outdoor brand
- A pair of jeans with a brand you don't immediately recognize (research it)
- Something from your own closet—seriously, you probably own things worth selling
Don't buy 15 items on your first trip. Buy 2-3 and actually list them. The bottleneck for beginners isn't sourcing—it's listing. More on that below.
Creating Your First Listing
A great listing has four components: accurate title, clear photos, honest description, and competitive price. Let's break each down:
Titles That Get Found
Platform search algorithms aren't mind readers. If you title something "Cute Vintage Top," it's invisible. Instead, front-load keywords: "Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Snap-T Pullover Mens Large Green Vintage" tells the algorithm exactly what this is.
Photos That Convert
Natural light is free and better than most ring lights. Shoot near a window during the day. Flat lays work for most clothing. Show any flaws clearly—buyers respect honesty and it reduces returns. Minimum 4 photos, ideally 8+.
Descriptions That Sell
Include: brand, size (with actual measurements), condition, material, any flaws. Don't write novels. Bullets work fine. Example:
"Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece, Men's Large. Excellent condition—no stains, holes, or pilling. Pit-to-pit: 24", Length: 27". Made in USA. Smoke-free home."
Pricing That Moves
Check eBay sold listings for your exact item (or close). Price in the middle of the sold range if you want steady sales. Price at the top if you're patient. On Poshmark and Mercari, expect offers—list 20-30% higher than your floor.
The Math: Understanding Your Actual Profit
This is where most people lie to themselves. Let's do honest math on a hypothetical flip:
You buy: Patagonia jacket for $12
You sell on eBay: $85 (includes $12 shipping paid by buyer)
eBay takes: ~13.25% of $85 = $11.26 + $0.30 = $11.56
Shipping costs you: ~$10 (USPS Priority Mail)
Packaging: $1 (poly mailer)
Your actual profit: $85 - $12 (cost) - $11.56 (fees) - $10 (shipping) - $1 (packaging) = $50.44
That's a healthy margin. But notice how a $12 item selling for $85 doesn't net you $73. Fees and shipping eat into everything. The formula that matters:
Profit = Sale Price - Cost - Fees - Shipping - Supplies
Track this for every item. A spreadsheet is fine to start. Knowing your real numbers is what separates hobbyists from actual businesses.
Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
After talking to hundreds of resellers, these are the patterns that sink beginners:
1. Buying too much, listing too little. The "death pile"—inventory sitting unlisted—is the #1 profit killer. Every item you buy but don't list is dead money. Start with 2-3 items and list them before buying more.
2. Ignoring fees and shipping. Selling a $10 shirt with $8 shipping and 13% fees means you net almost nothing. Know your margins before you buy.
3. Overpricing based on hope. Pricing based on what you want instead of what the market pays leads to stale inventory. Check sold listings, not current listings.
4. Not disclosing flaws. A hidden stain = an unhappy buyer = a return request = negative feedback. Honesty protects your reputation and reduces returns.
We've got a full breakdown in 10 Profit-Killing Mistakes New Resellers Make.
Scaling: What Comes Next
Once you've made a few sales and understand the basics, the path forward depends on your goals:
If you want casual side income ($300-500/month): Stick with 1-2 platforms, source weekly, keep inventory manageable. This is sustainable long-term without taking over your life.
If you want serious income ($2,000+/month): You'll need to cross-list on multiple platforms, invest in better photography gear, and treat sourcing as a scheduled activity. Most people at this level spend 15-25 hours/week.
If you want this to be your job: That's a bigger conversation involving business formation, taxes, and serious inventory management. It's possible—plenty of people do it—but it's not for everyone.
The Bottom Line
Thrift flipping in 2025 is a real opportunity, but it's not magic. The people making consistent money have put in the time to learn brands, understand platforms, and build systems for sourcing and listing efficiently.
Start small. Make mistakes cheaply. Learn what sells in your local market. And remember: the goal isn't to buy more stuff—it's to buy the right stuff, list it well, and actually get it sold.
You've got the eye for style. Now let's make it pay.