Timing transforms reselling profitability. Buy winter coats in spring when thrift stores overflow with donations, sell them in October when demand peaks. This counter-cyclical approach—sourcing when others dump and selling when others search—creates consistent margins that random buying can't match.
This calendar integrates with your thrift store sourcing strategy and helps you recognize the right BOLO brands at the right time.
The Counter-Cyclical Principle
Thrift stores and estate sales receive donations based on donor convenience, not market demand. Post-holiday decluttering floods January with gifts people didn't want. Spring cleaning brings wardrobes. End of summer means back-to-school donations as families clear kids' rooms.
Meanwhile, buyers shop based on immediate need. They search for winter jackets when it's cold, swimwear when it's hot, and formal wear before events. The gap between when items are donated and when buyers want them creates your opportunity.
Quarter-by-Quarter Guide
Q1: January – March
What's Flooding In
Post-holiday donations peak in January—the biggest donation month of the year. Unwanted gifts, replaced items, and New Year's Resolution decluttering creates massive inventory. Electronics that got upgraded, clothing that didn't fit, fitness equipment from optimistic resolutions.
Source Now (Off-Season Deals)
Winter apparel: Coats, boots, sweaters hit clearance as stores make room for spring. Quality outdoor brands like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and Filson appear at lowest prices.
Holiday décor: If you have storage, Christmas items bought in January sell well the following November.
Fitness equipment: Failed resolutions mean dumbbells, yoga mats, and cardio machines appear by February.
Sell Now (Peak Demand)
Valentine's Day gifts: Jewelry, romantic books, gift-worthy home décor.
Tax season essentials: Office supplies, filing systems, calculators.
Spring break prep: Luggage, swimwear, resort wear gain momentum late Q1.
Q2: April – June
What's Flooding In
Spring cleaning is real. Wardrobes get purged as people switch to warm-weather clothes. College students move out in May, bringing textbooks, dorm furniture, and young adult clothing. Wedding season triggers formal wear donations from bridesmaids and guests.
Source Now (Off-Season Deals)
Cold-weather items: Heavy coats, snow boots, wool sweaters sit unsold. Buy and store.
Formal wear: Prom and wedding season donations. Quality suits and dresses appear post-event.
Textbooks: End of semester dumps. Check current editions—outdated editions are worthless.
Sell Now (Peak Demand)
Outdoor gear: Camping equipment, hiking boots, fishing gear.
Wedding/graduation gifts: Kitchen items, home décor, quality basics.
Summer clothing: Shorts, tank tops, sundresses, sandals.
Q3: July – September
What's Flooding In
Summer decluttering before vacation, back-to-school room clearing, and end-of-summer sports equipment dumps. Kids' clothing appears as parents prepare for new school year wardrobes. Outdoor furniture gets donated before winter storage becomes an issue.
Source Now (Off-Season Deals)
Summer items: Swimwear, outdoor furniture, fans hit clearance late August. Buy for next year.
Sports equipment: Baseball, golf, tennis gear appears as seasons end.
Kids' clothing: Sizes kids have outgrown flood in. Sort aggressively—only quality brands sell.
Sell Now (Peak Demand)
Back-to-school: Backpacks, graphing calculators (TI-84 specifically), dorm essentials.
Fall preview: Light jackets, boots, and transitional pieces start moving late Q3.
College gear: Small appliances, bedding, storage solutions.
Q4: October – December
What's Flooding In
Pre-holiday decluttering as people make room for incoming gifts. Fall clothing donations from late-season closet clearing. Estate sales spike as families settle affairs before year-end. This is prime estate sale season.
Source Now (Off-Season Deals)
Fall items: Light jackets and transitional pieces hit clearance as stores pivot to winter.
Year-round basics: October-November donations include quality everyday items being replaced by holiday gifts.
Vintage/collectibles: Estate sales increase dramatically. Vintage electronics and kitchenware appear.
Sell Now (Peak Demand)
Winter apparel: Those coats you bought in March sell now at peak prices.
Holiday gifts: Anything giftable—electronics, games, quality brands, unique items.
Party supplies: Serving ware, entertaining items, formal accessories.
Category-Specific Timing
Electronics
Best sourcing: January (post-holiday upgrades) and July-August (back-to-school clearance). Best selling: November-December (gifts) and August-September (back-to-school). Exception: Vintage audio equipment sells year-round to collectors—don't wait for "peak season" on a Marantz receiver.
Outdoor/Sports Gear
Each sport has its cycle. Ski gear: source March-April, sell October-November. Golf: source September-October, sell March-April. Camping: source September, sell April-May. Sports equipment follows the sports calendar—source at season end, sell at season start.
Clothing
Always source one season ahead. The challenge is storage. If you lack space, focus on high-value items that justify the wait: quality outerwear, leather goods, premium boots. Skip seasonal fast fashion that won't hold value.
Toys and Collectibles
Source year-round but sell strategically. List in October for holiday demand, but vintage toys and BOLO collectibles like vintage Polly Pocket or TMNT figures sell consistently to collectors regardless of season.
Adjusting for Your Climate
This calendar assumes standard four-season climates. Adjust for your region. Southern resellers see less dramatic winter gear cycles but stronger year-round outdoor categories. Northern resellers have shorter windows but more dramatic seasonal swings in value.
Regardless of local climate, sell nationally. Your local January might be mild, but buyers in Minnesota need those winter coats. Price and ship to where demand exists, not just where you're located.
When to Pass on a "Good Deal"
Knowing when to buy is half the equation. Learn when even good prices aren't worth your time.