Whether you're just getting started as a reseller, or you've already made a bunch of sales, knowing where to buy items to resell is key to building a profitable business.

After all, there are so many different platforms available, that it can be difficult knowing where you can find the best deals for maximum profit margins.

In this guide, we'll be covering the best places to find items to resell and which items to look out for. We'll also be answering some of your burning questions about getting started and discovering emerging trends before they take the market by storm.

Let's jump in and cover a little about reselling first.

An introduction to reselling items for profit

Put simply, reselling is the process of buying products at a lower price and selling them to make a profit. This could be anything from clothing to furniture, games consoles, and jewelry.

There are endless opportunities to make money with reselling, but it does take a little know-how to get started.

From knowing where to buy items to resell to discovering market trends, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of online retailers, markets, and garage sales to make a profit!

How does reselling work?

Reselling follows a simple process - you find items and sell them on for a higher price. However, it isn't always as straightforward. Maximizing your profit margins takes research, and a carefully thought-out strategy.

Here's a quick breakdown of how reselling works:

👜 Find items to resell: The first step is sourcing products, whether via thrift stores, garage sales or online marketplaces.

🔍 Evaluate market value: Check the potential resale value of an item by researching prices on platforms like eBay, Amazon and Facebook Marketplace.

💰 Purchase at a low price: Use negotiation tactics at garage sales and shop at discount event to purchase items at the lowest cost possible.

🛍️ List items for sale: Once you've bought your items, create listings on online platforms.

📦 Sell and ship: When an item sells, get it shipped as soon as possible. You can also use fulfillment services like Amazon FBA which will store and ship items for you.

🔁 Repeat the process: Keep repeating the process and refine your sourcing strategies as you go!

Want to get started with reselling? We’ve got some great guides to help:

Where to buy items to resell: X best places to look for items to resell

Finding the right places to find profitable items to resell is key to running a successful reselling business. Whether you're flipping items and selling locally or listing items to resell online, buying products at a low starting price ensures a strong profit.

1. Thrift stores

thrift store

Thrift stores can be a goldmine for resellers looking for low-cost, high-resale value items. Since thrift stores receive donations pretty much daily, so there's plenty of turnover, giving you lots of choice.

This can be a great place to look to achieve some high-profit margins, with a wide range of items available to sell locally or online later on.

Best items to resell from thrift stores:

  • Vintage clothing and accessories
  • Vinyl records
  • Antique furniture
  • Electronics and gaming consoles
  • Beauty products (unused and sealed)

Pro tip: Browse thrift stores in wealthier neighborhoods as these often have higher-quality items for you to resell.

2. Garage sales

If you're looking for a bargain, garage sales can offer some of the best deals around for resellers. Since homeowners are usually focused on shifting unwanted items and making space in their homes, you'll likely get your hands on some quality products at a low price.

Plus, there's plenty of room for negotiating lower prices. But what sort of items should you look out for?

Here are some of the best items to resell from garage sales:

  • Power tools
  • Collectibles like sports cards and toys
  • Small appliances
  • Designer handbags
  • Rare books

Pro tip: Arrive early for the best deals, or browse for unwanted items close to the end of the sale when sellers want to make a last-minute sale and are willing to negotiate.

3. Estate sales

estate sale

Estate sales can be a great place to find high-ticket items to resell later on for a profit. Whether it's antique furniture or vintage decor, there's usually lots to choose from. Many of these items can fetch a premium online, especially if you choose the right platform.

Best items to resell from estate sales:

  • Silverware and fine china
  • Luxury watches and jewelry
  • Mid-century modern furniture
  • Vintage rugs and home decor
  • Artwork and sculptures

Pro tip: Research these sales in advance and look for homes with high-end or vintage items. You can also find online estate sales if you can't make it to a physical location.

4. Retail stores (retail arbitrage)

Now, finding items to resell this way can take a little longer, as you need to shop around for the best discounts. Retail arbitrage focuses on buying discounted items from your usual retail stores, before selling them for a higher price on online marketplaces.

Whether you favor Amazon over eBay, or prefer to use Facebook Marketplace, these online marketplaces give great opportunities to sell items for a higher price.

But where should you look? Here are some of the best stores for retail arbitrage to consider:

  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Clearance outlets

The best items to resell from retail stores:

  • Seasonal toys and games
  • Home goods like cookware and storage
  • Discounted branded clothing and shoes
  • Electronics

Pro tip: If you're an Amazon Seller, be sure to use the Amazon Seller App to scan items in-store and check their selling price before buying. You can also look out for glitch deals to find bargain items to resell at a higher price.

5. At home

We've all got things lying around the house that we no longer use. It's time to do a little digging and see which items could be perfect for selling online. Whether you've got too many clothes clogging up your closet, or electronics you no longer use, these can easily be profitable items to sell online.

Where you sell items is totally up to you. For pre-loved clothes, you could look to eBay, Vinted or Poshmark, or even local online marketplaces.

The best things to resell:

  • Antiques
  • Electronics
  • Games consoles
  • Clothes

Pro tip: Search for hidden treasures in your attic, basement or garage. If you're not sure about the value of your own items to resell, speak to friends, family members and acquaintances to see if they have anything they would be willing to sell for your online business.

6. Online marketplaces

craiglist

Not all reselling items need to be found in person. If you want to shop for items without leaving the comfort of your home, there are plenty of online marketplaces available. Many of these provide opportunities to grab products at competitive prices and sell them for a higher price.

But where should you look?

It's worth noting, however, that if you do shop via some of these online platforms, there could be shipping costs involved if you choose not to collect in person. These marketplaces can take a little searching through to find profitable products - but here are a few items to look out for to get you started:

  • Vintage electronics
  • Furniture and home decor
  • Luxury brand items
  • Rare collectibles

Pro tip: Look out for items that are underpriced, as these sellers likely want to make space and get rid of items quickly.

Want to know more? Check out these resources:

7. eBay

eBay is filled with all kinds of weird and wonderful items that can be resold with good profit margins. It's a good idea to shop around and see how much items are selling for on other marketplaces, to help you identify market trends and items in high demand.

Then, you can start browsing eBay for profitable products! Here are some great items to look out for:

  • Vintage items, including clothing
  • Electronics and games consoles
  • Luxury brand items
  • Rare collectibles

Pro tip: On sites like eBay, many items can go unnoticed due to spelling errors and a lack of information - use this to your advantage for higher profit margins and low competition.

Learn more about selling on eBay:

8. Wholesale suppliers

alibaba

Whether you're just getting started with reselling items or you're looking to scale up, buying from wholesale suppliers could be a great way to go. One of the benefits here is that wholesale purchasing lowers product costs, giving you a healthy profit margin.

But where should you look? Here are some of the best places to find wholesale items:

  • Alibaba
  • SaleHoo
  • Wholesale Central
  • Faire

And here are the types of products to look out for:

  • Clothing and accessories
  • Home and kitchen items
  • Beauty products and skincare
  • Electronics

Pro tip: To avoid low-quality products, be sure to check the reviews of wholesale suppliers beforehand. You will also need to account for shipping costs when working out your potential profit margins.

Read more on wholesale:

9. Amazon reselling

Whether you're an Amazon reseller or just looking to buy items to sell elsewhere, Amazon offers lots of ways to source and sell products, including taking advantage of online arbitrage and wholesale purchasing. You can also keep an eye on discounted trending items and look to resell these on another platform.

Best items to resell from Amazon:

  • Best-selling toys and games
  • Small kitchen appliances
  • Health and beauty products
  • Office supplies
  • Tech gadgets

Pro tip: If you're getting stuck into Amazon reselling, consider using Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) to handle storage and shipping for you.

Want to learn more about being an Amazon reseller? These resources will help:

10. Local flea markets

If you're looking for low competition and have a little spare time, browsing local flea markets can be a good place to look for items to resell.

There's usually a great variety of products available, with many at negotiable prices. You'll even likely come across some sellers selling wholesale items at a low price, as well as secondhand goods.

It doesn't need to be a massive market in order to find things to resell, either. Some of the best items are found at local, small markets after all! If you dedicate a little time to flea markets, you could easily find a winning product for your online business.

Some of the best items to look out for include:

  • Vintage clothing
  • Jewelry
  • Collectibles
  • Electronics
  • Handmade crafts

Pro tip: Don't forget to take cash with you, as many sellers prefer cash and can offer discounts.

11. Liquidation and overstock sales

liquidation sales

Now, this might not be your go-to strategy for finding items to resell, since they aren't necessarily advertised in the same way as other platforms. However, liquidation and overstock sales can be the perfect opportunity to get your hands on products that businesses want to shift fast.

This could be store closures, overstock sales or even seasonal clearances - giving you some high profit margins when items are priced right. When a store goes into liquidation, stock needs to be sold fast, giving resellers the opportunity to grab profitable items at a fraction of their original retail price.

Knowing where to find these types of sales is key. You can try:

  • 888lots.com
  • Liquidation.com
  • B-Stock
  • DirectLiquidation
  • Amazon Warehouse Deals

Here are some of the best items to resell from these types of sales:

  • Electronics and accessories
  • Home appliances
  • Clothing and footwear
  • Toys and games
  • Office supplies

Pro tip: Always check return policies and test any electronics before listing them for resale. You may need to factor in potential product defects when some liquidation pallets contain returned items.

12. Auctions

If you've got your eyes on a specific item - such as antique furniture - auctions could be the best place to look. Online and in-person auctions can be a goldmine for finding items at a low price, giving you plenty of profit.

However, you will want to research market value beforehand, to ensure you can make a profit.

Some of the best places to find auction deals include:

  • GovDeals
  • PropertyRoom
  • Police auctions
  • Local storage unit auctions

With some of the best items to resell being:

  • Jewelry and watches
  • High-end electronics
  • Tools and industrial equipment
  • Vehicles and motorcycles

Pro tip: Always set a reserve price when bidding to avoid overpaying. If you're looking for something specific, be sure to check out the market value beforehand.

13. Trade shows and expos

If you're looking to get direct access to suppliers, manufacturers and wholesale suppliers, heading to trade shows and expos could be a good place to start. Not only can you network with suppliers, but these events can help you source exclusive products before they hit mainstream retail stores.

Best trade shows to visit:

  • ASD Market Week (Las Vegas)
  • Canton Fair (China)
  • NY NOW (New York)
  • MAGIC Las Vegas (fashion wholesale)

Some of the best items to sell for a higher price include:

  • New and trending electronics
  • Fashion and accessories
  • Home decor and gifts
  • Beauty and wellness products

Pro tip: If you're in it for the long-term, it's important to build relationships with suppliers to get the best deals and product access.

14. Outlet malls and factory stores

Outlet malls and factory stores can be an easy way to find items to resell at a low price. These tend to be overstocked products that they want to shift quickly, so you can easily get your hands on a bargain.

While it may take a little of your time to browse, you could quickly find some hidden gems from big-name brands at discounted prices.

Some of the best outlet stores for resellers include:

  • Nike Factory Store
  • Coach Outlet
  • Adidas Outlet
  • Levi’s Outlet
  • Nordstrom Rack

Keep your eyes peeled for some of the following items:

  • Designer shoes and handbags
  • Branded clothing
  • Sunglasses and accessories
  • Limited edition items

Pro tip: Discounts are typically at their highest during end-of-season clearance sales. This is where you can really grab a bargain and heighten your profit margins.

15. Online classifieds and freebie sites

nextdoor

One man's trash is another man's treasure! Often people want to get rid of unwanted items online either for free, or at a very low price. Check out online classifieds and freebie sites to source these items and identify their profit potential.

Where to look for items to resell:

  • Craigslist free section
  • Facebook groups
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Nextdoor

The best things to resell:

  • Furniture
  • Electronics
  • Appliances
  • Collectibles

Pro tip: Much like thrift stores, online classifieds and freebie sites can have a quick turnaround, so it's important to check back regularly as free items can get claimed fast.

16. Pawn shops

If you've got your eyes on electronics, jewelry or other collectibles, pawn shops could be the perfect place to shop for items at a low price for reselling. Many shops rotate their stock quickly, so there are lots of opportunities to negotiate and find new items.

Here are some of the best items to resell from pawn shops:

  • Jewelry
  • Luxury watches
  • High-end cameras
  • Musical instruments
  • Laptops and gaming consoles

Pro tip: Check pawn shops regularly, as inventory changes often.

17. Buy and sell Facebook groups

Beyond Facebook Marketplace, Facebook offers a number of buy-and-sell groups with sellers looking to shift items often for free or for a low price. With ordinary people looking to declutter their homes, you could be in a great spot to find some real bargains.

Some of the best items to resell from Facebook groups include:

  • Large furniture (bear in mind you'll need to collect)
  • Designer handbags
  • Baby gear (strollers, car seats, cribs)
  • Tools and home improvement equipment

Pro tip: Search for local Facebook groups and enable notifications to get first refusal on new listings.

18. Airport and lost luggage auctions

airport lost luggage

Did you know that unclaimed luggage at airports eventually gets auctioned off? While it's not guaranteed what you might find, resellers can buy mystery suitcases often including clothing, electronics and jewelry.

Where to look:

  • airport lost luggageUnclaimed Baggage (USA)
  • Local airport auctions
  • Government surplus auctions

The best items to resell from luggage auctions:

  • Designer handbags and the suitcases themselves
  • Branded clothing and accessories
  • High-end cameras and tech gadgets
  • Jewelry and watches
  • Foreign currency and collectibles

Reselling digital products

It's not just physical items you can resell, oh no. Digital product reselling involves buying or licensing digital goods and selling them at a higher price. This is a pretty low-risk, high-margin business model, with plenty of opportunities to scale.

Here's how digital product reselling works:

  • Find digital products to resell: Look for white-label or resellable digital products that allow redistribution.
  • Purchase or license the product.
  • Customize (if needed) and rebrand or add value to make it unique (if possible!).
  • List and sell online: Easily set up for free and sell on Whop.
  • Automate delivery: Once a purchase is made, the product is delivered instantly, which means happy customers and no shipping fees.

When you use a platform like Whop, you have full control over your digital products, with fees as low as 3% when buyers go direct.

But that's not all, with Whop, you can even create a community around your reselling business - or take things a step further and sell your knowledge in an online course. The opportunities are quite frankly, endless.

Learn how to master reselling with Whop

whop reselling

Now that you're armed with the best products to sell and where to look for them, you'll be well-equipped to make your next move in the world of reselling.

But of course, there's always more to learn! On Whop, our communities of resellers are on hand to teach you the tips and tricks of reselling, so you can learn new strategies and hacks to maximize your profits.

There's no denying that there's strength in numbers - which is why joining a reselling community or course could be your next best move to make. These groups will tell you how to find the best items to resell at maximum profit.

Explore reselling groups on Whop today.

Whop reselling groups

Where to buy items to resell: FAQs

How can I find items that are in high demand?

To help you find products that are in high demand, check sites like Amazon Best Sellers, eBay's trending section and Google Trends. You may be able to get your hands on seasonal items that are in high demand for their initial retail price and sell them on for a profit.

Before an item becomes a huge trend and in high demand, you'll want to get ahead of the game. One of the best ways to do this is to follow influencers and industry experts on social media and subscribe to trade publications. You can also use market research tools like Jungle Scout to find trending items before they make it big.

Is Facebook Marketplace reselling worth it?

Definitely. Facebook Marketplace reselling is a great platform for selling locally, especially since there are no listing fees to worry about. You can easily source plenty of free or low-priced items and flip them for a profit, without shipping fees.

How can I get started with online arbitrage?

As we mentioned earlier, online arbitrage involves buying items from online retailers at a low price and reselling them on other platforms. To get started, you can start by exploring price comparison tools to find the best things to resell — tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa are great for tracking price differences.

Once I've found items to resell, should I sell on multiple platforms?

Yes, definitely. This not only gives you more opportunities, but you can also reach a wider audience to maximize your sales. If you're buying and selling from local marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, you may find that you can achieve a higher resale price on eBay or Amazon.

What are the best places to find brand-name products for resale?

  • Outlet malls
  • Wholesale distributors
  • Liquidation sales
  • Retail store clearance sections

How can I spot a winning product to sell?

It's completely normal to find it difficult to choose the right products. Here are our top tips for spotting profitable products to resell:

  • Seek low competition - Avoid oversaturated markets where prices are low.
  • Look for price gaps - The lower the item cost, and the higher the resale price, the better. Do your homework, and check for market trends and pricing online before buying.
  • Consider demand - Items that are in constant demand sell quicker!
  • Factor in shipping fees - Bulky or fragile items that need shipping could eat into your profits.

What are common mistakes new resellers make?

Starting an online business in reselling can be very profitable. However, it does come with learning curves! Here are common mistakes made by new resellers and how best to avoid them:

  • Overpaying for items - Always research price trends before buying.
  • Ignoring shipping costs - It's easy to forget about shipping! Both when buying and selling items. While offering free shipping is great, I can cut into profit margins.
  • Not checking item condition - Always check the condition of items and test electronics beforehand.
  • Poor listing descriptions - Spend time writing quality descriptions to attract buyers, and don't forget to use relevant keywords.
  • Selling without a niche - It's important to find the right product categories instead of selling everything and anything you can get your hands on. There's always room to branch out later!

Are there any seasonal opportunities I can take advantage of?

Most definitely. It's important to leverage seasonal trends to maximize your profits, and there are plenty of items that have high demand at certain times of the year.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Back-to-school (August - September)

  • School supplies (backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks)
  • Laptops, tablets, and tech accessories
  • Dorm room essentials

Halloween (September - October)

  • Costumes and cosplay accessories
  • Decorations and party supplies
  • Halloween-themed home decor

Black Friday & Holiday Shopping (November - December)

  • Electronics (gaming consoles, headphones, smart devices)
  • Toys and collectibles (LEGO, action figures, board games)
  • Luxury items (watches, handbags, perfumes)

New Year fitness (January - February)

  • Gym equipment (dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats)
  • Health and fitness books or guides
  • Meal prep containers and water bottles

Spring cleaning (March - April)

  • Storage bins, closet organizers
  • Home improvement tools and decor
  • Gardening equipment and outdoor furniture

Summer vacation and outdoor (May - July)

  • Travel accessories (luggage, packing cubes, portable chargers)
  • Beach and pool items (inflatable floats, swimwear, sunscreen)
  • Camping and hiking gear