When people think of thrifting, they often think of used items only. About 20% of my inventory are new with tags and lately I’ve been finding some really neat items, all for less than $1. Here’s a few things I’ve picked up since the beginning of the year.
Kick off the winter season right with these hot new pants:
9. Under Armour
This is a brand I find all the time. I particularly like finding jackets and hoodies, but also specialty items like padded shirts for sports. While I buy UA stuff all the time, I currently have only one UA item in my store because they sell so quickly.
7. Banana Republic
This is a brand that I prefer to find for men rather than women. Their jackets and fleeces do really well for men and they have nice pants for women too.
4. Nike
This is probably my #1 brand since I sell more Nike than any other brand. It’s rare that a day goes by where I don’t sell at least one Nike item. You have to be careful with Nike as some of their items don’t hold their value as much as others. Still, if it’s a jacket/hoodie/pants, you’re normally going to do well. You might not make the most profit from Nike, but they are virtually guaranteed to sell.
2. Juicy Couture
Their jackets and pants sell fine, but it’s the blingy ones that do particularly well. Whenever I find one of their hoodie jackets with the bling or sweat pants with stones, I know it will sell quickly. They are high quality, but this brand runs small, so be sure to include measurements (always include measurements, no matter what brand you are selling).
1. Victoria’s Secret
This is a brand that sells great in so many different areas. You can find value in everything from bras to sweats and hoodies to jackets. One VS item that doesn’t hold its value is VS jeans. They will sell, but not for a high value.
A lot of things can happen when you’re preparing for a cross-country move. A year ago, I moved from Oregon to Georgia with my wife, 4 kids, a one-eyed pug, and everything that could fit into our minivan. Prior to doing so, I had to make a bunch of tough decisions. I kept the van, but had to get rid of my car. Time was running out and I wasn’t able to sell my car. I had recently begun trading after watching the TV show Barter Kings. Long story short, I traded my car for a beautiful wedding ring for my wife, cash, and a 2-hour drive back to my house from the people who bought my car.
I began trading even more because I enjoyed the hunt. I bought a massive autograph collection from a student at the University of Oregon. I stuffed them (nicely) into my van and once we arrived in Georgia, guess what we needed?
Furniture.
I got on Craigslist and began to trade the autographs for coffee tables, trunks, a TV, and other things we needed. Then it hit me: I can make money doing this. I had bought the autographs for what turned out to be $13 each. These were signed and framed autographs of Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, Larry Bird, and more just like them. So, I started selling on Ebay and used a little bit of money in my savings to buy things that would sell. I searched Ebay, Craigslist, yard sales, and thrift shops. After a couple months of buyings and selling, I found my niche.
Clothes.
Now, I still buy other items here and there, but of the 1,000+ items currently available in my store, the majority are clothes. The premise is simple: buy low and sell lower than the rest.
I have not only found something that I love, I’ve also found a way to earn a living doing so and provide for my family. My dad, wife, and kids all help me buy things when they are free and it’s turned into a great family business. A few months ago, I bought the domain name http://www.NameBrandThrift.com and it has helped grow the store even more.
This little business has turned into a solvent company that I’m proud to own and run. It provides a great service, allowing people to buy name brand clothes for way less than the stores. Many of the clothes I sell are new with tags (about 20%) and this business creates a trickle down effect to other sectors of the economy. I spend an average of $800 a month in shipping, spend an undisclosed amount at thrift shops & yard sales, and purchase shipping materials from other businesses.
Who would have thought that thrifting could turn into a profession and that it could contribute so much to the economy? I literally ship worldwide and have found more fulfillment with Name Brand Thrift than I ever have before. Small businesses can still be started and succeed. But, in order to be successful, you’ll need to do two things: find what you love and work harder than the rest.
Jackson Paul Baer 