What to Look For at Thrift Stores: Items That Resell for More Than You'd Think

Quick answer: The thrift finds that resell best are things collectors already hunt for: vintage Pyrex and other patterned kitchenware, old cast iron like Griswold and Wagner, film cameras, retro electronics like Walkmans and game consoles, vintage denim and quality name-brand clothing, and toys or figures with a following. Before you buy, check what the exact item has actually sold for, then leave room for fees and shipping.

Thrift stores are full of stuff nobody wants and a few things somebody really wants. Your job is to tell them apart fast. Here's what to look for, how to check value on the spot, and where to sell what you find.

How to think about a thrift find

A good flip has three things going for it. People search for it by name. It's easy to check and describe. And it ships without drama. A brand-name item with a clear model number beats a pretty mystery object almost every time, because you can look up what it sells for and buyers can find your listing.

Ask yourself three quick questions in the aisle:

• Can I name it? Brand, pattern, model or style. If you can't, buyers can't search for it either.
• Is it complete and working? Lids, cords, battery covers and accessories matter.
• Can I ship it? Heavy, fragile or oversized items can still be great, but plan on local pickup.

What to look for at thrift stores

Vintage Pyrex and patterned kitchenware

Look for milky white opal glass with colored outsides or printed patterns, usually with a Pyrex stamp and model number on the bottom. Bright, glossy paint is what collectors pay for. Faded, dishwasher-dulled pieces are worth far less. Our guide to which Pyrex patterns are worth money covers the names and numbers to know.

Old cast iron

Flip every heavy black skillet over and read the bottom. Older American brands like Griswold and Wagner are the ones collectors search for. Griswold was based in Erie, Pennsylvania, and its plant closed in 1957, so a clearly marked Griswold pan is at least that old. Rust and crusty buildup are usually fixable. Cracks and warping are not, so set the pan on a flat surface and check that it doesn't spin or rock.

Film cameras and lenses

Film photography has made a real comeback. In 2022, Marketplace reported that some used film cameras cost several times what they did a few years earlier, with younger shooters driving a lot of the demand. Look for 35mm SLRs and point-and-shoots from known camera makers, plus lenses sold on their own. Check that the shutter fires, the lens glass is clear, and the battery compartment isn't corroded.

Retro electronics

Portable cassette players, old iPods and classic game consoles all have steady fan bases. Sony's first Walkman, the TPS-L2, launched in 1979 and is now in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. You won't find that one often, but Walkmans and other portable players from the '80s and '90s turn up all the time. Original boxes, manuals and working condition add a lot. Untested electronics sell for much less, so test before you list if you can.

Vintage denim and quality clothing

Clothing is where volume lives. Look for vintage Levi's, workwear, outdoor brands and well-made pieces in good condition. For Levi's, check the red tab on the back pocket. According to collector references, Levi's switched from a capital "E" to a lowercase "e" in 1971, so a "Big E" tab points to an older pair. Also check care tags, country of manufacture and any wear on seams and crotch.

Toys, figures and games

Sealed toys, complete sets and characters from popular lines can sell well. Loose figures are worth more with their original accessories. Our guide on what modern action figures are worth explains why sealed, exclusive and discontinued pieces lead the pack. Board games and puzzles only sell if every piece is there, so count before you pay.

Other things worth a second look

• Vinyl records in clean sleeves, especially original pressings
• Out-of-print and specialty books, including niche hobby guides and recent textbooks
• Name-brand shoes and boots with plenty of sole left
• Mid-century decor like lamps, glassware and wall art with a maker's mark

How to check value before you buy

Asking prices are wishes. Sold prices are facts. A $200 listing that's been sitting for a year tells you nothing about what buyers will pay.

1. Identify the exact item. Note the brand, model number, pattern or size from tags and stamps.
2. Search sold listings. On eBay, filter results to "Sold Items" to see what people actually paid.
3. Match the condition. Compare working to working and complete to complete. A tested camera and an untested one are different items.
4. Check how often it sells. Lots of recent sales means you can sell it quickly. One sale from last year means you're guessing.
5. Do the math. Subtract fees, shipping and your time from the likely sale price, then compare that to the tag.

Typing all of that into a search bar for every item gets old fast. Moe identifies items from a photo and shows current market value, so you can scan a find in the aisle and decide on the spot.

Where to sell your thrift finds

• eBay has the biggest audience and the best sold-price data. For most categories, eBay charges a final value fee of 13.6% of the total sale (up to $7,500) plus a $0.40 per-order fee on orders over $10, according to its seller fee page.
• Etsy is a good home for vintage items like kitchenware, decor and clothing, since buyers come there looking for vintage.
• Mercari works well for everyday items and mid-priced finds.
• Poshmark and Depop are built for clothing, shoes and accessories.
• Facebook Marketplace is the best fit for furniture, heavy cast iron and anything you'd rather not ship.
• Whatnot live shows can move collectibles and bundles quickly.

Listing the same item in several places gets it seen by more buyers, but juggling listings and messages across apps takes time. Moe lets you cross-list to multiple marketplaces and keep buyer messages in one place.

Tips for thrifting to resell

• Go often. Stock turns over daily. Regular trips beat one big haul.
• Learn your store's sale days. Many thrift stores run color-tag or weekly discounts that make marginal flips worth it.
• Check everything. Open cases, test zippers, flip dishes, read tags. Hidden damage kills profit.
• Specialize a little. Knowing one or two categories well helps you spot the good stuff in seconds.
• Skip the heavy, cheap and common. If it sells for little and costs a lot to ship, leave it.
• List quickly. Inventory sitting in your closet isn't making money.

Frequently asked questions

What sells best from thrift stores?

Items collectors search for by name tend to sell best: vintage Pyrex, old cast iron, film cameras, retro electronics, vintage denim, quality name-brand clothing and toys from popular lines. Always confirm demand by checking sold listings for the exact item.

How do I know if a thrift store item is worth reselling?

Identify the exact item, then look up what it has actually sold for recently, not what sellers are asking. Subtract marketplace fees and shipping. If what's left is comfortably more than the tag price, it's worth buying.

Is thrift store flipping still profitable?

It can be, if you buy carefully. Profit comes from knowing what sells, checking sold prices before you buy, and avoiding items that are expensive to ship or slow to sell.

What should I not buy at thrift stores to resell?

Skip items with heavy damage, incomplete games and sets, untested electronics you can't return, and common items that sell for little. Big, fragile items can be worth it only if you can sell them locally.

Where is the best place to sell thrift finds?

eBay is the broadest option and has the best sold-price data. Etsy suits vintage, Poshmark and Depop suit clothing, and Facebook Marketplace is best for furniture and heavy items. Many resellers list on several sites to sell faster.