Next time you walk past a bin of old TV remotes at the thrift store, you might want to slow down. According to Justin Resells on YouTube, those dollar-or-two remotes can turn into real money online. One of them sold for $29.49. Another did not even work, and it still went for $46.98.
The details come from a long thrift store guide for eBay resellers. The channel’s big message is that the vast majority of what you see in a thrift store is worthless for resellers, but if you know what to look for, almost any thrift store can be a gold mine of valuable inventory. Thrift stores are not dead, the video says. You just need to expand your knowledge of what has value.
The video promises to break down every section of the store, including the ideal time of day to go, the best sections to start your hunt in, and how to find hidden gems. Here are the finds that were shown.
The Humble Remote
Remotes are the star of the show. The video says they are not going to be priced at more than a dollar or two at most thrift stores, and they can sell for a lot of money. One sold for $29.49. That figure was made up of $22 plus $6.99 shipping, and it took less than a day to sell. A second remote was not even in working condition, and it still sold for $46.98 in only two days.
That second sale deserves a second look. A broken item brought in more than the working one. It is a reminder that condition is not always the whole story when something goes up for sale online.
Mugs, Water Bottles And Board Games
The video also shows a mug find. The reseller says it is an item they almost hated to sell, but they could not justify hanging on to a $160 Starbucks mug, so it went out the door. Water bottles are another category to look out for at a thrift store, according to the video.
Then there is the board game story, which is a good lesson in patience. The reseller bought a Pokemon master trainer board game from 1999. It did not have all the pieces. Instead of giving up on it, they parted it out into 15 different listings that total at least $100 worth of inventory, all from a couple dollars of investment. Vintage board games are also described as really good finds. A complete HeroQuest game sold for $84.98, and it sold in one day.
Handheld Games And Kitchen Gadgets
Handheld games get a mention too. Thrift stores usually charge about a dollar for them, the video says, and they end up selling for good money. One was bought for $4 and sold for $31.98 in about 12 days. Not every sale is a same-day win, and that one took a little longer.
In the vintage kitchen category, the video shows a Wear-Ever Super Shooter electric cookie gun. Especially around Christmas time, you usually do not pay more than a couple of dollars for these, and they sell for a lot. This one sold for $40 and took only three hours.
Be Honest About Flaws
One of the most useful moments in the guide is about a little bag that had a small rip in it. The reseller could not sell it for full price, and had to disclose the flaw. They had paid only a couple of dollars for it, and it still sold for $27. That is honest selling at work. Telling buyers about damage up front is the fair way to sell, and it can still leave you with a profit.
How To Shop Like A Reseller
You do not have to run a full resale business to use these ideas. If you simply want to clear some space at home or earn a little extra, a few habits from the video go a long way.
- Look at items you might skip. Remotes and handheld games were priced at a dollar or a few dollars at the thrift store, and they sold for far more.
- Check the sold prices. Before you buy, see what similar items have actually sold for online, not what sellers are asking.
- Consider parting out an incomplete set. An incomplete board game turned into 15 separate listings.
- Disclose any damage. A rip or flaw can lower the price, but it does not have to kill the sale.
- Count shipping. The first remote sold for $22 plus $6.99 shipping, so the buyer’s total was higher than the item price.
It is also worth remembering that these are the channel’s own results. Your finds will vary, and not every item will sell as quickly or for as much. Start small, spend only a few dollars while you learn, and keep notes on what sells.
The bigger lesson is a happy one for anyone who loves a good treasure hunt. The next time you spot an item priced at a dollar or two, it might be worth a closer look before you pass it by. The old remote in the bin might be the one that pays for your lunch, and then some.
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