Thrift Shop Pickups

[bigdog2003]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Anyone know what to make of these. Will edit in back story here in a bit
Attachment 533606

Attachment 533607

Was at my storage unit this afternoon. The guy next to me was rearranging his unit in preparation for moving out. I saw these in a box in front of my unit. I asked him about them. Apparently they were a friend of his who lost his job and home and needed a place to store a few things. Some quick research shows these could be huge but with any high end Nike produce its high risk as well. I made an offer based on the high risk and such and he is going to call the guy and see what he says. Told him it was dependent on me gathering more information. Soanyone know anything about these? Found them on Ebay but they seem to be all over in pricing. Anything like this Nike makes me kind of skiddish.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26610005630...Bk9SR_Lh_KW9YQ

If those are legit they are nice. There are some apps that can give their opinion in quick time about them. I might would be interested if they are legit. Did he have the box and all? Check Check is the app

[bigdog2003]

Also, selling on ebay would be the wrong move. GOAT would be better if they are legit. There is a used pair of 10's on there now for over $1,800 without box. New pairs are $5,000 and up on there.

[shrevecity]

Authentication was one reason I made a structured offer basically I take possession for 150 regardless of authentication results. When sold I take 500 off top anything above that is a 60/40 his favor split

[bigdog2003]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Authentication was one reason I made a structured offer basically I take possession for 150 regardless of authentication results. When sold I take 500 off top anything above that is a 60/40 his favor split

Sometimes the back of the shoe can be a dead giveaway. A lot of the rep makers can't get the shape just right on 1's. Also the stitching under the insole will be rougher than Nike would do it. The soles will also feel strange. If they are new, the smell is also a big giveaway. The rep pairs of any shoes will have a strong glue smell.

But, reps are getting better and better all the time. High end shoes like this scare me on the secondary market unless I know the seller well. I have passed on a lot of shoes for that reason.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by bigdog2003

Sometimes the back of the shoe can be a dead giveaway. A lot of the rep makers can't get the shape just right on 1's. Also the stitching under the insole will be rougher than Nike would do it. The soles will also feel strange. If they are new, the smell is also a big giveaway. The rep pairs of any shoes will have a strong glue smell.

But, reps are getting better and better all the time. High end shoes like this scare me on the secondary market unless I know the seller well. I have passed on a lot of shoes for that reason.

High end nikes scare me. I feel these are good but the games nike plays with resellers always make you have to think about it

[Jolten Joe]

I'm interested in trying to get more into this but not really sure where to start. Is there like a Dummies for thrifting site that can educate one on what to look for and what not to look for ? You these FB Reels videos of people supposedly walking into random thrift stores and finding $100 + items just sitting on the neatest cleanest shelves I've ever seen in my life. Surely those can't be real and are most likely staged.

Most stores around here are a step away from the CDC shutting them down they are so nasty. Our local Goodwill is closed for the foreseeable future due to storm damage a few weeks back. The only other big name places are Salvation Army (Over priced) and Value Village which again is mostly garbage and stained furniture. Every time you leave that place you want to run naked through the care wash to get clean. There a couple smaller strip mall thrift stores but again mostly junk.

Any other bargin outlet places anyone suggests that don't already look everything up on ebay and price accordingly ?

[TheWrightStuff]

Start with YouTube videos. I like froggy flips, bearded thrifter, commonwealth picker. And yes you can make fund in thrift store and antique malls. I do it all the time.

[RobDerhak]

Originally Posted by Jolten Joe

I'm interested in trying to get more into this but not really sure where to start. Is there like a Dummies for thrifting site that can educate one on what to look for and what not to look for ? You these FB Reels videos of people supposedly walking into random thrift stores and finding $100 + items just sitting on the neatest cleanest shelves I've ever seen in my life. Surely those can't be real and are most likely staged.

Most stores around here are a step away from the CDC shutting them down they are so nasty. Our local Goodwill is closed for the foreseeable future due to storm damage a few weeks back. The only other big name places are Salvation Army (Over priced) and Value Village which again is mostly garbage and stained furniture. Every time you leave that place you want to run naked through the care wash to get clean. There a couple smaller strip mall thrift stores but again mostly junk.

Any other bargin outlet places anyone suggests that don't already look everything up on ebay and price accordingly ?

The dirtier the store, the better IMO. The easy places to shop like Savers get hammered by people looking to make a quick flip.

You have to want to put the work in to make it work, especially now with the proliferation of Tik-Tok/Reels/Insta producers that do make it look easier than it is and has multiplied the amount of competition ten-fold.

I've personally almost stopped...last year, and for the last 5+ years there wasn't a week that I didn't hit multiple Thrifts/Garage/Estate Sales...I haven't hit one in about 4 months and still have inventory to get posted. I just personally found the stores were getting more aggressive with their prices, which cut into margin, and there was more competition at those places.

[shrevecity]

Getting a good relationship with an estate sale company is key. Then be willing to buy in bulk. I may donate alot this way but Saturday on last day of sale I bought nearly 300 cds and dad's. Plus 5 vintage tees 2 for parts laptops and some old camera equipment for a total if 6.00. 2 of the dvds were rare horror that bring 30 to 40 each used.

[gergs1134]

Originally Posted by Jolten Joe

I'm interested in trying to get more into this but not really sure where to start. Is there like a Dummies for thrifting site that can educate one on what to look for and what not to look for ? You these FB Reels videos of people supposedly walking into random thrift stores and finding $100 + items just sitting on the neatest cleanest shelves I've ever seen in my life. Surely those can't be real and are most likely staged.

Most stores around here are a step away from the CDC shutting them down they are so nasty. Our local Goodwill is closed for the foreseeable future due to storm damage a few weeks back. The only other big name places are Salvation Army (Over priced) and Value Village which again is mostly garbage and stained furniture. Every time you leave that place you want to run naked through the care wash to get clean. There a couple smaller strip mall thrift stores but again mostly junk.

Any other bargin outlet places anyone suggests that don't already look everything up on ebay and price accordingly ?

I agree with watching the the froggy flips, hairy tornadoes etc of the world, but also understand that they have advantages that you or I without a huge youtube audience have.

It takes awhile to build a store/following. I have been doing it part time for roughly 20 years and each year it gets a little bigger. My advice starting out is to hit garage sale season hard whenever that is where you live. Your out of pocket expense is going to be minimal usually and return far greater.

After that I would work up to thrift stores. The return generally won't be that good, but it is filler for when pickings are slim. Then there is retail arbitrage which I hate, but will do on occasion.

Try and find something that interests you whether it be memorabilia, records, toys, glass whatever and research. When you're comfortable with that move on to vintage clothes, car parts, tools or something else.

I tend to buy my education at a lot of garage sales. If something looks interesting I buy it, if Im wrong it was cheap and I donate/throw it. If I'm right then good on me.

Bulk is always the way to go if possible. People are much more willing to give you a better deal if you are buying alot.

You have to figure out what is right for you. Some people like to turn and burn, flipping through inventory quickly at a lower price while others like to wait it out a little and take a chance that they may be able to make a few bucks.

Keep good records.

[Jolten Joe]

going to head out tomorrow to a couple of local spots. What does everyone use as far as free apps to look items up to see if it's worth buying or not ? I've heard a lot about Google Lens but does ebay have something other than just opening thr regular app and doing a search ?

I am just looking to do this for fun as a hobby to make a few bucks here and there not to make my sole means of income.

[gergs1134]

I use google lens more for identification purposes. The ebay app is where I usually go to price check if need be. I don't do amazon FBA but they have an app as well.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by gergs1134

I agree with watching the the froggy flips, hairy tornadoes etc of the world, but also understand that they have advantages that you or I without a huge youtube audience have.

It takes awhile to build a store/following. I have been doing it part time for roughly 20 years and each year it gets a little bigger. My advice starting out is to hit garage sale season hard whenever that is where you live. Your out of pocket expense is going to be minimal usually and return far greater.

After that I would work up to thrift stores. The return generally won't be that good, but it is filler for when pickings are slim. Then there is retail arbitrage which I hate, but will do on occasion.

Try and find something that interests you whether it be memorabilia, records, toys, glass whatever and research. When you're comfortable with that move on to vintage clothes, car parts, tools or something else.

I tend to buy my education at a lot of garage sales. If something looks interesting I buy it, if Im wrong it was cheap and I donate/throw it. If I'm right then good on me.

Bulk is always the way to go if possible. People are much more willing to give you a better deal if you are buying alot.

You have to figure out what is right for you. Some people like to turn and burn, flipping through inventory quickly at a lower price while others like to wait it out a little and take a chance that they may be able to make a few bucks.

Keep good records.

The issue with many of the YouTube is they have killed markets fir some items over the years. Once they point out something new that us building steam on ebay it's usually too late to get the peak. Many of them also draw in more revenue from their channels than ebay. Most of their ebay sales are viewers of their channel and some are questionable in nature.

I say the best way to learn is to get out and actually do market research at sales or stores.

[Jolten Joe]

Like I said I'm not looking to make hand over fist it's just something to do to make a little side cash. My biggest issue was cell service inside a couple of stores while tryin to scan stuff to look it up.

I don't have pics yet but couple things I picked up today...

I found a former GA Bulldogs HC Mark Richt signed t-shirt just stuffed in with the shirts. Nothing actual bulldogs related but still cool I thought. Looked like it was some kind of Foundation of his where he did a signing but I figured for $2 wth.

Coca-Cola glass pitcher for $4 which most on ebay are asking $30+ for

New Orleans Saints Reebok hat brand new with tags for $3

several of those Squishmallow plush toys which seem to do ok on ebay for $1 each

a 2016 Star Wars: Original Trilogy Hardback Graphic Novel for $2

Nike Team USA Olympic edition t-shirt $3

[TheWrightStuff]

First lesson is- it doesn't matter what people are are on ebay, only what it has sold for. I have my ebay search options locked to show sold prices. It's all I look at.

[shrevecity]

Well it helps to know the STR of the item to get that you need to see active. Also another trick using active items say I find an item for 2.00 there are none sold but say 5 listed all at 75.00 to 100. It's an easy to list store item that has low cost. I might buy it and list mine at 40 and see what happens. Have sold lots of items with this tactic.

If you see an item for 1.00 as just search sold and see 5 sold at 39.99 but click to active and see 100 listed then you likely should not buy it unless you want to try the undercut tactic. On same note if you see 100 all priced at 69.99 but sold are 39.99 you know sellers are possibly overpriced and an u dercut will likely work.

Don't ignore active listings they are great tools as well.

[timfsu2k]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Well it helps to know the STR of the item to get that you need to see active. Also another trick using active items say I find an item for 2.00 there are none sold but say 5 listed all at 75.00 to 100. It's an easy to list store item that has low cost. I might buy it and list mine at 40 and see what happens. Have sold lots of items with this tactic.

If you see an item for 1.00 as just search sold and see 5 sold at 39.99 but click to active and see 100 listed then you likely should not buy it unless you want to try the undercut tactic. On same note if you see 100 all priced at 69.99 but sold are 39.99 you know sellers are possibly overpriced and an u dercut will likely work.

Don't ignore active listings they are great tools as well.

I do that as well, a quick nickel is better than a slow dime IMO. I'm in a couple of FB reseller groups and if you posted that in those groups you would get flamed hard. They HATE it when someone says they employ that tactic.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by timfsu2k

I do that as well, a quick nickel is better than a slow dime IMO. I'm in a couple of FB reseller groups and if you posted that in those groups you would get flamed hard. They HATE it when someone says they employ that tactic.

Many of the Facebook groups hate lots of things. Outing bad buyers is looked down on. Virtually anything that might reflect negatively on a buyer. I have seen people banned from them for even suggesting a seller block a buyer.

I got flamed for suggesting that there are times it might be best to cut your losses on dead inventory instead of sitting on it.

[bigdog2003]

I'm off tomorrow, so that means thrifting trip with my mom. The sneaker store I frequent in town said they need some vintage shirts, so I hope to find some decent ones. Other than that, maybe some Jordans for the nieces and nephew if I find any.

[Jolten Joe]

I try to keep it to things I know will sell. Advertising like Coke will sell period, Anything Sports team related will also always sell well, Big movie franchises (Star Wars, Marvel, DC etx..) will always sell. Maybe not for $50-$100 + but in the end it's about what you pay not what it's listed for on ebay. If I have $4 in the Coke pitcher for example I can guarantee you I can list it for 10 day auction starting at $.99 + shipping and mostly likely at minimum double my money. My goal in this is to at minimum double my money and have fun. The Squishmallow plush sell all day long for $10+ plus shipping that is SOLD listings. At my purchase price of $1 each which was 1/2 off because it was the color of the week I can't lose money if I tried.

I think too many people have made picking and thrifting into a job where they don't have to go to a physical adult world 9-5 job instead of just having fun. I have watched youtube videos where the people you can tell are stressed that they aren't finding enough good stuff to pay their rent/mortgage and car payment and start blaming all the other thrifters who have come in and ruined it for everyone. That to me defeats the whole purpose of doing this in the first place. I swear one video by the Bearded Thrifter I think it was everywhere yardsale he went to he just kept mumbling to himself how he could tell these people were resellers this and that like he's the only one that is supposed to do that.

[shrevecity]

Sounds good problem is as you build inventory space can become an issue. Squishmellows for example have slowed way down in selling. I passed on 5 the other day for 4.00 each that sell for 35+ because the completed shows a nice ratio but most sales were before Christmas. They take up too much space to risk sitting on. Shelf space has become as much of a component of what I buy as anything else.

YouTube only have themselves to blame. Most of them make more money from their videos than anything else.

[corndog]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Sounds good problem is as you build inventory space can become an issue. Squishmellows for example have slowed way down in selling. I passed on 5 the other day for 4.00 each that sell for 35+ because the completed shows a nice ratio but most sales were before Christmas. They take up too much space to risk sitting on. Shelf space has become as much of a component of what I buy as anything else.

YouTube only have themselves to blame. Most of them make more money from their videos than anything else.

That is true.

[bigdog2003]

Great day of thrifting! I found some amazing Harley shirts and a Harley baseball jersey. Plus I found some other nice shirts. Highlight of the day, Supreme Small Box Logo T from the F/W 2020 collection for $2.99. Guy locally wants it already.

[TimBuckTwo]

Originally Posted by bigdog2003

Great day of thrifting! I found some amazing Harley shirts and a Harley baseball jersey. Plus I found some other nice shirts. Highlight of the day, Supreme Small Box Logo T from the F/W 2020 collection for $2.99. Guy locally wants it already.

Supreme Small Box why the draw?

[callou2131]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Sounds good problem is as you build inventory space can become an issue. Squishmellows for example have slowed way down in selling. I passed on 5 the other day for 4.00 each that sell for 35+ because the completed shows a nice ratio but most sales were before Christmas. They take up too much space to risk sitting on. Shelf space has become as much of a component of what I buy as anything else.

YouTube only have themselves to blame. Most of them make more money from their videos than anything else.

with squishmalows zip lock bags are your friend. They squish. also you can put them in those big vacuum seal bags.