Uncovering Hidden Treasures: 41 Hot Items You Can Resell for Major Profit

Tucked away in the back of closets and garage shelves lies a goldmine of products waiting to be rediscovered. The rise of minimalism has led many to declutter their homes, not realizing the potential value stuffed inside their boxes. Meanwhile, the internet has unlocked new markets where virtually anything can be resold at a higher price to enthusiastic buyers across the globe.

Flipping items for profit has become a full-time business for some entrepreneurs, earning upwards of 6 figures per year. But you don‘t have to be a professional reseller to tap into this lucrative opportunity. Anyone can scout their local thrift stores and yard sales to unearth forgotten gems. Or perhaps you‘ll realize the collectible figurines gathering dust in your basement can fetch a small fortune on eBay.

If you‘re wondering where to get started in the world of reselling, look no further. We compiled a list of 41 in-demand products offering prime resale value in today‘s marketplace:

Vintage clothing

As fashion trends tend to repeat themselves, vintage apparel offers both nostalgia and contemporary appeal for buyers. Iconic pieces from the 70s, 80s and 90s can sell for up to 10X their original retail prices to collectors and resellers.

Clothing from coveted designers is particularly valuable – for example, a Chanel tweed jacket that retailed for $1,500 in the 90s could net $3,000 or more on today‘s secondary market.

When sourcing vintage pieces, focus on items in excellent condition made from high-quality materials like leather, wool and silk. Brand name labels, one-of-a-kind designs and bright colors also help vintage stand out.

Sneakers

The sneaker resale market has absolutely exploded over the last decade, projected to reach $30 billion in North America by 2030 according to Cowen Equity Research. Scarcity and hype drives demand, with resellers leveraging limited edition drops generating thousands in profit.

As an example, when Nike released a collaboration with rapper Travis Scott in 2019, the shoes retailed for just $175. Today, those same kicks sell for $2,000+ on sites like StockX.

Besides limited releases, rare vintage sneakers also command huge premiums. A pair of 1985 Air Jordan 1s sold at Sotheby‘s auction house for a record-breaking $560,000 last year.

Trading cards

Pokemon cards and sports trading cards have both surged in popularity during the pandemic, fetching unbelievable prices at auction. For instance, a rare Pokemon Illustrator card recently sold for $900,000 to rapper Logic.

While cards in perfect, graded condition sell for massive sums, even used cards hold value depending on the player, team or character depicted. Rookie cards of icons like Michael Jordan and Charizard are always in high demand.

The trading card boom shows no signs of slowing down, so search your childhood collection for forgotten gems. The right cards could net you a huge ROI compared to their original prices decades ago.

Video game consoles

Vintage electronics like Nintendo Entertainment Systems and Sega Genesis consoles are hot sellers among millennial buyers gripped by nostalgia. These retro gaming systems commonly sell in the $100 range on eBay, even if they were purchased at a fraction of that price years ago.

Beware – faulty units are tough to restore, so confirm electronics function properly before listing. Bundle games, controllers and boxes with consoles whenever possible to enhance value.

As today‘s young adults recapture their youth, demand should continue rising for vintage gaming hardware.

LEGO sets

These colorful building blocks aren‘t just for kids anymore. LEGO has become a hot collectible category among adults, with rare discontinued sets selling for astronomical prices.

For example, an unopened LEGO Imperial Star Destroyer set that originally retailed around $400 in 2002 now sells for over $3,000! Yet even used LEGOs in good condition can fetch decent returns if you have the instructions, original box and all the pieces.

BrickLink is a dedicated marketplace just for buying and selling LEGO products. Search current listings to gauge potential pricing for the sets you already own, which could be more valuable than you think.

Handbags

In the world of fashion accessories, few items hold their value over time like luxury handbags. Iconic designs from Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes actually increase in resale value year-over-year.

While authentic bags sell for sky-high sums (over $10k in many cases), fakes are commonplace – so authentication is key before investing significant money. Services like Entrupy and RealAuthentication leverage artificial intelligence to scientifically verify real luxury goods.

For the best returns, source designer bags at estate sales, consignment shops or via personal connections. Then resell them online through sites like The RealReal, which specializes in authenticated luxury consignment.

Jewelry

From precious metals and gemstones to signed costume pieces, all types of jewelry can be resold for considerable profits to the right buyers. Brands like Tiffany & Co., Cartier and David Yurman hold particular cachet and value.

When evaluating jewelry, carefully check markings to verify gold or silver purity ratings. Closely inspect gemstones and settings for any noticeable damage as well. Take clear, well-lit photos to showcase important details for potential buyers.

Local pawn shops and jewelry exchanges often offer deep discounts that leave ample margin for resellers. You can then market pieces on Etsy, auction sites and consignment marketplaces to capitalize on the high retail markups in the jewelry industry.

Designer clothing

Similar to handbags, today‘s luxury ready-to-wear fashions also resell at similar or higher price points in the secondary market. From streetwear brands like Supreme and BAPE to iconic designers like Chanel and Gucci, hype drives demand and prices.

High-end consignment sites like TheRealReal and Vestaire Collective cater to fashion resellers with curation and authentication services. However, marketplaces like Poshmark and Depop provide easier entry points for selling designer items without overhead fees.

When sourcing designer pieces, carefully examine details like stitching, logos and fabric tags to spot high-quality fakes. Reference photos from the brand‘s official website or social channels when legit checking items.

Antiques and collectibles

One person‘s old knick-knacks can equate to coveted vintage goods for the right collectors. Everything from jewelry boxes to typewriters have enthusiasts seeking specific brands, styles and age ranges.

Niche marketplaces like Chairish and 1stdibs cater to luxury antique furniture, while sites like WorthPoint and Kovels provide pricing guides across collectible categories. You can also consign higher-value items through respected local auction houses.

When identifying potential antiques to flip, useful clues include patina, markings/labels and quality craftsmanship. Be sure to highlight any special details to attract discerning buyers willing to pay top dollar.

Artwork

While bargains can be found at thrift stores, estate sales offer the best hunting grounds for finding valuable artworks, sometimes valued at thousands of dollars. Lesser known artists can still command high prices for quality oil paintings, lithographs and other mediums.

When evaluating artwork, examine the piece closely under good lighting to check for artist signatures, edition numbers, gallery labels and other distinguishing details. Carefully remove any loose dust to assess the colors and condition of the art itself.

Provenance and authentication vastly increase collectibility and market value. So gathering any documentation on an artwork‘s history, previous sales and verification of the artist‘s hand boosts potential earning power.

Musical instruments

Vintage musical instruments, especially iconic electric guitars, can be veritable goldmines at pawn shops and garage sales. While novice pickers can‘t easily spot a ‘59 Les Paul from a distance, a few distinctive models do stand out.

Fender Stratocasters and Gibson SGs from the 1950s and 60s can easily fetch $5,000+, and certain custom color combinations push values even higher. Pick up cheap acoustic guitars to check the neck and body for any branding indicating the model.

High-end instruments generally appreciate over time, as quality hardware and electronics get scarcer. So snagging deals on used gear allows ample margin for profit even with minor repairs and refurbishing costs.

Domain names

Virtual real estate in the form of website domain names offers global assets to buy and sell from anywhere. Top-level domain extensions like .com and .net carry prime value for branding potential, while geographic domains can also command huge sale prices.

For example, Voice.com sold for $30 million in 2019, while LasVegas.com traded hands in 2014 for $90 million. Catchy names like Pizza.com have sold for upwards of $2.6 million as well!

While blockbuster sales make headlines, plenty of unused domain names sell affordably across aftermarket platforms like GoDaddy Auctions and Sedo. Once purchased, domain "whois" records can be updated to protect ownership until resale.

Vintage electronics

Analog may be antiquated from a technology perspective, but vintage electronics oozes cool factor for collectors. Iconic items like boomboxes, vintage Apple computers andearly video game consoles display a nostalgia that drives prices.

When evaluating electronics to flip, carefully inspect each item for any exposed wires, corrosion, missing knobs or physical damage. Test all functions fully – tuners, volume knobs, display screens, etc. Broken gadgets should be repaired before selling if possible, or sold explicitly "as is" for lower value.

Bundle accessories like power cords, remotes and original manuals to boost vintage electronics value. Market across collector forums as well as eBay and Facebook Marketplace to maximize interest.

Watches

A high-end timepiece holds both practical function and status symbol appeal, with certain brands and styles appreciating over time. Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Omega watches command the strongest resale value.

Authenticated vintage models in steel (not gold) tend to offer affordable entry points for buyers. However, beware of "Frankenwatches" – pieced together from other damaged watches, mixing non-original parts. Ensure all parts match the corresponding model before purchasing.

Local pawn shops allow testing and inspection without high-end jeweler overhead. Once purchased, take clear macro photos of watch faces to showcase brands, complications and conditions to buyers.

How much money can you make reselling?

• Income potential depends on quantity of inventory, profit margins and time invested per week. Many resellers net $1,000+ per month working just part time, while running reselling as a full-time business can generate 6-figure incomes.

What sells best for resellers?

• In-demand categories include electronics, collectibles, vintage clothing, trading cards, antiques and designer items. Valuable products display scarcity, nostalgia/retro appeal, or long-term rising values.

Where do resellers source inventory?

• Thrift stores, garage/yard sales, estate sales, clearance racks and consignment shops offer affordable sources to buy low. Storage unit auctions, abandoned property sales and overseas importers provide more advanced sourcing channels.

How do you spot valuable items?

• Learn to carefully examine details and markings indicating brand, age, edition size, materials used, patent numbers, etc. Cross-reference completed eBay listings and specialty collector forums to gauge potential resale pricing.

What are the best platforms to sell items?

• eBay remains the primary channel for most resellers offering unmatched market size and selling tools. However niche sites like 1stdibs (high-end art/antiques) and StockX (sneakers/streetwear) cater to specific verticals.

The barrier to entry for reselling continues lowering, allowing anyone the ability to profit. While retail arbitrage takes some product research, sometimes the most valuable flippable goods already live in your own home.

Now that you know types of items displaying the highest resale value, keep an eye out for hidden gems anytime you browse yard sales, thrift spots and estate auctions. Trust your instincts, and don‘t hesitate pulling the trigger on exciting finds.

You never know – that $5 decorative plate or retro boombox collecting dust in your garage could fund your next vacation!