20 Best Items to Flip & How to Find Profitable Products
Over the past few years, flipping items on various marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, or Facebook has become a popular and accessible way for sellers to make a profit by selling products for more than they bought them for.
However, it is essential to note that flipping items requires extensive research and market knowledge in order to identify the most profitable products to sell.
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But don't worry. We've compiled a list of the 20 best items to flip from Amazon, eBay, Facebook and other marketplaces, so keep reading to find out more.
Top 20 Products for Flipping
1. Vintage Clothing
Flipping vintage clothing items, such as women's retro prom dresses, is a popular activity among fashion enthusiasts due to the uniqueness and quality craftsmanship of clothing items that are at least two decades old.
Lovers of vintage clothing often encounter difficulties, including limited niche availability. If you choose a very specific piece of vintage clothing, such as women's retro clothes from the 1910s, sourcing high-quality items can be problematic. You need to find a reliable source of clothes for your inventory.
You can sell vintage clothing items on websites like eBay, Etsy, and Depop. In fact, Depop is the most suitable online marketplace where vintage and retro clothing are common.
2. Furniture
Furniture is another great item to flip for profit, as it is in great demand for residential furnishings, from both interior designers and homeowners alike.
However, flipping furniture can also pose its own set of challenges, such as transporting and storing large items, and doing due diligence before buying. Knowing each item's condition and value is crucial before making a deal.
Merchants can sell furniture on various platforms, including Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay. Generally, buyers prefer local pickup, so it's crucial to specify the item's specific location, and clarify whether delivery is an option.
3. Electronics
Flipping electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, is another common practice. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the demand for electronics is likely to remain high.
However, the difficulty with flipping electronics is that they may lose value and become obsolete within a few years, making it challenging to sell them at a profitable price in the long run.
Electronics are often sold on online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. Nevertheless, remember that many electronics must be tested before being sold. That’s why it's essential to factor in these expenses while deciding the profit margins.
4. Toys
Toys are an often overlooked but profitable commodity when it comes to flipping. This holds especially true for kids’ toys.
However, flipping toys comes with its own set of challenges. Avoiding counterfeits and ensuring the functionality of the toys can be difficult. Furthermore, according to research conducted by Mordor Intelligence and AMZScout analytical tools on Amazon, the toy market is competitive. This category is highly saturated, which can increase the intricacies involved in the flipping process.
To successfully sell toys on online platforms like Amazon and Walmart, you need to conduct thorough market research, carefully identify buyer personas, and target them.
5. Books
Books have been a part of the market for a considerable period of time and are flipped extensively. They present a diverse range of topics and genres, from diet techniques to science and math.
Nonetheless, flipping books can be time-consuming, since you must sort through a considerable number of books in order to identify the profitable ones.
Moreover, not all book buyers consider eCommerce giants such as Amazon or eBay as primary options, as some still prefer the traditional approach of buying printed books from a physical bookstore, like Barnes and Noble.
Books can be sold through online platforms like Etsy, Decluttr, and Barnes and Noble. BookScouter is a service that can assist you in comparing prices from various book-purchasing websites to locate the best deal. Another alternative is to check with local bookstores, as they may be willing to purchase books.
6. Art
Flipping art like wall decor can be a profitable venture, as there is no limit to the price that art can fetch, unlike most other items. This is particularly true if you come from an art-related industry and possess the ability to recognize especially valuable pieces.
When flipping pieces of art, one must practice due diligence in ensuring that what’s being flipped isn’t only legitimate and original, but that it also offers the opportunity to profit during resale. Additionally, artwork can be fragile and difficult to ship, which can result in higher shipping costs as well as the risk of damage during transit.
Merchants have a variety of websites to choose from when it comes to selling art, such as eBay, Artsy, and Saatchi Art, which all specialize in selling original artwork.
7. Coins
Coins can be a great type of product for flipping, especially for collectors and people who are interested in history. However, it can also be problematic as it is not always easy to find rare and valuable coins. What’s more, finding the right buyer can be another obstacle for the following reasons:
The value of a coin depends on factors such as rarity, age, condition, and historical significance. This makes finding a buyer who understands the coin’s true value and is willing to pay a fair price a quest.
The AMZScout PRO Extension suggests that the coin market on Amazon is competitive, with many sellers competing for potential buyers' attention. This creates a crowded marketplace, making it difficult to stand out.
Finding the right buyer can depend on the type of coin being sold. Some buyers specialize in specific types of coins, limiting the potential buyer pool.
Places like eBay and Heritage Auctions are famous for selling coins and can yield the highest profits for sellers.
8. Jewelry
Jewelry like earrings, rings and necklaces are other sought-after items to flip. Those with a keen interest in jewelry will likely have a good understanding of its value and the best way to trade it for profit, but newcomers may find it challenging to break into this niche.
Selling jewelry is possible on various Ecommerce platforms such as eBay and Facebook, but using specialized marketplaces like Ruby Lane, that focus on jewelry, can provide more benefits.
9. Collectibles
What are collectibles? Collectibles include a variety of items like stamps, figurines, and sports memorabilia. The wide selection of items for sale makes collectibles a popular choice for newcomers to the flipping world.
However, the AMZScout PRO Extension shows that the collectibles market on Amazon is highly monopolistic and saturated, so keep the level of competition in mind. Without offering unique products, sellers may struggle to differentiate themselves and maintain profitability. For instance, possessing rare items like a copy of the 1938 Action Comic can help attract buyers and generate profits.
These items can be sold on websites such as eBay and Amazon.
10. Video Games
Like electronics, video games are a popular toss-up subject. All kinds of people love video games, from children to adults, so make sure you know who your target audience is and what type of video games you want to sell. For example, new releases like AAA games and rare or hard-to-find titles, like Sonic, might be good options.
You can sell video games on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook. When flipping these types of games, remember that you are responsible for the digital keys of the games and the integrity of the product, if it is a disc.
11. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments such as guitars, basses, and drums are timeless items that remain popular, making them an excellent choice for flippers. If you have any musical knowledge or experience playing music, that will work to your advantage.
However, it's also a well-known fact that high-quality musical instruments come with a hefty price tag, which can be a challenge for many flippers. In addition to the initial cost, competing for customers can also be a hurdle.
Fortunately, there are several online marketplaces where sellers can list their musical instruments for sale, such as eBay, Reverb, and Craigslist. Additionally, local music shops can be an excellent option for anyone looking to sell their instruments.
12. Antiques
Flipping antique items of at least 100 years old can be lucrative, especially for those interested in history and collectibles. But, as with vintage clothing and furniture, flipping antiques can come with obstacles and difficulties as well.
One of the biggest challenges of flipping antiques is the need to authenticate these items before purchasing, and ensuring that they’re in top-notch condition. Also, antiques often attract fans and enthusiasts with specific interests and tastes that are quite difficult to find.
There are various online marketplaces such as Etsy and Ruby Lane, where sellers can sell antiques, in addition to antique roadshows and private sales.
13. Art Supplies
“Art” and “art supplies” are two distinct categories. Art supplies, like colored pencils and painting kits, are essential materials used to create art, and represent a specific niche within the broader art category.
Art supplies are often more affordable and accessible, and they also tend to be smaller than art pieces. Yet, selling them at a higher price can be challenging due to the intense competition in this market.
Online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy offer opportunities for sellers to make money by selling art supplies. However, since this niche is relatively small, it is essential to target buyers who are interested in art supplies.
14. Home Decor
Home decor covers a wide variety of products such as lamps, vases, and wall art, and attracts a similar group of customers as furniture. This makes it a flexible market for flippers with different types of buyers to target.
Despite the advantages, flipping home decor items presents challenges for flippers, particularly due to fierce competition.
To sell home decor, sellers can use websites such as eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace.
15. Kitchenware
Flipping kitchenware can be a money-making venture, particularly for those who are interested in cooking or home goods. However, the most profitable items to flip are typically cooking utensils or cutlery.
Flipping kitchen utensils can be challenging due to the monopolistic market, making it difficult to stand out and turn a significant profit.
Merchants can use various online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook to sell this type of product successfully.
16. Handmade Crafts
Flipping handmade crafts like art or sewing pieces can be a promising niche to sell in because of its one-of-a-kind designs that often appeal to buyers' emotions. Nonetheless, pricing can be tricky due to the variation in factors such as material costs, time spent on the item, and customer perception. Incorrect pricing can lead to lower sales.
Online platforms such as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Facebook offer opportunities for selling handmade crafts.
17. Bicycles
Flipping bicycles can be a profitable venture right now due to people’s growing interest in health, fitness, and cycling sports. This is a favorable time to explore this market.
It’s crucial to make sure the bicycle is functional, as this is a significant concern for buyers. Additionally, the size of the product presents challenges in terms of shipping and transportation.
Selling bicycles is feasible on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook. These websites provide access to a large audience interested in purchasing bicycles.
18. Tools
Tools represent a profitable market for flippers, particularly high-end or specialized tools, such as auto repair tool kits or household tool sets.
However, to prevent negative reviews and refunds, it's essential to examine each product's condition before listing it on any marketplaces. All products should be checked before selling, as tools are used for construction or repairs where safety is critical.
eBay and Amazon are ideal platforms to sell tools for profit, as they attract audience members who are likely to be interested in purchasing these items.
19. Sports Equipment
When it comes to flipping for profit, sports equipment can present great potential, especially if you focus on a specific type of product, such as roller wheel kits. However, beware of the significant competition in this category. With an ever-growing and very saturated market on Amazon, as the AMZScout PRO Extension suggests, turning a profit here can be a challenge, even for experienced merchants.
There are quite a few places to sell sports equipment, including eBay, Amazon, Facebook, specialty sports markets, and private sales.
20. Automotive Parts
Finally, let's move on to automotive parts. This can be an especially great niche if you love cars. Although the AMZScout PRO Extension shows a monthly revenue of around $2,500 on Amazon, it may not be sufficient to meet your expectations. But, by selecting a few products and focusing on selling them, you can increase your monthly profits.
You can choose to sell your automotive products on specialized online marketplaces such as CarParts.com and RockAuto, or opt for more general platforms, like eBay and Amazon.
How to Find Good Products for Flipping
Flipping products for profit is not just about buying and selling items. It's a complex process involving extensive market and competitive research before getting into a particular niche. In the following paragraphs, we will explore some helpful tips and tools that can help you find profitable products to flip.
AMZScout Tools
One way to uncover products to flip is to use product research software. For instance, both AMZScout’s Dropshipping & Arbitrage Extension and the AMZScout Pro Extension are handy for identifying and gaining data on various products. These widgets make your search more efficient and provide vital information about a product's potential for success.
AMZScout’s Dropshipping & Arbitrage Extension
When starting your research, it's recommended to begin with AMZScout’s Dropshipping & Arbitrage Extension, where you can compile a list of potential products to analyze further. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Start the free trial of the Dropshipping & Arbitrage Extension.
2. Explore various categories on Amazon, such as:
Niches you're familiar with.
Movers & Shakers (trending products).
Products from other marketplaces that could be lucrative on Amazon.
3. Create a list of product ideas to evaluate. The Extension will display data on the search results page for each product.
4. Look for products with a profit margin of at least 50%.
5. Check to see if there are any FBA and FBM sellers, as they have a better chance of winning the Buy Box.
6. If you intend to sell from an existing listing, review the price history to assess whether it's worth purchasing now and reselling later.
7. Check the products on your list for additional specifications, such as private label, hazardous materials, or gated items on Amazon.
8. Check price fluctuations to identify the optimal moment to buy and sell the product. Products with high fluctuations usually generate more profits, since you can buy low and sell high.
9. Calculate your potential profits. Enter the minimum price into the calculator to determine if selling the item would be profitable. Analyzing the marginality trends can give you an idea of what to anticipate if you need to sell at minimum prices.
In step four above, additional allowances were mentioned. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with them:
Private labels are owned exclusively by specific brands, preventing others from reselling them.
Gated products and those containing hazardous materials (“hazmat”) necessitate Amazon certification. Selling gated products may require additional time and effort, so it is crucial to factor in these expenses.
Knowing about these specifications can save you time and money. So, choose your products carefully.
By now you should have a list of products to evaluate in the next tool, so without further ado, let's get down to business.
AMZScout PRO Extension
Once you've compiled a list of products that you're considering selling, it's time to turn to another powerful tool, the AMZScout PRO Extension. This tool allows you to determine the viability of your product ideas by providing valuable data.
1. To get started, install the PRO Extension and begin a free trial.
2. Find products from your list on Amazon and open the extension.
3. Open the Product History. Review sales history to determine whether and when a profit can be made. Emphasize products with significant price fluctuations to mitigate the risk of profit loss.
4. Consider other metrics such as margins, rank, and product score to obtain a complete picture of the product's potential.
Following the steps above gives you a solid idea of which products can potentially be most profitable to flip.
Using Social Media and Websites like Pinterest
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are valuable resources for finding products to flip on Amazon. On Instagram, you can use hashtags and filters to identify trending products, while joining niche-related Facebook groups allows you to connect with other sellers and gather ideas.
Additionally, Pinterest is a great visual search platform that offers plenty of product ideas. You can search for products or categories and browse through images to see what's popular. You can also explore Pinterest boards related to your desired niche and discover what types of products people are saving and sharing.
Conclusion
Flipping items presents a great opportunity to earn extra money. However, it also requires extensive research and market knowledge to maximize profits while minimizing losses. It's important to refrain from making blind purchases, and conduct thorough research before making any investment.
With effort, commitment, and patience, you can make a decent profit from the sale of goods
