Sourcing is the foundation of reselling profitability. Find good inventory cheap, and everything else becomes easier. This guide covers every sourcing method, with specific strategies to maximize your finds.

Thrift Stores: The Reseller's Bread & Butter

Thrift stores remain the most accessible and consistent sourcing method for most resellers. But not all thrifts are equal.

Goodwill

Pros

Locations everywhere
Constant new inventory
Color tag sales (50% off)
Outlet stores for bulk buying

Cons

Heavily picked over
Best items often priced high
Inconsistent quality
Competition from other resellers

Goodwill Strategy:

Find out restock days (ask staff) and arrive within 1 hour of opening. Check the color tag schedule—buying on 50% off days doubles your margin. Visit Goodwill Outlets (bins) for bulk buying at $1.49/lb.

Salvation Army

Often better prices than Goodwill
Less competition
50% off sales on certain days
Furniture/home goods also profitable

Upscale Thrift Stores

Examples: Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads, Plato's Closet
Pre-curated inventory (higher quality)
Higher prices but better brands
Less time spent sorting through junk
Great for designer/contemporary finds

Local Charity Thrifts

Hospital auxiliaries, church thrifts
Often overlooked = less competition
Donations from affluent areas
Relationship building pays off

Pro Tip:

Drive 30+ minutes outside urban areas. Rural thrifts are goldmines because fewer resellers visit them. The drive time is worth it for untouched inventory.

Thrift Store Best Practices

Have a route: Hit 3-5 stores per sourcing trip
Know restock schedules: Each store has patterns
Check tags and materials: Quality over quantity
Use your phone: Quick comps on uncertain items
Build relationships: Staff can hold items or tip you off

Estate Sales: The Vintage Goldmine

Estate sales offer some of the best vintage and designer finds. They require more planning but yield higher-margin inventory.

Finding Estate Sales

EstateSales.net: Primary resource, nationwide listings
EstateSales.org: Alternative database
Craigslist: Sometimes unlisted sales
Facebook: Local estate sale groups
Newspapers: Old school but still works

Estate Sale Strategy

The Two-Day Approach

Day 1 (Premium): Arrive early for best selection. Pay full price for high-value items that will sell quickly.
Day 2-3 (Discount): Return for 25-50% off everything. Bulk buy remaining inventory. Negotiate harder.

What to Look For

Vintage clothing (80s-90s especially)
Designer items (check closets thoroughly)
Vintage band/tour t-shirts
Quality denim (Levi's, Lee, Wrangler vintage)
Accessories (belts, scarves, jewelry)
Athletic wear from past decades

Estate Sale Negotiation

Always negotiate on last day
Offer 30-50% less than asking
Bundle items for better deals
"What's your best price on everything?" works
Cash talks—always bring cash

Garage/Yard Sales: Best Prices Anywhere

Garage sales offer the lowest acquisition costs but require more time investment. They're best for weekend warriors.

Finding Good Sales

Craigslist garage sales section
Facebook Marketplace events
Yard Sale Treasure Map app
Neighborhood apps (Nextdoor)
Driving affluent neighborhoods Saturday AM

Garage Sale Strategy

The Early Bird Approach:

Map out 5-10 sales the night before. Start at 7-8 AM (or whenever they open). Hit affluent neighborhoods first—better inventory. Bring small bills and be ready to negotiate. Most sellers want stuff gone, not maximum profit.

Negotiation Scripts

"Would you take $X for this?" (offer 50% of asking)
"I'll take all of these for $X" (bundle discount)
"What's your best price if I buy more?"
"Is there anything else you're trying to get rid of?"

Retail Arbitrage: New Items, Guaranteed Authenticity

Buying discounted retail items to resell. Higher acquisition cost but zero authenticity concerns and often faster sales.

Top Retail Arbitrage Spots

Target

Clearance endcaps (especially clothing)
Use Target app for hidden clearance
Red card = extra 5% off
Best finds: Athletic wear, kids' clothing, seasonal

TJ Maxx / Marshalls / Ross

Designer brands at discount
Yellow tag clearance = deep discounts
Check runway section for premium finds
Best finds: Designer bags, premium athleisure

Nordstrom Rack

High-end brands at 50-70% off
Clear the Rack events = extra 25% off
Best finds: Designer shoes, premium brands

Nike/Adidas Outlets

Clearance racks for deep discounts
Limited releases sometimes available
Stack coupons and sales
Best finds: Discounted sneakers, athletic wear

Retail Arbitrage Warning

Margins are thinner than thrift sourcing. Only buy items you can double your money on after fees. A $50 clearance item needs to sell for $100+ to be worth it.

Online Sourcing: Buying to Resell

Facebook Marketplace

Local pickup = no shipping costs
Negotiate aggressively
Look for "moving sales" and "estate cleanouts"
Set alerts for brand names
Buy lots/bundles for better deals

OfferUp / Letgo

Similar to FB Marketplace
Less competition sometimes
Local pickup preferred

Poshmark/eBay Arbitrage

Buy underpriced items and resell
Requires strong market knowledge
Look for poor photos/titles hiding good items
Risky—verify authenticity carefully

Liquidation & Wholesale

For experienced resellers ready to scale. Higher capital requirements but can be very profitable.

Liquidation Pallets

Beginner Warning

Liquidation is NOT for beginners. You need capital ($500-5,000+ per pallet), space, and experience to make it work. Many new resellers lose money on their first pallets.

Liquidation Sources

Liquidation.com: Major retailer returns
BULQ: Smaller lots available
Direct Liquidation: Target, Amazon returns
B-Stock: Major retailer surplus

Liquidation Realities

Expect 30-50% of items to be damaged/unsellable
Manifest accuracy varies wildly
Processing time is significant
Storage space required
Profitable but requires volume

Building Sourcing Relationships

Long-term reselling success often comes from relationships:

Thrift Store Relationships

Become a regular—staff remembers you
Tip off staff on what you're looking for
Ask about items before they hit floor
Be polite and professional always

Estate Sale Company Relationships

Attend sales consistently
Get on email lists
Ask about early access for dealers
Buy in volume = better treatment

Donation Center Relationships

Some allow bulk buying before items hit floor
Church thrifts especially
Volunteer to get first access

Sourcing Schedule for Serious Resellers

Recommended Weekly Routine

Monday: Process weekend finds, list items
Tuesday: Thrift store route (3-4 stores)
Wednesday: List and ship
Thursday: Retail arbitrage run
Friday: Estate sale scouting, plan weekend
Saturday: Garage sales (early AM), estate sales
Sunday: Estate sale day 2/3 (discounts), process finds

Cost Per Item Benchmarks

Source	Avg Cost/Item	Target Margin
Garage Sales	$1-5	5-10x
Thrift Stores	$3-10	3-5x
Estate Sales	$5-20	3-5x
Retail Arbitrage	$15-50	2-3x
Online Arbitrage	Varies	1.5-2x

Key Takeaways

Diversify sources: Don't rely on one channel
Know your market: Research before you buy
Build relationships: Long-term sourcing advantage
Track costs: Know your real margins
Stay consistent: Regular sourcing beats occasional binges
Go where others don't: Rural areas, early mornings, last day sales

The Ultimate Reseller's Sourcing Guide: Where to Find Profitable Items