Thrift store flipping

Poshmark keeps 20% of sales of $15 or more (a flat $2.95 under $15), so you keep $0.80 of each dollar on sales of $15 or more, before stock and shipping. eBay charges 13.6% of the total sale amount in most categories plus $0.40 per order over $10. Depop removed its selling fee for U.S. sellers, though a payment processing fee still applies.

The main catch is that stock is your money at risk until it sells, and sourcing, listing and shipping are unpaid time. It suits people who already browse thrift stores and can wait for a sale.

How the money works

You pay the thrift store's price, set your own resale price, and the platform deducts its fee from your sale. The fee base differs: eBay applies its fee to the total sale amount, including shipping and sales tax collected, while Mercari applies its fee to item price plus buyer-paid shipping. Mercari also holds funds until the buyer rates the order, with auto-release 72 hours after delivery if there is no rating.

Standard clothing is priced per item, but furniture, appliances and antiques are priced individually, so higher-value stock has no fixed cost.

What thrift flippers actually earn

No source publishes typical profit per item, sell-through rate or monthly income. Depop's figure is its own average for first-time U.S. sellers, and Depop doesn't say whether it is before stock and shipping costs.

Where the hours go

The hourly earnings guide shows how to count sourcing, photographing, listing and shipping time.

What it costs to start

Shipping supplies have no standard published price, so check current postage before you price an item. The IRS business mileage rate is 76 cents per mile for July 1 to December 31, 2026.

Where to sell thrifted items

You can also sell locally on Facebook Marketplace or on Etsy. For furniture, see the guide on pricing used furniture.

Taxes and rules for resellers in the U.S.

The IRS says payment apps and marketplaces report on Form 1099-K above $20,000 in gross payments and more than 200 transactions. Fidelity reports that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, reinstated that threshold for tax year 2025 onward. The IRS says side income is taxable even without a form.

A loss on personal-use property isn't deductible, and if a 1099-K reports such a sale, the Form 8949 instructions say to report the loss with an offsetting entry. The IRS weighs nine factors to separate a business from a hobby. Self-employment tax applies at $400 in net earnings (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare), and quarterly estimated payments are generally due if you expect to owe $1,000 or more.

Sales tax rules vary by state; some states relieve sellers of registration when a marketplace collects, so check your state revenue department. Zoning rules can apply to home-based businesses.

CPSC's 2021 resellers guide says selling a recalled product is illegal, including for individuals and thrift stores.

Risks and red flags for thrift flippers

Goodwill staff report prices rising gradually (Ohio local news, 2023), which raises your cost per item. Marketplace reported in September 2026 that resellers may be one factor in rising prices, an expert opinion rather than a measurement.

Who thrift flipping fits, and who should skip it

Fits you if:

• You already browse thrift stores and can judge what resells. Service work like dog walking needs no stock knowledge.
• You have a car and free weekend hours for sourcing trips.
• You can wait for items to sell instead of being paid per job.
• You'll track costs and mileage for taxes.

Skip it if:

• You need money this week. Stock has to sell, ship and clear first, while house cleaning is paid per visit.
• You can't afford to lose what you spend on stock. Handyman services charge for skills, not inventory.
• You dislike packing, shipping and handling buyer questions. Pet sitting has no listings or parcels.

How to start thrift flipping

1. Visit nearby thrift stores and note item prices, since costs vary by region and store.
2. Read eBay's selling fees page and check the fee for the category you plan to sell in.
3. Compare Mercari's fee page and Poshmark's blog FAQ.
4. Read CPSC's resellers guide before buying children's products.
5. Start a cost log for stock, fees, shipping and miles.
6. Read the IRS estimated taxes page and set aside part of each sale.
7. Check your state's rules on the Streamlined Sales Tax marketplace page.