I might get in trouble with my boss for sharing this information with you. After all, I'm revealing an awesome way to source products that doesn't involve you needing a paid SaleHoo membership! But, we're generous here and we want you to succeed, so here it is: three ways you can find local goods to resell for a profit.
1. Visit flea markets and yard sales
Every neighborhood has a yard sale and every community hosts at least one flea market throughout the year (sometimes a lot more). You can find incredible deals at both yard sales and flea markets!
In fact, it's not uncommon to buy something for $0.50 that you can resell online for $50! At these sales, you can often find gems like branded clothing, near-new kitchen appliances, unwanted gifts that are in mint condition, quality sporting goods and a lot more.
Pick up these items, photograph them well, write top-notch item descriptions and watch the bids roll in!
Seller tip
Selling on eBay? Install the eBay app on your smartphone or tablet and while you are shopping at yard sales and flea markets, you can view sale prices. This way, you know how much you need to buy the items for in order to make a profit.
2. Trawl your local Craigslist
Craigslist isn't the prettiest website to browse, but it can make your bank balance look smokin'! It's another great place to find bargains that you can resell online for a profit. And you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Go to Craigslist and select your local area. Spend some time browsing through Craigslist and look for poorly marketed items that you can resell on eBay. Sporting goods like skis and bikes are often a goldmine, but every category has its hidden gems.
Skis for $1? Yes please!
Keep an eye out for estate sales lots and lots from abandoned storage units. These can be quite lucrative when you buy and break them down into 10-100 individual auctions on eBay. I've heard from sellers who have made thousands doing this.
Seller tip
When you buy from Craigslist (or flea markets/yard sales), never mention your intent to resell the items, as this offends the seller.
3. Use the free SaleHoo Trade Show Directory
Our free-to-use Trade Show Directory allows you to find trade shows in your local area. Trade shows are like conventions for suppliers, where they gather to show retailers like yourself their new products.
Trade shows are fantastic for meeting local and national suppliers, though at larger trade shows, international suppliers will often make an appearance as well. You can really get to know suppliers when you meet them in person. The benefit of this is a stronger business relationship, which will lead to better wholesale prices in time.
At trade shows, you can also expect to see exclusive offers on wholesale goods that you won't see on supplier websites. And another benefit of trade shows is that you meet suppliers in your local area. This means low or no shipping costs. More profits, yay!
Search by location or product category
With the free SaleHoo Trade Show Directory, you can search by industry, or by location. If you are looking for specific goods in a specific category, you can find related trade shows with ease.
If you are exploring new product ranges, or if you're open to a number of different product categories, you can search by location to find trade shows near you.
Take action today!
Don't let what you have learned today just sit at the back of your mind: take action! Read your local newspaper and locate upcoming flea markets and yard sales. Log on to Craigslist and find some bargains with resale potential. Finally, check out the SaleHoo Trade Show Directory and find suppliers in your local area.
