What to Buy on Your First Thrift Store Trip: A Beginner's Guide to Reselling

Reseller browsing in a thrift shop

 

Your first thrift store trip is exciting. And terrifying.

You walk in. Thousands of items everywhere. Racks and racks of stuff. Where do you even start?

Most beginners make the same mistake. They buy random things that look cool. Then wonder why nothing sells.

Don't be that person.

This guide tells you exactly what to buy on your first trip. Stick to these five categories and you'll be fine.

Why Your First Trip Matters

Your first thrift trip sets the tone for your entire reselling business.

Buy the right stuff? You make money fast. You feel confident. You want to keep going.

Buy the wrong stuff? Items sit forever. You lose motivation. You wonder if reselling even works.

The good news? You don't need to be an expert. You just need to know what actually sells.

Let's break it down.

Item 1: Name Brand Jeans

Start with jeans. Everyone wears them. They sell consistently.

But not just any jeans. Name brand jeans.

Brands to Look For:

• Levi's (the easiest to find and sell)
• Lucky Brand
• Silver Jeans
• 7 For All Mankind
• True Religion
• Citizens of Humanity
• AG Jeans
• Miss Me

Resellers report that focusing on established brands with consistent demand helps ensure steady sales.

What to Check:

Look at the size tag first. Sizes 27 to 30 sell fastest for women. Sizes 32 to 36 sell fastest for men.

Check the waistband. If it's stretched out, pass. Nobody wants saggy jeans.

Look for holes. Small holes in the knees are fine if they're designer. Big rips in the thighs? Skip it.

Check for stains. Look at the inner thighs and seat area. Stains there won't come out.

Price Range:

Pay 3 to 8 dollars at the thrift store. Sell for 20 to 50 dollars online.

Good jeans can make you 15 to 40 dollars profit per pair.

Why Jeans Work:

Everyone needs jeans. They're not trendy. They don't go out of style. Consistent demand means consistent sales.

Plus they're easy to photograph and ship.

Item 2: Vintage Tees

Vintage t-shirts are gold right now. But you need to know what actually qualifies as vintage.

Not everything old is valuable.

What to Look For:

Band shirts from the 80s and 90s. Think Metallica, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones.

Sports team tees. Especially championship years or retired players.

Tourist shirts. Disney World from 1987. Hard Rock Cafe from the 90s. College shirts from decades ago.

Corporate tees from defunct companies. Weird advertising shirts. Anything that tells a story.

How to Spot Real Vintage:

Feel the fabric. Real vintage tees are thin and soft. New "vintage style" shirts feel thick and stiff.

Check the tag. Look for brands like Screen Stars, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom from the 80s and 90s.

Look at the stitching. Single stitch hems mean it's old. If the side seams and sleeves have one line of stitching, it's vintage.

Check for fading. Real vintage has that perfectly faded look. Fake vintage tries too hard.

What to Avoid:

New graphic tees from Target or Walmart. They're not vintage just because they look old.

Shirts with heavy stains or holes in the graphic. You can't sell those.

Anything that smells bad. Vintage or not, nobody wants it.

Price Range:

Pay 3 to 6 dollars at the thrift store. Sell authentic vintage for 25 to 100 dollars.

Some rare band tees sell for even more.

Why Vintage Tees Work:

There has been a resurgence in popularity for vintage clothing, especially t-shirts, with band tees and sports team tees highly sought after by collectors. People love nostalgia. They'll pay premium prices for the right shirt.

Item 3: Kids Clothing With Tags

Parents are your best customers. They need clothes constantly. Kids grow like weeds.

But parents are also picky. You can't sell them junk.

What to Buy:

New with tags items only. Or clothes that look completely unworn.

If it has any wear at all, leave it. Trust me on this.

Best Brands:

Premium brands:

• Hanna Andersson
• Mini Boden
• Tea Collection
• Patagonia Kids
• North Face Kids

Mid-range brands that sell fast:

• Carter's
• Gap Kids
• Old Navy (only if new with tags)
• Cat & Jack (Target brand, sells well)
• H&M Kids (if new)

What to Check:

Tags must be attached. No tags? Much harder to sell.

Check for stains. Even tiny ones. Parents will notice and complain.

Make sure zippers work and buttons are attached.

Smell it. Kids clothes can smell like old house or mildew. Pass on anything musty.

Price Range:

Pay 2 to 5 dollars per piece. Sell for 8 to 20 dollars.

Lower profit per item. But they sell FAST. That matters.

Why Kids Clothes Work:

Fast turnover. Parents buy immediately when they find the right size and brand.

Parents are always looking for ways to save money on toys and clothing, creating consistent demand in the resale market. Kids outgrow clothes every few months. The demand never stops.

Plus kids clothes are lightweight. Cheap and easy to ship.

Item 4: Athletic Wear

Athleisure is still huge. People wear workout clothes everywhere now.

The right brands sell extremely well.

Brands That Make Money:

Top tier:

• Lululemon (the holy grail)
• Athleta
• Patagonia
• Arc'teryx

Solid mid-range:

• Nike
• Adidas
• Under Armour
• Puma
• Reebok

What to Look For:

Leggings in good condition. Check for pilling between the thighs. If the fabric is fuzzy, pass.

Sports bras. Make sure the elastic isn't stretched out.

Hoodies and jackets. Check zippers and drawstrings.

Shorts. Look for liner tears and waistband stretch.

What to Avoid:

Anything with obvious pilling. The fabric should be smooth.

Stretched out elastic. If the waistband is loose, it won't sell.

Faded colors. Especially black leggings that turned gray.

Mystery stains. Athletic wear shows sweat stains easily.

Critical Inspection Points:

Turn leggings inside out. Check the crotch seam. That's where they wear out first.

Stretch the fabric. If it doesn't snap back, it's done.

Smell it. Workout clothes can hold odors. If it smells like B.O., keep walking.

Price Range:

Pay 5 to 10 dollars for good pieces. Sell Lululemon for 40 to 70 dollars. Nike and Adidas for 20 to 40 dollars.

Why Athletic Wear Works:

Clothing remains one of the top categories for reselling, with athletic wear being particularly popular. High demand. People love these brands but don't want to pay full retail.

Athletic wear holds value well if it's in good condition.

Item 5: Designer Shoes in Good Condition

Shoes can make you serious money. But only if they're in good shape.

This is critical. Bad condition shoes don't sell at any price.

Brands Worth Buying:

Designer tier:

• Cole Haan
• Frye
• Stuart Weitzman
• Tory Burch
• Sam Edelman

Quality mid-range:

• Clarks
• Ecco
• Born
• Doc Martens
• Birkenstock

Athletic shoes:

• Nike (especially limited editions)
• Adidas
• New Balance
• Brooks running shoes

The Condition Check (Do This Every Time):

Check the soles: Flip them over. If the tread is worn smooth, pass. Worn heels? Pass.

Check inside: Look at the insoles. Foot imprints are okay. But if they're gross or smell bad, no.

Check the material: Leather should be supple, not cracked. Suede should be clean, not matted.

Check hardware: Buckles, zippers, eyelets. Everything needs to work.

The smell test: Stick your nose in there. I'm serious. If they smell bad, you can't sell them.

Check for repairs: Glued soles that are coming apart? Broken heels? Not worth it.

What to Avoid:

Heavily worn soles. You can't fix that.

Cracked leather or damaged suede. Looks cheap.

Shoes that smell. No amount of cleaning helps.

Off-brand shoes. Stick to names people recognize.

Uncomfortable styles. Platform heels from 2010 don't sell.

Price Range:

Pay 8 to 15 dollars for quality shoes. Sell designer pairs for 40 to 120 dollars.

Some rare or sought-after styles sell for even more.

Why Designer Shoes Work:

People trust certain brands for comfort and quality. They'll pay for shoes they know will last.

Good shoes hold value. A quality pair of boots can sell for close to retail if they're barely worn.

Your First Trip Strategy

Okay. You know what to buy. Now here's how to actually do it.

Start Small

Don't buy 50 items on your first trip. Buy 5 to 10 items maximum.

Why? You're learning. You need to see what actually sells before you invest more.

Stick to These Five Categories

Don't wander into other sections. Not yet. Master these five categories first.

Once you've sold 20 items, then branch out.

Take Your Time

Don't rush. Inspect every item carefully.

A small stain can cost you 20 dollars. Take the extra 30 seconds to check.

Use Your Phone

Open eBay or Poshmark. Search the brand and item. Filter by "sold" listings.

See what it actually sold for recently. Not what someone hopes it'll sell for. What it actually sold for.

If you can't triple your money after fees, pass on it.

The Triple Rule

This is the most important rule in reselling.

If you pay 5 dollars, you need to sell it for at least 15 dollars after fees and shipping.

Can't triple it? Don't buy it.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

• Is this in good enough condition that I'd buy it myself?
• Can I sell this for at least three times what I'm paying?
• Do I know this brand actually sells?
• Am I buying this because it's cool or because it'll make money?

Be honest. Your emotions don't pay your bills.

What NOT to Buy on Your First Trip

Let's talk about what to avoid.

Don't Buy Items That Need Repair

That jacket with the broken zipper? Leave it. Even if it's designer.

You're not a repair shop. You're a reseller. Your time has value.

Don't Buy Off-Brand Items

Generic jeans with no label? Pass. Random athletic wear with no brand? Pass.

People search for specific brands. If it doesn't have a recognizable name, it's much harder to sell.

Don't Buy Damaged Items

Small wear is okay. Damage is not.

Stains, holes, broken zippers, missing buttons. All deal breakers.

Don't Buy Weird Sizes

Women's size 00 or size 20? Men's size 28 or 46? Much harder to sell.

Stick to common sizes. They sell faster.

Don't Buy Trendy Stuff From 5 Years Ago

That chevron pattern from 2015? Nobody wants it now.

Fashion moves fast. If it looks dated, it won't sell.

Don't Buy Everything Just Because It's Cheap

3 dollars is a great price. But not if it never sells.

You're not saving money. You're wasting money on dead inventory.

Tools to Bring

Make your first trip easier with these tools.

Your Phone

This is your most important tool. Use it to research every item.

Download eBay and Poshmark apps before you go.

A Small Flashlight

Thrift stores have terrible lighting. Use your phone flashlight to check for stains.

Especially on dark colored items. Stains hide in dim lighting.

A Tape Measure (Optional)

Some resellers measure everything. Especially shoes.

Not required for your first trip. But helpful if you're unsure about sizing.

A Tote Bag

Don't use the thrift store cart for items you're considering. People will grab stuff out of it.

Carry a bag. Put your potential purchases in there while you shop.

Water and Snacks

Serious advice. Thrifting takes time. You'll get tired and make bad decisions when you're hungry.

Bring water and a snack. Stay sharp.

How to Research While You Shop

Here's the exact process to follow.

Step 1: Find a Promising Item

You spot a pair of Lucky Brand jeans in size 29. Great brand. Good size. Looks clean.

Step 2: Quick Condition Check

Feel the fabric. Check for stains and holes. Look at the waistband.

Everything looks good. Now research the price.

Step 3: Open eBay

Search "Lucky Brand jeans women 29" or whatever the specific details are.

Step 4: Filter by Sold Listings

This shows you what actually sold. Not what people hope to sell for.

Step 5: Look at Recent Sales

Check the last 10 to 20 sold listings. What's the average price?

Ignore the outliers. One pair sold for 60 dollars but most sold for 25 to 35 dollars.

Step 6: Calculate Your Profit

The jeans are 5 dollars at the thrift store. They sell for 30 dollars on average.

eBay takes 13 percent. Shipping costs 5 dollars (you charge the buyer but factor it in).

30 dollars minus 4 dollars in fees minus 5 dollars you paid equals 21 dollars profit.

That's more than triple. Buy them.

Step 7: Move Fast

Don't stand there for 10 minutes per item. You'll never finish.

Quick check. Quick research. Buy or don't buy. Move on.

You'll get faster with practice.

Common First Trip Mistakes

Learn from other people's errors.

Mistake 1: Buying Too Much

You get excited. Everything looks good. You buy 40 items.

Now you're overwhelmed. Photographing and listing 40 items takes forever. You burn out.

Start small. Really.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Condition

You buy something with a small stain thinking you can get it out.

You can't. The buyer complains. You lose money.

Only buy items in the condition you'd accept as a buyer.

Mistake 3: Not Researching Prices

You assume that designer jacket will sell for big money.

It doesn't. That style is outdated. It sits for months.

Research every single item. Every time.

Mistake 4: Buying Items You Like

You love vintage band tees. So you buy every one you see.

But you bought sizes that don't sell well. Now they're stuck.

Buy what sells. Not what you personally like.

Mistake 5: Spending Your Entire Budget

You brought 100 dollars. You spent all of it.

Then you see an amazing item at the next store. But you're broke.

Keep some money in reserve. You never know what you'll find.

What to Do After Your First Trip

You made it. You bought 5 to 10 items. Now what?

List Them Within 24 Hours

Don't let them sit. The longer you wait, the less motivated you get.

Take photos the same day. List them the next day.

Take Good Photos

Use natural light. Clean background. Show details.

Good photos sell. Bad photos sit.

Price Based on Your Research

Remember those sold listings you checked? Price accordingly.

Don't overprice hoping someone will pay more. They won't.

Track Everything

Write down what you paid. What you listed it for. When it sold. What you actually made.

You can't improve what you don't measure.

Learn From Your Results

Some items sell in two days. Others sit for weeks. Why?

Pay attention to what moves fast. Buy more of that.

Expected Profits From Your First Trip

Let's be realistic about numbers.

If you buy 10 items for 50 dollars total. And you sell them all for 300 dollars.

After fees and shipping costs, you'll probably net 150 to 180 dollars profit.

That's a 200 to 250 percent return on your investment.

Not bad for a few hours of work.

But it takes time. Those items might take 2 to 8 weeks to sell.

This isn't get-rich-quick. It's a real business that requires patience.

Moving Beyond Your First Trip

Once you've sold everything from your first trip, it's time to level up.

Buy More Per Trip

Instead of 10 items, try 20. You know what you're doing now.

Expand Your Categories

Try shoes. Look at home decor. Check out electronics.

But master one new category at a time.

Visit Different Stores

Every thrift store is different. Some have better clothing. Some have better shoes.

Learn which stores have what you need.

Go on Better Days

Weekday mornings are the best. Fewer people. Fresh stock.

Saturday afternoons are a zoo. Everyone is there.

Build Relationships

Be nice to the employees. Learn their names. Come regularly.

They'll tell you when new stuff comes out. They might even hold items for you.

The Bottom Line

Your first thrift store trip doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Stick to five categories. Name brand jeans. Vintage tees. Kids clothes with tags. Athletic wear. Designer shoes.

Check condition carefully. Research prices on your phone. Only buy items you can triple.

Start with 5 to 10 items. List them fast. Track your results. Learn what works.

The goal isn't to find a hundred items. The goal is to find profitable items.

Quality beats quantity. Every single time.

Your Action Plan

Here's what to do today.

Step 1: Download eBay and Poshmark apps on your phone.

Step 2: Practice searching for sold listings. Get comfortable with the process.

Step 3: Pick one thrift store to visit this week.

Step 4: Set a budget. 50 to 100 dollars maximum.

Step 5: Use this guide. Stick to the five categories.

Step 6: Buy 5 to 10 items. Not 50. Start small.

Step 7: List everything within 24 hours.

That's it. Don't overthink it. Just go.

One More Thing

Your first trip might not go perfectly. That's okay.

Maybe you buy something that doesn't sell. Maybe you miss a great item because you weren't sure.

That's how you learn.

Every successful reseller has a storage unit full of mistakes. I promise.

The difference? They kept going. They learned. They got better.

You will too.

Now go make some money.

This is educational content based on research and common reselling practices. Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your results may vary based on your location, effort, and market conditions.