Flipping 101: How to find items to flip for profit

The Foundation of a Successful Flip

Flipping is more than just buying low and selling high—it's a skill that combines market knowledge, speed, and the ability to see value where others see clutter. In 2025, the secondary market has exploded. With inflation pushing people to sell unused items and economic uncertainty making buyers hunt for deals, the opportunity for smart resellers has never been greater.

But here's the truth: most people who try flipping fail within the first month. They buy items that sit unsold, underestimate fees, or simply can't compete with faster, more experienced resellers. This guide will give you the foundation to avoid those mistakes and start profiting from day one.

1. Identifying High-Demand Categories

Success starts with niche selection. Rather than trying to flip everything, focus on categories with a high "sell-through rate" (STR)—the percentage of listings that actually sell within 30 days. Here are the categories that consistently perform:

• Electronics: Wireless headphones (especially AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM series), gaming consoles, graphics cards, and specialized laptops. These have high demand and standardized pricing.
• Baby Gear: Premium strollers (UPPAbaby, Bugaboo), car seats, and baby monitors. Parents are willing to pay for quality but also love a deal on gently used items.
• Home Office: Herman Miller and Steelcase chairs, mechanical keyboards, and standing desks. The remote work boom created lasting demand.
• Power Tools: DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita tools hold value exceptionally well. Look for estate sales and contractors upgrading equipment.
• Vintage Clothing: Branded items from the 90s and 2000s—Carhartt, vintage Nike, band tees—have massive demand among younger buyers.

2. The "Marketplace Hunt" Strategy

Facebook Marketplace is the undisputed king of sourcing in 2025. Unlike auction sites where you're bidding against other resellers, Marketplace is first-come-first-served. The person who messages fastest and shows up with cash wins.

Here's the hunting process that top flippers use:

1. Set Up Keyword Alerts: Use specific model numbers and brand names rather than generic terms. "Sony WH-1000XM4" will beat "headphones" every time.
2. Check New Listings Every 2 Hours: The best deals get snatched within 30 minutes of posting. Morning (7-9am) and evening (6-8pm) are peak posting times.
3. Expand Your Radius: Willing to drive 45 minutes? You've just 4x'd your inventory pool and reduced competition significantly.
4. Message Immediately: Don't overthink. If the numbers look good, send a polite, professional message within seconds of finding the listing.

3. The Quick Math: Is This Worth My Time?

Before you message any seller, you need to know your numbers. Here's the quick formula every flipper should memorize (for a deeper dive into fees, check our complete platform fee calculator guide):

The 0.87 multiplier accounts for typical ~13% platform fees when selling online. If you're selling locally on Marketplace, you can skip shipping and bump that to 0.95 (accounting for time/gas).

The 30% Rule: Only pursue items where your potential profit margin is at least 30% of the buy price. Anything less isn't worth the risk of price fluctuations, returns, or hidden defects.

4. Reading Seller Signals

The best flippers don't just look at the item—they read the seller. Here's what to look for (for advanced techniques, see our negotiation tactics guide):

• Estate Sales / Moving: Sellers clearing out a house want things GONE. They'll accept 40-50% of asking price without negotiation.
• Days Listed: Items listed 7+ days ago have more negotiation room. The seller is likely frustrated.
• Photo Quality: Blurry photos of valuable items = uninformed seller. This is where margin hides.
• Generic Descriptions: "Old headphones" listed for $30 could be $300 Sennheisers. Always reverse image search.

5. Your First Week Action Plan

Here's exactly what to do in your first 7 days:

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying without research: Always check sold listings online (not active listings) before purchasing.
• Ignoring condition: A "works great" in the description doesn't mean anything. Test everything before buying.
• Overcomplicating it: Start with items you know. Don't try to flip vintage Rolexes on day one.
• Fear of messaging: The worst they can say is no. Send that message.