Flipping items has become a popular way to earn money. With the rise of eCommerce, reselling various items is seen all over the internet. If you wish to join in on the action but don’t know how to go about it, our guide will help you find the best things to buy and sell for profit UK people are interested in.
How Profitable Is Reselling?
Consider joining the resale market if you have some free time and money. Selling second-hand items can be a profitable endeavour if you dedicate enough time to it and choose your merchandise wisely.
With time, you’ll learn what’s the most you can get for specific items and which platform is best. You can also develop a resale strategy and make more profit. Some have reported making as much as £2,000/month by reselling items online and have even made this a full-time career.
DID YOU KNOW? The most popular online marketplace in the UK is Amazon, followed by eBay and Etsy.
Is It Legal to Buy and Resell Items in the UK?
Reselling used items is legal in the UK as long as they aren’t contraband; there’s no need for a licence if you want to trade in used goods. There are, however, the following matters to keep in mind when you venture into the reselling business.
- Be honest about your item being second-hand.
- List any damage or faults.
- Beware of copyright issues.
- Pay tax if you’re turning a significant profit.
So considering the above essentials, what can I sell to make money? We’ve listed the best 17 items you can sell for a profit in the next section.
DID YOU KNOW? Globally, 80% of people with internet access shop online, and 71% boast that they can get a better price online than in stores—demonstrating that the online resale market has been incredibly successful.
Best Things to Buy and Sell for Profit UK
The list of items you can sell on the internet is endless, but we’ve singled out the best and most profitable goods to sell online.
Books
Books (new or used) are the most widely sold items in online retail. You can make a small fortune selling books, especially if they’re in good condition. And since the demand for books is high, you can sell a host of genres, including novels, manuals, and textbooks. Guidebooks and textbooks always sell for good money, but fiction generates a high-profit margin if the copy is a first edition or signed by the author.
Clothes
One of the best things to buy and sell are clothes, particularly designer clothes. Millions of clothing items are donated to thrift stores. All you need to do is some scouring. You can find hidden gems among the stacks of clothes and resell them for a reasonable price. You can even sell non-branded clothes if they’re in good shape.
Electronics
Old computers, mobile phones, and tablets typically just sit around the house, gathering dust. But if they’re in working condition, people will pay good money for them. And even if they’re not functional, you can always sell them for parts.
Household Appliances
Household appliances are some of the best things to resell because they can last a long time. But people often want to upgrade their appliances and put their old ones up for sale—an opportunity you can take advantage of. Buy small, old appliances (toasters, mixers, kettles), which are easier to package and ship, and list them for sale at a higher price.
Furniture
Flipping furniture is an excellent way to go if you’re looking for a side hustle. People are constantly moving around and want to get rid of unwanted furniture or are looking for furniture to put in their new homes. So if you’re looking for the best things to buy and sell for profit, furniture should be at the top of your list. And if you have access to quality wood furniture, you can turn a substantial profit.
Antiques
The antique market is booming, with many willing to pay good money for unique, one-of-a-kind items or discontinued goods. If you can locate a good source of antique items, you’ll be able to sell them at a very profitable margin. This strategy enables you to sell almost anything you get your hands on: clocks, watches, china, art. You can find these at charity shops and flea markets.
Jewellery & Watches
When looking for things to buy and sell, don’t overlook the large market for designer jewellery and branded watches. Just keep up with the trends, and you can make a decent profit selling on such platforms as Etsy. You can also purchase non-branded merchandise and handmade jewellery inexpensively. And if you know how to fix and restore broken watches, you can make a small fortune.
Wedding Dresses
Even though it may not be an obvious choice, wedding dresses are one of those things to buy and sell to make money. Many young brides don’t want to spend thousands of pounds on a new wedding dress, so they scour the market for second-hand dresses. If you find a thrift shop that sells worn wedding dresses, buy them. You can resell these for 50 to 70% of the original price.
Designer Shoes
Designer shoes never go out of style. So you need to keep an eye on second-hand branded shoes. Sport shoes (Nikes/Jordans) are always in high demand, and dress shoes from Prada and Gucci can be sold for hundreds of pounds. So if you’re running out of ideas on good things to buy and sell, start searching for used, well-kept branded shoes.
Toys & Baby Gear
Children grow up and no longer need toys, and parents no longer use the baby gear they bought for their children. Lucky for you, many new parents are looking to save money. Buying used toys and baby gear and reselling them can be a profitable gig. You can even purchase new toys and baby gear in the reduced section of large stores, keep them in storage and resell them online. When demand is high, you can turn a significant profit.
CDs & DVDs
What are the best things to sell on eBay for profit on the UK market? Music, films, and video games all sell well online. You can easily track down old CDs and DVDs—since many are happy to get rid of them—and list them for sale online. The profits are excellent, as many people online are willing to pay a good sum to get their hands on these items. This is one of the best ways to earn extra money online.
Board Games & Trading Cards
The British enjoy playing games and collecting various cards, and, unsurprisingly, some of the best items to flip in the UK are board games and trading cards. Many games and trading cards go out of production, so people have trouble locating them, while others are more than happy to donate or sell them for a modest sum. You’ll need to find rare games and cards, and the rest is easy—people will be queuing up to buy them.
Sports Memorabilia
People love sports and sports memorabilia, and the Brits are no exception. You may be surprised at the number of people willing to pay large sums for collectible cards, jerseys, autographed items, vintage hats and shirts, and even ticket stubs. If you’re curious to know how to make money buying and selling sports memorabilia, keep in mind that you’ll need to have a certain sum at your disposal to purchase the items. Then, you should develop a strategy that enables you to sell them at a higher price. It’s more challenging to sell sports memorabilia, but it can make you good money with the right approach.
Tools
Tools—especially power tools—are popular items that sell for a good price, even second-hand. The market for used tools is extensive. These are products you can buy cheap and sell high to those who enjoy DIY projects and need various tools. Ensure that the tools are in working condition (or repairable) before selling them. It also helps if a known brand produces them.
Car Parts
Selling used car parts can be a highly profitable gig. Tires, brake discs, jacks, and air filters are just some of the high demand items. And if you’re determined to start buying and selling for profit, you can buy old cars, disassemble them for parts, and sell the functional parts online to acquire decent money. This attractive business could give you a steady source of passive income.
Exercise Equipment
Home workouts have become wildly popular since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are scanning the online market for used exercise equipment. So if you manage to find used treadmills, exercise bikes, or other less bulky items, you can sell them and widen your profit margin. So this is an excellent opportunity you can make use of.
Musical Instruments
When thinking about what to buy and sell, don’t forget about musical instruments. New instruments are expensive, so those starting out in music would rather buy a used instrument instead. Fortunately, people are willing to sell instruments they no longer use, which you can later resell for a significantly higher price. The profit from a single sale can be relatively high—one sale can substantially boost the average amount you have saved up.
DID YOU KNOW? Many weird things have been sold on the internet. In 2007, Pablo Peñalver sold his soul on eBay for €47.51, while a piece of gum Britney Spears spit out during a Wembley concert in 2000 sold for a whopping $14,000.
Conclusion
The internet is vast, and there’s room for everyone. But the best aspect of the internet is that you can sell almost anything and get a good return for it. Buying and selling in the UK to turn a profit has become extremely popular, and you too can join in on the fun.
