tarting a reselling business doesn’t always require big upfront investments. In fact, many of the most profitable resellers today began by flipping inexpensive, everyday items they found at thrift stores, yard sales, or even in their own closets. If you’re new to the game, the best approach is to begin with cheap inventory that offers strong resale margins.
In this guide, we’ll break down the cheapest items to start reselling, why they’re profitable, and how you can scale from flipping a few low-cost finds to building a sustainable resale business. We’ll also explore how tools like Closo can help streamline the process, from sourcing to cross-listing and scaling.
1. Why Start With Cheap Items?
For beginners, the risk factor is the biggest barrier. Cheap items allow you to:
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Test multiple categories without heavy upfront costs.
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Learn platform-specific best practices (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari) without stressing about losses.
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Flip items quickly, since low entry costs often attract budget-conscious buyers.
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Build momentum and reinvest profits into higher-ticket inventory.
Many successful resellers recommend starting with items under $5–$10 each, especially if you’re just testing the waters.
2. Top 10 Cheapest Items to Resell for Profit
1. Books & Textbooks
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Cost: $0.50–$3 at thrift stores.
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Resale Price: $10–$50+ (higher for college textbooks).
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Why It Works: Steady demand for textbooks and niche topics.
2. Mugs & Kitchenware
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Cost: $1–$5.
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Resale Price: $15–$50, especially collectible or branded mugs (Starbucks, Disney).
3. Costume Jewelry
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Cost: $2–$5.
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Resale Price: $15–$100, depending on vintage/brand.
4. Vintage T-Shirts
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Cost: $2–$8 at thrift shops.
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Resale Price: $25–$150+ for band tees or 90s streetwear.
5. Sneakers (Used, Branded)
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Cost: $10–$20 for Nike, Adidas, Vans.
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Resale Price: $40–$200, depending on rarity.
6. Toys & Board Games
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Cost: $2–$10.
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Resale Price: $20–$150+ (vintage or sealed sets).
7. Electronics Accessories
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Cost: $1–$5 (chargers, cables, controllers).
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Resale Price: $15–$50.
8. Baby Clothes & Gear
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Cost: $1–$3 per piece.
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Resale Price: Bundles can sell for $20–$50.
9. DVDs, CDs, and Vinyl Records
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Cost: $0.25–$2.
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Resale Price: $10–$100 for rare or collectible editions.
10. Hats & Caps
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Cost: $2–$5.
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Resale Price: $20–$75, especially for vintage sports or branded caps.
Pro Tip: Always check eBay’s Sold Listings filter to see what similar items are actually selling for—not just listed prices.
3. Case Study: Turning $50 into $500 With Low-Cost Flips
Seller: Lisa, a part-time reseller.
Starting Budget: $50.
Items Bought:
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5 vintage t-shirts ($25 total).
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10 used books ($10 total).
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5 coffee mugs ($15 total).
Results After 1 Month:
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Vintage tees: Sold 3 for $45 each = $135.
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Books: Sold 7 for an average of $18 = $126.
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Mugs: Sold 4 for $20 each = $80.
Total Sales: $341.
Profit (after $50 sourcing + $40 fees/shipping): ~$250.
By reinvesting profits, Lisa grew her inventory and scaled toward higher-ticket flips, proving that cheap items can be a profitable launchpad.
4. Where to Source Cheap Resellable Items
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Thrift Stores: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local shops.
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Yard Sales & Estate Sales: Often the cheapest finds.
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Library Sales: Books and DVDs in bulk for pennies.
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Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist: Free or low-cost bundles.
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Clearance Sections: Retail stores often discount seasonal goods by 70–90%.
5. How Closo Helps You Scale Cheap-to-Profitable Reselling
Reselling cheap items can be profitable—but it can also get time-intensive once your inventory grows. This is where Closo comes in:
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Crosslister: Post the same $2 mug or $5 t-shirt across eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and Depop instantly—maximizing exposure and sales velocity.
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Automation: Closo’s AI helps you decide whether to relist, discount, or liquidate slow-moving inventory.
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Analytics: See which categories (e.g., books vs. clothes) bring the best ROI so you can reinvest wisely.
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Zero Barrier: Closo provides free core tools for listing, sharing, and sending offers, making it especially valuable for beginners flipping cheap items.
Instead of spending hours duplicating listings across platforms, Closo saves time and boosts your chances of turning $2 flips into sustainable profits.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Flipping Cheap Items
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Overstocking Low-Margin Goods: Avoid hoarding cheap items that don’t sell quickly.
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Ignoring Fees: A $5 sale isn’t worth it if fees + shipping eat $4 of your profit.
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Poor Photos: Even cheap items need clear, high-quality photos to sell.
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Not Scaling Up: Cheap flips should be a stepping stone to higher-value inventory.
7. Final Thoughts
Starting with cheap items is the smartest way to test the waters in reselling. Categories like books, vintage clothing, mugs, and toys can be sourced for just a few dollars and flipped for significant margins.
While anyone can start reselling with just a small budget, the real key to success is scaling efficiently. By combining low-cost sourcing strategies with smart tools like Closo’s Crosslister and AI automation, you can grow from hobbyist flipper to a sustainable business—without drowning in manual work.
Bottom Line: Cheap items are the perfect entry point for resellers in 2025, but the sellers who win long-term are those who automate, cross-list, and reinvest profits strategically.