What is Thrifting? The Complete 2025 Guide for Resellers and Side Hustlers

If you’ve ever heard someone say they “went thrifting” and scored an amazing deal, you might be wondering: what exactly is thrifting?

In simple terms, thrifting is shopping at secondhand stores to find used (or sometimes new) items at a fraction of their original price. For some, it’s about saving money or finding unique pieces. For others — especially resellers — it’s a way to make serious income from home.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

What thrifting is and why it’s so popular in 2025
Where to thrift (and how to find the best spots)
How to turn thrifting into a profitable reselling business
The role of AI tools in speeding up sales
Real-life examples of thrift-to-profit success stories

What Does “Thrifting” Mean?

Thrifting is shopping for secondhand goods — usually at thrift stores, consignment shops, flea markets, estate sales, or online resale platforms. The items range from clothing and shoes to electronics, furniture, and collectibles.

Why it’s trending:

Rising retail prices – Consumers are looking for budget-friendly options.
Sustainability – Buying secondhand reduces waste and supports the circular economy.
Unique finds – Vintage, rare, or discontinued items can only be found secondhand.
Reselling opportunities – Many thrift finds can be resold online for 5–20x their cost.

Where Do People Go Thrifting?

Here are the most popular sources for thrifted items:

Source	Pros	Cons	Best For
Goodwill Retail Stores	Huge variety, organized by category	Prices can be higher in some cities	Clothing, shoes, home goods
Goodwill Bins (Outlet)	Pay by the pound, massive ROI potential	Chaotic, requires sorting skill	Bulk clothing, vintage
Savers / Value Village	Clean, organized, frequent restocks	Higher average price	Brand-name clothing, footwear
Independent Thrift Shops	Unique donations, less competition	Limited inventory	Collectibles, designer labels
Estate Sales	High-quality, rare finds	Limited dates & locations	Antiques, luxury goods
Flea Markets	Negotiable prices, variety	Inconsistent quality	Vintage, decor, memorabilia
Online Thrift Platforms (ThredUp, Poshmark)	Shop from anywhere	Competitive bidding	Niche clothing, accessories

Thrifting for Profit: How to Start

If your goal is to start reselling thrifted items from home, here’s the process:

1. Pick Your Niche

Specializing makes sourcing and selling easier. Examples:

Vintage denim (Levi’s, Wrangler)
Designer handbags (Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors)
Collectible sneakers (Nike, Adidas Yeezy)
Mid-century home decor

2. Learn What Sells

Study sold listings on eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. Pay attention to:

Brand names
Condition
Style trends
Seasonality

3. Source Inventory

Visit thrift stores, estate sales, and clearance events weekly. Build relationships with store staff for early access to new donations.

4. Price for Profit

Aim for at least 3–5x your cost after fees. Use comps to determine market value.

5. List & Sell

Take high-quality photos, write keyword-rich titles, and crosslist to multiple platforms to increase your reach.

Case Study: From Thrift Store to $1,200 Profit in 2 Weeks

Background:

Maria, a part-time reseller, thrifted a $25 Patagonia jacket, $8 pair of vintage Levi’s 501 jeans, and $10 Doc Martens boots.

Steps Taken:

Cleaned and photographed items with natural lighting.
Crosslisted them to Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari using Closo’s AI Crosslister.
Set competitive prices and allowed Closo’s AI Price Optimization Agent to adjust automatically.
Used Auto-Sharing and Offer-Sending AI Agents to boost visibility.

Result:

All three items sold within 14 days for a combined $1,200 in sales.

How AI Tools Supercharge Thrift Reselling

Manual reselling is time-consuming — photographing, listing, sharing, and sending offers can take hours a day.

With Closo’s AI Agents, you can:

Crosslist instantly to Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, and more.
Auto-share listings to keep them at the top of search results.
Send offers automatically to interested buyers.
Optimize pricing based on real-time demand and competition.

💡 This allows you to spend more time sourcing and less time managing listings.

Thrifting Success Tips for Beginners

Go Early in the Week – Many stores restock after weekend donations.
Know Sale Days – Goodwill often has color tag sales with 50% off.
Check Every Section – Hidden gems can be misplaced in the wrong aisle.
Run the Math – Always factor in selling fees and shipping before buying.
Stay Consistent – Regular sourcing keeps your store fresh and buyers returning.

Why Thrifting is the Future of Reselling

The global resale market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2027. As more consumers turn to sustainable fashion and unique finds, thrifting will remain a top source of inventory for both part-time sellers and full-time entrepreneurs.

Pairing thrifting with automation tools means you can scale faster, sell more, and work less — turning your side hustle into a steady income stream.

Final Thoughts

Thrifting isn’t just bargain hunting — it’s a proven way to start a reselling business from home in 2025. Whether you’re looking for extra income or building a full-time operation, the key is: