How to Resell Items from Bin Stores for Profit
Bin stores can be a goldmine for resellers. Learn the strategies, platforms, and categories that work best for turning bin store finds into real income.
Why Bin Stores Are a Reseller's Best Friend
The economics of bin stores are almost perfectly designed for resellers. You buy items at a significant discount from their retail value, sell them at or near market value through online platforms, and pocket the difference. The challenge is in the execution — finding the right items, accurately assessing their condition, and moving them efficiently through your chosen sales channels.
Thousands of people across the United States are doing this full-time or as a meaningful side income. Here's how to get started and what separates the profitable resellers from those who break even.
The Core Math: Understanding Your Margin
Before buying anything to resell, you need to understand the financial math. For every item you consider purchasing:
Know the bin price today (e.g., $5)
Know the item's sellable value (use eBay's sold listings, Amazon prices)
Calculate platform fees (eBay takes ~13%, Amazon FBA takes 15–45%)
Account for shipping costs if you're not doing local pickup
Factor in your time for listing, packaging, and shipping
A simple rule: if the item's likely sale price is less than 2.5x the bin price after fees, it's probably not worth the effort for resale. Target items where you can net at least 50% profit after all costs.
Example: An item costs $6 at the bin. It sells on eBay for $35. eBay fee: ~$5. Shipping: $5. Net profit: $19. That's a strong flip.
Best Platforms for Reselling Bin Store Finds
eBay
eBay remains the most flexible and widely-used platform for bin store resellers. It's ideal for:
Electronics (even broken ones, for parts)
Brand-name clothing and shoes
Collectibles and toys
Anything where you want to reach the widest possible buyer pool
eBay's global reach means you'll find buyers for obscure items that might not sell locally. The "completed listings" filter is invaluable for pricing research.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace excels for:
Larger items that would be expensive to ship
Furniture and home goods
Local buyers who want immediate pickup
Items that are hard to photograph for shipping
Zero selling fees make it highly attractive, but you're limited to your local area and must handle in-person transactions.
Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon)
If you find multiple units of the same item, Amazon FBA allows you to ship inventory to Amazon's warehouse and let them handle storage, shipping, and customer service. Best for:
Multiple identical items
Brand-new, sealed merchandise
Items with UPC codes that match existing Amazon listings
FBA fees and storage costs add up — it works best at scale.
Poshmark and Mercari
These platforms focus primarily on clothing and fashion accessories. If you specialize in apparel from bin stores, these marketplaces have active communities of buyers.
OfferUp
Similar to Facebook Marketplace for local sales, with slightly better tools for managing listings and buyer communication.
High-Value Categories to Focus On
Electronics
The highest margin potential but also the highest risk. Focus on:
Bluetooth speakers and headphones (even broken ones sell for parts)
Tablets and e-readers
Smart home devices
Gaming accessories
Always disclose condition honestly. Selling broken electronics as "for parts" is completely legitimate and often profitable.
Brand-Name Clothing and Shoes
Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Patagonia, Lululemon — these brands hold value well on resale platforms. Even clothing with minor flaws can sell if priced appropriately.
Kitchen Appliances
Instapots, Keurigs, air fryers, and similar appliances have large, active resale markets. If functional, these regularly sell for 40–70% of retail even used.
Beauty and Personal Care
High-end skincare brands (La Mer, Tatcha, Drunk Elephant), hair tools (Dyson, T3), and premium cosmetics are among the highest-margin items per bin store price. Research which brands hold their value.
Toys and Collectibles
Brand-new toys, especially in-demand items or those associated with media franchises, can be immediately relisted at retail or above during peak seasons.
Building a System for Efficiency
Profitable reselling isn't just about finding good items — it's about processing them efficiently.
Develop a Listing Template
Create reusable listing templates for your most common categories. This reduces the time per listing dramatically. A good listing includes:
Clear, accurate title with brand and model
Multiple photos from different angles
Honest condition description
Relevant keywords buyers search for
Batch Your Work
Sort and photograph items in batches. List in batches. Ship in batches. Batching eliminates the friction of context-switching and makes the operation feel more like a business and less like a hobby.
Track Your Numbers
Use a simple spreadsheet or app to track:
Cost per item at the bin
Sale price
Fees paid
Net profit per item
Time invested
This data will quickly reveal which categories and platforms are most profitable for your specific operation.
Price to Sell
Don't get greedy. A common mistake for new resellers is over-pricing items and then sitting on inventory for weeks. Aim for the price point where the item sells within 2 weeks. Storage and tied-up capital have real costs.
Starting Small and Scaling Up
You don't need to quit your job on day one. Many successful bin store resellers start with a $50–$100 test budget, flip those items, and reinvest the profits. Over several months, you'll develop an eye for value, build your listing templates, and grow your seller ratings — all before committing serious capital.