A savvy reseller has shared insider knowledge about two specific charity shop items that consistently generate quick profits when resold online. With the growing community of thrift store flippers looking to make extra income, these recommendations offer a reliable starting point for newcomers and experienced sellers alike.
The Lucrative World of Charity Shop Reselling
Charity shops have long been destinations for bargain hunters seeking affordable clothing, furniture, and accessories. However, a thriving secondary market has emerged where resellers purchase low-cost items to sell on popular platforms like eBay and Vinted for modest profits. This practice has created a sustainable micro-economy that benefits both charities and entrepreneurial individuals.
Men's Cummerbunds: The Wedding Season Goldmine
The first item highlighted by reseller Lynne is the men's cummerbund, a traditional accessory worn with formal attire. Lynne explained that men who need a cummerbund for a single occasion, such as a wedding or cruise, often prefer purchasing second-hand rather than investing in brand new formalwear.
"You never get mega mega money unless it comes in a set with a bow tie," Lynne noted in her TikTok video. "But they are what men wear with a tuxedo, and ones from Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, House of Fraser – those sorts of shops will always sell really well."
Lynne revealed she purchased a cummerbund for approximately 20p from a charity shop and successfully sold it for £3.99. She emphasized that these items move particularly quickly during wedding season and cruise vacation periods when formal events are more frequent.
Fancy Dress Costumes: The Party Essential
The second guaranteed profit-maker is fancy dress costumes, especially those related to stag parties and adult-themed events. Lynne showcased an adult's "naked man" costume in her video – a skin-colored bodysuit with a printed leaf covering the sensitive areas.
Despite initial concerns about platform restrictions, the costume sold almost immediately after being approved for listing. "I listed it and literally as soon as it went live, it sold," Lynne reported. "And it sold because of stag dos – any adult's fancy dress items for stag dos will always sell."
She managed to sell the brand new, still-packaged costume for £7, though she didn't disclose her initial purchase price. The key takeaway is that fancy dress items in original packaging represent particularly valuable finds for resellers.
The Reselling Community Responds
Commenters on Lynne's video expressed appreciation for her practical advice, with fellow resellers confirming her observations. One seller shared: "I bought 15 cummerbunds from a friend last year. Sold all of them individually within a week. It was near summer [so it was peak] wedding season!"
The ethical dimension of charity shop reselling has been debated within the community, but a former charity shop volunteer recently offered perspective on this practice. While some criticize resellers for purchasing low-cost items and reselling at higher prices, the volunteer emphasized that charities still receive donations from these purchases.
"I don't have any qualms with resellers," she commented. "I don't care about resellers being in the charity shop. All of my favourite regulars at my old job were resellers. I've spoken about this before, but I think resellers serve an important purpose in the charity shop cycle of life."
This perspective highlights how resellers contribute to charity shop sustainability while creating income opportunities for themselves. The combination of affordable sourcing and consistent demand for specific items creates a win-win situation for all parties involved in the second-hand economy.
