A couple's side venture is generating £25,000 annually by purchasing discounted clearance stock, including cut-price condoms, and reselling them on Amazon. Sam Bayliss, 24, and his partner Beth Jones, 25, scour clearance aisles in stores like Boots and Superdrug before listing the bargains online. The duo, who each manage separate businesses alongside this enterprise, utilise specialist software to identify which reduced items are in high demand before purchasing them.
Profitable Finds
One of their most lucrative deals involved acquiring 38 boxes of condoms from a Boots clearance event for £111.75. After relabelling and dispatching them to Amazon's fulfilment centres, the entire stock sold within seven days, yielding a profit of £124.20. Sam, who works in online software and lives with Beth in Manchester city centre, explained: "We sell everything and anything. We never know what we're going to sell, as long as it's selling and we can make a profit."
Software-Driven Strategy
The couple employ a programme called SellerAmp SAS, costing £16.74 monthly, to assess products before buying. The software reveals monthly sales data and return rates, enabling them to gauge how quickly stock will shift. Sam suggested the condoms were likely marked down due to packaging updates, with expiry dates extending to 2027 or 2028.
After purchasing items, the duo attach Amazon-generated SKU labels and dispatch them to Amazon warehouses via UPS collection services. "Amazon keeps the stock until it sells. They give you a shipping label and UPS collects it from your front door," Sam noted.
Other Successful Flips
The couple have also profited from selling Brita water filters after discovering 80 heavily discounted units. "We bought 80 of them and made £637.60 profit after fees. They all sold out within four or five days because the software told us they sell around 9,000 times a month," Sam revealed. Additional items include PS5 and Xbox games, vacuum cleaners, skincare products, stationery, computer accessories, and washing-up supplies.
Financial Relief
Beth operates her own catering business while Sam is employed in online software, but the side venture has alleviated financial strain. "We are not making millions from this, but if we can put money aside to help with bills it takes the pressure off full-time work," Sam said. The pair now use earnings to chip away at their mortgage and cover unforeseen expenses. "I put this off for so long because I worried about the upfront money and what would happen if it went wrong. But once I started, I kicked myself for not doing it sooner."
Overcoming Criticism
The duo spend £30 monthly on an Amazon seller subscription and research tools. Despite online backlash, Sam maintains they cater to consumer needs: "Some people say we're contributing to the cost-of-living crisis, but people on Amazon are paying for convenience. If they want it cheaper, they can still go into the shop themselves. We're very small fish in a very large pond - if we don't do it, somebody else will."
Future Expansion
The couple plan to expand by securing wholesale agreements directly with brands and suppliers. Sam concluded: "We're not trying to sell anything to people. We just document what we do because if it helps or inspires someone else, that's enough for us. I always try to help people because I needed guidance when I started too."
Top Five Sellers This Year
- Nitty Gritty NitFree Comb: Buy price £1, sell price £12.99, profit per unit £7.02 (702% ROI) from Superdrug Clearance
- Braun Silk-épil 9 Epilator: Buy price £29.99, sell price £114.75, profit per unit £59.79 (199% ROI) from Boots clearance
- Nuby RapidSterilise Portable UV Steriliser: Buy price £6, sell price £29.89, profit per unit £14.55 (242% ROI) from Smyths
- Nicorette Microtab 2mg Sublingual Tablet: Buy price £5.50, sell price £21.50, profit per unit £8.40 (152% ROI) from Tesco
- Nicorette 15mg Inhalator: Buy price £7.50, sell price £39.99, profit per unit £21.50 (286% ROI) from Boots clearance
