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Originally Posted by jstbuch
Someone above mentioned thrift stores jacking up their prices if they knew what they had. That is not really the thrift store business model. Sure, the really obvious stuff they will price high but items that come in large bulk (like clothes), it doesn't make sense for them to sort through the bulk they get to pull out 20 or even 50 things. They would rather let those 50 things go super cheap than sort through the 10,000 other items to find them.
One of the easiest thrift store money makers is good china. Nearly all thrift stores have a china sections and it is usually really cheap. Complete sets or near complete sets usually do the best but I also buy misc pieces for nicer sets because people are always buying replacements. You usually have to invest a bit more (like $50 for a near complete set) but the payoff is usually pretty good. I turned a $40 set into $950 last year.
Just familiarize yourself with the more collectible names. The best part is, a complete set of china will nearly always sell for more than you buy it for so even if you make a mistake and buy something that isn't really collectible, it is not a big deal because you will likely still make money. Also, considering how many dishes thrift stores take in, they nearly never pull the good china out (crystal they do) so it is almost always there and no one else is really shopping for it.
The downside, this is information that likely won't stay profitable forever because less and less people are interested in fine china. It is also a bit** to ship properly so pay for the insurance.
Also, let's say you find a setting for 8 but you are missing a few pieces or something. You are usually better off selling it as a complete set for 6 and then selling to other pieces seperate.
Another thing I find at thrift stores a lot but I don't know a ton about other than they are usually valuable are things made out of jade. Either jewlery or sculptures (even small figurines). A lot of that stuff sells really well and often people don't buy it because it looks cheap. But jade is super expensive stuff.
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Their already doing it. Goodwill has a website so..yeah! And jade has been an expensive stone for a long time...nothing new, just like it not being the thrift store way! The smart ones ie goodwill have realized theirs money to be made. They got a Picasso and put it up for auction! The one store checks eBay and puts a slip of paper with a print out right next to the item. Their not dummies anymore!