Why Bin Stores Are a Reseller's Dream
Bin stores have become one of the most popular sourcing channels for resellers and flippers. The reason is straightforward: where else can you buy brand-name products for $1 to $10 and resell them for $20 to $100 or more? The low cost of goods combined with the wide variety of merchandise makes bin stores an ideal starting point for anyone interested in reselling — whether as a side hustle or a full-time business.
Unlike garage sales or estate sales where you negotiate individual prices, bin stores offer flat-rate pricing that makes your profit math simple. If you buy an item for $5 on a Monday and sell it for $40 on eBay, your gross margin is $35 minus selling fees and shipping costs. With experience, you can develop an eye for which products consistently deliver strong margins.
Getting Started: What You Need
The barrier to entry for bin store reselling is remarkably low. Here is what you need to get started:
- A smartphone: Your most important tool. You will use it to scan barcodes, look up product values, and check sales history on reselling platforms.
- A scanning app: Apps like the Amazon Seller app, eBay app, or ScoutIQ let you scan an item's barcode and instantly see what it sells for online. This takes the guesswork out of deciding what to buy.
- A small budget: Start with $50 to $100 per shopping trip. This is enough to buy 10 to 20 items on restock day or 50 to 100 items on dollar day.
- Seller accounts: Set up accounts on the platforms where you plan to sell (eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace).
- Basic packing supplies: Boxes, bubble wrap, poly mailers, tape, and a kitchen scale for calculating shipping.
What to Look For
Not everything in a bin store is worth reselling. Focus on these high-margin categories:
- Electronics and tech accessories: Bluetooth speakers, wireless earbuds, phone cases for popular models, charging cables, smart plugs, and small gadgets. These move quickly online and often sell for 5 to 10 times your purchase price.
- Brand-name health and beauty: Sealed skincare products, hair tools (flat irons, curling wands), electric toothbrushes, and premium cosmetics. Brand recognition drives resale value.
- Toys from recognizable brands: LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Nerf, and other established toy brands resell well, especially as holiday gifts.
- Kitchen gadgets: Instant Pot accessories, specialty bakeware, knife sets, and small appliances. Anything by brands like KitchenAid, Ninja, or OXO is worth scanning.
- Seasonal items: Buy holiday decorations, costumes, and seasonal products when they show up off-season and hold them for peak selling periods.
What to Avoid
Equally important is knowing what not to buy:
- Heavy, low-value items: Anything bulky or heavy with a low resale value will eat your profit in shipping costs.
- Items without barcodes: If you cannot scan it and verify its value, the risk is much higher. Skip unless you have expert knowledge in that product category.
- Opened consumables: Food, supplements, and opened personal care items are difficult or impossible to resell.
- Generic or unbranded products: Off-brand items with no recognizable manufacturer rarely sell well online.
- Clothing (for beginners): Apparel reselling requires specialized knowledge of brands, sizing, and condition grading. Save this category until you are more experienced.
Where to Sell
Different platforms work best for different types of products:
- eBay: The most versatile platform. Best for electronics, toys, collectibles, and niche items. eBay's "sold listings" feature lets you see exactly what buyers have paid for similar items.
- Mercari: Great for household goods, beauty products, and mid-range items. Lower fees than eBay and a simpler listing process.
- Amazon (FBA or Merchant Fulfilled): Ideal for new, sealed products with existing Amazon listings. Higher fees but access to Amazon's massive buyer base. Requires ungating for some categories.
- Facebook Marketplace: Best for large or heavy items that are expensive to ship. Local pickup means zero shipping costs, which significantly improves margins on bulky products.
- Poshmark: Specialized for clothing, shoes, and accessories if you decide to expand into apparel reselling.
Pricing Your Finds
Effective pricing is the difference between items that sell quickly and items that sit in your inventory for months. Follow these principles:
- Research sold prices, not listed prices. What an item is listed for is irrelevant. What matters is what buyers have actually paid. Use eBay's sold listings filter and Mercari's sold section to find real market values.
- Factor in all costs. Your true cost per item includes the purchase price, platform selling fees (typically 10% to 15%), shipping materials, and shipping postage. A $40 sale might net you only $28 after these deductions.
- Price competitively. Unless your item is rare, price at or slightly below the current lowest comparable listing to encourage a fast sale. Inventory sitting on shelves is dead money.
- Use the 3x rule as a minimum. As a general guideline, aim to sell items for at least three times your purchase price after all fees and shipping. This ensures a healthy margin even if something goes wrong.
Building the Habit
Successful bin store reselling is about consistency, not one big score. Here is how to build a sustainable practice:
- Set a weekly sourcing schedule. Treat bin store visits like a job. Go on the same day each week so you learn the rhythm of your store's inventory.
- List fast. The money is not made when you buy — it is made when you list. Process your finds within 24 to 48 hours. Photograph, describe, and list every item quickly.
- Track everything. Use a spreadsheet or app to log every purchase, every sale, and every expense. Knowing your numbers tells you which categories are most profitable and which to skip.
- Reinvest profits. In the early months, put your earnings back into sourcing and supplies. This compounds your inventory and accelerates growth.
Realistic Expectations
A dedicated bin store reseller visiting one store per week and spending $50 to $100 on inventory can realistically generate $500 to $1,500 per month in revenue, with net profit margins of 40% to 60% after all expenses. It takes time to develop your scanning speed, product knowledge, and listing efficiency, so be patient with yourself in the first few months. The learning curve is real, but the financial upside is significant for a low-cost side hustle.