5 Thrift Store Finds to Sell on eBay

Duck Brand sponsored this post. All opinions are mine alone.

I have always been an entrepreneur. Back in high school, I used to make jewelry and sell the pieces at local craft fairs. Throughout college, I used to tutor younger students in the subjects of math & science (and I still do). Nowadays, while this blog occupies a decent amount of my time, I sell on eBay, too. Today I’ll be sharing all the details: from where I get my merchandise to how I package the goods, including why Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape is a must-have for me!

What exactly do I sell on eBay? Well, it varies! Sometimes I’ll sell gently-used stuff that we no longer need (like toddler clothing that the kids have outgrown or that gemstone ring that I no longer like). Sometimes I’ll check out the neighborhood garage sales and keep an eye out for fun treasures. Other times, I’ll visit the local thrift store, where I typically find all kinds of items that can be resold for a profit online. Here are some of my favorite categories:

1. Designer Shoes:
Designer shoes are always a strong seller. I like to stick with brand names that are well-known. Of course, it’s always wise to ensure that the pair is in good (or excellent condition). Avoid any pairs that have tears, rips, or excessive wear. Also, keep in mind that the smaller (5) and larger (11) shoe sizes tend to sell well online, since these sizes can sometimes be difficult to find in stores.

2. Handbags:
Handbags are another great inventory category for an eBay business. Again, sticking with brand names that are recognizable is a good idea. Another thing to keep in mind is that the style of bag matters! For example, since cross-body bags and backpack-style bags are trendy nowadays, I like to look for those styles at the thrift store.

3. Men’s Ties:
Men’s ties also tend to do well online. Inspect the tie well and ensure that all stitches are intact. 100% silk ties tend to perform better than ties of other materials. Another great thing I like about ties is that they’re super easy to ship – no need to worry about breakage and they fit in a small package!

4. Seasonal Decor:
Seasonal merchandise is always a good choice! During the holiday season, I love to find vintage ornaments and festive figurines. Ensure that any breakable pieces are packaged well with plenty of bubble wrap. Also, keep an eye out for limited-time products and vintage pieces- these items cannot be found at a local big box store and tend to sell well online.

5. Vintage Media:
Many people still own a record player, VHS player or cassette tape player, so I look for these media at the store. They can be difficult (or impossible) to purchase at most brick & mortar retailers, so they sell surprisingly well online. Keep an eye out for these media at local garage sales, too.


Now that I’ve sourced some merchandise, it’s time to sell them online & ship them to the buyer. When shipping, I like using Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape, because it is actually 100x stronger than acrylic tapes! Achieving this maximum adhesion is important because I don’t want any of my packages falling apart while in transit.

This super thick tape is perfect for heavy duty shipping, moving and storage applications. Anyone who’s ever packed a box can tell you that there’s nothing worse than tape that just won’t stick! With Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape, the adhesion is top-notch! This tape is perfect for so many applications: whether you’re selling things on eBay, sending a package to a friend in another state or simply returning merchandise to an online retailer.

Have you ever struggled to find the end of a roll of tape? I love that each roll of Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape has an easy-to-find end… check out the picture below!

In addition to Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape, it’s important to also have a few other items on hand for packaging goods:

• Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape
• boxes or envelopes
• bubble wrap
• computer & printer for labels

With the right tools on hand, you can create an eBay business for yourself, too! Gather your supplies and get your business off the ground today. Don’t forget to add DuckDuck Max Strength Packaging Tape to your set of supplies – its professional hot-melt adhesive provides immediate stick on boxes. Plus, the Duck brand is a brand we all know & trust!

Keep an eye out for Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape in the office supplies aisle of your local Sam’s Club.

Duck Max Strength Packaging Tape is offered in a value set: 8 pack of heavy duty, clear tape for under $20! What a great everyday deal!

Have ever sold stuff on eBay? What do you usually sell? How often do you ship packages during the holiday season?

Disclosure: Engineer Mommy is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For additional details, please see our full Disclosure Policy. Any link may be an affiliate link. All opinions are exclusively my own.