How to make money flipping items
Flipping means buying something below its market value and reselling it for more. It works on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and anywhere people sell second-hand — and with steady effort, resellers commonly earn between $500 and $2,000 a month from it. The whole game comes down to one question: what does this item actually sell for?
How flipping works, step by step
- 01
Find a listing priced below what it usually sells for
Sellers who want a quick sale, don't know the value, or list in the wrong place often price low.
- 02
Check real sold prices — not asking prices
Asking prices are what people hope to get. Completed sales are what buyers actually paid. Only sold prices tell you what you can resell for.
- 03
Match the exact item
Same model, size, condition and edition. A sale for a different version isn't evidence.
- 04
Count your costs
Subtract platform fees, postage and your travel or time before deciding the margin is worth it.
- 05
Buy, relist and repeat
Good photos and an accurate title help you sell close to the market price.
Best items to flip for profit
The best categories have steady demand and plenty of completed sales, so you can price with confidence.
Phones & electronics
High demand and lots of completed sales, so prices are easy to check. Exact model and storage matter — a 128GB and 256GB phone are different items.
LEGO
Sealed and retired sets hold value well. The set number is the identity, so search by it.
Trading cards
Graded and raw cards sell very differently. Always compare a PSA 10 with PSA 10 sales, never with raw copies.
Sneakers
Model and colourway decide the price. Popular sizes move fastest.
Watches
Reference numbers separate models that look alike. Check condition, box and papers.
Gold jewellery
Metal, purity (9ct, 18ct) and weight drive value. A heavier chain is worth more than a lighter one of the same style.
Common flipping mistakes
- Buying because an item “looks cheap” without checking sold prices.
- Comparing against other listings' asking prices instead of completed sales.
- Mixing up variants — storage size, graded vs raw, sealed vs opened.
- Forgetting fees and postage, which can erase a thin margin.
- Ignoring replicas — a price far below normal for a commonly faked brand is a warning sign.
Find underpriced listings faster
Checking sold prices by hand across several marketplaces takes time. Influcts scans live listings on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree and compares each one with real completed sales of the same item, so you can see the possible margin before you buy.