The Hard Truth About Reselling

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[@Resell_crazy]

Being an newbie or old school seller it's hard and scary when you look up everything and make little....you can't help but think you're the one screwing up when you see others saying I made 5000.00 this weekend on sales.....and I'm over here in the corner like I made 10....

[@TaylorExchange]

Great point! I get caught up comparing my KZbin channel to others. It’s a bad habit, but ya reselling has gotten so mainstream it’s making it hard to really crush it especially if you are on day one.

[@n-joysilver7752]

Resellers making KZbin videos are going to destroy the possibility of making a living from reselling. As the economy continues to spiral, struggling people are flooding the thrift stores. I already see several people loitering and agressively chasing every new cart in low income areas. Most of these people would be better off getting a job at Goodwill.

[@Resellingonthespectrum]

@@TaylorExchange There will always be someone better than you that’s put more effort and time into things. I’m trying to figure out the KZbin thing so you’re absolutely miles ahead of me lol

[@TaylorExchange]

@@n-joysilver7752 I wouldn’t say KZbin resellers are destroying the game but yes the economic pressure is creating a bit of lawlessness at the thrifts!

[@TaylorExchange]

@@Resellingonthespectrum True, KZbin takes some dedication. Fast success for some but usually takes a lot of time and effort.

[@rosabarraza5235]

I admire your hassle thank u for sharing your experience you motivate me to keep going.

[@TaylorExchange]

Thanks, love to hear it 👍

[@travis6343]

Really great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@TaylorExchange]

Sure thing 👍 Thanks for watching.

[@nathanwhughes]

You don't like the bins! Lol my wife and I go to the bins in Oklahoma City a couple times a year. It's fun but bring gloves and I totally get your reasoning for not going. It's the only place I've ever felt like punching random people for being total a holes.

[@TaylorExchange]

It’s not an environment I enjoy being in. The thrift stores are bad enough 😂

[@williamkeeler2]

Full time reseller here. Did $250k in clothing sales on eBay in 2023. It's really tough out there. I see the biggest squeeze coming from promoted listings. They are mandatory at this point. Every time I try to tinker with the ad rate, my impressions take a nose dive...

[@TaylorExchange]

That’s impressive! Definitely tough, I am not going the promoted listing route.

[@calminer7949]

Really Enjoy watching your videos...Kepp on rocking! My ebay store is slow so looking for better items as well.

[@TaylorExchange]

Thanks 👍

[@petesnyder6281]

Found my first Dixxon Flannel at the GW and got 50.00 for it. Today was a good day at the local GW. Pr of Hokas, Vineyard Vines Vest, Keen Sandals and new with tag shirts. The stuff is out there. You should be getting a package this week. Found something for the little guy you may like.

[@TaylorExchange]

Nice! It’s out there for sure but it takes some effort to make a living off it. I found some of those Bungee Keens last week!

[@Josh-Kim]

So good to see you've been crushing it! The script has flipped - I took a loooong break from reselling and things have changed so much. I just started selling again recently, and it's great learning how things have changed as I get back into it.

[@TaylorExchange]

Hey Josh, the script has definitely flipped. I owe a lot of my success to you in those early years. We welcome you back, if you want to talk shop reach out on IG or FB.

[@whoknewresale]

I didn't start until late 2020 so I'm one of those people, and I will say it's definitely gotten more competitive over the past 3 years. The thrift stores are saturated with thrifters, and buyers are generally not willing to pay as much as they used to unless you have specific in-demand items. Plus thrift stores began marking items up in the last year year and a half.

[@TaylorExchange]

Exactly, thrift stores have become much better resellers in the last few years 😂

[@eduardohuerta5460]

My wife and I are taking the safe route. We are reselling part time at the moment and keeping our full time jobs. Less stress and more fun to thrift when you have a steady paycheck.

[@TaylorExchange]

That’s a good move, a lot of the fun escapes when you have bills to pay.

[@Resellingonthespectrum]

I have an unfair advantage as far as brand knowledge is concerned. I’ve made reselling an obsession. Sourcing is easy also because this is a mental game. The more you know the better you’ll be. Im not trying to sound cocky but once you build the knowledge you don’t have much competition. My problem is having 3 kids and finding time/ money to list. I have a healthy sell through rate and a efficient system.

[@TaylorExchange]

Probably the best skill to have! Are you in a bigger city around a lot of good stores? I have 3 in my town and they are no where near as good as the ones I travel to.

[@Resellingonthespectrum]

@@TaylorExchange I’m about 30 minutes south of Dallas. A few really good untapped charity thrift stores locally and a ton in Dallas. Pearl snaps everywhere man lol

[@TaylorExchange]

@@Resellingonthespectrum Oh ya, you’re in the perfect place 😂

[@Resellingonthespectrum]

@@TaylorExchange man, it’s insane. The good will bins in ft worth are only an hour away. A bunch of other resellers but they seem to go after mostly vintage stuff

[@TaylorExchange]

@@Resellingonthespectrum I still have not convinced myself the bins is worth the 2 hour drive plus time spend there. Much rather hit multiple stores. Do you pull a lot of modern wear from there?

[@RobinRussell-dq8om]

You are spot on!

[@TaylorExchange]

👍

[@barbarabidotcherico1909]

Thanks! Great video

[@TaylorExchange]

Sure thing 👍

[@DrewM86]

Location is huge.....if your nowhere near a metro area its going to be really difficult. Then theres the hustle mentality.....usually gained from early childhood, and how you were raised. Reselling can be taught although its very frustrating if youve never stepped into that world

[@TaylorExchange]

I couldn’t agree more. Living in a small town is a big disadvantage. Commuting to thrift is stressful at times. It’s not so much the frustration of learning reselling but being your own boss is a difficult thing at first and not for everyone.

[@SprucedandGussied]

Finally! some honesty and transparancy abouit the world of reselling. I've been doing this on and off for 15 years.Last year, due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to basically go full time. Its been a lot of work and a lot of diversification. There' no way I can soley count on Ebay sales. THe competition is crazy, even here on KZbin, there are sooo many more people trying to build youtube chanels on reselling. I took most of last year off from content creatio here on YT and damn ive come back and I'm seeing soo many more people doing this I focus on vintage, that's always been my thing but I will delve into the new stuff here an there. Anyway, great video. You touched on so many great points.

[@TaylorExchange]

Thanks, ya it’s really blow up.

[@SprucedandGussied]

@@TaylorExchange Thanks for your reply, Sean! and definitely not knocking anyone for their hustle be it on ebay or youtube. just kinda shocking how much its blown up. Btw. I live in Los Angeles where the thrifts are picked over, prices are way too high(our bins is $3.19 a pound now) so I've had to get creative with my sourcing.

[@TaylorExchange]

@@SprucedandGussied Ya it’s getting tough out there. I think either provide a trade with estate sale companies or find people before they donate but have to provide a benefit for access to their goods.

[@SprucedandGussied]

@@TaylorExchange Definitely, great tips.Thank you! I buy online auction lots too, some wholesale with vintage. Trying to find my way into a rag house. No ONE and I mean No one will give that info up, understandably. There is so much labor involved with selling clothes. I'm so glad you touched on that. It's the easiest to store and ship, but the inbetween parts are a lot of work, that most people wouldn't[t understand unless they did it themselves.

[@TaylorExchange]

@@SprucedandGussied Exactly

[@ianmarsden8568]

Thank you for helping people. I see you have plans for your KZbin channel and eBay business and wish you all the best for 2024. I always pick up tips from your channel - Don't back the Bears! (Just joking) ;)

[@TaylorExchange]

Haha easy with Bears hate! Thank you for watching and following along, I hope you have a great 2024!

[@richexpressions]

Ebay has made some big changes and is gearing more towards professional reselling. If you want to sell recreationally, Ebay is no longer the platform. New sellers, you need to do your own research on the niche you want to sell in and figure out what sells in your region. You can't rely strictly on youtubers for all your info. Although they do provide value, you as a seller need to do your own research for the business you are trying to create.

[@TaylorExchange]

That’s a good point. I’d say eBay is still for anyone but I’d agree their are much easier platforms out there. But I’d disagree about where to learn how to resell. I’ve learned bits of information on dozens of resellers from KZbin. I will say learning your area and what types of items are around is a big deal. Theirs also some strong sellers on instagram that don’t post to KZbin.

[@jeffbuckler5625]

I live in a very small town. I'm fortunate to have a cheap thrift store in town, though the problem for me with that is there are 30 other people like me plus people just dont have a lot of money around here so half the population or better, shops there. So, i can be thankful for what i get my hands on even if im not knocking it out of the park. Its an absolute grind. Like make myself drink coffee and get in the office bedroom.

[@TaylorExchange]

You lost me on the last sentence? 😂 What’s wrong with coffee and whose bedroom are you sleeping in? But ya I get it, 100%

[@jeffbuckler5625]

@TaylorExchange spare bedroom and I mean I drink coffee all day and night but have to put a couple extra scoops if instant in the cup sometimes 😅

[@TaylorExchange]

@@jeffbuckler5625 Oh right haha I thought you meant sleeping with the store employees for discounts 🤦‍♂️ But ya I consume many energy drinks and coffee

[@jeffbuckler5625]

@Taylorexchange 🤣 🤣 Go Lions!!

[@TaylorExchange]

@@jeffbuckler5625 🤦‍♂️

[@Jayalmighty81]

thank you good video 👍

[@TaylorExchange]

🫡

[@michellen.9657]

Thank you for your content. On average how many shirts can you fit in the long boxes? I'm thinking about switching to those boxes instead of the bulky bins.

[@TaylorExchange]

30 max, jeans like 15-18

[@WindyRidgeResale]

Please check your states laws and regulations regarding selling cars before doing that as a side hustle.. In Virginia, you must title every car in your name or else you can be charged for title skipping. The state wants their tax money every time that vehicle changes hands.

[@TaylorExchange]

Great point!

[@davidc4582]

It’s kinda like every source stream is locked down by someone. Hard to expand past one. So you chose one and lock it down. OR you pick up scraps after everyone one else. Very hard to do both. Both are a grind definitely but can’t just wander around and hope to make a good living coming across high dollar items. Honestly I think this was possible in 2017-2019 cause I did it lol and didn’t even know 1/4 of what I know now. Made 70k income (cash flow) from thrifts only in 2019 with 5 sales a day only. (And I really didn’t even know much…).

[@TaylorExchange]

Good point. Makes me wish I started earlier but there are a lot of interesting opportunities out there. Reselling still works but definitely getting more challenging.

[@davidc4582]

@TaylorExchange yeah me too

[@FLthrifted]

Honestly the best thing to do is your own research as a new seller. For higher profit you want to look for brands you have never heard of not the brands that every reseller is stating in their videos sold for them because the other 5,000 people that watched the same video are also looking for that same brand. I literally just 2 days ago dropped off 8 trash bags full of old inventory that I had bought when I first started 3 years ago thinking I was going to make thousands because someone else sold it so I can too right? NO or brands that I thought would resell for good profit because at the mall these jeans are $200 NOPE! The best thing to do is train yourself to think you know NOTHING about what you are doing and spend the time researching anything and everything. Until you establish some history that you can look back on look up EVERY item before you purchase it and even once you have history of items that you don't necessarily have to look up each time still check comps every month or so because they other thing that was hard for me to realize was that the reselling game is ALWAYS changing and there are so many of the little details that go into an item for it to sell... the condition, the size, the color those are all factors that can make or break an item.. the brand is just the starting point for curiosity.

[@TaylorExchange]

What an excellent statement here! I couldn’t agree more.

[@duffy0223]

Go Pack Go!!!!! Sorry man I had to.

[@TaylorExchange]

🤬

[@WayneTradingCompany]

I started in 2003, but have never been able to go at it full time.

[@TaylorExchange]

It’s not for everyone

[@retromario6130]

I saw a video last week of a British man opening up a box of mixed American sports jerseys he bought from some seller. It was heartbreaking seeing all the fakes and unpopular jerseys he received. Sometimes living in North America we can forget the struggle that other people have in order to get American styles and brands. Anyways my question is, would you ever consider selling mixed clothing to people from other countries? I’m sure Europeans would love to vintage NBA and NFL jerseys. Though shipping and taxes must be expensive

[@TaylorExchange]

That’s terrible to hear. I currently restrict my shipping to eBay international system because I’m too lazy to learn all the international direct shipping and in the past I kept running into issues with prices and returns and language barriers. Plus I would love finding vintage sports clothing but that’s not my category.

[@jakethestampede47]

Tell all those cowboys fans around you Go Pack Go!

[@TaylorExchange]

Never, I'm not a Cowboy's fan but I absolutely hope they torch the Packers

[@jakethestampede47]

@TaylorExchange I have a feeling the Packers are going to come out and expose "dem boys". I still like you and watch your content even though you are a bears fan. You seem genuine

[@TaylorExchange]

@@jakethestampede47 Idk, Cowboys seemed to coast a bit but I think their Defense will crank it up for the playoffs.

[@Dizland]

I started a few years ago as a part time seller after seeing a friend really do well as a reseller. I'm still a part time reseller though I've grown significantly in product, it is still a part timer income. What I would tell someone new is that the reselling business is a vicious circle that you have to be willing to get into and understand. The more money you want to make, the more product you need to have. The more product you need to have, the more space you will be required to have. The more space your required to have ... well, you get it. The you-tubers put out the same information and that simply is to find current inventory that is in demand right then and it will sell and you'll make money. The truth though is that very few people find that high dollar, in demand right now, inventory, sitting in a thrift store in an amount that makes it the most profitable. In my area, I start doing the "Happy Dance"" when I find an L.L. Bean shirt and that's pretty pathetic in the overall scheme of things. But, it's still fun to get out once a week or so to look for that L.L. Bean shirt and I still love hearing the cha-ching on my phone when I get a sale. Love your channel Sean and I enjoy the information you put out. It is probably the closest to transparency that everyone else claims they are putting out there. Stay in the struggle! LOL

[@TaylorExchange]

So well said you could make a great video or blog on the topic! Yes the struggle is real but for me I’m countering the stress by making money outside of reselling. Slowly but surely. Thanks for the kind words, I’ve found I am no good at clickbait entertainment but decent at speaking how it really is for me.

[@Vnessa_funkytownTXpicker]

So I went to indoor flea market and I compd a western shirt RYAN Michael silk pearl snap I got so excited that when I got the home I was getting ready to post the shirt had green highlights mark I was so disappointed I usually check all my clothes I still posted it

[@TaylorExchange]

Dang! Ya it will still sell for something though.

[@stitcher4729]

Well, that will enable the buyer to say "This old thing? I've had it forever. Haven't been wearing it because I got these marks on it."

[@Vnessa_funkytownTXpicker]

Actually got an offer on that old thing lol but told my dad about the shirt and he so wants it 😊

[@TaylorExchange]

@@Vnessa_funkytownTXpicker Oh nice haha

[@semperfi-1918]

Ill admit it... i dont make much however due to my limited abilities... i cant list as much as i like.

[@TaylorExchange]

Ya that’s tough. I still do the listings but training someone to take all the photos has been a game changer.

[@Nurmi860]

I started in march 2022 my honest advice for anyone thinking about doing it full time my honest answer is don’t. Unless you truly hate having a boss or have multiple felonies and can’t get a job making 50k+ it’s not worth it. It is a grind mentally physically day n and day out. The game is over saturated I’m just too stubborn to give up but I should cuz unless you got 30-40k start up and a great connection it’s going to be hardest thing you’ve probably ever done

[@TaylorExchange]

Excellent point. The not having a boss is the big one, tough to put a value on that. But ya making 30k isn’t too bad but over 50k changes from fun side hustle to dang this is a lot of work.

[@DrewM86]

Great comment for real. I've been reselling for 20 years or so, but only in the last few years have I been full time. It will literally drain your mental health. It's not for everyone that's for sure

[@windowwendy]

When I first started reselling I had a spreadsheet saved in my phone to help calculate profit. I want $20 profit a item and it is $7 at the thrift it needs to sell for $36 plus shipping. When I am checking comps in the store I not only check sell thru but what it actually sells for. Another way to learn is to follow people in your area on eBay. I went on the desktop and found peoples stores in my area and saved them. I look at what they are listing and what is selling.

[@TaylorExchange]

Very good strategies!

[@manuelcolon244]

I sale diferente kind of items from clothing shoes and everything, in my case I can’t do 8.99 shipping due my store style right? You do it because you sale only clothing!

[@TaylorExchange]

Well ya, if I was selling bigger items with a higher average shipping cost I'd charge more, say $14.99 or $19.99 I'm pushing the limit with $8.99 on clothing.

[@jondurand12]

That’s the tough part about reselling clothes on eBay… seems to have a slower ROI

[@TaylorExchange]

For sure. Hard goods definitely has its challenges as well. Storage and shipping. Not to mention how many people flock to them nowadays.

[@Miss-Laine]

I wonder what are the brands that you don’t pick up anymore because they don’t sell?

[@TaylorExchange]

Definitely a lot out there. Seems like every year brands start to fall off and new ones pop up.

[@terryl.cooper]

You aren't old enough to remember Amway but that rah rah rah crap.

[@TaylorExchange]

Ah an early MLM

[@carolyntc961]

Where do you buy the boxes where you store your items? TIA

[@TaylorExchange]

Uline I have it linked in the description. And my warehouse is my attached garage.

[@carolyntc961]

Thanks.. they are perfect for clothing items. And I promise to check your links before I ask anything else about a product😂😂

[@TaylorExchange]

@@carolyntc961 No worries 😉

[@hobson]

holy shit you drive 2 hours for a thrift store? how often do you do that? is it 2 hours round trip or each way? I thought driving 30 mins was rough here.

[@TaylorExchange]

2 hours to get there and I source from 8am-8pm, eat dinner and drive back. Usually a 15 hour day.

[@WayneTradingCompany]

If you're driving that far, is there a goodwill outlet you could use? My closest one is about 80 miles one way.

[@TaylorExchange]

@@WayneTradingCompany Goodwill outlet is 2 hours away. I refuse to go those places

[@WayneTradingCompany]

@@TaylorExchange well, they're not for everyone. lol

[@JustAverageJeff]

How come you’re not an everything seller?

[@TaylorExchange]

For me and the 1.5 years I tried I ran into headaches with returns, sourcing, storage, shipping. Mainly sourcing. It’s not a bad video topic. I am going to dip back into some hard goods this year. The other day I sold one of those Vintage Pumpkins for $75 plus shipping. I’m not “bad” as an everything seller but found it much more difficult than clothes. 2 years full time with clothes and I can tell you my operation is a well oiled machine. I have a lot of time to build my other businesses to include this channel.

[@kirstenscholz4482]

😃

[@TaylorExchange]

👍