#2 Not Sure If This Belongs Here, But It Gave Me A Laugh When I Was Scrolling
#3 Found In The Wild (My Local Buy-Sell-Trade Group). $40 For A Jacket That Looks Like It’s Been Used For Shop Rags??
A full-time vintage seller and owner of Angela's Vintage Shop, Angela Mandragiu, tells us that what inspired her to start reselling was her love for thrifting and finding special pieces with history and character.
"I’ve always enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, digging through boxes at car boot sales, charity shops… It’s like treasure hunting, and it always gives me that dopamine rush," she shares.
"At the same time, I was also looking for something flexible. I have three kids, and when I started, my youngest wasn’t in school yet. Even now that she is, it’s still very complicated to find a traditional job that actually fits into school hours, school holidays, and everything else that comes with being a parent. This business gave me the chance to work on my own terms and be there for my family when they need me."
Plus, she's a big advocate of sustainability. "The sustainability side of it really matters to me. I love that I can find new homes for old pieces that aren’t loved anymore and encourage people to decorate in a more thoughtful, eco-friendly way. It’s meaningful work, and it fits my life."
Meanwhile, a vintage seller and owner of Abigail's Artful Abode, Abigail Lopez, started reselling as a side hustle to realize her dream.
"I started initially way back when eBay first started in the 90s because I had a house-building project and needed a side hustle to realize my dream. Something I could do when I wasn't working my day job."
Since we had the opportunity to speak with these seasoned resellers, we couldn’t resist asking for their advice, starting with how to tell if an item is worth selling. Both agree that doing research is the best method for this.
"I use Google Lens and eBay Sold Listings. Personally, items that are low value aren't worth selling to me. Time is valuable, and it takes just as much time to list something that's valued at $50 as something that's only worth a couple of dollars, especially if there are a million listings for the same item," Lopez explains.
#9 I'm Not Saying That They're Just Trying To Avoid Dump Fees But What Can Broken Concrete Really Be Used For?
#10 She Had Several Pics And A Video Of A Dog Rummaging Through The Trash On The Floor And Their Man Was In The Back, Which I Found To Be Entertaining
#11 'Yellow Cloud Look' Weird, The 'Yellow Clouds' Look Identical To Canned Spray Foam
"The most important things are the visual potential and the market value. I tend to spend a lot of time on Pinterest and following home decor accounts, just admiring how people decorate their spaces in different styles. Over time, I’ve developed an eye for pieces that have real potential, things that might not look like much at first but would look beautiful styled in the right home," adds Mandragiu.
"When I’m out sourcing, I usually start by asking myself, 'Would I want this in my own home?' But I also keep in mind that not everyone has the same taste as me, so I look for quality pieces that might fit other styles too. I’m always more charmed by cottagecore or traditional pieces."
#13 Not Knocking The Potential Skill And Time Spent. But Holy Nightmare Fuel.... 😭
When she's unsure about an item, she uses Google Lens to research similar items and get a sense of the market.
"As for what typically isn’t worth reselling, badly damaged or poor-quality items are usually a no. If I don’t think someone would be excited to decorate with that piece, I pass."
Next, we were curious to know what mistakes sellers should avoid to sell more items online.
"Pricing too high, low-quality pictures, and if you're serious about making it a part-time gig, not listing consistently. Meaning most days," says Lopez.
"One of the biggest mistakes I see is leaving out key information, especially measurements," notes Mandragiu.
"Size can be important, and pictures are often misleading. I always include the exact dimensions (both in inches and centimeters), and I also like to show the item in my hand so buyers can quickly get a sense of scale."
"Another common issue is not being fully transparent about flaws. Vintage pieces often have wear (and that’s totally fine), but you have to be upfront about it. I make sure to photograph items from all angles and clearly describe any faults. Buyers appreciate honesty and are much more likely to trust you and come back," Mandragiu adds.
"Sellers also tend to overlook keywords, which are so important unless you’re driving traffic through social media. If you’re relying on marketplace searches, you need to think about what your ideal buyer is typing in. Include colors, styles, materials… anything that helps your item show up in the right search."