Thrift stores get all the attention, but they’re not the only game in town. Some of the best flipping deals come from garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets where sellers are motivated to move stuff fast.
The catch? Each one has its own rules, strategies, and quirks. What works at a garage sale won’t work at an estate sale, and flea markets are their own beast entirely.
Here’s how to source profitably at each one.
Garage Sales: The Underrated Goldmine
Garage sales are where regular people sell their stuff. They’re not trying to maximize profit. They’re trying to empty their garage. This creates opportunity.
Why Garage Sales Work
- Priced to sell: People want stuff gone, not top dollar
- No competition from resellers: Most flippers skip garage sales as “not worth the time”
- Negotiation expected: Almost everything is negotiable
- Hidden gems: Sellers often don’t know what they have
Garage Sale Strategy
Go early: The best stuff goes in the first hour. Serious buyers show up at start time or even a few minutes before.
Hit multiple sales: Plan a route through your neighborhood or target area. Five mediocre sales often beat one “good” one.
Look past the obvious: Everyone checks the vintage clothing rack. Not everyone digs through the box of random stuff in the corner. That’s where I’ve found some of my best flips.
Ask questions: “Do you have any more stuff inside?” “Any electronics or tools?” “Any older stuff in the basement?” Sellers often have more than what’s displayed.
Negotiate at the end: If prices are too high early, swing back at the end of the sale. “Would you take $5 for all of this?” when they’re trying to pack up hits different.
What to Look For at Garage Sales
- Vintage clothing: Especially band tees, workwear, sports gear
- Toys and games: Vintage LEGO, video games, board games
- Electronics: Old cameras, audio equipment, video game consoles
- Tools: Quality brands like Snap-On, Craftsman, DeWalt
- Sports equipment: Golf clubs, ski gear, bikes
- Books: First editions, vintage, certain collectible genres
- Kitchenware: Pyrex, Le Creuset, cast iron
Red Flags at Garage Sales
- Everything priced at retail or near-retail
- Seller who “knows what they have” (they looked it up)
- Recent mainstream items with thin margins
- Broken electronics without being able to test
Estate Sales: Higher Stakes, Higher Rewards
Estate sales happen when someone dies or is downsizing and an entire household needs to be liquidated. They’re run by professional companies (usually) and contain much more inventory than garage sales.
Why Estate Sales Work
- Volume: Entire households of stuff in one place
- Vintage and antique items: Older estates have older stuff
- Less picked over than thrift stores: Not everyone knows about estate sales
- Discount days: Most estate sales drop prices 25-50% on day 2 or 3
Estate Sale Strategy
Research sales in advance: EstateSales.net, EstateSales.org, and local estate company websites. Look at the photos to decide which are worth attending.
Evaluate the house: Wealthy neighborhoods with older residents = better stuff. A 1960s home that’s never been updated = vintage goldmine.
Arrive early for good sales: Popular estate sales have lines. For the best stuff, you need to be there before opening. Some even do number systems the night before.
Know when to wait: If you don’t need the best stuff, day 2 or 3 with discounts can be more profitable. That $50 item at 50% off is now a $25 item.
Build relationships: Estate sale companies remember repeat buyers. Being friendly and professional can get you early access or heads up about upcoming sales.
What to Look For at Estate Sales
- Mid-century modern furniture: Huge resale market
- Vintage kitchenware: Pyrex, Corningware, Fire King
- Costume jewelry: Some of it is valuable, most isn’t. Know the difference.
- Art and frames: Even the frames alone can be valuable
- Tools and workshop items: Older tools are often higher quality
- Books and records: Estates often have collections
- Cameras and electronics: Vintage cameras especially
- Collectibles: Whatever the deceased collected
Estate Sale Red Flags
- Picked-over look when you arrive (all the good stuff gone)
- Prices that match or exceed eBay (some companies research heavily)
- Condition issues hidden by staging
- “Firm” prices with no room for negotiation
Estate Sale Etiquette
- Don’t handle fragile items carelessly
- Ask before opening drawers or closets
- Respect the space (someone’s life was here)
- Don’t argue aggressively over prices
- Pay how they ask (cash is usually preferred)
Flea Markets: The Wild West
Flea markets are the most chaotic sourcing environment. You have professional vendors who know their stuff, random people selling junk, and everything in between.
Why Flea Markets Work
- Variety: Anything and everything in one place
- Negotiation culture: Haggling is expected and part of the experience
- Inconsistent pricing: Some vendors overprice, some underprice
- The hunt: Walking miles of vendors can uncover unexpected finds
Flea Market Strategy
Go early or go late: Early gets first pick of new inventory. Late means vendors want to pack up less and will deal.
Walk the whole thing first: Get a sense of what’s there and where before buying. You might see something better (or cheaper) further down.
Know your vendors: Regular vendors at weekly flea markets often have new inventory each time. Build relationships with the ones who have stuff you flip.
Specialize your search: You can’t thoroughly check every booth. Focus on your niches and move past stuff you don’t know.
Bundle deals: “I’ll take all three of these for $20” works better at flea markets than almost anywhere else.
What to Look For at Flea Markets
- Vintage clothing and accessories: Common at most flea markets
- Vinyl records: Often priced cheap by people who don’t know
- Vintage toys and collectibles: Action figures, games, etc.
- Antiques and vintage home goods: Dealers often have good stuff
- Tools: Both vintage and modern tools show up
- Sports memorabilia: Cards, autographs, jerseys
- Cameras and electronics: Know what you’re looking at
Flea Market Red Flags
- Dealers who clearly know eBay prices (you won’t beat them)
- Too-good-to-be-true items (likely fake or stolen)
- High-pressure sellers pushing hard for a sale
- Reproductions sold as vintage (especially with signs, tins, decor)
Regional Flea Markets Worth Knowing
Some flea markets are legendary for resellers:
- Rose Bowl Flea Market (Pasadena, CA): Huge, expensive entrance, incredible vintage
- Brimfield Antique Show (MA): Multiple times per year, massive event
- First Monday Trade Days (Canton, TX): Hundreds of acres
- Alameda Point Antiques Faire (CA): High quality, higher prices
- Nashville Flea Market (TN): Great for vintage and antiques
Even smaller local flea markets can be productive once you learn which vendors consistently have good inventory.
Comparing All Three
| Factor | Garage Sales | Estate Sales | Flea Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Lowest (motivated sellers) | Medium (companies research) | Varies wildly |
| Competition | Low | Medium-High | Medium |
| Time Investment | High (driving between sales) | Medium (one location) | High (walking miles) |
| Quality of Items | Hit or miss | Generally higher | Varies |
| Negotiation | Very flexible | Somewhat flexible | Expected |
| Best For | Quick flips, hidden gems | Vintage, quality pieces | Volume, niche hunting |
General Tips for All Three
Bring cash: Always. Many don’t take cards, and cash talks when negotiating.
Dress down: Looking too put together can work against you in negotiations.
Bring bags: Not everywhere provides them.
Check condition carefully: Less protection than retail. All sales usually final.
Have your phone ready: For quick eBay sold listings checks.
Set a budget: Easy to overspend when deals feel everywhere.
Track what you buy: Note what you paid and where. It helps you learn which sources perform best.
Building a Sourcing Routine
The most successful flippers don’t rely on one sourcing method. They build a weekly routine:
Saturday morning: Hit garage sales from 7-10am, focus on one area.
Saturday/Sunday: Check estate sales (use day 2 for discounts).
Sunday morning: Local flea market, arrive at opening.
Weekdays: Thrift stores (less crowded than weekends).
Daily: Scan Facebook Marketplace and local apps.
Diversified sourcing means you’re not dependent on any one channel. When thrift stores get picked over or raise prices, you have alternatives.
The Bottom Line
Garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets are all viable sourcing channels that most resellers underuse. Each has its own rhythm:
- Garage sales: Go early, negotiate late, look past the obvious
- Estate sales: Research in advance, use discount days, build relationships
- Flea markets: Specialize your search, negotiate everything, walk the whole thing
Master all three and you’ll never run out of inventory to flip.
The best sourcing spot is the one other people aren’t hitting. While everyone’s fighting over the same Goodwill racks, you can have entire estates and yard sales to yourself.
Get out there this weekend and see what you find.