$200 per Flip: Exploring the Profits of Reselling as a Side Hustle

      Side Hustle Nation is focused on enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that share our mission. If you register or make a purchase through links from our partners, we may earn compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

      What if you could establish a systematic reselling business that:

      averages over $200 per item,

      sources inventory at no cost,

      and has the potential to generate a full-time income?

      Matt and Hannah Lee have been doing just that for the past eight years through Sharetown, a platform that links return item pickup representatives with direct-to-consumer brands. Unlike the treasure hunt involved with liquidation pallets, this method is more structured, offering lower transaction volumes but higher profits per item. However, the items involved are substantial—bulky furniture, mattresses, and exercise equipment—which necessitates appropriate transportation and storage.

      For the last three years, Matt and Hannah have turned this into a full-time income, flipping 40-60 items each month and averaging a profit of $200-250 per item.

      Listen to Episode 687 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      How Sharetown’s business model operates,

      What is required to consistently earn $200+ per item,

      Marketing strategies that foster repeat customers.

      Mint Mobile — Reduce your wireless bill to $15 a month!

      Indeed – Start hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to enhance your job post!

      OpenPhone — Enjoy a 20% discount on your first 6 months!

      Shopify — Begin a trial for just $1 per month!

      Understanding How Sharetown Operates

      The opportunity arises from a logistics issue for direct-to-consumer brands. Companies like mattress-in-a-box businesses offer 100-night risk-free trials to alleviate purchase anxiety, but they face challenges in reselling returned items.

      Here’s how it works:

      A customer returns a mattress (or furniture/exercise equipment) under the trial policy,

      Sharetown assigns a local representative to collect the item,

      The representative cleans, photographs, and lists the item on Facebook Marketplace,

      After the sale, the revenue is divided among the representative, Sharetown, and sometimes the original company.

      Getting Started: Essentials You'll Need

      Transportation & Storage

      Matt initially used a Honda CRV, fitting mattresses into the compact space. After a year, they upgraded to an F-150 truck, allowing them to transport 4 mattresses per trip, greatly improving logistics. Their storage evolved from their townhouse garage to multiple storage units, currently renting four units at about $300 each, although new representatives usually start from their garages and expand as needed.

      Helper Requirements

      Sharetown mandates a dependable helper for most pickups to safeguard customers’ properties and handle large items safely. Matt employs high school or college students seeking flexible hours and additional income.

      Effective Marketing Strategies

      Facebook Reviews

      Hannah has accumulated over 700 five-star reviews on Facebook Marketplace, providing social proof that purchasing a “used” mattress from them is both legitimate and secure.

      Photography Standards

      Professional staging and photography can significantly influence whether an item sells quickly or lingers in storage. They take individual photos of items and often reuse staged images from the same models when suitable.

      Daily Posting Consistency

      Hannah has posted mattresses every single day for eight years. This consistency signals to Facebook’s algorithm that they are credible sellers and helps maintain their visibility.

      Customer Education

      When hesitant buyers question the safety of purchasing used mattresses, Matt and Hannah have refined their explanation regarding the sleep trial procedure and their cleaning standards.

      Professional Materials

      Quality mattress bags (instead of inexpensive plastic sheeting),

      Professional-grade tape and tape dispensers,

      Heavy-duty hand trucks,

      Cleaning supplies such as Sterifab and Bissell upholstery cleaner,

      High-quality lint rollers.

      The materials cost around $5-10 per item but significantly enhance presentation and customer experience.

      Understanding Costs and Earnings

      Revenue per Item: Average profit of $200-250 after Sharetown’s share.

      Monthly Volume: 40-60 items when operating full-time.

      Storage Costs: $1,200/month for four units (though most begin with just one).

      Materials: $5-10 per item for bags, cleaning supplies, etc.

      Insurance: Increased coverage is necessary for commercial vehicle use.

      Pricing Structure: Sharetown establishes minimum advertised prices based on what has proven successful for various items. Representatives can list at higher prices but cannot advertise below the minimum (though lower offers can be accepted privately).

      Addressing Competition and Market Saturation

      Initially, the couple faced little competition as they were often the only Sharetown representatives in the Bay Area (they are now located near Tacoma, WA). Currently, there is much more competition, which has affected their pricing flexibility and customer reach. “There were times when people drove all the way from Seattle to us,” Hannah recalls. “We occasionally see repeat buyers or referrals… but we are feeling the effects of this competition.”

      Nevertheless, Sharetown is expanding partnerships with more brands, creating new