I used to ignore those "Free Stuff" posts on Facebook like they were junk mail. I thought that if someone was giving it away, it probably belonged in the trash. I was wrong. That way of thinking cost me money, easy money I could have been making for years. It all started with an old wooden coffee table the first time I really got into flipping.
Someone close by was moving and needed it gone by the end of the week. I went, put it in my trunk, cleaned it up with sandpaper and furniture polish, and then put it on Marketplace. In less than a day, that table sold for $60. I didn't pay a single dollar for it. That made everything different.
 |
| Credit: https://istockphoto.com/ |
People don't realise how much useful stuff is being given away for free every day. Not all of it is trash. It could be furniture with a scratch on it. Sometimes it's big electronics that people don't want to carry when they move. A lot of the time, it's just people in a hurry. And that rush is your chance to make money.
It's easy, but it takes work and planning. I look at the "Free Stuff" section on Facebook Marketplace a few times a day, in the morning, at lunch, and at night. Timing is important. You usually get it if you send the first message. I've picked up everything from nightstands and dining chairs to cribs for babies and garden tools. Cleaning is very important.
People want things that look like they have been taken care of. For smells, I use baking soda and vinegar; for hinges, I use WD-40; and for old surfaces, I use cheap wood polish. Most of the time, just cleaning something and arranging it well in photos adds a lot of value.
You don't have to lie or make it sound better than it is. Just tell the truth and make it look good. Then there's the cost. I don't go crazy. I put my TV stand up for sale for $45 if it usually sells for $80 used. It's better to get cash quickly than to wait a long time. I also try to upsell delivery.
I once made $120 in one weekend by flipping two things and charging $10 for each delivery. People will happily pay more for things that are easy to use. But flipping isn't just about getting free stuff and posting it. You have to choose carefully. I won't take broken furniture unless I know I can fix it quickly. I stay away from things that smell bad, have mould, or are missing parts.
Things that have been listed as free for too long are probably not worth it, so I stay away from them. One of the most important things I've learnt is that old furniture is worth more than people think. A dresser from the 1990s that has seen better days might not look like much. But with a quick coat of paint, some new knobs, and some clean pictures, it can be worth $100.
I turned one over for $85 after only an hour of work and $7 in supplies. Not a bad return. Flipping taught me to see value in things that other people think are trash. It also gave me more self-assurance. I've always wanted to start my own business, but the thought of it made me feel overwhelmed.
 |
| Credit: https://unsplash.com/ |
This side job taught me how to sell, negotiate, help customers, and market, all from my phone. And here's the thing: anyone can do it. You don't need a truck. I've moved dressers in the backseat of my sedan, strapped shelves to the roof, and pushed a shopping cart home with things in it. You just have to get going.
I stop every time I see a "Free" sign now. I look more closely. There are a lot of things that aren't worth flipping, but there are also a lot that are. I make $200 some weekends. Sometimes, it's quiet. But it's always worth it. If you've been ignoring free listings or thinking that flipping is too much work, this is your sign. Go to Facebook Marketplace. Look through "Free Stuff." Send someone a message. Get something. Make it clean. Put it up. Check it out.
Comments
Post a Comment