One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Everyone has heard the proverb. But what if you could use one sentence to launch a whole company? Indeed, we are discussing the act of flipping couches.
You get to keep undervalued couches out of landfills and give them a new lease on life, plus you get to add a little additional cash to your bank account. Let’s discuss the fundamentals of couch flipping and how you may use Crosslist to support your side business.
Couch flipping: what is it?
Couch flipping is the practice of purchasing used couches from discount stores, giving them a makeover, and then reselling them for a profit. Put another way, you’re taking someone else’s trash, transforming it into someone else’s treasure, and then selling it for a profit.
Flipping couches on eBay
This is the usual procedure as follows:
-
Finding and purchasing old couches at a discount
-
Getting them to your workspace
-
The couch has to be cleaned and disinfected.
-
Taking images
-
Posting for a greater price on a variety of internet marketplaces (Crosslist is helpful in this situation!).
-
After a purchase is made, the couch is delivered to the buyer’s location.
Let’s examine each process in more depth.
What is required to begin flipping couches?
The first thing you’ll need to flip couches is cash (at least $100), of course. However, money isn’t everything. Additionally, you require:
A pickup truck big enough to move the couches.
the capacity to move and raise the couches.
Room for the furnishings to be stored and restored.
supplies for cleaning.
Equipment and supplies to restore the couches (example: staple gun, upholstery, and sewing supplies).
A nice camera or smartphone for taking pictures.
Utilize cross-listing software to effortlessly list on numerous e-commerce platforms.
Sourcing couches for couch flipping
When you have the aforementioned supplies ready, it’s time to locate and acquire your first old couch. However, you must first conduct some market research on the costs of both new and vintage couches in your neighborhood.
Top locations for antique couch hunting
Garage sales
An excellent place to get used couches at a discount is through garage sales. A garage sale suggests that the owner is trying to get rid of goods rapidly, especially heavy items, whether they are moving or are just clearing. Therefore, the vendor may even reduce the price by a few dollars if you can pick up the couch as soon as possible.
Goodwill and thrift stores
Look through the lightly used couches at your neighborhood Goodwill and other thrift stores; you could be amazed at what you find! It’s likely that you can find striking items and vintage favorites here.
Browse online classifieds (such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp) to find local residents who are trying to get rid of their used couches. Look for language that conveys a sense of urgency from them.
Couches in My Area on Facebook Marketplace
Additionally, consumers will not often purchase items with poor quality images, so if you see a high-quality couch advertised with poor photos, you may be able to negotiate a discount on the item.
You may also try your luck on Craigslist by searching for items that individuals are giving away for free!
Some advice for locating the best-used couches
Flipping couches involves more than just purchasing an old couch at random, cleaning it, and then attempting to sell it for more money. Apart from precisely estimating the worth of each piece of furniture, you also need to know which coaches will sell for a reasonable price and which ones you should stay away from.
To put it briefly, you must become an authority on all things couch related. To assist you in getting started, we have included a few pointers:
-
Examine the couch in detail and record anything that needs to be done.
-
Inquire with the seller without holding back if you have any questions.
-
Locating couches with residual value is the aim. This entails staying away from furniture with irreparable issues including huge stains that are impossible to clean, peeling or cracked leather, insect infestations, structural damage, and so on. If you discover that the couch is not in as good of condition as stated, don’t be scared to back out of the agreement.
-
Steer clear of expensive couches. Having to pay $750 for a used couch that needs repairs is not a good value. Recall that you must purchase couches for one-third of their retail cost in order to turn a profit.
Marketplace on Facebook
-
Steer clear of pricey couches
-
As soon as you buy the couch, take pictures of it. These will function as the “before” images and allow your future clients to be aware of your improvements.
Pro Tip: You’ll pick up the ability to appraise couches as you go along. Therefore, don’t be too hard on yourself if you initially make a few blunders!
Final Thoughts
Well that’s the end of it! You are prepared to begin your sofa flipping endeavors. Couch flipping can be a lucrative side hustle when done right, and with tools like Swoopa, you’ll never miss out on the best deals. By receiving instant marketplace notifications, Swoopa helps you secure profitable flips faster and easier than ever before. Happy flipping and best of luck!
