“Thrifting is dead.”
“The thrift stores caught on and raised their prices.”
“Too many resellers now, the good stuff is picked over.”
You’ve probably heard some version of this. Maybe you’ve even thought it yourself while staring at a Goodwill charging $15 for a basic H&M shirt.
So is thrifting still profitable in 2025? The honest answer: yes, but it’s different than it used to be. Here’s what’s actually going on and how to still make money at it.
What’s Changed in Thrifting
Let’s be real about what’s different now versus five years ago:
Thrift Store Prices Have Increased
This one’s undeniable. Goodwill, Savers, Value Village, and most major chains have raised prices significantly. That vintage Carhartt jacket that used to be $8.99 might be $24.99 now.
Why? They caught on. They know resellers are shopping there. Some locations even have “boutique” sections with market-priced vintage items.
More Competition
The reselling boom during 2020-2021 brought millions of new sellers into the market. YouTube channels, TikTok flippers, and side hustle culture made thrift store reselling mainstream.
More people know about it now. That means more competition at sourcing and more competition when selling.
The Market Matured
Buyers are more educated too. They know how to check sold listings. They know when something is overpriced. The days of listing any random vintage tee for $80 and having it sell are mostly over.
But Here’s What the Numbers Actually Show
Despite all that, the reselling market is still massive and growing. Let’s look at actual data:
eBay: Over $73 billion in gross merchandise volume in 2023. Used and vintage items remain a massive category.
Poshmark: Over 80 million users, billions in sales annually. The secondhand clothing market isn’t shrinking.
ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report: The U.S. secondhand market is projected to reach $73 billion by 2028. It’s literally doubling from 2023 levels.
Thrift store foot traffic: Major chains reported increased sales in 2024. More people are shopping secondhand than ever.
So the market isn’t dying. It’s growing. The question isn’t whether there’s money in thrifting. It’s whether you can adapt to how it works now.
What Still Works in 2025
Thrifting is still profitable if you focus on what’s actually working:
1. Know Your Niches Better Than Everyone Else
Generalist flippers struggle now. If you’re just grabbing “anything that looks good,” you’re competing with everyone else doing the same thing.
The money is in expertise. Pick a niche or two and become an expert:
- Vintage band tees (know which bands, which eras, which prints)
- Athletic wear (know which Nike models, which years of Jordan)
- Workwear (Carhartt, Dickies, vintage denim)
- Specific eras (90s streetwear, Y2K fashion)
- Designer brands (know the labels that resell vs. the ones that don’t)
When you know your niche deeply, you can spot valuable items that casual flippers walk right past.
2. Source Smarter, Not Just More
The thrift stores in your area might be picked over. So what? There are other options:
Estate sales: Often priced by people who don’t know resale value. Huge opportunity.
Garage sales: Even better. Priced to clear, not to profit.
Church sales and rummage sales: Underrated goldmines with less competition.
Bins/Outlet stores: Goodwill Outlets price by the pound. Your knowledge becomes your advantage.
Online sourcing: FB Marketplace, Craigslist, local apps. People practically give stuff away.
Smaller/rural thrift stores: Skip the popular city locations and check smaller towns.
Diversify where you source. Don’t just hit the same picked-over Goodwill every week.
3. Focus on Higher Margin Items
If thrift stores are charging more, you need to be more selective. Stop buying:
- Items with thin margins (less than $10-15 profit)
- Slow-moving inventory that ties up money
- Anything you’re not confident about
Start focusing on:
- Items with $20+ profit potential
- Categories you know will sell within 30 days
- Higher value items worth the time investment
Quality over quantity. Fewer flips with bigger profits beats lots of flips with tiny margins.
4. Use Data to Make Better Decisions
In 2025, guessing doesn’t cut it. You need to verify value before you buy.
Check sold listings on your phone while you’re in the store. Look at actual sales data, not asking prices. Calculate your real profit after fees.
The flippers who make money now are the ones making data-driven decisions. The ones who guess are the ones saying “thrifting is dead” because they keep buying stuff that doesn’t sell.
5. Consider What You’re Really Competing On
Here’s a mindset shift: you’re not just competing against other resellers. You’re competing for the buyer’s attention.
That means:
- Better photos than your competition
- Better descriptions with actual measurements
- Better customer service
- Faster shipping
- Better pricing strategy
Two people can find the same item at the thrift store. The one who lists it better, prices it smarter, and provides better service will make more money.
Real Talk: What Won’t Work Anymore
Let’s be honest about what’s dead or dying:
Buying anything with a brand name: Just because it says Nike or North Face doesn’t mean it’s worth flipping. Know which specific items within brands have value.
Lazy listings: Two dark photos and a three-word title won’t cut it. Buyers have too many options.
Ignoring condition: “Good condition” used to mean more than it does now. Buyers are picky. Small flaws tank resale value.
Hoping something is valuable: Hope isn’t a strategy. Verify before you buy.
Relying on one sourcing location: If your one Goodwill got expensive or picked over, you need to adapt.
The Math Still Works (When You Do It Right)
Let me show you why thrifting is still profitable with some realistic 2025 numbers:
Scenario: You find a vintage Champion reverse weave hoodie at Goodwill.
-
Goodwill price: $12.99 (yeah, they’ve gotten expensive)
-
Sales tax: $1.04
-
Total cost: $14.03
-
eBay sold listings show similar hoodies selling for: $55-75
-
You list at: $65 with free shipping
-
It sells in 2 weeks
-
Sale price: $65
-
eBay fees (13.25%): $8.61
-
Shipping cost: $10
-
Packaging: $1.50
-
Net profit: $65 - $14.03 - $8.61 - $10 - $1.50 = $30.86
That’s still a solid flip. Yes, Goodwill charging $13 instead of $5 hurts. But the math still works when the item is worth it.
The key is being selective. That same $13 spent on a random no-name sweatshirt worth $20 would have been a waste. Knowledge and selectivity are what separate profitable flippers from people who quit.
Should You Start Thrifting in 2025?
If you’re thinking about getting into reselling, here’s the honest truth:
Yes, if:
- You’re willing to learn specific niches
- You can commit to researching before buying
- You have patience (items don’t always sell instantly)
- You treat it like a business, not a treasure hunt
- You’re willing to diversify your sourcing
Think twice if:
- You just want to buy random cool stuff and hope it sells
- You’re expecting to get rich quick
- You don’t want to learn platforms and fees
- You hate the idea of checking sold listings constantly
- You only want to source at one local thrift store
The people thriving in 2025 are the ones who adapted. They got smarter, more selective, and more strategic. The ones complaining are the ones who wanted thrifting to be as easy as it was in 2018. It’s not. But it’s still profitable for those willing to put in the work.
The Bottom Line
Is thrifting still profitable in 2025? Yes.
Is it as easy as it used to be? No.
The margins have compressed. The competition has increased. The thrift stores have gotten smarter. But the secondhand market is bigger than ever, and people who know what they’re doing are still making real money.
The question isn’t whether thrifting works. It’s whether you’re willing to work smarter than everyone else doing it.
Learn your niches. Check your comps. Diversify your sourcing. Make data-driven decisions. Treat it like a business.
Do that, and yes, thrifting is still absolutely worth it in 2025.