Is it okay to be buying from charity shops and selling on eBay?

The reselling community in the UK is growing by the day, with people purchasing items from all sorts of places to resell on eBay (or elsewhere) at a profit. Resellers can purchase items from car boot sales, charity shops, eBay itself, high street stores and many other places (see where to find stuff to buy and resell). Let's take a closer look at buying from charity shops and selling on eBay.

It is okay to be buying from charity shops and selling on eBay?

For those who think it is okay to buy items from charity shops to resell for a profit, they believe that they are supporting the charity.

Resellers can spend thousands of pounds in charity shops throughout the year.  The charity shops usually get the items donated for free, so when they make a sale they are getting some much needed cash towards their cause. It also helps to get stock rotating and out of the door, instead of leaving the charity to dispose of those items – usually as a cost to the charity.

Charity shop staff are also often trained on how to price items. They know what to look out for, and having seen behind the scenes in a charity shop, there are informational posters everywhere. Items thought to be more valuable kept aside to explore getting more money for them after weighing up the time it will take against the amount they will receive.

Plus there is the argument that once you have paid the asking price, the item is yours to do with whatever you please.

That's why buying from charity shops and selling on eBay can be a great side hustle. 

It is not okay to buy items from charity shops to resell

On the other side of the fence, you have people who don't think that it is okay to buy items from a charity shop in order to profit.

The main argument is about whether it is moral. If a charity shop has been donated an item with value, if they don't know the value then they are missing out. Is it fair for someone else to profit from spotting this type of bargain, or should the charity be made aware of how valuable the item is?

Thoughts from others

Opinion is very divided on this topic, so I wanted to get some ideas from both people who are reselling and someone who works in a charity shop.

Let's start with Alice from Alice's Wonder Emporium, who works at a charity shop:

Customers buy clothing and sell it on, it happens and there's nothing we can do about it. At the end of the day the money is still going to the charity, what the customer does after that is their choice. However customers who create elaborate stories about why they are buying 57 handbags in a week or bulk buy clothing in a multitude of sizes we know you're selling them on, just be honest. We will probably respect you more for it than you coming in and reeling off a story we all know is fake. 

I had a customer recently who came in and explained he was starting to sell clothes in eBay but didn't know what were good brands, and we were happy to help him hunt out some nice pieces. A bit of honesty goes a long way! 

Chiino from Probably Busy says:

A bargain's a bargain. If the charity shop receive the money they're asking for, it's same as buying from anyone else to resell. Many charity shops with large volumes of donations are happy to see things go, regardless of where it's heading to next.

Rebecca from Meadow Daisy says:

Many charity shops now have their own eBay store and staff who will sort through donations/are trained to find high value items to sell on eBay. My husband and I have been involved with this in the past. I think it's bad for resellers to use charity shops as an outlet to build stock, morally but also because these items have probably already been assessed for resale online…. there are far better outlets for building stock; flea markets, jumble sales, car boot sales, auctions, etc! If an item has slipped through the net and a charity shop is underselling it, I will always let them know.

I then spoke to Caroline Matthews who is extremely popular in the reselling community. Alongside her Instagram and YouTube, you can find her at Find It Flip It. She says:

Building a rapport with staff and managers is an absolute game-changer when it comes to sourcing from charity shops. I now have a few local charity shops where I'm regularly invited into the stock room to have first pick of goods not yet on sale in the shop, and I've picked up some absolute gems this way. Well worth a little bit of time taken to chat with people and build a relationship.

Emma from The Money Whisperer says:

Choose where you shop – you'll get different goods depending on what the local area is like! I love visiting the charity shops in the posh market town where my parents live – most of the clothes are designer or top quality brands! I find that the price paid is fairly standard across charity shops for a top or jeans, but if you are getting a designer brand, you'll be able to resell for much more.

Elle from E L Feelgood's Vintage says:

Initially I felt awful buying from charity shops to resell. It took me a while to look at it as if they were the wholesalers and I was the retailer so now I'm happy in myself with buying from charity shops. Although there are items I often kept myself which defeats the purpose of the whole thing…

It seems that opinion is divided, even among resellers themselves!

How to give back to the charity

If you do purchase item(s) from a charity shop and then sell them on for profit, you might want to think about the ways in which you can give back to the charity, in addition to the money you spent there.

Some ideas include:

1. A financial donation – perhaps a percentage of the profit you have made.
2. Donate your unwanted items to that particular charity shop.
3. Donate your time – charity shops are often crying out for volunteers (especially over school holidays and weekends) so if you really cannot afford to donate money or unwanted items (because you need to sell them), consider giving the charity shop a few hours of your time. They are often happy to welcome people on a permanent basis, or casually as and when you have time.

There are plenty of ways to help others that don't have to cost you a penny. You might also like ways to make money with your iPad.

What To Look For in Charity Shops to sell on eBay

Wondering what to look for in charity shops to sell on eBay?

There are so many wonderful finds at charity shops that you can buy to help out the charity and make a profit by selling on eBay.

Venturing into charity shops can feel like a treasure hunt. With a discerning eye, you can discover items with great resale potential on platforms like eBay.

Here's a rundown of some of the top categories to focus on when sourcing products to resell from charity shops:

Books and Comics

• • First Editions: Always be on the lookout for first editions or older versions of popular books.
  • Comics: Vintage and limited-edition comic books, especially in good condition, can fetch a good price.
  • Specialty genres: Subjects like art, history, or obscure topics can be sought after by niche audiences.

Clothes

• • Designer Labels: Authentic high-end brands, especially if they're in good condition or have their tags intact, are always in demand.
  • Vintage Apparel: Unique vintage items can command high prices, especially iconic pieces from past decades.
  • New with Tags (NWT): Items that still have their original tags can be sold as “new,” increasing their value.

Jewelry

• • Silver and Gold: Even if they appear tarnished or old, precious metals can be valuable.
  • Vintage or Designer Pieces: Branded jewelry or unique vintage pieces can have a significant resale value.
  • Costume Jewelry: Even non-precious jewelry can be collectible or in demand if it's unique or part of a trend.

Furniture

• • Mid-century Modern: This style remains highly sought after, so keep an eye out for unique pieces.
  • Solid Wood: Quality made furniture, especially older pieces, can be refurbished and resold.
  • Brand Names: Certain brands, especially high-end or unique ones, can command higher prices.

Toys and Board Games

• • Vintage Toys: Older toys, especially those in their original packaging, can be incredibly valuable.
  • Board Games: Look for games that are complete with all pieces. Vintage games or special editions can be particularly valuable.
  • Collectibles: Items such as action figures, dolls, or specialty toys related to popular movies or series might fetch a good price.

Video Games and Consoles

• • Retro Consoles: Older gaming consoles, especially if they're in working condition, are always in demand.
  • Games: Look for popular titles, especially those that are no longer in production. Check for original boxes and manuals, as complete sets can bring in more money.
  • Limited Editions: Special releases or collector's editions can be highly valuable.

When shopping, always inspect items for authenticity, functionality, and condition. Using a smartphone to quickly check eBay's completed listings can give you a rough idea of an item's resale value. With a little bit of research and a keen eye, you can turn your charity shop finds into lucrative eBay listings!

Declare additional income to HMRC

Did you know that if you are buying from charity shops and selling on eBay and you achieve over £1,000 per tax year in sales then you must declare your extra income to HMRC?

There are some tax-free ways to make money.

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