You can source inventory for free or with a low budget by thrifting, visiting yard sales and flea markets, attending estate sales, networking within your community, working consignment agreements, and buying in bulk at outlets like the "Goodwill Bins." These proven sourcing methods allow resellers to acquire inventory at little to no cost while maintaining strong profit margins.
Keeping your average cost of goods low is one of the most effective ways to grow a sustainable resale business. When you know where to look and how to source strategically, finding profitable inventory does not require a large upfront investment. This guide breaks down the best low-budget and free inventory sourcing options, with practical tips to help you find quality items, scale your inventory, and maximize profit on every sale.
1. Thrift Stores: Thrifting to Resell Online
Thrift stores and consignment shops are one of the most popular and reliable ways for resellers to source inventory, especially when working with a low budget. They provide consistent access to secondhand clothing, accessories, shoes, and home goods, often with new inventory added daily. While pricing and quality can vary widely, understanding the different types of thrift stores and how they operate allows resellers to shop strategically and protect their profit margins.
Ranked from most expensive to least expensive, below are the primary thrift and secondhand sourcing options:
Commercial Thrift Stores ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Image of a Salvation Army in SouthCoast, Massachusetts.
Large chain thrift stores such as Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Global Thrift, and Value Village often carry a wide variety of inventory but tend to be the most expensive thrift option for resellers. Pricing at these stores is typically determined by a computerized system, and brands considered "desirable" or "trendy" are frequently priced higher, sometimes close to resale value.
Despite higher base prices, commercial thrift stores remain useful sourcing locations due to their large volume, consistent restocking, and predictable inventory flow. Most chains offer frequent sales, color tag discounts, holiday promotions, and loyalty or rewards programs that can significantly reduce costs. Following your local stores on social media is one of the easiest ways to stay informed about upcoming sale days, discount categories, and special events.
💡 Tip: Build relationships with store employees, managers, and donation attendants. Staff members may alert you to new inventory, upcoming promotions, or freshly stocked racks, and in some cases may allow you early access to items before they hit the sales floor.
Brick & Mortar Thrift Stores ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Photograph of The Garment District in Boston, Massachusetts.
Privately owned, family thrift stores and local consignment shops are often more reasonably priced than large commercial chains while offering more curated selections. These stores are often run by resellers or small business owners who understand the value of secondhand goods but still price their inventory to move quickly.
Many brick-and-mortar thrift shops offer consignment programs or donation incentives, such as store credit or discounts when you bring items to donate. Shopping at these locations not only supports small businesses in your community but also creates opportunities to build long-term sourcing relationships. Going prepared with a donation bag can sometimes unlock additional savings or goodwill with store owners.
Charity-Based Secondhand Stores ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Photograph of the discount rack outside the Serendipity thrift store in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Charity-based thrift stores operate to support nonprofit causes such as animal rescues, domestic violence shelters, disaster relief efforts, and medical research. These shops are often excellent places to find inexpensive inventory, as they receive a high volume of donations from people who are motivated by supporting the cause rather than maximizing resale value.
Because charitable organizations receive tax benefits, they are able to price inventory significantly lower than commercial or privately owned thrift stores. This makes charity shops one of the best options for sourcing quality items at low cost while also making a positive impact in your community.
Remember: Giving back matters. While resellers often have access to an abundance of clothing and goods, many people do not. Supporting charitable thrift stores helps fund essential services and creates meaningful community impact alongside your business growth.
Church Thrifts ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Photograph in a Church basement thrift store in New Hampshire.
Church thrift stores are some of the best-kept secrets for low-cost sourcing. These shops often receive high-quality donations from congregation members and community supporters who are eager to give back. Like charitable organizations, churches benefit from tax relief, allowing them to offer extremely low prices on inventory.
Many church thrift stores are staffed by volunteers who are not always familiar with brand values or resale trends, which creates excellent opportunities to find valuable pieces for just a few dollars or less. For many resellers, church thrifts are among the most profitable sourcing locations.
These stores are often lightly advertised and may have limited or irregular hours, so calling ahead is strongly recommended. It is also worth researching whether local churches host annual yard sales, rummage sales, or pop-up thrift events, which can yield exceptional deals.
💡 Tip: Bring cash or a checkbook when visiting church thrift stores, as many do not accept credit or debit cards.
The Goodwill Outlet ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Goodwill Outlet, commonly referred to as "the Bins," offers some of the lowest-cost inventory available to resellers. These locations sell unsorted donations and unsold retail store items by the pound rather than by individual price. At many outlets, clothing costs under three dollars per pound, allowing resellers to source items for well under a dollar each.
Shopping the Bins is a hands-on experience that involves digging through large rolling bins of inventory to uncover hidden gems. While the environment can be competitive and chaotic, many resellers source exclusively from Goodwill Outlets due to the unbeatable pricing and high profit potential.
I recently got to go behind the scenes at the new bins location in Providence, Rhode Island, to see their intake and circulation processes. This location circulates the bins on the floor hourly. 
Photo of the Goodwill Outlet location in Providence Rhode Island.
You may also enjoy reading: Thrift Reselling: How to Resell Thrifted Items on Marketplaces
2. Yard Sales & Flea Markets for Resellers
A picture of me scoring big at a local yard sale last summer!
Yard sales and flea markets are some of the best places for resellers to source low cost inventory with high profit potential. These sales are typically hosted by individuals who are actively decluttering their homes and are motivated to sell items quickly rather than maximize value. Flea markets function as larger, organized collections of yard sales, where multiple vendors set up booths to sell secondhand goods in one central location.
Yard sale pricing is often unbeatable. By the time a sale begins, the seller has already sorted through their belongings and made the decision to part with them, which means most items are priced to move. In many cases, sellers simply want the items gone and plan to donate anything that does not sell by the end of the day. This mindset creates excellent opportunities for resellers to purchase inventory at extremely low prices, especially when buying in bulk.
Don’t forget that prices at yard sales and flea markets are almost always negotiable. Start by offering less than you are willing to pay, be polite, and do not be afraid to bundle items together for a better deal. A little friendly haggling can dramatically reduce your cost of goods and increase your resale profits.
💡 Tip: Don't forget to hand out your business card at local yard sales. Perhaps, next time, they will contact you before their sale.
How to Find Local Yard Sales
To find yard sales, check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood Facebook groups, and local newspapers or community bulletins. One helpful tool is the Yard Sale Treasure Map app, which pulls local ads and maps yard sale locations so you can plan an efficient route based on distance and timing. Also keep an eye out for handwritten yard sale signs posted on telephone poles or street corners, as many sellers only advertise locally.
💡 Tip: When you see a yard sale listed on Facebook Marketplace, message the seller ahead of time and ask if they have a specific category you are looking for, such as clothing, shoes, vintage items, or accessories. This opens the door to early access, bulk deals, and valuable long term connections within your local community.
3. Reselling from Estate Sales or “Tag Sales”
Photograph of an estate sale in Rhode Island
Estate sales are used to liquidate the belongings of a household or estate, often following major life events such as downsizing, relocation, divorce, bankruptcy, or death. These sales are commonly managed by professional estate sale companies and are open to the public. Shoppers are invited into the home, where items are organized and clearly tagged for sale across multiple rooms.
Because the primary goal of an estate sale is liquidation rather than profit maximization, pricing is typically designed to move items quickly. As the sale progresses, especially toward the final day or final hours, organizers are under pressure to clear remaining inventory. Unsold items must be removed, donated, or discarded, which makes sellers far more willing to negotiate or offer steep discounts.
For resellers, estate sales are an excellent opportunity to source inventory in large quantities and uncover true vintage, unique pieces, and higher-quality items that are difficult to find elsewhere. While estate sales can be unpredictable and vary widely based on the household, they offer significant upside potential and some of the lowest costs of goods when approached strategically.
Estate Sale Tips and Tricks:
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Find local estate sales through newspapers, community bulletin boards, estate sale company websites, and online platforms such as Facebook and local classifieds.
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Review the rules of each sale in advance, including accepted payment methods and whether pricing is fixed or subject to bidding.
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Research the family or decedent hosting the sale when possible, as this can provide insight into the types of items you may find inside the home.
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Arrive early, as entry is typically first-come, first-served, and serious buyers often line up well before doors open.
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Be polite, respectful, and mindful of estate sale etiquette, as you are shopping inside someone’s home during a sensitive time.
4. Community Outreach for Resellers
Community outreach is one of the most effective and reliable ways to source free or low-cost inventory while also building long-term relationships. By reaching out to friends, family, neighbors, and local community members, resellers can access inventory that never reaches thrift stores or resale platforms. Many people prefer to give items directly to someone they trust rather than donate or list them for sale themselves.
Posting on your personal Facebook, local town Facebook groups, community bulletin boards, and neighborhood apps such as Nextdoor can generate a steady stream of free or inexpensive inventory. When you position yourself as a local small business owner or reseller, people are often eager to support you. This approach can result in regular donations, bulk purchases at extremely low prices, and introductions to others who are looking to declutter.
Here is an example of a post that consistently leads to mant donations and buyouts:
Community outreach also connects you with people who are not ready to give items away but are uncomfortable donating high-value pieces they originally paid a lot for. These situations often lead to purchasing large lots of inventory at deeply discounted prices. Many resellers also find consignment clients through outreach efforts, creating ongoing sourcing opportunities without upfront inventory costs.
Beyond sourcing, community outreach strengthens your local reputation and expands your professional network. Always carry business cards and share your contact information so people remember to reach out the next time they or someone they know is looking to donate or sell items.
Remember: Prioritize safety when meeting with people. Arrange meetups in public places, during daylight hours, and bring a friend when possible.
5. Storage Unit Auctions
Storage unit auctions are a fun and unconventional way to source inexpensive inventory, especially for resellers who are comfortable with risk and bulk sourcing. When a storage unit renter fails to pay their fees, the facility auctions off the contents to recover lost rent. These auctions are open to the public and typically conducted in person, though some facilities also offer online bidding.
Check out this example from Storage Treasures. This unit is being auctioned, and the high bid is currently $40.
Before bidding begins, prospective buyers are allowed to view the contents of each unit from the doorway without touching anything inside. This means bids are placed based on a quick visual assessment, making each unit essentially a large mystery box. While this adds uncertainty, it also creates the opportunity to acquire valuable inventory at a very low cost.
👀 Did you know that most self-storage facilities auction units after approximately 90 days of non-payment?
Entire storage units can sometimes be purchased for just a few dollars, with all contents awarded to the highest bidder. Although this often requires sorting, hauling, and disposing of unwanted items, it is common to uncover valuable pieces hidden among the clutter. Asking local storage facilities what they do with unpurchased items can also lead to additional sourcing opportunities, as some companies host separate paddle-style auctions for individual items.
💡Tip: Introduce yourself to other bidders and distribute business cards at live auctions. Many auction regulars are focused on tools, electronics, and antique hard goods rather than clothing or accessories, which can create opportunities to trade, buy, or collaborate on inventory sourcing.
6. Consignment
Consignment is another effective way to obtain inventory for resale without spending money upfront. In a consignment arrangement, you sell items on behalf of the owner and agree to pay them a predetermined percentage once the item sells. Rather than purchasing inventory, you are essentially providing a selling service and sharing the profit according to agreed terms.
Consignment is especially valuable for resellers who want to grow inventory quickly, generate cash flow, or reinvest profits without increasing their cost of goods. It also appeals to individuals who want to sell items but lack the time, knowledge, or willingness to manage listings, customer questions, shipping, and platform logistics.
💡 Tip: Always use a written contract that clearly defines the commission structure, how platform fees are handled, payment methods, and the timeline for selling items. Clear expectations protect both parties and prevent misunderstandings.
Consignment selling works well for resellers who have limited access to traditional sourcing locations or who want to scale without tying up capital. However, it does require additional organization, communication, and bookkeeping. Be selective and only accept consignment items that justify the effort after accounting for fees, labor, and shared profits.
To find consignment clients, advertise locally, and make it known that you offer selling services. Posting in local Facebook groups, neighborhood apps such as Nextdoor, and spreading the word among friends, family, and colleagues can attract clients with high-quality items they are motivated to sell.
Low-Cost Inventory Sourcing Ideas for Resellers
Other proven ways to source inventory for free or on a very small budget include:
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Buy, Sell, Trade (BST) stores, such as Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange, where sellers can find underpriced items with strong resale potential.
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Sourcing directly from resale platforms like Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and ThredUp to flip items for profit.
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Unclaimed airport luggage sales, which often contain high-quality clothing since people pack their best items for travel.
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Liquidation and return stores, such as Black Friday Stores, where returned merchandise is sold for a fraction of the retail price.
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Store closing and going-out-of-business sales, which can offer steep discounts on brand-new inventory.
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Recycling centers or transfer stations, where usable clothing and accessories are often abandoned, can be saved from landfills.
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Dumpster diving at retail locations, which some resellers use to uncover brand-new or lightly damaged items, as long as it is legal and done safely.
Many retailers discard far more usable product than most people realize, so always research local laws and prioritize safety when exploring unconventional sourcing methods.
Sourcing inventory for free or with a low budget is not about luck, it is about strategy, consistency, and relationships. By combining multiple sourcing methods such as thrifting, yard sales, estate sales, community outreach, storage auctions, and consignment, resellers can keep costs low while maintaining a steady flow of profitable inventory. When your cost of goods stays low, every sale works harder for your business, making long-term growth more sustainable and far less risky.
What are your favorite ways to source free or inexpensive inventory? Share with us below! 👇🏽
How to Source Inventory for Free FAQ
How can I source inventory for free or with a low budget?
You can source inventory for free or with a low budget by thrifting, shopping at the Goodwill Bins, attending yard sales and flea markets, buying at estate sales, networking through community outreach, participating in storage unit auctions, and working consignment agreements.
What is the best sourcing method for beginner resellers?
Thrift stores, yard sales, and community outreach are ideal for beginners because they are easy to access, low risk, and require little upfront investment while still offering strong profit potential.
Are thrift stores still profitable for resellers?
Yes, thrift stores remain profitable when resellers shop strategically, focus on sales days, and understand brand demand. Church thrifts, charity shops, and the Goodwill Outlet often offer the highest margins.
When is the best time to shop estate sales for resale inventory?
The final day or final hours of an estate sale are often the best time to buy, as sellers are motivated to clear remaining inventory and are more willing to negotiate prices.
Are storage unit auctions worth it for clothing resellers?
Storage unit auctions can be worth it for clothing resellers who are comfortable with uncertainty and bulk sorting. While not every unit is profitable, the low entry cost can lead to valuable finds.
How can I keep my cost of goods low as I scale my resale business?
Using multiple sourcing methods, buying in bulk, negotiating prices, and building relationships with sellers helps keep costs low while maintaining consistent inventory.
