Supervisor to Reseller

From Supervisor to Reseller, Charles has done a little bit of everything.

For 32 years, he worked in a mill, starting as a sweeper and working his way to a supervisor until the mill closed and he retired. Charles knew what to do after retiring.

Some of us are still searching for what’s next, and he knew. 

While working, Charles would buy things here and there, sell them and then buy something else – it was his hobby. 

Something he enjoys that has become a full-time hobby. 

His ability to socialize has helped him buy and sell about anything over the years.

Where do you find items to resale?

He said garage sales, estate sales, people give him things, and storage auctions.

You see it on tv but have you ever known a person to go to a live auction, buy a storage unit or two and then resell the contents?

With only a peek inside before the bidding begins. Sometimes you can see the content inside the unit; other times, everything might be in boxes, and you can not.

He thinks of every storage unit as a box of chocolate; you never know what’s inside.

A storage unit auction goes to the highest bidder.

When he is the highest bidder, he says the work begins.

You must empty the storage unit, sweep it out, and load everything in your trailer.

Take it somewhere so you can go thru it and sort everything.  Thankfully he has the space to do it.

He finds usable items to be his best resale. Not really understanding what that was, I asked.

He told me anything you use, no novelties, nothing that sits around for you to admire.

Usable items would be tools, both hand and power tools, fishing gear, generators, small appliances, some clothes, etc.

Sorting, Cleaning and Repairing

Charles and his wife spend hours going through everything. Sorting what they can resell, donate some items to charity, and other things that can not be repaired and resold go to the trash. 

Sometimes this part of being a reseller is time-consuming and fascinating because you never know what you will find.

After carefully inspecting each item, checking to ensure everything works correctly and nothing is cracked or broken, they decide the best place to resale, the flea market, online, or maybe a garage sale.

After all, garage sales are where it all started as a kid going to them looking to buy and then resale what he had purchased; he has just expanded on a much larger scale.

After talking for a while, I asked what he enjoyed most about buying and reselling, and he said people.

They look out for each other. 

When Charles has not been to an auction in a while, everyone asks him if everything is ok. 

 He said it is like a social gathering of people with the same interest you have come to know over the years.

The days are long getting ready to set up for the early bird shoppers at a flea market or auction.

After the long day with money in hand and a nap, he is prepared to start all over again, looking for the perfect bargain to buy and resell.

Sometimes it is hard not to get attached to certain items; when that happens, he always finds a purpose and a place to put it or use it. Some things he takes apart and repurposes it.

Working with his hands, repairing, restoring, or finding another use for something, has helped him as a reseller.

What equipment do you need when buying and reselling?

Listed below is something to think about you may or may not need.  Make your list of the equipment you need.

• A car or truck, maybe a trailer
• Place to keep everything after you purchase it
• Gloves
• Trash Bags
• Power outlet to test electrical
• Hand tools to take something apart and put it back together
• A place to do repairs
• A two or four-wheel dolly
• Straps or trap to tie things down with

What is the plan?

Before getting into the hobby of a reseller, you have to have a plan

• How much money can you spend – do not get excited and overspend
• Decide what you want to buy and resell
• Have a place to store your merchandise to be resold
• Research see if you can find a market to resell – remember you have to find a buyer
• If an item needs repairing can you do?
• Where will you find a buyer, a garage sale, flea market, auction, or online? 

Many decisions to think about before making your first purchase: start small and get a feel for this hobby.

Can you wait until you find a buyer?  

Would you rather walk thru a flea market or go to an auction, purchasing for yourself, not as a reseller?

In any Flea Markets on a Saturday morning, people are talking, some buying, some looking. Vendors greeting each other after a long week apart, you need to stop, think, visit a few and see if this might be for you.

Remember, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.

Charles has found a great hobby, reselling, socializing, and everything in between.