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Thrift Flipping vs Retail Arbitrage

1 min read · Sourcing in Canada

Thrift flipping sells used one-off items; retail arbitrage sells new stock on existing listings.

Thrift flipping

Very low cost per item
Each item needs photos and its own listing
Used-goods marketplaces fit best

Retail arbitrage

Higher cost per item
Add your offer to an existing listing
Multiple units of the same product

Skills

Thrift rewards knowledge of brands and condition. Arbitrage rewards speed and arithmetic.

Combining them

Many sellers thrift for used-goods marketplaces and use arbitrage for new stock.

General information for resellers, not financial, tax or legal advice. Marketplace fees and policies change; check the current rules before you buy.

Find clearance deals without checking every store yourself

Retail Arbitrage Canada scans Canadian store clearance pages, flyers and deal forums and shows the brand-name items that clear your profit and ROI rules.

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