Banking on a Bust

Secondhand stores have always been somewhat of a niche in the overall market, but with the whole green movement and the financial need to be frugal, these stores are beginning to see more profits than they've had in previous years combined.


Consumers have found that if they have unwanted stuff around the house, they may be able to sell it for cash. Secondhand stores will usually take unwanted goods from people for a fraction of the cost, allowing consumers to put a little money in their pockets and the secondhand store to turn around and sell it for profit. Typically, the item is sold for half of it's retail value, earning the company a profit over what they paid for it.

So, if you have a pair of designer jeans that ran you about $150 when you bought them, you can earn about $25-40 for them when you sell them to a secondhand store. The store can then turn around and sell them for $75, making a small profit.

Obviously, $25-40 isn't much for something you paid $150 for, but beggars can't be choosers. Besides, it's got to be less painful than selling your plasma every week, right? So, if you're looking for a little extra cash, consider selling some unwanted household items instead of just throwing them away.

Have you had any experience with selling your items to secondhand stores? Is this a good way to recycle and make a little cash? [CNN]