Episode Summary: The Side Hustle Show - Episode 687: $200/Flip: Inside the Return Reselling Side Hustle
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Side Hustle Show
- Host: Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation | YAP Media
- Episode: 687: $200/Flip: Inside the Return Reselling Side Hustle
- Release Date: July 28, 2025
Introduction to the Return Reselling Side Hustle
In Episode 687, Nick Loper welcomes Matt and Hannah, seasoned resellers who have been thriving in the return reselling business for the past eight years, with the last three years dedicated full-time. This side hustle revolves around reselling returned items, primarily mattresses, leveraging the Sharetown app to source inventory without upfront costs.
Notable Quote:
- Nick Loper [00:01]: "This is a little more systematic. It's got lower transaction volume and hopefully a higher profit per item."
Understanding the Sharetown Platform and Business Model
Matt and Hannah delve into how Sharetown facilitates their business by connecting them with returned items from direct-to-consumer brands. Unlike traditional reselling that often deals with bulky liquidation pallets, their approach is more organized, focusing on high-quality items that yield better profits.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt [01:11]: "I was like, how is this logistically possible?... But then it just worked out."
- Hannah [03:27]: "We help make sure that they're like new and then we help to resell them so that they stay out of landfills."
Process Overview:
- Acquisition: Using the Sharetown app, they receive notifications about available returned items within a 60-mile radius.
- Pickup: Matt uses a Ford F150 truck to collect up to four mattresses per run, optimizing efficiency for larger pickups.
- Storage: Initially starting in their garage, they scaled up to multiple storage units to accommodate growing inventory.
- Preparation: Items are cleaned, packaged with mattress bags, and staged for resale.
- Resale: Listings are created on Facebook Marketplace and other platforms, emphasizing high-quality photos and comprehensive descriptions to attract buyers.
Financials and Revenue Streams
Matt and Hannah aim for an average profit of $200 per item, although this can vary based on factors like demand and competition.
Notable Quotes:
- Hannah [04:49]: "About $200 is kind of a good average."
- Matt [05:08]: "Average is $200 to $250ish."
They discuss the revenue splits, noting that both Sharetown and the original company take their respective cuts, but the exact distribution remains unclear.
Logistical Challenges and Solutions
Handling bulky items like mattresses presents significant logistical challenges, including transportation, storage, and ensuring items are in sellable condition. Matt highlights the importance of having reliable helpers to manage heavy items safely.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt [06:01]: "We had a dozen big mattresses into a small CRV."
- Hannah [09:18]: "We don't have an individual insurance, we just have higher coverage with the vehicle that we use already."
Key Logistics:
- Transportation: Upgrading to a truck improved their capacity and efficiency.
- Storage: Utilization of storage units costs approximately $300 each per month.
- Packaging: Investing in quality mattress bags and cleaning supplies ensures items remain appealing to buyers.
Marketing Strategies and Platform Utilization
Hannah emphasizes the critical role of high-quality photos and consistent listing strategies on Facebook Marketplace to enhance visibility and attract buyers. Maintaining a strong reputation through reviews also significantly boosts their sales.
Notable Quotes:
- Hannah [15:43]: "Photos are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle."
- Hannah [19:17]: "Consistency. I post mattresses every single day and I've posted mattresses every single day for eight years."
Best Practices:
- Staging Photos: Using clean, well-lit environments to make items more attractive.
- Consistent Listings: Regularly updating and relisting items to keep them fresh in the algorithms.
- Customer Reviews: Soliciting and maintaining positive reviews to build trust and credibility.
Dealing with Market Saturation and Competition
As more resellers join the platform, Matt and Hannah discuss the impact of market saturation on their business. While increased competition has made sales more challenging, they remain optimistic by continuing to offer excellent customer service and leveraging their established reputation.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt [35:39]: "We switched from side hustle to full-time three years ago... it's still makes sense for us to do it."
- Hannah [36:23]: "It's not as reliable as it was because of the saturation... but we're still really grateful."
Adaptation Strategies:
- Expanding Radius: Covering more geographical areas to find untapped markets.
- Diversifying Inventory: Occasionally reselling other items like furniture and exercise equipment to broaden their offerings.
Scaling the Business and Future Goals
Transitioning from a side hustle to a full-time venture, Matt and Hannah share their journey of scaling operations. Their financial goals include paying off debt, saving for home improvements, and achieving greater financial stability.
Notable Quotes:
- Hannah [40:52]: "The biggest surprise was that you don't ever know what it could evolve to."
- Matt [44:33]: "We have some house projects that we really want to get done."
Future Objectives:
- Home Projects: Closing off loft spaces and creating additional living areas.
- Business Expansion: Exploring opportunities beyond mattress reselling, such as Matt’s HR consulting company, Circle Consulting.
Essential Tips for Aspiring Resellers
Matt and Hannah conclude with valuable advice for listeners interested in starting their own reselling side hustle.
Key Takeaways:
- Consistency: Regularly posting listings and maintaining a steady workflow.
- Willingness to Adapt: Being open to trial and error, and willing to pivot strategies as needed.
- Focus on Quality: Investing in good materials and ensuring items are presented well to enhance appeal.
- Building Reputation: Prioritizing customer satisfaction and accumulating positive reviews.
- Logistical Preparedness: Having the right transportation, storage solutions, and reliable helpers.
Notable Quotes:
- Hannah [45:53]: "Consistency and the willingness to work hard and being willing to try things...keep going until you find something that sticks."
- Matt [46:38]: "Consistency with the work and the willingness to do the hard things."
Conclusion
This episode offers an in-depth look into the return reselling side hustle, highlighting the practical steps, challenges, and strategies that have enabled Matt and Hannah to build a successful and scalable business. Their journey underscores the importance of consistency, quality, and adaptability in transforming a side hustle into a reliable income stream.
Call to Action: Interested listeners can explore becoming a Sharetown rep through the referral link provided by Nick Loper: sidehustlenation.com
Note: Advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content segments from the transcript have been omitted to focus solely on the valuable insights and discussions related to the reselling side hustle.