The $1 Coach Bag Fight: How I Built a Thriving Vintage Resale Business
Thursdays at my local Goodwill were legendary. If an item had the color tag of the week, it was just $1. That was the golden rule, and I had learned to play the game well. So, when I spotted a gorgeous vintage Coach bag priced at $25 on Wednesday, I knew what I had to do.
I went home and planned, just like I did for Black Friday shopping. I mapped out the store, pinpointed exactly where that bag was, and made sure I was first in line when the doors opened the next morning.
Thursday came. I dropped the kids off at school and raced back to Goodwill. I was the first in line, heart pounding with excitement. The doors opened, and there it was—my bag, still hanging exactly where I had left it.
But I wasn’t alone.
As I reached for the bag, another woman came barreling toward me, shoving me aside. We got there at the exact same time. And guess what? The bag was tied to the rack.
So, we both grabbed it.
We yanked. We pulled. It was a full-on thrift store tug-of-war. The store manager, who knew me from my frequent visits, stepped in. She cut the bag loose and handed it to me.
Victory!
I had won. The $1 Coach Bag was mine. But instead of flipping it right away, I kept it—my little trophy. A reminder that this reselling gig takes hustle, strategy, and sometimes, a little extra elbow grease.
Why I’m Not Your Typical ‘Mompreneur’
Now, let’s get one thing straight: I’m not your typical ‘Mom Boss.’
I didn’t start this business because I wanted to escape a 9-to-5. I didn’t dream of selling vintage handbags in between school drop-offs. I wasn’t trying to build an empire so I could “have it all.”
I started reselling because I loved the thrill of the hunt!!!
I loved digging through thrift stores, finding hidden treasures, and flipping them for a profit. The fact that I could turn this passion into a business? That was just a bonus.
And unlike some ‘Mom Boss’ success stories, my journey wasn’t all about perfectly curated Instagram feeds or building a massive e-commerce brand overnight. It was about figuring things out, making mistakes, and learning as I went.
If you’re here expecting a 10-step formula to six-figure success, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want real stories, real lessons, and real tips for making reselling work without losing your sanity, stick around.
How I Accidentally Built a Vintage Resale Business
Here’s the thing: I didn’t plan to turn thrifting into a business. It just… happened.
At first, I started with jewelry because it was small. I had a lot of kids and not a lot of room. Then I moved into vintage vases because I could store them around my house. From there, I expanded into other vintage household items that I could display out in the open and replace as they sold.
That’s an important lesson: Never buy anything you wouldn’t personally wear or put in your own home. You might have to look at it for a long time, and your family should at least be able to tolerate it!
I started listing my finds online—eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. The sales trickled in.
Then they started pouring in.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just flipping items for fun—I was running a legit side business.
And the best part? My family got involved. My kids became my “thrift scouts”—helping me spot good brands and hidden gems. My husband became my unofficial inventory manager, making sure our house wasn’t overrun with secondhand treasures. We turned thrifting into a family adventure. And before I knew it, I had a real, sustainable resale business.
How to Start Your Own Vintage Resale Business
If you’ve ever thought about getting into thrift flipping, here’s what I wish I knew when I started:
If you hate dealing with clothes, don’t sell clothes. If you love vintage handbags (like me), start there. Pick a niche that excites you—it’ll make the whole process more fun and sustainable.
Not everything in a thrift store is a hidden gem. Some brands resell like crazy, and others… not so much. Spend time researching brands, styles, and what sells well online.
Every store has its quirks. Some restock on certain days. Some have markdown schedules. Some (like my Goodwill) have special $1 sales. Knowing when and where to shop is half the battle.
4. Start Small
You don’t need a huge inventory. A few solid finds are better than a stockpile of junk. Test the waters with a handful of items, see what sells, and go from there.
5. Use the Right Selling Platforms
Different platforms work for different items. eBay is great for vintage and collectibles. Mercari is a big up-and-comer for all kinds of secondhand goods. And if you sell on multiple platforms, an app like Vendoo can help manage your listings and inventory—it’s a lifesaver!
6. Make It a Family Business (If You Want!)
For me, reselling became something fun that my family could be part of. But whether you involve your family or not, find a way to make the business fit your life, not the other way around.
What This Blog is REALLY About
If you’re still reading, you’re probably like me—a little bit scrappy, a little bit thrifty, and maybe a lot interested in turning a fun hobby into a real business.
This blog isn’t about becoming the next six-figure resale guru. It’s about real-life thrift flipping. It’s about the weird, wild world of secondhand shopping. It’s about the thrill of the hunt, the lessons learned, and the crazy stories along the way.
So, if you love thrift store flipping, vintage finds, and running a business on your own terms, stick around. There’s plenty more where this came from.
And who knows? Maybe it’s finally time for me to list that $1 Coach bag. 😉
---Vimsy