One of the biggest stories of 2021 is the disappearing worker. As the economy has been returning to normal in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of workers are not heading back to their jobs. There’s much confusion about exactly where people are going, and how they’re making a living. It’s believed many are finding some alternative way to survive.
This is a story about one couple who ditched their regular jobs, long before the pandemic became a front-page story. They’ve turned to a life and occupation of flea market flipping. It’s possible at least some of those disappearing workers are doing something similar.
You’ve probably heard that saying, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. But sometimes there’s a lot of treasure in another man’s junk – like six figures worth. And for some, that junk can even turn into a career.
Meet Rob and Melissa Stephenson, professional flea market flippers and hosts of the website The Flea Market Flipper. They’ve not only turned flea market flipping into an occupation, but it’s also given them freedom to build an exciting lifestyle – one that’s free from the constraints of a 9-to-5 job.
They also think anyone can do what they’re doing. In fact, the purpose of their website is to teach others how to do just that.
What is Flea Market Flipping?
If you’ve ever seen the TV program, Flea Market Flip on HGTV, you already understand how flea market flipping works. It’s the buy low/sell high strategy applied to stuff, rather than stocks or real estate.
The basic idea is to buy merchandise on the cheap, then sell it at a higher price to someone else. And while buying merchandise at flea markets is the classic method, it’s certainly not the only way. Sellable items can be found at garage sales, thrift stores, and even through online sources, like Facebook Market and Craigslist.
Once purchased, the merchandise can be sold in the same place where you bought it, or through a different venue.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding bargains someone is trying to get rid of, then selling it at a higher price to someone else who is anxious to buy that exact item. Other times, you might buy an item that needs some elbow grease. By cleaning it up and making minor repairs, it can sometimes be sold for several times the price you paid for it.
Why Flea Market Flipping?
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