The 7 best sourcing spots most resellers overlook

The spots everyone knows about are the spots everyone competes at. If you're sourcing at the same Goodwill as every other reseller in your city, you're fighting over scraps. Here are seven sourcing channels most resellers haven't fully explored.

1. Church and charity sales

These are less frequent than thrift stores but significantly less competitive. Older inventory, more unusual pieces, and often more willing to negotiate. Sign up for mailing lists from local churches and community centres; they usually announce sales a week in advance.

2. University move-out days

At the end of each semester, students leave behind enormous amounts of clothing, often barely worn. Many universities have free pick-up areas or sell directly. The demographic tends toward higher-end fast fashion and some genuine vintage passed down from parents.

3. Buy Nothing groups

Facebook Buy Nothing groups are free. People post items they want to give away to neighbours. The quality varies but the cost doesn't; it's zero. If you're early and active in several groups, it's a legitimate sourcing channel for low-effort flips.

4. Small-town thrift stores

The best sourcing is often not in your city. Small towns have less competition, slower turnover, and sometimes genuinely untouched stock. A Saturday morning drive to a smaller town can yield better finds than a week in the city.

5. Liquidation auctions

B-Stock, BULQ, and local liquidation auction houses sell retail returns and shelf pulls in bulk. Margins require more work to calculate but if you find your niche, the volume can be significant.

6. Garage sales in the right neighbourhoods

Not all garage sales are equal. Older, wealthier neighbourhoods tend to have more valuable inventory: quality vintage, unworn clothing, and household items in excellent condition. Use Google Maps satellite view to identify these areas before your weekend sourcing run.

7. Direct from other resellers

When resellers retire or downsize, they often sell their stock in bulk. Follow reseller communities on Facebook and Instagram. These bulk purchases require more upfront capital but often have solid per-item margins since the seller just wants it gone.

Pin every location that performs well for you. Over time, your sourcing map becomes one of your most valuable business assets. That's one of the reasons we built Hauly's sourcing map feature; good spots are worth remembering.