Flipping Appliances for Profit

2013 was another great year for me in that I flipped more appliances for profit than in previous years. Not only did I buy and resell more appliances than in previous years, but I also helped more people do the same thing. In my book The Craigslist Hustle I teach everyday people who have a desire to change their financial situation make extra money by flipping items for profit. I've found appliances are quick money makers and that is why I use appliances as a teaching tool. I have taught men, women, young adults, seniors and all in between from all around the world how to successfully buy and resell appliances on Craigslist. Without a doubt everyone needs a washer, dryer, stove and refrigerator. The key to being a successful flipper on Craigslist starts with you.

In my local area I am very familiar with the appliance flippers advertising on Craigslist. Most are honest, but there are some who will make up the craziest fables about why they are selling a particular item. For instance, one gentleman whom I am familiar with sells a lot of washers and dryers such as me on Craigslist. In following his post I noticed there is a different story behind why he is selling each unit. In one posting he stated he owned the set and it was 2 years old (really about 10 years old) and he was moving to Japan. In several postings he stated he owned the sets and they were all 2 years old (really 7-10 years old) and he was combining households with his girlfriend. Not long ago I posted my personal front load washer on Craigslist that was having technical problems. It would have cost me around $200 for parts to fix it if I repaired it myself. If I allowed a repairman it would have cost around $600 to repair. I knew that I could easily buy and resell my way into a free washer for $200, and eventually that is what I did. I took $200 and bought two washer and dryer sets off Craigslist two days after my washer started malfunctioning. I sold one set for $400, one dryer for $140 all within 24 hours. I kept the washer for myself and removed my broken washer. I made $340 and got a free washer out of the deal in less than 24 hours. I love doing what I do! Now, as I stated, I listed my broken washer on Craigslist for $70 and described the details of what was going on with it. Sure enough the gentleman who was advertising mislead information about his appliances was the first one to call and come purchase the washer. In meeting him he told me his father was a repairman and owned an appliance shop. He assured me his father would repair the washer before reselling it to someone. It wasn't even two hours later when the washer was back for sale on Craigslist for $180. The ad stated the washer was in perfect condition and the reason for selling was due to combining households with his girlfriend.  At that moment I sent the gentleman a text and asked why he didn't mention the washer was broken. He text me back saying his father was going to fix it. I replied back with a few words and left it at that. I come across situations like this all the time, but I have to remind myself that I’m not the Craigslist police. However, if you’re going to follow what I am teaching this is not the way to conduct business.

When I say the key to being a successful flipper starts with you this is very important. Be honest in your dealings and treat each sale the way you would want to be treated when buying an item. In my book, I tell you ways to advertise your merchandise once you have bought it in an attempt to flip it for profit. Another thing I also teach is giving people a way to contact you and request a refund if the item doesn't work as advertised in the FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS. Notice I said the first couple of days and not 30 days. If you decide to go into business doing this full time then you may offer a 30 day warranty. But, if you’re just selling appliances out of your garage just tell the buyer if it doesn't work like they think it should in the first two days then bring it back. It shouldn't take any more than a couple of days to determine if the appliance is a lemon. You should also test the appliance as much as possible before reselling to avoid any returns. I teach in my book what questions need to be asked before purchasing an item. These questions have helped me become successful in my business and I have had only 3 returns out of thousands of items sold over the years. I have noticed that people would rather buy used appliances from an individual than from an actual business. The buyer avoids sales tax and they fell they are getting a better deal from an individual are reasons I’ve been told by buyers in the past. If you do bad business on Craigslist it will come back to haunt you over time. Don’t believe me, then go and type in the word “scam” or “beware” in the search field on Craigslist and look how many people have been reported. Your name and number will end up there if you start doing bad business.

You can literally make thousands of dollars a week buying and reselling appliances on Craigslist depending on your schedule. If you don’t have a truck, SUV, or trailer then now is the time to get one, or get a friend with one of the above. I was able to find me a 5 x 10 trailer on Craigslist for $225. This is a rare find, but every now and then you may come across such a steal. Within the first week I made $2200 in profit due to I was able to now get refrigerators and stoves. Before then I would mainly purchase washers and dryers and put them in my SUV. If I ever came across a good deal on a refrigerator, I would have to borrow a friend’s truck or rent one. Once I got my own trailer I was able to hunt down bigger appliances and go at the drop of a dime to pick them up. I would be up at 11:00 p.m. picking up appliances in bulk and selling them in the next 1-2 days.

As a result of being laid off by my employer years ago, I came across Craigslist and mastered an approach of buying and reselling that helped my family of five during one of the most trying financial periods in our lives. I now share these same tips in my book The Craigslist Hustle that I use even today to buy and resell items for profit.  If you stumbled across this blog and wondering how to make extra money via Craigslist regardless of what your current situation is, then go check out my webpage www.mrcraigslisthustle.com. The Craigslist Hustle, let’s get it!