If you’ve spent any time in online reselling communities, you’ve likely encountered the heated debate around the ethics of thrifting for profit. I’ve certainly faced my share of critical comments and uncomfortable questions throughout my reselling journey. Today, I want to address this controversy head-on, examining both sides of the argument while sharing what I’ve learned after a decade in this industry.
The Common Criticisms of Reselling
Let’s start by acknowledging the most common criticism: “Resellers are taking affordable items away from those who need them most.”
This perspective views thrift stores as primarily serving lower-income communities, providing necessities at affordable prices. When resellers purchase items to sell at markup, critics argue we’re essentially profiting off resources meant for those with limited means.
I’ve heard comments like:
- “You’re making these items unaffordable for the people who actually need them”
- “Thrift stores weren’t created for you to make a profit”
- “You’re driving up thrift store prices for everyone else”
These concerns deserve thoughtful consideration rather than defensive dismissal.
The Reality of Thrift Store Supply
What many people don’t realize is the sheer volume of items flowing through the donation ecosystem. According to Goodwill alone, they receive approximately 100 million donations annually. The average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing every year, much of which could have been donated or recycled.
Here’s what happens to most donated items:
- Only 10-20% of donations typically make it to the sales floor of the original thrift store
- Approximately 30-40% gets shipped to distribution centers for other stores or outlets
- Another 30% is sent overseas to markets in developing countries
- The remaining items (often 20-30%) end up in landfills
The uncomfortable truth is that our consumer culture generates far more secondhand goods than our current systems can effectively process. Many thrift stores are actually overwhelmed by the volume of donations they receive.
Fast Fashion and the Global Impact
The secondhand market exists within a larger ecosystem of global textile waste. Fast fashion has accelerated our consumption habits, with Americans purchasing 60% more clothing items than they did 20 years ago, while keeping them for only half as long.
When unsold thrifted clothing is shipped overseas, it creates additional environmental and economic issues:
- Textile waste mountains in countries like Ghana, Chile, and Tanzania
- Disruption of local textile industries and traditional craftsmanship
- Environmental contamination as synthetic materials break down
By purchasing and reselling items that might otherwise enter this problematic export stream, resellers are actually participating in a more sustainable form of commerce.
The Reseller Reality Check
Another misconception is that resellers are somehow getting rich quick through this business model. As someone who’s lived this reality, let me offer some perspective:
Most resellers I know (myself included) are:
- Parents seeking flexible work arrangements
- Individuals supplementing inadequate income from primary jobs
- People with health conditions or caregiving responsibilities that make traditional employment challenging
- Entrepreneurs testing a business model with minimal startup costs
Reselling is labor-intensive work involving:
- Sourcing items (often visiting multiple locations)
- Researching values and authenticating items
- Cleaning, repairing, and photographing inventory
- Creating listings and managing online platforms
- Packing and shipping items
- Handling customer service issues
The average reseller isn’t driving a luxury car or living in a mansion. They’re trying to create financial stability through entrepreneurship, often starting with just a few dollars and building slowly.
The Overlooked Benefits of Reselling
The reselling economy actually creates several positive impacts that deserve recognition:
1. Environmental Benefits
Resellers extend the lifecycle of goods that might otherwise end up in landfills. Each resold item represents:
- Reduced waste
- Fewer resources consumed for new production
- Lower carbon emissions from manufacturing
2. Economic Benefits
Resellers contribute to the economy through:
- Tax revenue from legitimately reported income
- Support for thrift stores (many of which fund charitable programs)
- Creation of small businesses that may eventually hire employees
3. Cultural Benefits
The vintage and secondhand market helps:
- Preserve historically significant items
- Educate consumers about quality craftsmanship
- Provide alternatives to mass-produced current goods
4. Accessibility Benefits
Resellers often:
- Make vintage and collectible items available to broader audiences
- Curate and authenticate items for those without expertise
- Create digital inventory accessible to those with mobility limitations
Finding Ethical Balance as a Reseller
While I believe reselling provides more benefits than harms, I also think resellers have a responsibility to operate ethically. Here are the principles I’ve developed over the years:
- Leave necessities behind – I don’t purchase essential children’s items, basic clothing staples, or medical equipment unless I am shopping for myself or my family.
- Focus on unique, vintage, or high-quality items – I specialize in decorative objects and unique pieces rather than competing for everyday necessities.
- Be conscious of local needs – During winter, I avoid buying all the warm coats. During back-to-school season, I leave the children’s essentials. And most recently, after major hurricanes, I put a pause on furniture purchases, since many would be in need after their homes flooded.
- Contribute to the ecosystem – I donate items regularly, volunteer occasionally, and support thrift stores’ missions beyond just purchasing. Don’t forget, many thrift stores employ those who may not be able to find other work and give back to their communities.
- Educate respectfully – When discussions about reselling arise, I share information without becoming defensive or dismissive (when possible – the opposers are usually quite vocal, in which cases I excuse myself from the conversation)
Supporting Multiple Communities Simultaneously
The beauty of a thoughtful approach to reselling is that it’s not a zero-sum game. We can support vulnerable communities while also creating entrepreneurial opportunities.
Thrift stores themselves operate on this principle – they sell donated goods to generate revenue for their charitable missions. Resellers simply extend this model, creating additional value through curation, research, and connecting items with interested buyers.
Starting Your Own Reselling Journey Ethically
If you’re interested in trying reselling as a side hustle, here are some tips for getting started ethically:
- Begin with items from your own home – Most of us have plenty to sell before we need to source elsewhere.
- Research your local thrift ecosystem – Some areas have abundant donations while others face scarcity. Understand your local context, and refrain from overbuying.
- Develop expertise in specific categories – Specializing helps you identify items others might overlook rather than competing for obvious finds.
- Give back regularly – Donate items, volunteer time, or contribute financially to organizations addressing poverty in your community.
- Stay educated about needs – Connect with community organizations to understand what items are genuinely in short supply locally.
A Place for Everyone at the Thrift Store
I believe there’s room for everyone in the secondhand ecosystem – families shopping on tight budgets, collectors seeking specific items, environmentally conscious consumers, and yes, resellers building small businesses.
Rather than viewing these groups as competing, we can recognize that they’re all part of a complex system working (imperfectly) to extend the lifecycle of goods and create alternatives to endless consumption of new products.
Reselling, done thoughtfully, creates value – environmental, economic, and cultural. It provides flexible income opportunities for those who need them while keeping usable items in circulation longer.
By following along with our blog, you’ll learn not just how to spot valuable items, but how to participate in this ecosystem respectfully and sustainably. Whether you’re looking to build a full-time business or just earn some extra spending money, there’s a place for you in this community.
What are your thoughts on the ethics of reselling? Have you encountered criticism or developed your own ethical guidelines? Share in the comments below!