For Glen Zubia, there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt.
The 30-year-old from Texas spends 15 to 20 hours a week driving from one discount store to another in search of the best bargains. But Glen is not shopping simply for pleasure, he’s doing it for profit.
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How this man flips brand name merchandise for a profit
After graduating from college in 2010, Glen went to work as a full-time graphic designer, but he struggled to make minimum payments on his debts.
Like so many others, Glen was frustrated when he looked at his student loan balance: $23,000. And that was only the beginning. When he factored in his car loan and credit card debt, Glen says he owed $50,000.
But soon, a part-time job would erase that debt faster than Glen ever imagined.
About six years ago, Glen says he started buying items at discount stores and garage sales to resell on sites like eBay. In about a year, income from his “side hustle” surpassed his salary.
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Glen eventually left his full-time job to work for his family’s business, which freed him up to concentrate on reselling and his very own YouTube channel, Hustler Hacks.
Clark.com recently asked Glen to share the secrets behind his success:
Where does he shop?
Glen says he looks for deals wherever he can find them, including at thrift stores, pawn shops and garage sales. But these days he shops a lot at Ross, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
Of those three stores, Glen visits Ross most frequently. He goes three to four times a week — hitting several locations — because you never know when new merchandise will arrive.
In his YouTube videos, Glen uses the Amazon Seller app to scan items and compare prices while in the store.
Read more: 12 money-saving secrets about Ross Dress for Less
What does he buy?
When it comes to running a reselling business, Glen suggests that beginners focus on what they know.
While he buys many things, Glen has always been interested in sneakers, so his knowledge about shoes helps him determine whether to pick up something or pass on it.
Glen says he bought these Air Jordan shoes for $49.99 at Ross and sold them for $350 on eBay.
As we mentioned, Glen doesn’t just shop at traditional retailers. In the summer of 2012, he says he bought two huge Disney statues at a garage sale for $20 each and sold them for $3,000 on eBay.
Glen told us that all types of Disney items can sell for big money online.
Sometimes it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Glen stumbled upon a clearance display at Target that was overflowing with video games, and he bought 300 of them. Total profit? More than $2,500! He sold them on Amazon.
Pity the cashier who had to ring up that purchase!
Read more: 12 ways to save money at Target
Where does he sell the items?
There are several ways to market your items, but Glen says he lists most of the shoes he buys at Ross on eBay or Craigslist, because shoes sold at Ross don't come in a box.
For shoes that do come in the box (Marshalls), he may use Fulfillment by Amazon to get a higher price.
How much can you make?
Glen tells Clark.com that he can make anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 a month in profit (not sales) from reselling — and that’s on top of his full-time career with his family's business.
And like we said, Glen spends about 15 to 20 hours a week on his side job.
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"Go out and get it!"
After eliminating his student loans, car payment and credit card debt in less than five years, Glen says he just bought a house — and he is engaged to be married!
And he says he has no plans of slowing down his reselling business or YouTube channel.
“I hope to inspire others who are struggling with money (especially after college) to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there,” Glen said.
To borrow from Glen’s personal tagline, “Go out and get it!”
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