Thrift flip profit.

Worked example

You buy a jacket for $8, spend $2 on cleaning and a zipper, and pay $6 to ship it. It sells for $45 on a marketplace charging 13% plus $0.40. Fee = 45 x 0.13 = $5.85. Total outlay = 8 + 2 + 6 + 0.40 + 5.85 = $22.25. Profit = 45 - 22.25 = $22.75. Margin = 22.75 / 45 = 50.6%. Return on what you put in (purchase + repair) = 22.75 / 10 = 227.5%. Over 1.5 hours that is $15.17 an hour. Break-even sale price = (8 + 2 + 6 + 0.40) / (1 - 0.13) = $18.85. To earn a 30% margin you would list at 16.40 / (1 - 0.13 - 0.30) = $28.77.

How it works

profit = sale price x (1 - fee%) - fixed fee - purchase - repair - shipping. Margin = profit / sale price. ROI = profit / (purchase + repair). Profit per hour = profit / hours.

break-even price = (purchase + repair + shipping + fixed fee) / (1 - fee%). Price for a target margin m = (purchase + repair + shipping + fixed fee) / (1 - fee% - m). Both come from solving the profit equation for the sale price.

Fees are yours to enter. Marketplaces set and change their own selling fees, and some also charge a share of shipping or tax collected from the buyer. The tool applies the percent to the sale price only; if your marketplace also charges on shipping, add that amount into the fixed fee. For eBay in particular, see the eBay Fee Calculator.

Income from regular resale may be taxable; this tool does not calculate tax.

Sources and basis (all opened 2026-10-08): none needed. All results are arithmetic on the figures you enter; the 13% and $0.40 fee in the example are illustrative, not any marketplace's published rate.

FAQ

How do I calculate profit on a thrift flip?

Subtract everything you spent from what the buyer pays: the item, cleaning and repairs, shipping you cover, the marketplace percent fee and any fixed fee. An $8 find that sells for $45 with $2 repair, $6 shipping and a 13% + $0.40 fee leaves $22.75.

What is the difference between margin and ROI?

Margin is profit divided by the sale price. ROI here is profit divided by what you put into the item (purchase plus repair). The same flip has a 50.6% margin and a 227.5% ROI in the worked example.

How do I find the break-even price?

Add your purchase, repair, shipping and fixed fee, then divide by 1 minus the fee percent as a decimal. In the worked example that is 16.40 / 0.87 = $18.85. Any sale above it is profit.

What marketplace fee should I enter?

Use the current rate on your marketplace's fee page. The 13% and $0.40 in the example are placeholders, not a published rate.

Does this include income tax?

No. It shows profit before tax. Regular reselling income may be taxable where you live, so check with a tax professional.