Flipping on Amazon has become a super popular method for lifestyle entrepreneurs looking for ways to make money online.
The goal is to buy products at a lower price and resell them at a higher price on the Amazon marketplace.
By utilizing selling methods such as online and retail arbitrage, sellers can find profitable opportunities to flip products efficiently and grow a lifestyle business.
As a beginner to flipping on Amazon, it’s useful to understand the various factors that contribute to a successful flip, including selecting high-demand items with low competition, calculating profits based on fees and costs, and leveraging tools to streamline the research process.
With the right approach and dedication, flipping on Amazon can be a lucrative and exciting business venture.
What Is Amazon Flipping?
Amazon flipping is a fairly simple business model that involves purchasing products at a lower price and then reselling them at a higher price on the Amazon marketplace.
It capitalizes on price differences found among various marketplaces, stores, or even within Amazon itself, in order to generate a profit from the price difference.
Flipping on Amazon can be described as a form of online arbitrage, where savvy sellers identify undervalued products or take advantage of limited-time deals to stock up on items that can be later sold at a higher price.
Strategies include finding products that are already selling well on Amazon and capitalizing on their demand, or buying products on Amazon and selling them back on the platform when the price has increased.
In order to succeed with Amazon flipping, as a seller, you’ll need to adopt effective product sourcing techniques, utilize tools that help in identifying profitable deals, and manage inventory efficiently.
Some popular methods of finding products for Amazon flipping include:
- Scouring clearance sections and discounted items in physical or online stores
- Browsing Amazon’s deals, such as Lightning Deals and Gold Box Deals
- Using paid tools and services that can help identify potential product opportunities
Once you identify a suitable product for flipping, you’ll need to consider factors such as the product’s sales rank, which indicates how well it is selling on Amazon, as well as potential competitors who are selling a similar product.
Additionally, it’s essential you comply with Amazon’s policies and only list items that adhere to Amazon’s guidelines.
Why Use Amazon to Flip Products?
Quite simply Amazon is the biggest ecommerce engine in the world. With over 300 million paying customers, if you can get your products in front of just a fraction of their database you’re going to make sales.
Add to that Amazon’s easy-to-use infrastructure and FBA program, the process of buying, selling, and shipping items becomes very streamlined.
In 2022 Amazon reported almost 514 billion USD net revenues with the majority coming from its online retail product sales.
By taking advantage of this massive marketplace, you can capitalize on a variety of profitable opportunities.
The Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) service further simplifies the flipping process. By utilizing FBA, sellers can send their products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, where the company handles storage, shipping, and customer service on your behalf.
This allows you as a seller to focus on finding profitable products and growing your business while outsourcing logistics to Amazon.
How Much Money Can You Make Flipping on Amazon?
Flipping on Amazon can be extremely lucrative, with some sellers making significant profits.
However, the amount of money you can make depends on several factors, including the chosen products, market demand, and profit margins.
In the world of Amazon flipping, there’s no definitive limit to how much money you can earn. But it’s crucial to note that the income is not guaranteed, and success largely depends on the products you choose to sell and the strategies you implement.
Some Amazon sellers make upwards of 7 figures every year, while others might be happy just making an extra $50 to $5,000 a month part-time.
Understanding sales and profit margins is vital for success in flipping on Amazon. Typically, you’d need to focus on securing products at a low cost and then selling them at a higher price on Amazon, pocketing the difference as profit.
It may take some time to get your business off the ground, but as your experience in picking the right products grows so will your income.
To make the most out of flipping on Amazon, you need to focus on researching profitable products, analyzing market trends, and understanding customer demands.
Also, setting realistic expectations and being flexible in the choice of the products being flipped is essential for your success.
Learn How to Build Your Own 7-Figure Amazon FBA Business
Part of the Junglescout suite of excellent FBA tools, the learning academy is a comprehensive video training library containing hours of content, including training videos, webinars, and interviews with successful Amazon sellers.
Whether you’re just starting your business, or growing your brand, get expert training from Amazon sellers without the hefty price tag.
Flipping vs Arbitrage
Flipping and arbitrage are two popular methods for making money on Amazon. While they share some similarities, they also have some key differences.
Both flipping and arbitrage involve purchasing products at a lower price and then selling them on Amazon for a profit. However, their sourcing methods are different.
Flipping typically refers to buying a product on Amazon and selling it back on the same platform for a higher price. This method is often referred to as online arbitrage or Amazon-to-Amazon flips.
Retail arbitrage, on the other hand, is the process of buying items from local stores and retail shops in order to sell them on Amazon for a profit.
This method involves visiting large retail outlets, looking for clearance items, diminished stock, or liquidation sales, and purchasing products that can be sold for a higher price on Amazon.
Tactical arbitrage is a more advanced form of online arbitrage that uses software to analyze billions of items on the Amazon marketplace. It helps resellers identify items with potential for profitable flipping. A good example of a software tool used by sellers in this method is, funnily enough, Tactical Arbitrage.
Clearance arbitrage is a sub-category of retail arbitrage, specifically focusing on finding items on clearance sales in brick-and-mortar stores. These items are often heavily discounted due to overstock, seasonal changes, or store closings.
By taking advantage of these clearance deals, sellers can secure an even larger profit margin when reselling the products on Amazon.
Both flipping and arbitrage methods require knowledge of Amazon’s marketplace, pricing strategies, and a keen eye for products with potential profit margins.
Additionally, these methods involve ongoing efforts to source products, manage inventory, and stay updated on price fluctuations in order to remain profitable over time.
How to Find Products to Flip on Amazon
One of the most critical steps in flipping products on Amazon is finding the right items to resell.
To maximize your profits, you’ll want to focus on products with high search volume, low competition, and a healthy profit margin.
In this section, we’ll discuss the various aspects to consider when selecting products to flip and where you can source these items.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Products to Flip
- High search volume: Opt for products that are in high demand, as they will have a larger customer base and will be more likely to sell quickly. Use tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, or AMZScout to gauge search volume and demand.
- Low competition: Look for products with fewer sellers, as it will be easier for you to stand out and capture a larger share of the market. Products with low competition often have fewer reviews, which means you have a better chance of getting noticed.
- Profitability: Calculate the profit margin for each product you consider flipping. To do this, subtract the product’s cost (including shipping and taxes) and Amazon’s fees from its selling price. Aim for a profit margin of at least 30% to ensure that your efforts are worth the investment.
- Size and weight: Smaller and lighter products are generally cheaper to ship and store, which can positively impact your profit margins. Be mindful of the size and weight of the products you choose to flip.
Where to Find Products to Flip on Amazon
- Amazon itself: Many successful Amazon sellers source their products directly from Amazon. Look for clearance, overstock, or heavily discounted items that can be resold at a higher price.
- Retail arbitrage: This involves purchasing items from brick-and-mortar retail stores and reselling them on Amazon. Keep an eye out for clearance sales, seasonal discounts, and store liquidations.
- Online arbitrage: Just like retail arbitrage, online arbitrage involves buying products from other websites at a lower price and reselling them on Amazon. Check out websites like eBay, Walmart, and AliExpress for potential deals.
- Garage sales: You can find hidden gems at garage sales, often for a fraction of their retail price. Make sure to research the value of items before purchasing them, as some may not have a high resale value.
- Thrift stores: Thrift stores are treasure troves for flippers. Look for items in excellent condition and use your smartphone to research their resale value on Amazon.
- Wholesale suppliers: Purchasing items from wholesale suppliers can help you secure products at lower costs, leading to higher profit margins. Consider websites like Alibaba or Global Sources to find manufacturers and wholesalers.
By carefully considering the factors that make a product a good candidate for flipping and exploring various sourcing options, you can find profitable products to flip on Amazon and successfully grow your business.
Some tools that can help with your product research include;
1. Junglescout – This comprehensive platform allows sellers to analyze product demand, low-competition niches, and additional monetization opportunities. Jungle Scout assists in finding items with sufficient demand and low competition to enhance the probability of profitable flips.
2. Scoutify 2 – This premium app provides more advanced features compared to the free Amazon Seller App. Scoutify 2 aids in estimating profit potential, assessing selling fees, and identifying optimal flipping opportunities on the platform.
3. The Amazon Seller App – A free starting point for beginners who want to enter the Amazon flipping market. This app works on both iOS and Android devices and helps check product prices, Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR), competition, and estimated profit. It also allows users to see what Amazon category an item falls into, helping decide whether it is a suitable product for flipping.
In summary, to find products to flip on Amazon:
- Conduct thorough research on product demand and competition
- Utilize tools like Jungle Scout and Scoutify 2 for efficient analysis
- Begin with the free Amazon Seller App to familiarize yourself with the platform
- Focus on low-competition niches with high demand for better flipping opportunities
Best Items to Flip on Amazon
Finding the right products is essential for a profitable Amazon flipping business. There are several items that are known to hold high potential for successful flipping:
- Books – Used, rare, or vintage books can be purchased at garage sales, thrift stores, or online marketplaces, and often resold for a significant profit.
- Toys and Games – Discontinued, collectible, or limited-edition toys and games can be sold at a higher price, especially during the holiday season.
- Shoes – Designer or limited-edition shoes, if found at a discounted price, can be resold for a considerable profit.
- Electronics – Depending on the demand and popularity, new and used electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops can be flipped for a profit.
- High Demand Items – Products that are currently popular or in high demand can be sourced at a lower price and then resold on Amazon for a profit. Keep an eye on trends and best-selling lists to identify these items.
Alongside the items above, consider focusing on product niches you’re familiar with and passionate about.
This makes the flipping process easier and more enjoyable. Always research before purchasing items, ensuring they’re in high demand and not over-saturated in the Amazon marketplace.
Learn How to Build Your Own 7-Figure Amazon FBA Business
Part of the Junglescout suite of excellent FBA tools, the learning academy is a comprehensive video training library containing hours of content, including training videos, webinars, and interviews with successful Amazon sellers.
Whether you’re just starting your business, or growing your brand, get expert training from Amazon sellers without the hefty price tag.
How to Flip on Amazon – FAQs
What’s the difference between online arbitrage and retail arbitrage?
Both methods involve buying new products from retailers and selling them as new products on Amazon. Online arbitrage refers to purchasing items from online retailers, while retail arbitrage involves buying products in physical stores. Both strategies are effective for finding flipping opportunities on Amazon.
How can I find profitable products to flip on Amazon?
Tools such as Jungle Scout and AMZScout can help you identify items with sufficient demand, low competition, and good profit margins. Also, researching best-selling items on Amazon can reveal great opportunities for flipping those items.
What is a low-difficulty niche, and how can I find one?
A low-difficulty niche is a product category with sufficient demand and low competition, offering better chances of success for flipping on Amazon. Tools like Jungle Scout can help you identify these niches by evaluating market demand, competition, and potential profit margins.
Are there any resources available for learning more about Amazon flipping?
My recommendation is the Proven Amazon Course by Jim Cockrum. Alongside FBA training and overseas product sourcing, the arsenal of courses of videos included cover online arbitrage, retail arbitrage, and a strategy called replens, which ensures you can flip to your heart’s content, never running out of stock.
How to Flip on Amazon – Summary
I hope you’ve enjoyed this exploration of the process of flipping products on Amazon.
Flipping on Amazon, as with other Amazon business models, requires diligence, research, and the ability to identify profitable opportunities.
As mentioned earlier, finding “low-difficulty niches” is crucial for success in flipping, and tools like Jungle Scout can help identify products with sufficient demand and low competition.
With the right approach, patience, and consistent effort, flipping on Amazon can be a profitable side hustle or even a full-time career for eCommerce and lifestyle business enthusiasts!
Have fun!
Jo 😄
