7 Tips To Source More Profitable Books From Thrift Stores to Sell on Amazon FBA

Ready to dive into the world of Amazon book selling?

If you're looking for a side hustle or a full-on business you can start with minimal investment, flipping thrift store books on Amazon might just be your ticket.

Thrift stores are packed with hidden gems, and with the right know-how, you can turn those $1 finds into serious profit.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about scanning a few random books and hoping for the best.

This business thrives on strategy, a bit of persistence, and knowing how to work the thrift store game to your advantage.

In this post, I’m going to share the exact steps you need to start sourcing books like a pro.

With these seven tips, you’ll not only learn how to uncover the best books in the store but also streamline your sourcing process, keep the profits rolling in, and actually enjoy the hunt.

Let’s get started and make that next thrift trip your most profitable one yet!

1. Experiment with Different Thrift Stores: Not All Are Created Equal

Each thrift store has a unique personality—some are filled with quality donations, while others may have limited options or fierce competition among book hunters.

Understanding these variations will help you locate the best places for sourcing books.

How to Find the Best Stores:

Frequency Matters: Visit each thrift store a few times to gauge its inventory quality. If you repeatedly find only low-value books, it might be that the store filters its stock or has high reseller competition.

Expand Your Radius: Driving 20–30 minutes outside your usual area can lead you to “honey holes”—those thrift stores that are off the beaten path and often full of overlooked treasures.

2. Prioritize Fresh Inventory: The Real Money is in New Finds

Discounted or long-shelved books may be tempting, but the real profit lies in fresh inventory.

Thrift stores often rotate stock weekly, and new books on the floor offer the best potential for high-margin sales.

How to Spot New Inventory:

Color-Coded Tags: Many stores use color tags to indicate how long items have been on the shelves. Find out which color is the newest and prioritize those books.

Rolling Carts: Keep an eye out for rolling carts loaded with new donations. These carts are usually untouched by shoppers and are filled with fresh finds.

3. Build Relationships with Thrift Store Staff

Building a positive rapport with thrift store employees can transform your sourcing experience.

When staff know and like you, they may share tips on restocking schedules or even hold valuable items.

Tips for Building Connections:

Engage Regularly: Chat with employees each time you visit to build familiarity.

Small Gestures Matter: Offering a coffee or donuts occasionally can go a long way. Staff might let you know when new donations are arriving or even alert you to hidden gems.

Ask for Timing Tips: Politely inquire about restocking schedules—knowing when fresh inventory hits the floor is invaluable.

4. Don’t Skip Books Without Barcodes

Barcode-less books are often overlooked, meaning they can hold untapped potential.

Many sellers skip them entirely, which could leave valuable finds behind.

How to Scan Barcode-Less Books:

ISBN Scanning: Most books have an ISBN number on the copyright page. Use apps like ScoutIQ or Scoutly to scan these numbers manually.

Amazon Seller App: This app also allows you to scan book covers directly. The app will recognize the cover, pulling up the listing for you to check sales rank and pricing.

5. Note Each Thrift Store’s Restocking Schedule

Success in thrifting requires consistent timing, and that means knowing when fresh inventory arrives at each store.

Keeping a record of these schedules will help you plan visits for the highest chance of finding profitable books.

How to Track Inventory Cycles:

• Use a Notepad or App: Maintain a log of restocking days and times, noting the stores that yield the most profit.
• Ask Staff: Politely ask about restocking schedules, as many employees are willing to share this information.

6. Use a Third-Party Scanning App for Efficiency

When you’re sourcing books, speed and accuracy are everything.

Third-party scanning apps can streamline the decision-making process, providing quick “yes” or “no” answers based on profitability criteria.

Recommended Scanning Apps:

• ScoutIQ: Known for its highly accurate profit calculations, customizable triggers, and easy barcode scanning.
• Scoutly: Similar to ScoutIQ but often faster, Scoutly allows you to set custom triggers and get real-time price updates.

Both apps help you focus on high-potential books, saving time and increasing your chance of sourcing profitable inventory.

7. Stay Consistent: Success Requires Repeated Effort

Consistency is the key to long-term success in thrifting.

While some trips may yield little, regular visits help you build knowledge and refine your timing for finding valuable inventory.

Why Consistency Pays Off:

Inventory Variability: Thrift stores receive donations randomly, so regular visits increase your chances of finding high-value books.

Staff Relationships: The more familiar you are with the staff, the more likely they’ll provide tips or early access to new items.

Efficiency Gains: Each visit sharpens your understanding of the best days and times to visit, enhancing your sourcing efficiency.

Expanding Beyond Thrift Stores: Other Sourcing Options

Once you’ve mastered sourcing at thrift stores, it’s time to broaden your inventory sources.

Here are some other places to consider as you scale up your book-selling business:

• Library Sales: Libraries often host sales to clear out books, usually at very low prices.
• Garage Sales: Local yard sales can be treasure troves for profitable books, often at rock-bottom prices.
• Online Marketplaces: Sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor can offer bulk book deals or valuable individual titles.
• Wholesale Book Suppliers: For sellers ready to scale up, wholesale suppliers allow you to purchase in bulk, quickly expanding your inventory.

Summary: Turn Your Thrifting Hobby into a Profitable Business

Here’s a quick recap of how to make the most of thrift store book sourcing:

1. Experiment with various thrift stores and track the best locations.
2. Prioritize fresh inventory to maximize profit potential.
3. Build relationships with store staff for insider tips.
4. Don’t overlook books without barcodes—they may hold hidden gems.
5. Keep track of restocking schedules for strategic timing.
6. Use a third-party scanning app to improve speed and accuracy.
7. Stay consistent—regular effort pays off over time.

Following these tips will not only increase your chances of finding profitable books but also make the experience more enjoyable.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your book-selling game, remember that a consistent approach and a willingness to explore can lead to excellent results.

For those ready to dive deeper, consider joining my free five-day book-selling workshop.

Just message "Books" on Instagram or click the link HERE.

Happy sourcing! May your next thrift store visit bring you shelves of profit!

Steve w/ Raiken Profit