Cost check · 5 minute read

The flipping costs people forget to count

The short answer: The purchase price is only one cost. Transport, labour, cleaning, repairs, platform fees, storage, disposal and mistakes all reduce the money left in a flip.

Pickup costs

Fuel, tolls, parking and vehicle hire
A second person to lift safely
Straps, blankets, ramps or a trolley
A second trip when measurements or access were wrong

Make-ready costs

Cleaning, testing and preparation
Repair parts, tools and touch-up materials
Replacement batteries, chargers, parts or packaging
Disposal when the item is worse than described

Selling costs

Marketplace, payment or promoted-listing fees
Storage while the item waits for a buyer
Postage, packaging, insurance or delivery offered to close the sale
Your minimum return for the work and risk

Turn the list into a decision

Enter a real amount for every relevant cost, including zero when it truly costs nothing. Then add a contingency. If the remaining maximum buy price is unrealistic for the listing, pass before the pickup becomes the problem.

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