MORE thrifty bargain hunters are cashing in by re-selling second-hand items at a higher price.
But the site to find the best gems isn’t always Vinted, according to one selling pro.
Helen Langton, 50, has made £4,000 last year buying pre-loved items and selling on her finds.
Vinted has become the go-to for many shoppers looking to get hold of a fashion steal.
However, there are often bigger bargains on the community site Gumtree, according to Helen.
The English teacher from Twickenham, told The Sun: “I assumed Gumtree was always for big items and furniture.
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“But there are lots of clothes and shoes.
“It’s less well-known, though Gumtree offers just as much potential.
“It’s very good for cracking bargains – people are selling so it doesn’t go to landfill, and not trying to make money out of it.”
Her biggest bargain through the site has been an Ercol single bed bought on Gumtree for £40 and sold on for £250.
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Helen also checks charity shops, as well as trawling second-hand sites.
She has previously found a pair of Golden Goose trainers for £4 in a charity shop.
The luxury brand has a price tag of almost £400 brand new.
Helen was able to sell them on for £250, as well as getting a bit of wear out of them in between.
The mum-of-two said: “That thrill of the chase – finding [a bargain] and knowing it’s going to be sold on is really addictive.”
She has one golden rule that she always sticks by to avoid buying useless duds that can’t be sold on.
Helen explains: “I have to really like it and will definitely wear it myself.
“I’ve become unstuck buying things that I thought would resell but don’t…
“If I love it, somebody else will too.”
Looking for items that are not in the best condition has also reaped rewards for Helen.
She told The Sun: “A lot of the stuff I pick up is crumpled and needs a bit of love.”
Helen then makes sure the items are cleaned up and repaired if necessary, before selling on.
Recently the thrifty ace bought a pair of high end designer Miu Miu sandals for only £12.
“They were dirty but I knew they would come up like new,” she said.
She has also bought a vintage Gucci leather skirt that just needed a couple of buttons replacing.
Another top tip for sourcing items that can be resold for more is looking out of season, according to Helen.
She explains: “Buying sandals in December or buying boots in august is a really good way to grab bargain.
Now Helen encourages her two daughters to shun new clothing and buy second-hand
Helen added: “I’ve become evangelical about encouraging people to join the circular economy.”
It comes as research from Gumtree found that almost half of UK adults say they would like to see pre-loved fashion have a bigger space on Fashion Week catwalks.
Almost three in five people want brands to highlight how clothes can be repurposed.
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We have also spoken to a second-hand shopping expert who revealed the best items to buy pre-loved.
And a charity shop expert who shares how to find the biggest bargains.
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