1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Flipping furniture and electronics on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree: your step-by-step start

Buy under-priced furniture, appliances, tools or electronics from estate sales, auctions and listings, clean or fix them, and resell them at a fair profit on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

  • 21 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Bargain hunters with an eye for value, some storage space and a way to move bulky items.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 21 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 21 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: buying stolen goods: ask for proof of purchase on electronics and walk away from deals that feel wrong.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How flipping furniture and electronics on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Watch 20 listings in that category and note prices and how long they stay up3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Set a buying rule: the most you will pay for each type of item3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Week one, step 4: Plan safe meeting points and how you will move bulky items3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Buy and resell your first two items3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Write a listing template with measurements and condition3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Keep a flip sheet: bought for, costs, sold for, days to sell3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Focus on the category with the best profit per hour3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Build relationships with estate-sale and auction contacts3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Decide whether storage or a trailer would pay for itself3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R500 to R5 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree accounts
  • Tape measure
  • Cleaning kit
  • Flip tracking sheet
  • Safe meeting plan

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.