An Australian reseller has shown how a $15.99 op-shop find became a $300 sale after he uncovered a rare-looking book collection among the second-hand stock.
Mathew Carpenter, founder of the online reselling education platform Flip Weekly, was browsing at Savers when he noticed a boxed set of The Hunger Games novels.
At first glance, the camouflage edition seemed unremarkable. It was not signed by author Suzanne Collins, was not a first edition and was published in paperback rather than hardcover.
However, Mathew spotted the detail that set it apart from ordinary copies: the set had been released only in Australia, making it appealing to international collectors and fans.
“I couldn’t believe I found this box set,” he said.
He paid $15.99 for the books before selling them to a buyer in Canada for $300.
That produced a gross profit of $284.01, excluding postage, platform fees and other selling costs.
The Hunger Games set was not Mathew’s only unexpected op-shop discovery.
An Australian reseller turned a $15.99 op-shop purchase into a $300 sale after finding a valuable boxed set of books
The Australian-only release attracted international interest after Mathew recognised its potential value to collectors
On another trip, this time to Vinnies, he found a group of children’s books featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, the popular video game character.
After checking the books’ potential resale prices online, Mathew decided they were worth the risk.
“This is how easy it is. You walk into Vinnies, you find a couple of Sonic the Hedgehog kids’ books,” he explained.
“They look interesting, so you Google them and they seem like they’re worth a bit of money.”
Mathew paid $3 per book, spending $60 altogether. He then listed the collection on eBay, where it sold for an impressive $1,600.
The sale generated a gross profit of $1,540 before fees and other expenses, highlighting the sums collectors may pay for seemingly ordinary second-hand items.
Although many people visit charity shops for inexpensive clothing, household goods or reading material, Mathew’s experience shows that the same shelves can also provide opportunities for resellers to earn extra money.
A product’s original retail price is not always a guide to its future value, particularly when collectors are willing to pay more for hard-to-find editions.
Mathew Carpenter is the founder of the online reselling education platform Flip Weekly
Limited editions, discontinued items and products released exclusively in certain countries can become highly sought after when fans have difficulty finding them elsewhere.
And while an ordinary paperback might sell for only a few dollars, an unusual cover design or hard-to-find collection can make an otherwise unremarkable book considerably more desirable.
However, not every second-hand purchase will deliver the same return, and sellers need to account for postage, marketplace fees and the possibility that an item could remain unsold for months.
Why more Australians are looking for ways to make extra money
Mathew’s discoveries come as the rising cost of everyday essentials continues to put pressure on Australian household budgets.
With rent, mortgages, groceries and bills taking up a substantial portion of many people’s incomes, a second source of earnings can help cover expenses, build savings or provide a little more financial breathing room.
Reselling has become an accessible option because it doesn’t require formal qualifications or a large upfront investment.
Australians can begin by selling unwanted clothes, furniture, electronics and collectibles already found in their homes.
Platforms including eBay, Depop and Facebook Marketplace allow people to reach buyers beyond their immediate neighbourhood, while specialist collector communities can help sellers identify valuable items.
Books are just one category worth investigating. Vintage clothing, discontinued toys, video games, old cameras, designer accessories and collectible homewares can also attract buyers willing to pay more than their original owners might expect.
But the difference between a successful resale and an expensive mistake often comes down to research.
Checking completed sales, rather than simply looking at advertised prices, can provide a more realistic indication of what buyers are actually paying.
Condition, authenticity, rarity and shipping costs can also make a significant difference to the final profit.
For Australians who don’t want to spend their weekends searching through op shops, there are other ways to turn existing skills into additional income.
Freelance writing, tutoring, pet sitting, gardening, cleaning, photography and offering administrative services are among the options that can be fitted around an existing job.
Others have managed to turn relatively simple services into full-time businesses.
Mum-of-three Amy Favro, 31 (pictured), has revealed how a small side hustle she started in her early 20s unexpectedly grew into a booming online business earning her $250,000 a year
The Aussie mum making $250,000 a year from her side hustle
Central Coast mum-of-three Amy Favro, 31, previously revealed how a resume-writing side hustle she started in her early twenties grew into a business bringing in $250,000 annually.
Amy began helping Australians rewrite their resumes and cover letters while working in administration, initially charging just $50 per application through Airtasker.
When she was made redundant in 2020, she decided to pursue the business full-time.
Within three months, she had made $75,000.
‘I was seeing if it was possible to do it, if I could build a client base and I guess what exactly I had to do,’ Amy previously told Our News Outlet.
As demand increased, she gradually raised her prices, with resumes now costing up to $250 depending on the client’s experience and requirements.
Her customers include teachers hoping to change careers, nurses seeking new opportunities and tradespeople looking to move into different roles.
While a straightforward resume might take a few hours to complete, more complicated applications can require an entire day’s work.
Amy admitted she had little business experience when she started and relied on online resources to learn about setting up an ABN and running her own operation.
Her success shows how a skill someone already possesses can become a source of income without requiring a traditional business premises or substantial startup costs.
However, Amy has also faced challenges, particularly as artificial intelligence tools have made it easier for jobseekers to generate their own applications.
‘My work did dip down significantly when that got really popular,’ she admitted.
But she believes clients are increasingly recognising the value of personalised applications in a sea of AI-generated resumes.
‘Everyone’s doing it, and they all sound exactly the same. The standout now is actually writing it yourself, or having someone write it for you, but having that human element to it.’
While Amy’s business has grown far beyond a casual side hustle, Mathew’s second-hand book sales offer an example of how Australians can earn outside regular employment.
His $16 discovery also serves as a reminder that valuable items aren’t always immediately recognisable.
Sometimes, the difference between a cheap second-hand book and a collector’s item worth hundreds is knowing what to look for.
