In partnership with
The headlines that actually moves markets
Tired of missing the trades that actually move markets?
Every weekday, you’ll get a 5-minute Elite Trade Club newsletter covering the top stories, market-moving headlines, and the hottest stocks — delivered before the opening bell.
Whether you’re a casual trader or a serious investor, it’s everything you need to know before making your next move.
Join 200K+ traders who read our 5-minute premarket report to see which stocks are setting up for the day, what news is breaking, and where the smart money’s moving.
By joining, you’ll receive Elite Trade Club emails and select partner insights. See Privacy Policy.
Old units linger, new buyers await
Welcome back to Niche Riches, your weekly dose of real businesses and side hustles that put extra money in your pocket.
This week, we’re talking about one that is bulky, ignored, and surprisingly lucrative: Appliance Pickup and Resale.
Old appliances are a headache for most people. They are heavy, awkward, and annoying to get rid of. When a fridge stops cooling or a washer starts leaking, homeowners want it gone fast. That urgency creates opportunity.
This business works because it solves two problems at once. Someone wants an appliance out of their house, and someone else wants a working appliance at a discount. You stand in the middle, move the item, and get paid on both ends.
It is not flashy. It is not glamorous. But it is practical, repeatable, and very real. With a truck, basic tools, and a little market awareness, this can go from weekend flips to steady local income faster than most people expect.
The Opportunity
Clear, Immediate Value
When appliances break or get replaced, people do not want to store them. They want them gone. Fast pickup is often more valuable than squeezing out top dollar. That gives you leverage before you even touch the item.Constant Supply
People remodel kitchens, upgrade rentals, move houses, or replace appliances every single day. That means listings on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and curbside finds never stop.Low Barrier to Entry
You do not need a storefront, a warehouse, or specialized training to start. A pickup truck or trailer, moving straps, a dolly, and basic hand tools are enough. You can learn as you go.Multiple exit options
Some appliances resell quickly as-is. Others need minor repairs. Units that do not sell can be parted out or scrapped. Very little truly goes to waste if you know your options.
Money Math
Let’s walk through some realistic numbers.
Goal: $2,500 per month
Flip ten appliances at an average profit of $250 each. That could be two or three per week.
Goal: $5,000 per month
Twenty flips at $250 profit. With efficient pickups and quick resales, this is very doable once you know your market.
Goal: $8,000 or more per month
Increase volume, raise prices, or specialize in higher-end appliances. Add delivery fees and basic installation, and the numbers climb quickly.
The Starting Line
If you are ready to start hauling, here is how to approach it.
Step 1: Check your local market
Search Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for used washers, dryers, fridges, and stoves. Pay attention to pricing, brand names, condition, and how long listings stay up.
You will quickly learn which brands move fast and which ones sit. That knowledge is your edge.
Step 2: Set up your hauling basics
You do not need a fancy setup.
At minimum:
• Truck or trailer
• Appliance dolly
• Ratchet straps
• Gloves
• Basic hand tools
Focus on safety and efficiency. Accidents happen when people rush, and not to be dramatic, but these are often very heavy items so accidents could be extremely dangerous here. Safety first with this one!
Step 3: Decide what you will take
Early on, keep it simple.
Start with:
• Washers and dryers
• Standard refrigerators
• Electric stoves
Avoid built-in units or high-end specialty appliances until you know what you are doing.
Step 4: Source your first appliances
Your first deals will come from convenience.
Look for:
• “Free if you haul” listings
• People upgrading appliances
• Landlords turning units
• Property managers
• Curb alerts
Speed matters. The faster you respond, the better deals you get.
Step 5: Price for fast turnover
Do not chase top dollar early.
A washer that sells in two days for $350 is better than one listed for weeks at $450. Cash flow builds momentum.
Offer delivery as a paid add-on. Many buyers will happily pay extra to avoid moving heavy items themselves.
Step 6: Present professionally
This business wins on trust.
Clean appliances before listing. Take clear photos. Be honest about the condition. Respond quickly to messages.
When buyers feel confident, they stop shopping around.
Step 7: Build repeat sources
This is where the business compounds.
Landlords, flippers, and property managers replace appliances constantly. Once they trust you, they call you first.
That turns random pickups into a predictable supply.
Step 8: Track, refine, and scale
Keep a simple record of:
• Purchase cost
• Repair cost
• Sale price
• Time invested
You will quickly see which appliances are worth your time.
As volume increases, you can:
• Specialize in certain brands
• Hire help for hauling
• Add light repair services
• Move into higher-end units
This is one of those businesses that sounds simple on the surface but gets more interesting the deeper you go.
I like appliance pickup and resale because it solves very real problems on both sides of the transaction. Someone wants a bulky appliance out of their house, and someone else wants a working one without paying full retail. You step in, handle the logistics, and capture the spread.
What really stands out to me is how quickly this can start working. In my case, I am already in it. I am in the middle of filming a video around this exact idea, and I have sold about half of the inventory from my initial haul. At this point, the entire buy-in is already covered. Everything left is essentially pure profit.
That kind of turnaround is hard to ignore.
My only real hesitation with this business is the risk around broken units. If you buy something assuming it will flip easily and it turns out to need more work than expected, you can end up upside down on the deal. Yes, there are ways to part items out or scrap them, but those options usually return less than a clean resale. That said, that risk is also where the learning happens. You get better with every purchase.
What I personally love about this model is the size and weight of the items. Not because I am the biggest or strongest person, but because most people want nothing to do with heavy, awkward appliances. That alone scares off a lot of competition. Fewer competitors means more opportunity, better pricing, and faster deals if you are willing to handle the inconvenience.
For me, this is a cash flow play. It is a way to generate money quickly and use that momentum to springboard into the next idea. I do not see it as my forever business, but I can absolutely see someone building this into a serious local operation with trucks, storage, and systems in place.
That is what makes appliance pickup and resale compelling. You can start small, learn fast, and get paid quickly. Whether it becomes a long-term business or just a stepping stone depends entirely on how far you want to take it.
If you enjoyed today’s read, do me a solid before you go:
Come back for the next one! Sign up here for free.
What side hustle should I try or research next? Let me know.