RETAIL_FLIPPER

I arrived at Walmart. The "Scanner Bros" were already there. These are guys with Bluetooth barcode scanners who look like they haven't slept in weeks. They scan everything.

I went to the Toy Aisle. The goal: Lego. Lego is gold. It stores value better than the US Dollar.

I found a "Star Wars Advent Calendar" marked down to $25.00 (Retail: $45.00). There were 4 left.

I scanned it on the Amazon Seller App.

Amazon Price: $44.99

Fees: $11.50

Shipping: $6.00

Net Profit per Unit: $2.50.

Wait. $2.50? That's barely a cup of coffee. I put them back.

I moved to the Clearance aisle (the place where dreams go to die). I found a stack of "Nerf Fortnite Blasters."

Clearance Price: $15.00

eBay Recent Sold: $45.00 + Shipping.

Now we're talking. I bought all 6 of them.

I got home. I took photos. I listed them on eBay.

"NERF FORTNITE BLASTER - RARE - NEW IN BOX - FAST SHIPPING"

Now, I wait.

It happened. Someone in Florida bought one.

Sale Price: $45.00 (+ $12 Shipping paid by buyer).

I packed it. Since I don't have a perfectly sized box, I had to Frankenstein two Amazon boxes together with a mile of tape. It looked ugly, but it worked.

I drove to UPS. Calculated shipping was $12. Actual shipping was $14.50 because of "dimensional weight." I ate the $2.50 difference.

Buyer #2 messaged me: "The box has a dent in the corner. I am a collector. I want a partial refund."

I refunded him $10 to make him go away. Profit margin destroyed.