Go to a festival and pay attention to what people are buying. Also note which booths are getting a lot of traffic.  Once you determine the popular items, find out how much those items are being sold for.  This will help you set your prices when you sell at a festival.  If you are feeling bold, you can go up to some of the festival goers and ask them what types of items are they interested in buying. Items that usually sell well include jewelry, electronics, furniture, toys, books, candles, tools and knives. Garage sales are great places to find items to sell at a festival. It is best to get to the sale early so you can have your pick of the best items. Look for items such as kitchenware, jewelry, toys, and children's clothing as these items are good for reselling.  You can often get good deals on large items like furniture at the end of the day when people are ready to get rid of an item. Always, examine the items and make sure they are still in good condition.  If you are buying an appliance, ask if you can plug it in to see if it works before you buy it. Negotiate prices when you can.  Start with 50% of the suggested price.  The bigger the discount you get on the item, the more profit you can make when you resell the item. Dress modestly when you go shopping.  Do not wear any expensive jewelry or shoes.  A person may be less likely to give you a good deal if you look like you have a lot of money. Always take cash with you. Many people are looking for unique, handmade items to buy when they visit festivals.  If you make blankets, jewelry, pottery, or clothing, a festival is a good place to sell. Selling unique items will set you a part from other vendors. Crafts that you can learn how to make at home and that resell well are candles, decorated cups and glasses, knitted items, friendship bracelets, tote bags, and food (e.g. cookies, cakes, etc.) Antique stores carry a variety of items that can be resold for profit.  Cheap items that sell well include sterling silver jewelry, antique clocks, named glassware (e.g. Tiffany, Haviland, Steuben, Roseville, Lalique, Belleek, etc.), Hummel Figurines, and Mettlach Beer Steins.  If you can, develop a relationship with the antique store owners.  They can help you identify good items for reselling and give you a heads up when they receive new inventory. The best items to make a profit from are books and textbooks, picture frames, video games, brand name clothing, Pyrex and glassware, records and record players, sporting equipment, and any items with the tag still on them. If you find an item that looks good, do a quick eBay search to determine how much the item is currently selling for.  This will help you decide if your purchase will be profitable.  Shop at high end thrift stores or stores in wealthier neighborhoods.  There may be better quality items there.  Always clean up your purchases before you resell them at the festival. Many thrift stores have discount days. Buying deeply discounted items can increase your profit. Go through your home and choose items as if you were having a garage sale.  Make sure the items are in good condition and still work. You may not get what you paid for the item, but you can still make money without having to purchase anything. Buying wholesale will allow you to get items at a discounted price.  Before you purchase, decide what type of items you are interested in selling.  This will help decide which retailers to buy from.  DOBA allows you to select the items (e.g. clothes, tools, books, electronics, games) that you are interested in selling.  Wholesale Central maintains a list of websites that you can purchase from.  The websites are grouped by category.  You may have to purchase a minimum amount to get a discounted price. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the supplier before you purchase from them. Some suppliers do not sell to individuals, so you may need a Tax Identification Number under a business name.

Summary:
Visit a local festival. Visit a garage sale. Make homemade arts and crafts. Go to antique stores. Shop at thrift stores. Clean out your home. Buy wholesale items.