Back in November I shared that I had spent $812.41 on Halloween costumes that were on clearance at 90% off. I said I hoped to hit $1000 in gross sales by the end of December. For a long time I thought I was going to make it. On December 23 I was up to $879.36 in costume sales. And then I didn’t sell another costume for the rest of the year …

Sales in general slowed down that last week, but they’ve picked up again and by January 6 I had sold another 7 costumes which pushed my total gross sales for recently purchased costumes up to $1028.26! So I have met my $1000 goal, just six days later than I was hoping. Still not bad.

The majority of sales came from eBay, but I also sold some of my newly purchased costumes on Poshmark, Mercari and Bonanza. I am happy to get a sale anywhere I can make it! All of the costumes shown here are some of those that have sold in the last few weeks – for several I have sold multiples of the same costume.

This is what I have been up to this last month … times five. Yes, I bought five carts full of Halloween costumes on clearance. I wait until the price drops to 90% off. I think I did my biggest haul yet, split among four different stores. I spent a grand total of $812.41(!) earlier this month. (Which means that the initial retail price of the costumes was $8124.10.) My best guess is that I paid an average price of $2 per costume, which equals about 400 new items. The great thing is that I bought duplicates of quite a few, some in different sizes, meaning I can list it once and sell it again and again.

I am at least 2/3 of the way through listing them all. I have sold 14 of the newly listed costumes so far, and am approaching $300 in sales. I am keeping track of my gross sales from the haul, and am hoping to hit the $1000 mark by the end of December. When I hit that I will feel like I am close to making back my initial investment.

Here are some of the costumes I have already sold from my new listings – and I have sold multiples of the PJ Masks, Fancy Nancy and Puffer Fish costumes.

I will say that buying and selling costumes in this kind of quantity is not for everyone. There is, of course, the initial financial investment, not to mention the physical space all of the costumes will take up. You definitely need to take the long view because most won’t sell right away. But, I do sell costumes every single week. The sales come in slow and steady most of the year, and then mid-August to mid-October I sell costumes like crazy. The past few years September has been my highest sales month of the year.

Because the prices are so low, I do almost no research before purchasing. If I like it, into the cart it goes. The research starts when I get them all home. For some costumes the market is so saturated that they end up selling below retail price. Most sell right around retail price. And there are always a handful of costumes that are actually quite rare and sell well above the initial retail price. It’s a mixed bag for sure, but I enjoy it. And so I will continue to buy and sell costumes.

‘Tis the season to sell costumes!  One of my favorite things to sell.  I just did a quick tally, and I sold 47 costumes in September, and another nine the first four days of October.  Here’s hoping they keep selling!

I went to a consignment sale yesterday and found an adult Winnie the Pooh costume from the Disney Store which I picked up for $8.  It isn’t one of the talking costumes which sell for more (I’ve sold a couple in the past in the $150-$200 range), but I’m still hoping it will be a good ~ and quick ~ flip.

What costumes are you always on the look out for?  And are you dressing up for Halloween?  Do tell!

Rocket Raccoon and Jack Sparrow,
trying to give his most pirate-y expression.

Of course I thrifted my boys’ costumes, and was able to pick them up for $2/each!  + $6 for the Rocket mask on Amazon.  Whadda deal.

I love selling Halloween costumes, and usually sell a bunch, but it doesn’t seem like I have sold as many this year.  The ones below I sold in the $15-$35 range:

I guess that was quite a few costumes, and for a few I sold multiple of the same costume.  Usually I have a handful of higher-selling costumes (in the $50-$100+ range) but this year notsomuch. Costumes are fun though, something I really enjoy selling all year long.

P.S.  I did get the following cute note with the costume below:

Thanks so much.  My daughter is dressing up as a
crazy cat lady and wanted her little brother [to be] a cat lol

Happy Halloween!

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