Side Hustleslow risk
Arbitrage Broken Electronics on Facebook Marketplace
Buy broken electronics cheap, replace basic components for $5-15, flip for 300-500% profit margins with simple repairs anyone can learn.
Last verified: 3/29/2026
Buy broken electronics cheap, replace basic components for $5-15, flip for 300-500% profit margins with simple repairs anyone can learn.
Capital Required
$0–$500
Time Commitment
5-20 hrs/week
Skill Level
beginner
Risk Level
low
While everyone's chasing the latest side hustles, there's a massive arbitrage opportunity hiding in plain sight on Facebook Marketplace: buying "broken" electronics that need simple repairs and flipping them for 300-500% profit margins.
Most people throw away or sell electronics dirt cheap when they stop working, assuming they're beyond repair. But 70% of "broken" consumer electronics fail due to easily replaceable components that cost $5-15 to fix. The repair takes 15-30 minutes with basic tools, yet you can sell the fixed device for near-retail prices.
This opportunity exists because there's a massive knowledge gap. The average person doesn't know that a $400 TV sold for $50 as "broken" might just need a $8 power supply board. Meanwhile, repair shops charge $150+ for the same fix, making DIY repair arbitrage incredibly profitable.
The economics are compelling with minimal startup costs:
Startup Costs:
Revenue Model: Buy broken electronics for 10-25% of retail value, invest $5-15 in replacement parts, sell for 60-80% of retail.
Example Transactions:
Monthly Targets (Part-time):
Finding Inventory:
Facebook Marketplace is the goldmine. Search for electronics with keywords like "broken," "for parts," "doesn't turn on," "cracked screen." The best deals come from people who clearly don't understand electronics - look for listings with minimal technical details or phrases like "stopped working randomly."
Target high-value items with common failure points:
Diagnostic Process:
Before buying, ask specific questions to identify the likely issue:
For TVs, if it doesn't turn on but the standby light works, it's usually the power board ($8-15 fix). For phones with cracked screens but functional displays, it's just the digitizer ($20-35 fix).
Sourcing Replacement Parts:
AliExpress is your primary supplier. Search by device model + "replacement parts." Bulk order common components:
eBay for harder-to-find components, especially for older devices.
Local electronics supply stores for immediate needs, though margins are lower.
The Repair Process:
Most repairs follow similar patterns:
YouTube University is crucial. Channels like "Electronics Repair Basics" and device-specific channels provide step-by-step instructions for virtually every repair.
Scaling the Business:
Start with 2-3 device categories you're comfortable with. As you build expertise and capital:
Realistic Failure Scenarios:
Not every "broken" device is easily repairable. About 30% of your purchases will be legitimate write-offs due to:
Budget for a 25-30% loss rate on inventory. This is already factored into the profit margins above.
Market Saturation Risk: In major metropolitan areas, competition is increasing. Success requires:
Time Investment Reality: While repairs take 15-30 minutes, the full cycle includes:
Total time commitment is closer to 20-25 hours weekly for $1,000-1,500 monthly profit.
Why This Window Exists Now:
Right to Repair Movement: Recent legislation is making repair manuals and parts more accessible, but most consumers haven't caught up to the possibilities.
Supply Chain Issues: New electronics shortages have increased demand for refurbished devices, pushing up resale values while purchase prices for "broken" items remain low.
Sustainability Trends: Younger consumers increasingly prefer buying refurbished electronics, expanding your potential customer base.
Information Gap: Despite YouTube tutorials, most people still assume electronic repair requires expert knowledge. This perception keeps competition relatively low.
Economic Pressure: Inflation is driving more people to buy used electronics while simultaneously creating more sellers looking to offload broken devices for quick cash.
How Long It Might Last:
This arbitrage opportunity has 3-5 years of strong viability. The window will gradually close as:
However, the core opportunity - knowledge arbitrage in electronics repair - will persist as long as there's a significant skill gap between technical and non-technical consumers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Overestimating Your Skills: Don't buy water-damaged devices or anything requiring micro-soldering until you've mastered basic component replacement. Stick to simple power supply, screen, and charging port repairs initially.
Ignoring Compatibility: Always verify part compatibility by exact model number. A power board for a Samsung UN55MU6300 won't work in a UN55MU6290, despite appearing identical.
Rushing the Diagnosis: Spend time researching the specific failure symptoms before purchasing. A TV that "randomly turns off" could be overheating (cheap fix) or a failing motherboard (expensive write-off).
Underpricing Repairs: Research current market prices on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local electronics stores. Price your repairs at 60-80% of retail, not 50% like most flippers.
Poor Documentation: Always take before/after photos and keep repair records. This builds credibility with buyers and helps you track which repairs are most profitable.
Neglecting Testing: Test all functions thoroughly before listing. A TV that powers on but has no sound is still "broken" to buyers.
Start This Week:
Day 1-2: Market Research Spend 2 hours browsing Facebook Marketplace in your area. Search "broken TV," "cracked iPhone," "laptop won't turn on." Screenshot 10-15 listings with good arbitrage potential and research what those repairs typically cost.
Day 3-4: Buy Your First Device Purchase one simple repair - ideally a TV that "won't turn on" for under $100. Before buying, YouTube the model number + "power supply replacement" to confirm it's a straightforward repair.
Day 5-7: Order Tools and Parts Order a basic repair toolkit from Amazon and the specific replacement part for your first device from AliExpress. While waiting for parts to arrive, watch repair tutorials and join Facebook groups like "Electronics Repair" for advice.
Research profitable device categories in your local Facebook Marketplace by searching 'broken,' 'for parts,' and 'doesn't work' - identify 5-10 devices under $100 with simple repair potential
Purchase your first repair target focusing on TVs with power issues or phones with cracked screens - these have the highest success rates for beginners
Order essential tools (precision screwdrivers, prying tools, multimeter) and the specific replacement part for your device from AliExpress or eBay
Complete the repair following YouTube tutorials specific to your device model, documenting the process with photos for your records
List the repaired device at 60-70% of current market price, emphasizing that it's 'professionally repaired' with photos showing before/after condition
Scale by reinvesting profits into inventory, building expertise in 2-3 device categories, and establishing relationships with consistent sellers like estate sale companies
Large TVs (50"+) offer the best margins because people sell them cheap due to transportation difficulty, but repairs are often simple power supply swaps. A $75 broken TV can become a $400 sale with a $12 part. Gaming laptops are second-best - charging port repairs cost $8 but add $200-300 in value. Avoid older smartphones (iPhone 8 and below) as parts costs eat into margins significantly.
Ask specific diagnostic questions before buying. For TVs: 'Does any light turn on when plugged in?' If yes, likely repairable. For phones: 'Does it vibrate or make sounds when powered on?' If yes, probably screen-only damage. Avoid anything described as 'randomly stopped working after dropping' or 'got wet' - these often have multiple component failures that make repair uneconomical.
Essential starter kit: precision screwdriver set ($15), plastic prying tools ($10), anti-static wrist strap ($5), basic multimeter ($25), and LED desk lamp ($20). Total: $75. Don't buy expensive tools initially - upgrade as you gain experience and identify which repairs you do most often. Most repairs require only basic disassembly and component swapping.
First profit within 2-3 weeks if you start immediately. Week 1: Buy first device and order parts. Week 2: Parts arrive, complete repair. Week 3: List and sell. Expect $50-150 profit on your first repair. Scale to $1000+ monthly profits requires 2-3 months to build inventory processes, repair skills, and customer base. The business becomes profitable from day one, but meaningful income takes 60-90 days to develop.
Completely legal - you're buying, repairing, and reselling personal property. No licensing required for basic repairs. However, if you scale to business levels (20+ sales monthly), you may need to collect sales tax depending on your state. Keep records of all purchases and sales for tax purposes. Avoid claiming devices are 'new' or 'refurbished by manufacturer' - accurately describe them as 'repaired' or 'restored.'