Check your bookshelf NOW How Aussie shopper turned a $3 op shop find at Vinnies into a small fortune

A thrifty Aussie has shocked his followers after revealing how he turned a stack of $3 children’s books into an eye-watering $1,600 windfall, all thanks to a quick Google search inside his local Vinnies.

Mat, a popular Brisbane reseller and the creator behind the website ‘Flip Weekly’, shared the now-viral clip with his followers, showing how an ordinary browse through the book aisle turned into one of his most profitable flips yet.

The video has already amassed more than 190,000 views, with fans calling him a ‘genius’ and racing to their nearest charity shop to try their luck.

In the clipMat walked viewers through the exact moment he realised he’d struck gold.

‘This is how easy it is,’ he began, picking up two retro Sonic the Hedgehog kids’ books from a Vinnies shelf.

‘You walk into Vinnies and you come across a couple of Sonic the Hedgehog kids’ books. They look interesting, so we Google them and it turns out they’re worth a bit of money.’

The books were priced at $3 each, so Mat scooped the entire collection totalling $60 for the entire lot.

‘Then I listed them on eBay, and they sold for $1,600. Thank you, Vinnies.’

A thrifty Aussie has shocked his followers after revealing how he turned a stack of $3 children’s books into an eye-watering $1,600 windfall, all thanks to a quick Google search inside his local Vinnies

Mat, a popular Brisbane reseller and the creator behind the website ‘Flip Weekly’, shared the now-viral clip with his followers, showing how an ordinary browse through the book aisle turned into one of his most profitable flips yet

While the Sonic flip might look like a stroke of dumb luck, Mat says this kind of win comes from years of experience and a skill he’s been honing since he was a teenager.

Sharing his thrifty tips online, Mat has divulged that his very first ‘flip’ happened at just 16 when he bought MP3 players for $4.20 and sold them on eBay for $49.95 each.

That small profit sparked what he describes as his first ‘high-school hustle’, which eventually grew into a business tracking six figures in sales, according to him, before he’d even left his teens.

The passion stuck and now he’s teaching others how to do it too through his newsletter and podcast where he shares his weekly finds, lessons, mistakes and big wins, helping everyday Australians master the art of spotting hidden value.

Each edition breaks down exactly how he sources items, researches them, and flips them for profit – with his Sonic the Hedgehog score now becoming one of his standout teaching moments.

Hopeful buyers can now also hunt for bargains online thanks to Vinnies launching an online storeoffering 30,000 pre-loved fashion pieces – ranging from designer labels to popular high-street brands.

The new site that launched in May 2025, named Vinnies Finds, sells items that have been curated by a team of 25 staff and volunteers at Vinnies’ warehouse in Sydney’s inner west, with shipping available nationwide.

With new men’s and women’s clothes, shoes and accessories dropping daily, shoppers can grab bargains on brands including Burberry, Kate Spade, Christian Dior, Chanel, Zimmermann, New Balance and Nike and more.

With growing demand for second-hand shopping and vintage clothing – along with the rise of the thrifting trend on social media – it’s no surprise that op shops have seen a huge spike in popularity in recent years. Vinnies has now expanded its internet presence with its first-ever online store

With growing demand for second-hand shopping and vintage clothing – along with the rise of the thrifting trend on social media – it’s no surprise that traffic at op shops has risen in recent years.

And now, after more than 100 years of running brick-and-mortar shops, Vinnies is belatedly following other retailers online.

‘As shopping habits evolve in the digital age, our move online ensures Vinnies remains relevant and accessible. Today’s consumers are seeking convenience, sustainability, and style, all in one click,’ Vinnies NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz told Daily Mail.

‘Going digital allows us to reach a wider crowd and keep up with the growing demand for eco-friendly options, all while giving pre-loved clothes a second life.’

Shoppers can sort the offerings by category, brand, curated collection, price, or by using specific search terms.

The new platform offers shoppers an ‘affordable way to enjoy fashion while supporting sustainability and giving back to the community’.

‘Vinnies Finds combines the treasure-hunt experience of thrifting with the convenience of shopping online, all while supporting the work of Vinnies in communities across NSW,’ Ms Saiz said.