Aussie man flips $7 mug into $500 in just 30 minutes—here’s his secret

Sifting through charity shops can feel like a treasure hunt, but for some Aussies it has turned into a serious money-making venture.

Imagine spotting an ordinary item on a shelf, buying it for a few dollars, and selling it almost immediately for hundreds.

That’s exactly what Mat Carpenter experienced during a recent op shop visit.

Mat Carpenter, a professional thrifter and founder of #Flip Weekly—a newsletter and podcast teaching Aussies how to flip undervalued products—recently shared the story of his incredible find.

He had been wandering around a Savers store when a unique-looking mug caught his eye, priced at $7.49.

Mat explained that he had been on the lookout for anything that combined alcohol and pottery, having heard that pottery mugs made by Australia's oldest rum distillery, Beenleigh Rum, in the 1950s were highly sought after by collectors.

The brown ceramic jug depicted the caricatured face of ‘Bosun Bill’.

According to Beenleigh Artisan Distillers, the character came from the legend of 'The Bosun', who operated a floating sugar mill along the Albert and Logan Rivers.

‘He soon found a productive use for the excess molasses he produced- making Rum on the sly,’ the distillery's website stated.

When the floating sugar mill, the SS Walrus, washed ashore in 1984 on the distillery’s land, all that was found was the Bosun’s Copper Pot, inspiring the creation of the collectible mugs.

The mugs were made as memorabilia for the rum brand and now sell for top dollar online.

Mat shared advice for anyone hoping to turn op shop finds into cash, stressing that the key was knowing exactly what to look for.

The Sydneysider previously revealed that he earns $4,000 a month flipping items such as books, toys, DVDs, CDs and collectible clothing, and shares tips in his weekly newsletter.

‘My background is finding unusual ways to make money,’ he said.

‘There's nothing more unusual than picking up a mug in a thrift store for $7.50 and selling it 30 minutes later for $500.’

Mat also keeps an eye out for overpriced items, recently highlighting a Vinnies store listing relatively common books for $500 and $1,000 as rare first editions.

After the media contacted the St Vincent de Paul Society, the charity shop confirmed the books were pulled from the shelves and admitted the pricing was an error.

Other Aussies have also struck gold in op shops.

Last year, one Queensland thrifter discovered a $2 pair of opal earrings that could be worth up to $1,000.

Another man, Tom, purchased a Seiko watch for less than the cost of a meal, only to realise the dial read ‘Australian Bureau of Statistics’, a detail that made the watch highly collectible.

After receiving multiple offers, Tom sold the watch on eBay for over $500.

Have you ever uncovered a hidden gem in a charity shop that could make someone else’s treasure?