Flip Profit Calculator
Before you bid on a government surplus lot, work out whether it actually pays. Add the buyer's premium, transport, and any repairs to your bid, then compare against what you can resell it for.
Net profit
$0
Margin
0%
ROI
0%
Skip the guesswork. BidProwl Pro shows a Flip Score and a resale-margin estimate from real sold prices on every listing.
See ProHow the math works
Your all-in cost is the winning bid, plus the buyer's premium (a percentage the auction house adds on top, usually 10 to 18 percent), plus transport or pickup, plus any repairs. Net profit is your expected resale price minus that all-in cost.
Worked example: a $1,200 bid on a forklift at a 12.5 percent premium is $150 in fees. Add $300 transport and $200 refurb and your all-in cost is $1,850. Resell at $2,800 and you net $950, a 34 percent margin and a 51 percent ROI.
Estimates only. They exclude listing-specific fees, storage, and your time. Not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit on an auction flip?
Take your expected resale price and subtract your all-in cost: the winning bid, the buyer's premium, transport or pickup, and any repairs. What's left is your net profit.
What is a good profit margin when flipping auction items?
Most resellers want at least a 30 to 50 percent margin so there is room to absorb surprises like extra repairs, slow resale, or a lower-than-hoped sale price. A thin margin disappears fast once fees and transport are counted.
What costs do people forget when flipping government surplus?
The big ones are the buyer's premium (often 10 to 18 percent), transport and pickup, storage while you resell, repairs or cleaning, and the value of your own time. Each one eats into the margin.
What is the difference between margin and ROI?
Margin is profit as a share of the resale price. ROI is profit as a share of what you put in. A lot can show a fine dollar profit but a thin margin once you include fees and transport.