Chris found out the painting was by a Spanish artist
A bargain hunter says a £4.50 charity shop find turned into his best-ever buy after the painting sold for nearly £300. Chris Hutton has been buying and flipping second-hand items for years, but an oil painting thrift is his proudest moment.
The 47-year-old had just opened his first eBay business account when he stumbled across the piece. Curious, the reseller decided to take a chance on it. He later discovered that the oil painting was by collectible Spanish artist Y. Deric and listed it on eBay for £349.99.
It racked up interest almost immediately. “I’d visited a charity shop where I’d spotted this oil painting that was priced up at £4.50,” he said. “I posted all about it on my Instagram reselling page and I soon realised that I’d found a bit of a gem and that the artist’s previous paintings were quite collectible.
“I immediately had a lot of interest and a lot of watchers, but sadly no buyers [until] I dropped the price down.”
That piece, bought for less than the price of a coffee, made Chris a £240 profit once fees and postage were deducted. He told the painting for £299.99. Chris, from Wentworth, South Yorkshire, has been reselling on and off for around five years.
He scours charity shops and car boot sales in search of hidden treasures. While he’s had plenty of lucky finds, the painting will always hold a special place in his heart.
He added: “It’s the most profitable item that I have sold so far throughout my reselling journey.”
