Online salvage seller with weekend markets

Renovators, stylists, designers and hobbyists looking for period or character pieces, often from your local area.

Profit on each item sold after your buying and cleaning costs. Online listings reach a wider audience, while markets and local pickups avoid freight costs.

• Spotting valuable pieces at clearances and auctions
• Photography and writing clear listings
• Packing and arranging pickups safely

• Check your council's rules for running a home-based business and storing stock at home
• Public liability insurance, especially if you trade at markets (many require it)
• Older items may contain asbestos or lead paint, check your state's rules before selling them
• Register for an ABN and check when GST registration applies as your sales grow
• Heavy or fragile items are hard to post, consider local pickup only

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage setup and any market stall gear. These are estimates, so test with a small first batch of stock.

Check your council's rules for home-based businesses and storing stock at home. Look at public liability insurance, which many markets require. Older items may contain asbestos or lead paint, so check your state's rules before selling them. Also check ABN and GST requirements.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on what you find, how you price it and how often you trade. That is revenue, not profit. It typically takes at least around 8 hours a week.