Online mail-in gold buyer

Sellers around Australia, including people in regional areas with no local buyer. You are paid by refiners when you on-sell the metal.

You pay sellers a share of the metal value and sell to a refiner for a little more. Margins are thin, so you need steady volume and tight control of postage and insurance costs.

• Building trust online with clear terms and reviews
• Careful testing and weighing
• Organised record-keeping
• Customer communication by email and phone

• Second-hand dealer licensing varies by state and territory, and may apply even if you trade online, so check your state's rules
• Parcels lost or damaged in the post, so check courier insurance and what it covers
• Disputes when a seller disagrees with your weight or purity result, so keep photos and written records
• Fraud and stolen goods, so check how you verify seller ID and bank details
• Check council approval for running a business from home, and whether home insurance covers business stock

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your equipment, website, insurance and how much working cash you set aside. Treat this as a guide and get your own quotes before committing.

Check your state or territory's rules first. Second-hand dealer licensing varies and may apply even if you trade online. Also check council approval for running a business from home, and whether your home insurance covers business stock.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much material you buy and on-sell. Revenue is not profit. Allow for lost parcels, seller disputes and ID checks, and expect at least about 10 hours a week.