Online second-hand book seller

Readers, students, collectors and gift buyers across Australia, and sometimes overseas.

You sell each book for more than you paid for it, plus a postage charge. Margin comes from buying well, pricing carefully and finding books that are in demand.

• Spotting books that will resell
• Careful listing and photos
• Packing and posting orders
• Basic record keeping

• You need an ABN, and GST registration is required once turnover reaches the threshold, so check with the ATO
• Check whether your local council has rules for running a business from home
• Marketplace fees and postage costs can eat into margins, so price after counting them
• Stock takes up space and ties up cash, so avoid buying more than you can list
• Be careful describing condition and editions accurately to avoid returns and disputes

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on how many books you buy to begin with and the packing supplies you need. These are estimates, so price your listings after counting marketplace fees and postage.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on your niche, how many titles you list and your pricing. These are estimates, and you would need at least around 8 hours a week.

Check that you have an ABN, and with the ATO when GST registration is required once turnover reaches the threshold. Also check whether your local council has rules for running a business from home, and describe book condition and editions accurately.