Online refurbished phones and accessories

Budget-conscious buyers, parents buying a first phone, and people who want a decent handset without a new contract.

The gap between your buying price and selling price on each handset, plus higher-margin accessories and any repair work you add.

• Testing and grading phones accurately
• Online listings and photography
• Handling customer questions and returns

• Stolen or blocked phones: check IMEI status and keep purchase records
• Consumer rights for online sales, including returns and faulty goods, so check Trading Standards guidance
• Marketplace rules on refurbished goods and fake accessories, and avoid counterfeit stock
• Check any rules on electrical and battery waste that apply to you as a seller
• Wipe data from every handset and check whether you need to register with the ICO
• Insurance for stock, and for parcels in transit
• Running from home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender, so check

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy and the testing and listing tools you need. These are estimates, so check them against your own plans.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your stock, pricing and how many handsets you sell. That is revenue, not profit, and your buying costs will reduce what you keep.

Check IMEI status and keep purchase records to avoid stolen or blocked phones. Also check consumer rights for online sales with Trading Standards, marketplace rules on refurbished goods, battery waste rules, and whether you need to register with the ICO after wiping data.