Online second-hand games seller

Gamers, collectors and parents buying for children, mostly through online marketplaces and your own shop.

You sell for more than you paid, after fees and postage. Retro and rarer titles can carry better margins than current games.

• Knowing games, consoles and what they are worth
• Basic testing and cleaning of hardware
• Clear photos and honest listings
• Packing and posting carefully

• Check you are not buying stolen goods: keep records of where stock came from
• Check marketplace rules and fees, and avoid listing counterfeit or reproduction items as genuine
• Tell HMRC when you start trading, and keep records of purchases and sales for tax
• Check consumer rules on returns and descriptions for items sold online
• Test consoles properly and be open about faults to limit returns and disputes

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how much stock you buy and what testing and packing gear you need. These are estimates, so build your own budget before you buy stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on the stock you find, how well you price it and the hours you put in. Revenue is not profit, as stock, fees and postage come out of it.

Check you are not buying stolen goods and keep records of where stock came from. Also check marketplace rules and fees, tell HMRC when you start trading, and check consumer rules on returns and descriptions for items sold online.