Online antiques and collectibles seller

Collectors, decorators, gift buyers and people looking for specific vintage pieces, mostly buying through online marketplaces.

The margin between what you pay for an item and what you sell it for, minus marketplace fees, shipping and packing costs.

• Researching item values and history
• Good photography and clear writing
• Packing fragile items safely
• Patience and an eye for quality

• Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and collection, including marketplace rules
• Check whether your state or city requires a secondhand dealer license or reporting for resold goods
• Fakes and reproductions can cost you money, so learn to spot them and avoid items you cannot verify
• Rules apply to ivory, certain feathers and some protected materials, so check federal and state restrictions before buying or selling
• Home storage may need space planning, and check HOA or lease rules if you ship from home

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your photography and packing supplies, and any web store fees. These figures are estimates, and you can start small.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on how much stock you source, the items you sell and how many hours you put in. This is revenue before costs such as stock and shipping, and only an estimate.

Check your state's sales tax registration and collection rules, including marketplace rules, and whether your state or city requires a secondhand dealer license or reporting. Also check federal and state restrictions on ivory, certain feathers and other protected materials.