Online Consignment Seller From Home

Online buyers pay for the items. Owners get a share of the sale price, and you keep a commission for your work.

You keep a percentage of each sale after marketplace fees, often more for higher-priced items. Some sellers also charge a small fee for items that don't sell.

• Photography and writing good listings
• Researching what items sell for
• Packing and shipping
• Record keeping

• Check with your city or county about a business license and any home occupation permit, plus HOA or lease rules
• Check your state's rules on sales tax: marketplaces often collect it, but you may still need to register
• Some states or cities have secondhand dealer rules for certain goods, so check locally
• Marketplace policies on selling other people's items vary, so read the terms of each platform
• Keep track of money owed to each owner, and plan for returns and disputes
• Storing other people's items at home takes space and may not be covered by your home insurance, so check your policy

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on the photography setup, packing supplies and other equipment you choose to buy. You can start small and add to your setup as sales come in.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on how many items you take in, what they sell for and how quickly they move. You keep only your commission, so treat these as rough estimates.

Check your city or county for a business license or home occupation permit, plus HOA or lease rules. Also check state sales tax registration, secondhand dealer rules, each platform's terms on selling for others, and whether your home insurance covers stored items.