Online second-hand reseller

Online shoppers looking for affordable, vintage or hard-to-find items, plus collectors and bargain hunters.

You earn the gap between what you pay for an item and its selling price, minus marketplace fees and shipping costs.

• Spotting items that resell well
• Taking clear photos and writing honest listings
• Packing and shipping carefully

• Check whether your state requires a seller's permit or sales tax registration, and how marketplace sales tax is handled
• Track income and expenses for the IRS and check how self-employment tax applies to you
• Some items have safety or resale limits (for example recalled children's products, certain electronics), so check before listing
• Storage space at home and any HOA or lease rules about running a business from your address

Startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on how much stock you buy and what supplies you need for photos and shipping. These are estimates, and you can begin small and reinvest.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $2,500, depending on what you source, how you price it and how many hours you put in. Many people start at around 8 hours a week.

Check whether your state requires a seller's permit or sales tax registration, and how marketplace sales tax is handled. Track income and expenses for the IRS, and check limits on items such as recalled children's products before listing.