Side Hustle Guide – Make Money Reselling
What is Reselling?
Buying and selling things is the oldest form of economic activity in the world, and there is still a huge market for people who want to purchase used goods. Reselling items purchased on the high street is perfectly legal.
Some people think it’s unethical to buy and resell from charity shops, but they set their prices, and you are still giving the money to the charity whether you keep or resell the item.
I have been selling things on different platforms for a while. It started with mainly just my old things that I no longer needed, but then I started seeing other people on Instagram reselling things they had bought from different places, and I thought it was a cool idea.
Some people make a good living and a business out of it full-time, but I wouldn’t do it just for the sake of having a hobby and a side income.
How can I start?
Focusing on a specific niche or a few niches is usually good. It could be shoes, vintage clothing, or collectables; it depends on your interests. Explore what is doing well in the market—you might be surprised at how much some childhood toys can sell for in mint condition. To get started –
- Choose your items/niche
- Select an online platform e.g. eBay, Depop, Vinted etc.
- Buy your inventory/stock
- Photograph and catalogue your products
- Focus on SEO for good titles
- List and promote your items on the platform
- Share on social media
Benefits of Selling
It’s exciting to sell something! You get a buzz, and you feel good about making a small profit and sending it to their new owner. If you are just reselling your things, it can help minimise your home and clear out the clutter.
Buddha spoke of letting go of desires, a lesson that is often interpreted as an invitation to delight in minimalism—to let go of intense attachment to things in our homes.
Resale is becoming increasingly mainstream as consumers seek out value options, both in terms of price and sustainability. It’s great for the planet; instead of clothes and other items going to landfills, you are giving them a new home for someone to use.
‘Many weird things have been sold on the internet. In 2007, Pablo Peñalver sold his soul on eBay for €47.51, while a piece of gum Britney Spears spits out during a Wembley concert in 2000 sold for a whopping $14,000.’
Make Money Reselling -Items that are good to Sell
These are some items that I’ve found good to sell
Selling Sites to Use
Is it for me?
Remember, reselling items isn’t an easy task. Looking for the right items, adding value by fixing or cleaning them up, taking photos, listing them online, packaging them, shipping them, and dealing with customers takes a lot of effort.
You have to think about whether you like sourcing items and dealing with customers. I’ve been doing it for years on Etsy, and you do get some people who like to cause a fuss, which is stressful!
But if you love sourcing and finding bargains, you can make this a full-time job, like many people successfully do.
Facts and Figures
- The secondhand market is expected to grow 127% by 2026
- According to Gumtree the average British household currently has 22 unused items, worth a potential £881 lurking around.
- 62% of GenZ and Millennials say they look for an item secondhand before purchasing it new.
- 73% of apparel is sent to landfill or incinerated, 95% of which could be reused or recycled.
- Buying one used item instead of a new one reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 25% per wear.
- 70% of consumers say it’s easier to shop secondhand than it was 5 years ago, thanks to the emergence of technology and online marketplaces
Make Money Reselling – Tips & Tricks
- Source items everywhere- Car boots, discount stores, charity shops, auctions and your own house! I know people who take in friends’ and families’ old things to resell and they get a cut of the profit.
- If your listing is old, delete it and then repost it.
- Refresh your photos so they stand out and add keywords so your item is found. Think like a buyer, what words and descriptions would you want to see? What images would stand out to you?
- Photos are so important – The more the better. White backgrounds are the best with natural lighting, if the item has a fault – remember to take a photo showing it so the buyer knows what to expect.
- Your title is among the first thing your shoppers see, so make sure it’s fully loaded with strong, focused keywords.
- eBay gives you 80 characters for your title so make sure you utilise them and they are SEO friendly.
- Google advises against using ALL CAPS in your listing’s title
If you want to have a look at other side hustles to try, I have plenty more blog posts on the subject!
Make Money Mystery Shopping with Shepper
I completely agree with you. Buying and selling have been a part of human history since the beginning of time and they will continue to be so. The market for used goods is always in demand and will never go out of style.
Reselling items from the high street is not only legal but also provides an opportunity for people to save money. It’s a win-win situation for both the buyer and the seller.
Totally agree! Some people don’t like it but I know others who do it as a full time income and earn quite a lot as it’s their passion!