Reselling: How To Make Money Reselling Items [2024]

Contents

Reselling is a lucrative business model that is gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and side hustlers. It not only offers an opportunity to earn supplemental income, but also demands minimal startup capital, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.

You can start small, working part-time from home, and expand into a full-fledged business with a dedicated customer base. By leveraging online platforms and social media, resellers can reach a vast audience, creating endless possibilities for growth.

Reselling works with all products, such as sneakers, electronic items, books, etc. But how do you find products to resell? How do you earn money as a reseller? How to start your own reseller business? Read on to discover the answers to these questions.

What is reselling?

Reselling is a business model in which products are purchased and resold at a higher price. Resellers may sell used goods or they may buy goods from a retailer and sell them at a higher price. They can act as a middleman for a company, or start an independent reseller business.

The best thing about reselling is that it requires little to no startup capital. For example, you may have used goods in your home that you can list on a reseller site like eBay. In this instance, you would only pay commission fees once the item is sold.

In other instances, you may have to purchase the goods you resell. However, you may not have to make a huge investment. Some reseller platforms may require upfront costs which can also add to expenses, but costs are typically reasonable.

You can resell within your niche, or you can carry various items. For example, some retailers will sell clothing exclusively. Others will sell various goods. Selling various products can help you appeal to a wider audience, but it’s best to focus on a niche.

For whom is reselling suitable?

Reselling is a time-consuming and location-based business model that requires both interest and passion. It’s important to get in not only for financial reasons but also because you are passionate about the business and the products you are selling.

You must also prepare before you launch your reseller business. Product research and negotiations will come into play. You must also build an online store.

If you’re just looking for a side income and already have startup capital, other business models might be better suited for you. It is important to note that reselling is not an easy task. Here are some key tasks that a successful reseller must accomplish:

  • Niche selection: You don’t necessarily have to specialize in a particular product area. However, you should only sell products that you know about so you can write correct article texts and answer customer inquiries.
  • Product research: Your main task is to search for good offers. In the beginning, you will probably buy single items, but after a while, you can also invest bulk orders.
  • Bidding: Once you have purchased goods, you must evaluate them and determine the sales potential to resell profitably. You must also maintain your online store with professional product photos, product texts, etc.
  • Logistics: If you plan to sell a high volume of space-consuming goods, you should own or rent warehouse space. Once you have sold a product, you are also responsible for packaging and shipping.

Which products are suitable for reselling?

In principle, all products are suitable for reselling. However, there is a difference between reselling new goods and reselling used goods. At the beginning of your reselling business, you should focus on second-hand goods, which require minimal startup costs.

Reselling new goods often requires a minimum purchase quantity. Therefore, you need some start-up capital before investing in new products.

For product research, I recommend using Helium 10. The tool provides advanced filtering options to search the entire Amazon marketplace for products with high demand and low competition.

Some products are particularly well suited for reselling. For example, books and sneakers are ideal reseller choices. Books often have low acquisition costs and you can find a buyer easily. Sneakers are popular collectibles. Limited editions allow them to increase in value.

Find products with Helium 10

Helium 10 is a powerful tool that can help you find profitable products for reselling. Helium 10’s Black Box feature lets you search for products with high demand and low competition on the Amazon marketplace.

1. Log in to Helium 10

The good thing is that you can sign up for free. You have limited uses, but that’s enough for beginners. If you’re sure the tool is right for you, take advantage of this 20% discount for 6 months on Helium 10.

2. Start Black Box

Start Black Box and open the advanced filters. You will have several options to search the entire Amazon marketplace:

Helium 10 advanced filters

3. Set filters

Enter the values you want to search for.

PRESSURE SEARCH

Now you should see plenty of products that meet all your set criteria. You can also sort the list by monthly sales.

Black Box results

4. Select the results

Go through the list and sort out products from big brands.

Size and weight of the product

If you don’t have a high budget,  pay attention to the size and weight of the product. Plus-size products cost significantly more than standard-size products. You will have to pay more for manufacturing and shipping.

Price

If you sell products under $15, your profit margin will be too low.
Customers will start comparing similar products over $50 very closely. It will be much harder for you to close a sale.

It’s important to find the perfect balance when pricing your products.

Sales

The product should sell well and generate a decent revenue per month. Your turnover depends on your business strategy.

Note that Helium 10 is a paid tool. However, it offers a free trial version, which you can use to familiarize yourself with its features and see if it meets your needs.

In summary, Helium 10 can be a valuable tool for finding profitable products to resell. Use the various filter options to search for products with potential. Analyze the results thoroughly to make an informed decision.

Certain products are particularly well suited for reselling because they are limited or can be easily traded due to other factors. I have listed some of these products below and noted some interesting reselling tips:

Books

Books are a popular product for reselling because they can often be purchased cheaply and appeal to a wide audience. Although e-books are becoming more and more popular, there are still many people who prefer and collect printed books.

Here’s how to find suitable books for reselling:

  • Search online for used books, returns, or remaining stock. Platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and AbeBooks offer a wide selection of books at various prices.
  • Look for books on a specific topic or genre that are in high demand. For example, older editions of classics or rare books are often popular collectibles.
  • Check the condition of the books before buying. Look for marks, creases, soiling, etc. to ensure the condition meets buyers’ expectations. Books in good condition usually fetch higher prices than those in poor condition.
  • Create meaningful item descriptions and photos for each book entry. The potential buyer must know as much as possible about the condition and content of the book to make an informed purchase decision.
  • Pay attention to the cost of packaging and shipping. Books are relatively easy to package so the cost is low, but don’t forget to include shipping costs to ensure you make a sufficient margin.
  • Note that you may have to buy several books to make a profit. Individual books generally do not generate as high margins as entire collections or palettes of books.

Reselling books may not require as much startup capital as other products. Add shipping costs to ensure optimal profitability. Pro Tip: Books printed before 1800 sometimes have a two- to three-figure retail value.

Sneakers and fashion

Sneakers and fashion are popular reseller products. Many collectors and enthusiasts will pay high prices for limited or rare items. If you’re into sneakers and fashion, reselling can be a rewarding way to earn extra income.

Here’s how to find suitable sneakers and fashion for reselling:

  • Research and learn about the latest trends and popular brands. Look out for limited editions, collaborations, or sales where you can purchase items at a reduced price.
  • Search online marketplaces like eBay, StockX, or GOAT. Pay attention to the items’ condition and authenticity. Make sure you are offering high-quality and original products.
  • Choose your selling strategy: you can either offer a bid format auction or fixed-price items. Auctions can fetch higher prices, but you also risk low sale prices.
  • Use social media to promote your items. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are well-suited for marketing fashion products and sneakers.
  • Meet other collectors and resellers at local events or in online communities. You can make contacts, exchange experiences, and learn about the latest trends and developments.
  • Pay attention to sneaker size. Stock different sizes. Attain higher inventory in sizes that are popular among sneaker lovers.

Reselling sneakers and fashion products requires a deep knowledge of trends and the market. Research will help you develop a well-thought-out sales strategy. If you follow these steps, reselling sneakers and fashion products can be rewarding.

Tip: Use the HEAT MVMNT app to find all the latest sneaker releases, stores & raffles.

Sale: The best platform for selling fashion is StockX. Prices are created by supply and demand, just like on a stock exchange. So, as a seller, you set a selling price. When that price matches an offer to buy, you sell the product. After the sale, the product is checked for authenticity by StockX and sent to the customer.

Brands and vintage fashion

Branded and vintage fashion are popular items for reselling. Many people are looking for unique pieces or well-known brands that are no longer available in stores. If you are interested in branded and vintage fashion, reselling can be a great way to be profitable.

Here’s how to find suitable branded and vintage fashion for reselling:

  • Research well-known brands that have a high resale value. Look out for sought-after designer brands, limited editions, or vintage pieces that are particularly popular with collectors.
  • Search thrift stores, flea markets, online marketplaces, and specialized vintage boutiques for real treasures that will replenish your stock. When buying vintage fashion, pay special attention to the condition of the clothing.
  • Pay attention to trends and current events. Some brands or pieces may fetch a higher resale price due to current fashion trends or celebrity buzz.
  • Photos and detailed descriptions are crucial. Use high-quality photos and give accurate descriptions of the items, including size, material, and condition.
  • Use social media to promote your items. Instagram is especially popular for marketing fashion pieces. Create an engaging presence, share photos of your items, and use relevant hashtags to reach your target audience.
  • Pay attention to the pricing. Research the prices of similar items to develop an appropriate pricing strategy for your product. Account for the item’s condition and demand.

Stay on top of fashion trends and demand for specific brands. Good quality items, effective marketing, and competitive prices are critical to success.

Larger orders are typically referred to as vintage wholesales. These are large packages of vintage clothing that you can get cheap. You can find reputable vintage wholesalers on Trustpilot.

Sales: If you want to specialize in vintage clothing, consider opening a themed store on eBay, or Etsy. You may also open an online store. You can market your store using the hashtags #fashion and #sustainability on social media platforms.  company Heartlight Vintage is a perfect example of a well-marketed vintage store.

Heartlight Vintage as an example of Vintage Brand

Trading cards and toys

Trading cards and toys also make ideal reseller items. Focus on popular trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh! These card games have a passionate fan base that is constantly on the lookout for rare cards. Action figures, dolls, or board games are ideal reseller toy items.

There are some important points to consider to be successful in reselling trading cards and toys. You must be aware of market trends. Do some research to learn which items are in demand.

Popular cards or toys can increase in value over time, so investing in them can be beneficial. It is also advisable to check the condition of the products, as items that are in good condition or unused often fetch a higher price.

Another consideration when reselling trading cards and toys is the authenticity of the products. Counterfeiting is a common problem with popular collectibles. Buyers should be cautious and research well to ensure they buy genuine and valuable pieces.

The market for trading cards and toys is very dynamic and constantly changing. Popularity and demand can shift quickly. Stay up to date and follow trends and developments closely.

If you pay attention to these points and closely monitor the market, trading cards, and toys can be an interesting niche in the reselling business. Finding the right pieces and selling them at a profitable price can be a rewarding way to earn extra income.

Tip: Shop events such as Black Friday or Glamour Shopping Week to get hold of low-priced products. Resellers should keep an eye out for Lego merchandise (technology, houses, castles, movie-related sets & large sets) with great discounts.

The best deals on used toys are often discovered at flea markets, on Shpock, or through eBay classifieds. Flea markets, in particular, are treasure troves for resale products, as sellers often undervalue their items. This creates an opportunity to acquire high-margin products at low prices, making it an ideal hunting ground for resellers.

Having the right know-how can significantly enhance the value of products before they are sold. For instance, broken electronic devices are frequently available at bargain prices. With a bit of tinkering and minor repairs, these items can dramatically increase in value, offering substantial profits when resold.

Once you accumulate startup capital, you can also begin reselling new products. You can find suitable offers on the following platforms:

  • HEO (merchandise, licensed goods, toys, trading cards)
  • Blackfire (board games, trading cards, action figures)
  • OFCS (Yu-Gi-Ho, Pokémon, figurines, merchandise)
  • Helbig wholesale (toys in all categories)

Sale: eBay is a good place to sell toys. Valuable items can be sold on Catawiki or themed marketplaces. Specific collector target groups are directly addressed here.

Wholesale goods

You can also resell wholesale goods. These products are purchased in large quantities directly from the manufacturer or wholesaler and offered for resale.

Compared to other reselling categories, wholesale reselling offers several advantages, such as the ability to purchase products at a lower price, which increases potential profit. However, you must also consider some factors to be successful.

First of all, when buying wholesale goods, you should carefully check the suppliers and the quality of the products. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable supplier and that the quality of the goods meets your expectations. The assortment is also an important factor. Choose products that sell well and appeal to a broad target group.

You must also monitor market trends. Many resellers sell on the same platform. Keep an eye on prices and competition. Popular products can fluctuate in price.  Monitor the market closely and react quickly if necessary.

In summary, wholesale reselling offers many opportunities and can be a profitable niche in the reselling business, but it requires careful planning and monitoring. By vetting suppliers, choosing assortments carefully, and keeping an eye on the market, you can be successful at reselling wholesale merchandise and maximize potential profit.

Sales: eBay and Amazon are particularly suitable for selling wholesale goods.

Criteria for the selection of a reselling platform

When choosing a reselling platform, there are some important criteria to consider. In this section, you will find the main points.

These are the largest reselling platforms:

Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages. Research carefully before making your decision. Below I have listed criteria to consider.

Fees

Both Amazon and eBay are well-known online marketplaces. However, they also charge high fees. The fees are about 10-15% of the sale price. In addition, there are fees for payment processing and shipping. Be careful not to end up in the red on products with a small profit margin.

Online flea markets such as eBay Classifieds do not charge selling fees. However, it requires a manual selling process. On Amazon and eBay, much of the process is automated. As a result, Amazon and eBay offer superior services, including handling user requests, creating e-shipping labels, and providing various other convenient functionalities.

Fees can be reduced by having an eBay store, or a professional seller account on Amazon. On eBay, there is the Basic Shop (€39.95- approx. USD 43) and the Top Shop (€79.95- approx. USD 86) subscription. The professional seller account on Amazon costs €39 per month. As a rule, however, these subscriptions are only worthwhile once a certain number of products have been sold. For example, Amazon sellers will only make money if they sell at least 40 products monthly.

Another option is to open an online store. You can avoid the fees charged by Amazon, eBay, and other online marketplaces. However, you must market your store. This article provides information on the best e-commerce platforms.

Traffic/visitor numbers

As the largest online marketplaces, Amazon and eBay naturally have enormous traffic. In May 2024, the eBay website was visited around 658.19 million times. Amazon receives about 2 billion visits a month. The number of visits to eBay Classifieds in January 2023 was around 140.7 million.

You are unlikely to have nearly as much traffic when you launch an online store. You will be responsible for generating traffic through marketing efforts. You will have to manage SEO, the placement of advertisements, and other marketing assets. You have the potential to earn more money, but you must put in a lot of effort to do so.

Product presentation

Product presentation is essential to business success. A respectable listing can significantly improve organic rankings and increase visitors and sales.

Choose the right platform for the right kind of product. For example, listing a product costing several thousand euros on eBay classifieds is not the perfect choice. It’s best to choose a luxury platform for pricey items.

Interfaces

Some platforms offer the possibility to connect so-called third-party tools. These tools help you automate the administrative work and save time.

Nowadays there are great tools that can multiply your sales opportunities. The best tool for Amazon is Helium 10. It provides support for the following tasks:

Register for free at Helium 10 to take advantage of all it has to offer. You can also use this Helium 10 coupon to get a 20% discount for 6 months and use all features unlimited:

How To Start Your Reselling Business

Step 1: Choose reselling niche

Focus on one particular area when reselling. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sell other products, but establishing a niche is important.

It allows you to offer customers better service. Additionally, you can quickly determine the value of a product without having to do research every time.

To find a suitable niche for your business, write down the topics that seem interesting to you. Check the potential of each niche. Pay special attention to the following points:

  • Competition: Who are your competitors? Do you have a chance?
  • Seasonality: Are your products only in demand during a certain season (e.g. Christmas items)?
  • Price range: How much are your products worth?
  • Availability: Are your products available quickly and with little effort?
  • Demand: Is there enough demand for reselling items in your area?
  • Required capital: Do you have enough capital available?

Step 2: Buy products

You can use various online platforms to purchase goods. There are also buying opportunities available outside the Internet where you can grab great bargains.

Flea market

Flea markets are the ideal place for beginner resellers to shop. You can often find valuable products at a fraction of the cost. Thus, flea markets are the ideal way to get high-margin products.

There are two rules to grabbing the best deals at a flea market. Either drop by right at the start to get the best products before they get purchased, or visit the flea market just before the end when sellers mark down their items so they don’t have to take unsold goods home.

In addition, you should always negotiate at flea markets. Don’t be deterred by prices that are too high. Consider buying multiple products from one seller to get a discount.

eBay Classifieds

Most eBay Classifieds,  are regional and niche-related. Since there are rarely commercial sellers on the platform, you can often find cheap prices. Similar to a flea market, you can negotiate with the sellers and include several products in the scope of delivery. The best deals are displayed when you search nationwide and view the latest offers first.

eBay classifieds are especially suitable for consignment goods such as book boxes, flea market boxes, attic finds, or toy collections. The purchase of such boxes is always risky because not all products are suitable for resale, but you get relatively cheap products, save shipping costs, and possibly land some lucky hits.

There are many scammers on eBay classifieds who sell products at unrealistically low prices. If a seller has only been active on the platform for a short time, does not accept pickup or Paypal, or uses images from the Internet, you should look for another offer.

eBay

eBay is only conditionally suitable for the purchase of reselling items. On the one hand, there are high fees that must be calculated into the prices. The offers on eBay are also visible to end customers so no large price markups can be made.

Nevertheless, you can find good bargains on eBay under certain conditions:

  • Luck: You happen to find a good offer
  • Condition: The product is defective and can be upgraded
  • Knowledge: You know the niche and already have buyers
  • Listing: The product is poorly marketed
  • Quantity: The offer is a bundle or remnants

You can also participate in auctions on eBay. For example, if sellers post their products with the wrong keywords or use bad images, significantly fewer visitors will be drawn to the offer. In such auctions, you can work with tools that automatically bid up to a certain point, saving you some effort.

Amazon

Amazon is known for its deep discounts and sale events that may benefit resellers. Look for deals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day. You may find heavily reduced Lego sets and similar popular items.

Merkandi and Restposten.de

Merkandi and Restposten.de are B2B marketplaces that offer specialty items and large quantities, respectively. Both platforms are characterized by a huge selection of B2B offers, some with great prices. They also offer the opportunity to make important business contacts, because as a registered buyer, you can access the seller’s contact details.

Restposten.de

On Restposten.de you can find special items of all kinds, including products that have been returned or are on sale for other reasons. Sellers often want to get rid of the goods as soon as possible, which can benefit negotiations.

Restposten.de offers are sorted into different categories:

  • A-goods stands for as good as new products
  • 1B goods stands for products with small blemishes
  • B-goods stands for products with visible defects and possibly even usage restrictions
  • C-goods stands for untested returns

Be careful with posts with unknown content. Mixed pallets are often sold on Restposten.de. The content and condition of the goods have not been checked.

To buy something on Restposten.de, you must sign up for a subscription. You can opt for a 4-month term for just under €70 or a 12-month term for just under €100.

Merkandi

Merkandi has twice as many members as Restposten.de and offers an international product range. The products are divided into A, B, and C goods. They are also categorized as wholesale, remaining stock, and auctions. The product range is differentiated more precisely, making it easier to search for specific products.

Merkandi offers additional features like a seller directory and a blacklist.

The seller directory lists reputable wholesalers. The blacklist represents a list of merchants that have received bad reviews in the past.

A membership at Merkandi costs 100 € per year (approx 108 USD).

Specific marketplaces

As already mentioned, you can find marketplaces for almost every niche. You can easily find these providers via Google search. Here are some marketplaces that are worth checking out.

  • Vinted: Marketplace for used clothing of all kinds
  • StockX: Marketplace for sneakers, collectibles, and limited-edition fashion
  • Catawiki: Auction house for collectibles and expensive objects (e.g. precious stones, wine, whiskey, art, or classic cars).
  • Etsy: marketplace for handmade or vintage products

Retail

You may also look for deals in retail stores. In some cases, local stores offer discounts that can’t be found online.

Tip: You can scan products without barcodes using the Amazon Seller Account app. The corresponding product is then determined based on the shape. This way you can find out at what price it is currently trading at.

Step 3: Calculate reselling margin

You should structure your inventory and create an overview of all costs from the start. The purchase price should cover the sales price, advertising costs, labor costs, shipping costs, etc.

You can initially create the margin calculation and inventory planning in Excel or G-Sheets. You can decide how you want to proceed. However, your sheet should contain the following columns:

  • Product category (e.g. brand)
  • important information about the product (size, color, material, defects, etc.)
  • SKU (Stock number)
  • Costs:
    • Acquisition costs: All costs associated with the purchase of the product.
    • Recruitment fees: Some platforms charge recruitment fees
    • Advertising: cost of advertising
    • Selling fee: Selling fees are also charged by the respective platforms
    • Shipping costs: costs for the shipment of the goods
    • Time: Cost of working time
    • Total costs (sum of all costs)
  • Selling price
  • Profit

This Excel sheet serves as an example:

Calculate Reselling Margin Table

Of course, many columns can be added to the table. In the beginning, focus on the essential characteristics. Later, you can use a tool for documenting the inventory and calculating the margin.

Step 4: Build store and set products

eBay and Amazon offer the possibility to create a store. A store is a dedicated sales page on a selected platform. You can customize it with a description, profile picture, and banner. A store offers more marketing opportunities. You can build a reputation in your chosen niche.

Setting up a product on eBay and Amazon is relatively self-explanatory.  Use the right category, relevant keywords, and good product images. You can also work with HTML in the product description.

Include all relevant keywords in the title. However, readability should not be compromised in the process. You can find keywords through other offers or automatic search suggestions.

When you enter your product in the search bar, it will calculate several search suggestions. Make a note of them and apply those that are relevant to the product.

eBay search keywords find

The product images should be of good quality and exclusively depict the product for sale. For the perfect shot, photograph the products in a photo box.

You should post several pictures of each product from different angles. Detailed photos (e.g. of the fabric) will be beneficial.

Step 5: Logistics in reselling

Assign an SKU that will help you identify each product. This allows products to be quickly retrieved from the warehouse, packed, and shipped. Accordingly, the SKUs of the products must be visible in the warehouse.

Shipping labels can be purchased and printed directly from Amazon and eBay.

You can buy affordable packaging materials on Amazon.  Use your Amazon Business account to save money through discounts for business customers. There is also a big store on eBay called Verpackungsexpress24, which offers packaging materials at good prices.

Important: Anyone who puts packaging into circulation in Germany must recycle the packaging material. This is regulated by the Packaging Act (VerpackG). Packaging licensing allows companies to transfer their take-back and recycling obligations to a dual system.

Returns in reselling

Every buyer in Germany has a 14-days to return their goods purchased online. You must plan for these returns and know how to handle them.

When selling collectibles or expensive products, you should insure yourself against damage or diminishing value from the customer. For example, just opening a new Lego set drops the value tremendously. In your terms and conditions you can add the following note:

“You must pay for any loss in value if the product has been handled in a way that is not necessary for testing the quality, characteristics, and functioning of the goods”

Taxes in reselling

Resellers must file a business registration and document all business transactions concerning the company’s finances.

At the end of the year, you must submit a profit statement, a tax return, and a sales tax return to the tax office. You may also pay estimated taxes in advance.

There are many ways to store and file your data. Think about the exact structure of your accounting in advance, so you can access your data when you need it.

In Germany, small entrepreneurs classified by the tax office according to § 19 UstG remain unaffected by the advance VAT return. As a small business owner, you do not have to show sales tax (= value added tax) in your invoices. However, you will not be reimbursed for the “input tax” (= sales tax, for incoming invoices).

Record keeping is complicated for sellers because you mainly buy your goods from private persons who may not issue invoices. Consult with your tax advisor and discuss your options.

Scale Reselling Business

The growth of a reselling business is relatively difficult to scale. product discovery and product sales processes repeat, but they are individual for each product. Accordingly, this process can only be automated in very isolated cases. Real growth is only possible when you hire employees, automate processes, and list new products.

Once you’ve built a decent store with a few hundred items and generated enough sales, start optimizing your processes. For example, you can make some steps easier by using certain tools or creating more professional equipment.

You should start investing in new goods when you have made enough profits and can build up reserves. You can then reinvest these profits in new merchandise and place offers that generate constant revenue. Such bulk orders save research work and create a constant source of income.

Conclusion – Is Reselling Worthwhile?

Reselling is a lucrative business model that doesn’t require much startup capital and can generate revenue quickly. However, trading returns is time-consuming and location-based.

Whether the business model is suitable for you depends on your own goals. If you are solely interested in making money, I would advise against it. If you don’t have a passion for buying and selling or expertise in a particular niche, you won’t find the experience rewarding.

If you’ve decided to get started as a reseller, sell books, games, or other things around your home. This way you can try out the business model without any risk.

If, on the other hand, you’re more interested in a business model that can scale quickly and without employees, you should check out this article on how to open an Amazon store.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

As with any business model, whether reselling is worthwhile depends on various factors, such as your commitment and expertise. In the article, you’ll find everything from a comprehensive assessment to concrete practical tips on how to build a successful reselling business.

Reselling is a business model in which products are purchased and then resold, ideally at a higher price. Most of the time these are remnants, used goods or customer returns. Even with little start-up capital, a serious reselling business can be set up.

Yes, reselling is allowed. However, as soon as you intend to make a profit, you must register a business. If you sell exclusively your old stuff, then of course not.

When reselling, it’s especially important that you do thorough product research. I have presented you a very good strategy in our article.

Reselling is a very time-consuming and location-dependent business model. That means you should be interested in this business model not only because of the financial aspect, but also out of passion. In addition, you should have a fundamental interest in product research, negotiations and online store creation.

If you are looking for a side income solely because of the financial aspect and you already have startup capital available, other business models are much more suitable.

In principle, all products are suitable for reselling. A distinction is made between reselling new goods and reselling used goods. At the beginning of your reselling business, you should focus mainly on used goods where you need little start-up capital.

Minimum purchase quantities are very often required for new goods. That’s why you should have some startup capital available before investing in new merchandise. In addition, you should keep in mind that the diversification of the product range in your online store decreases with large purchase quantities of new goods.

One strategy to find suitable reselling products is to use metrics such as high demand and low competition. A suitable platform for this is Helium 10. You can find instructions on how to find suitable reselling products in the article.

You can find instructions on how to start reselling in the article. The basic steps in this business model consist of selecting the right niche, conducting product research, creating quotes, and logistics (e.g., warehousing and shipping).

You can find information about taxes in reselling in the article. In Germany, anyone who makes a profit is required to file a business registration with the relevant municipal authority. Different taxes are due depending on the status (e.g. income tax or trade tax).

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Moritz Bauer

Moritz Bauer studied industrial engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Constance. At the age of 16, he build his first online store. Today, he teaches companies how to set up their business online.

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