- Start with your own closet, garage, or a $20 thrift run — no inventory budget needed for the first batch. Pick categories with steady demand: small electronics, branded clothing, board games, vintage kitchenware. Photograph each item in daylight, front/back/flaws, before you write a word.
- eBay typically charges about 13.6% of the total sale plus $0.40 per order in most categories (verified by search this run, 2026 rates). Example: a $10 thrift find sold for $40 on eBay keeps roughly $34 after fees, before shipping costs. Facebook Marketplace local pickup paid in person is free; shipped orders cost 10% with an $0.80 minimum. Price from sold listings, not asking prices — check eBay's sold filter for the real number.
- Plan 2-4 hours to source, photograph, and list a batch of ten, plus packing and post-office runs. Expect unsold inventory, returns, and the occasional buyer dispute — price with that in mind. No income is guaranteed; your first batch is a test of whether your sourcing eye beats the fees.
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