You don't need much to start. You need to start smart.
The number one reason people don't start reselling is thinking they need more money than they do. You don't need a warehouse. You don't need £1,000 worth of stock. You need £100, a phone, and the willingness to learn fast.
Before you spend a penny — do your research
Spend a week on eBay before you buy anything. Search for your categories and filter by Sold listings. You're looking for consistent demand, sold prices significantly higher than wholesale cost, and categories you actually understand.
Where to find your first stock
- Charity shops and car boots — Free to attend, low risk, inspect everything before you buy.
- Facebook Marketplace — Search joblot, bundle, clearance in your area. Local collection removes postage risk.
- Small joblots online — Sites like Wholesale Clearance UK have lots starting under £50.
- Vetted supplier directories — ResellerVault gives you access to verified UK suppliers with known minimum orders.
How to split your first £100
- £50-70 — your main stock purchase in a category you've researched
- £15-20 — packaging materials
- £10-15 — keep in reserve
Best categories at low budgets
Clothing — Low minimums, high demand, easy to post. Books — Cheap to buy, lightweight, scan barcodes with the Amazon Seller app. Toys and games — Especially retro or collectable items. Trading cards — High margins if you know the market.
Where to sell
Use our free Profit Calculator to work out your real margin on each platform before you list. Vinted has zero seller fees for clothing. eBay covers almost any category. Whatnot is brilliant for moving stock fast at 8% commission.
Reinvest before you spend
When your first sales come in, put the money back into stock. £100 becomes £150. £150 becomes £250. It compounds — but only if you let it.
The mindset that separates the ones who make it
Your first month will be messy. You'll buy things that don't sell. That's not failure — that's tuition. Start with £100. Start this week. Start before you feel ready.