Where do resellers get their products?

Becoming a reseller can help you earn some extra money on the side of your day job or supplement other income streams that aren't making as much as they used to. Reselling is one of those ways -- and if you're looking for an easy way in, there's no better place to turn than eBay! There are many different types of reseller opportunities out there, but most people who want to break into the world of internet sales look at eBay first.

The best thing about buying and selling on eBay (or any other market) is that you have instant feedback on what works well and what doesn't work so well. You also gain access to buyers across all industries, which means you'll never run out of potential customers. If you've got a niche area that sells a lot of items, then consider starting with an auction site like eBay.

If you think this sounds too good to be true, here are three reasons why becoming a reseller isn't just another fad or passing trend.

Is it legal to sell something for more than you paid for it?

No. Selling anything over its original price is not only against eBay rules but also against UK law. In fact, it could land you up to two years in prison. So before you decide to become a reseller, check eBay's "Terms of Use" section carefully. It may even say somewhere within them that selling above cost is prohibited.

What things are illegal to sell?

This varies depending on whether you're dealing in tangible goods or digital content. The majority of physical objects sold through eBay fall under the category of ‘antiques,' meaning that they were made prior to 1970. Items that fall into this bracket include furniture, clocks, jewellery, books and collectibles. While these items will still show up in searches, you won't find them by searching antique. Instead, search for 'vintage' or 'junk'.

Digital items such as software, music downloads, videos and games fall under the umbrella term 'digital media.' These are generally considered to be copyright infringement unless they are officially licensed. This includes everything from DVDs and CDs to MP3s and computer programs. For example, you cannot re-sell copies of Windows XP without Microsoft's permission.

As long as you're sticking to antiques and digital media, you should be fine. However, you must always remember to ask yourself, "is this legally mine?" If you're unsure, then seek advice from someone who knows the laws inside out.

Can you make a living off reselling?

Yes, absolutely. There are lots of ways to go about doing this, ranging from small business ideas to full time jobs. Here are four tips on how you can make a reasonable profit from reselling:

1. Take advantage of free advertising via social networking sites

It might seem obvious, but the truth is that every person has friends and family members. By using Facebook and Twitter extensively, you can advertise your wares to thousands of people at once. Don't forget to use Google AdWords when you're setting up shop, either.

2. Create a unique brand image

One of the quickest ways to stand out from the crowd is to create a strong personal identity. Choose a name, logo design and colour scheme that represent who you are and what you offer. Think about creating a memorable tagline or slogan that describes your company and makes prospective clients feel excited about getting involved.

3. Make sure your prices are fair

When you set your own prices you control exactly how much you charge for each item. Set your initial prices fairly low and then add a markup percentage to cover production costs, shipping fees etc. Remember, you can lose money on each sale, so keep your profits high while keeping losses low.

4. Have a clear value proposition

Your primary goal when working as a reseller is to generate revenue. To achieve this, you need to provide enough value to justify paying the amount asked for an item. What does this mean? Well, for starters, you shouldn't expect people to pay $100 for a DVD player when you can probably pick one up second hand for around £20.

A good rule of thumb is to take the highest price you'd ever pay for an individual item, multiply it by five and then add 10%. That way, you know you can comfortably sell your merchandise at least twice its retail price.

How do I start to resell?

Once you've decided that becoming a reseller is right for you, the next step is finding a suitable platform. As mentioned earlier, eBay remains a popular choice due to its large user base and extensive selection. But if you really want to test the waters, try CraigsList or Gumtree. Both services allow users to post ads for free and let others reply directly to them.

While you can find plenty of useful resources online regarding how to become a reseller, we recommend taking our course. We teach you how to navigate Etsy, Amazon and several other platforms so you can quickly learn the ropes. Our comprehensive guide provides you with essential information including pricing strategies, branding methods and how to build lasting relationships with your customers. Once you complete the process, you'll be ready to begin your journey as a reseller.

To discover more about reselling and related topics, visit our blog.

How to become an Amazon Reseller

Amazon has more than 100 million active customers and sells everything from books to computers to toys to clothing. If you have any interest in ecommerce, this is where you should be starting.

If you'd like to find out how to buy and sell on Amazon then read our guide to getting started with Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) - it will give you all of the information you'll need about becoming a seller on Amazon. Once you've got familiarized yourself with everything you'll see why it makes sense to focus on Amazon when considering a resale opportunity.

The reason why so many people choose to use Amazon over another site such as eBay is because of its massive customer base. There's been a lot written about the best places to begin buying items on Amazon. We recommend checking these sites before thinking of signing up for anything though. They offer valuable advice to anyone interested in taking advantage of Amazon's marketplace.

What Are The Requirements To Become An Amazon Reseller?

You must be 18 years old or older.

Your credit score needs to be above 680.

A valid US address is required.

Have access to reliable shipping methods.

Be able to provide proof of identity.

A bank account that allows transactions larger than $10K per month.

Once you've completed the requirements listed above, we suggest registering through Seller Central. This service provides several benefits for sellers including free advertising, inventory management tools and even free storage space. All of which means less time spent searching for product ideas and more time focusing on marketing them instead.

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking to break into the world of internet sales, you may have heard about becoming a "reseller" -- that's when someone sells something they already own and then makes money on it by buying it back at a higher price than what they sold it for. Think of it as flipping real estate or flipping cars, but with clothing instead. It's easy enough to set up shop in this business model, though there are some downsides like having to pay taxes on your profits and potential legal issues if you're not careful. But here's one thing you probably haven't considered yet: Where does all these reselling entrepreneurs come from? How did they get started? And how do they keep going?  To find out more we spoke with several top-selling resellers who gave us tips on where they got their first products, how much they spend on inventory, why people prefer eBay over Etsy, and other questions related to running a small business.

How can I get cheap stuff to resell?

The best place to look for deals is in thrift stores or garage sales. You'll often find beautiful pieces there just waiting to be resold. If you want to avoid paying retail prices, go through secondhand retailers like EBay or Amazon Marketplace. Just make sure whatever you're buying isn't stolen (or fake) before you put it up for sale.  

It doesn't take much effort to search popular websites like Facebook and Twitter and see which brands people are talking about, so follow those accounts or create hashtags and keywords around specific products that interest you. Then check out local listings boards, such as Craiglist or Freecycle, to see if anyone else has recently posted similar items or wants them. Many times, people will post pictures of old clothes they no longer wear because they've lost weight or gotten married. That means you could potentially score great deals without even leaving home!

Another option is to use sites like Poshmark and ThredUp that allow users to list their used items for others to bid on. This method works better for high end designer labels since many customers won't purchase anything unless it looks brand new. However, you might still be able to pick up some really nice items for dirt cheap.

What items can I legally resell?

In general, any type of property that's owned by another person can be sold, including antiques, art, jewelry, books, furniture, musical instruments, watches, electronics, tools, etc. The only exceptions are food, medicine, alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. In order to be eligible to resell certain types of merchandise, however, you must meet various requirements. For instance, in California, antique dealers must register with the state before they begin doing business. They also must obtain a license to operate under the Business & Professions Code section 6400 - 6498.2. Additionally, an antique dealer must comply with federal law regarding the interstate transport of antiquities. These laws vary depending on each individual state, so always consult a lawyer and/or an accountant before starting a new business venture.

There are laws regulating the sale of collectibles and memorabilia too. Federal copyright law protects original artistic work created after January 1, 1978. That includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, films, video recordings, graphic designs, sound recordings, phonograph records, compact discs, electronic data storage media, and published materials based on visual images. Some states prohibit the importation or possession of copyrighted material unless it was lawfully obtained. Other states require licensing when importing copyrighted material.

For example, in Virginia it's illegal to sell items containing copyrighted music without permission from both the artist and copyright owner. As soon as you know you're dealing in copyrighted material, you should contact the Copyright Office to determine whether the item is protected under U.S. copyright law. Also, check with your local library to learn more about intellectual property rights in your area.

What can you buy to resell to make money?

Most resellers choose to focus exclusively on fashion accessories, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, belts, wallets, scarves, purses, gloves, ties, hats, and shirts. There are plenty of ways to profit off this niche market, especially now that more consumers are shopping online. Here are a few ideas:

Become a wholesale distributor. Wholesalers typically buy large quantities of discounted merchandise and offer it at a discount to smaller businesses, boutiques, and individual shoppers. You can either work directly with manufacturers or wholesalers to distribute their wares yourself, or you can use an intermediary company to handle logistics and marketing for you. Either way, once you establish relationships with reputable companies, you can usually expect to receive discounts ranging anywhere between 20% to 50%. Plus, you'll save time and money compared to setting up a storefront and managing inventory and shipping costs. You can also earn additional income by offering free gift wrapping services or providing promotional giveaways.

Open an online store. When you open your own website, you become responsible for everything involved with customer service, accounting, payment processing, shipping, fulfillment, returns, and advertising. But if you invest in a good domain name, hosting plan, and WordPress theme, getting your site up and running shouldn't cost you very much. Once you launch, you'll likely attract visitors who love browsing your selection of trendy styles. After you build traffic and gain loyal followers, you can gradually increase your margins by adding affiliate links to your online store. You can sign up for affiliate programs like Shopify, Woothemes, or BigCommerce to help boost your revenue.

Create an Etsy store. Launching your own online store is easier than ever thanks to platforms like Etsy, which allows individuals to sell handmade crafts and gifts via direct transactions with buyers. With Etsy, you'll have complete control over pricing, design, branding, and inventory management. Plus, you can easily promote your offerings using social networks like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and Houzz.

Start an Ebay account. Selling on auction marketplace eBay requires less startup capital and takes far fewer hours per day to maintain than opening a brick-and-mortar store. To succeed as an eBay seller, you'll need to develop a solid reputation among buyers and sellers alike, so it helps to participate in forums and groups devoted to helping other sellers succeed. And remember to carefully read eBay user policies to ensure you aren't violating any rules. Otherwise, you risk losing access to your listing altogether.

What is the most profitable item to flip?

As mentioned above, reselling branded apparel and footwear is currently the hottest trend in the DIY space. According to GQ Magazine, this category alone generates $1 billion dollars annually and is projected to grow 30 percent year-over-year by 2020. So what exactly drives demand for this kind of merch? Well, according to GQ, "the appeal lies in being part of a cultural movement." People crave stylishness, coolness, individuality, and status symbols. Basically, people want to stand out from the crowd. When everyone wears the same bag, watch, bracelet, hat, shirt, etc., it becomes difficult to differentiate yourself from the masses. Thus, owning unique pieces gives you bragging rights and adds value to your personal style portfolio. What's more, reselling these kinds of fashionable items is simple, convenient, and affordable.

Of course, this strategy depends heavily upon finding quality products. If you're interested in making extra cash while keeping your wallet full, consider purchasing gently worn designer bags, shoes, and clothing from established boutique consignment chains like Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, La Moda, and Neiman Marcus Last Call. Or, head to your local mall to browse the racks of major department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney, Sears, Kohl's, Abercrombie, and Victoria's Secret. Another way to snag quality merchandise is to attend trade shows, conferences, seminars, conventions, and fairs where vendors display their latest collections. Be sure to bring along a notebook and pen so you can jot down contacts and notes from important conversations.

There are lots of ways you can make money on the internet without having your own website or even needing any kind of technical knowledge at all (although that would definitely help). One of the best and easiest ways to begin earning cash by buying and then selling items on sites like Amazon and eBay has been around since the dawn of time - Reselling!

Resellers use websites such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy and other similar marketplaces to find people who want to sell something but cannot themselves afford to purchase it. Once they've found someone willing to part with an item, the seller posts details about what he wants to sell in order to attract potential buyers. If they're happy paying more than they expected to pay, then the transaction will take place between them directly. Otherwise, the buyer will have to contact the vendor via private message through the site's messaging system. The two parties will negotiate prices until both sides agree upon one. Then, the sale goes ahead. It may sound complicated, but this process works really well and is often used when people want to move house, change jobs or just decide to upgrade some furniture. It also makes perfect sense if you're looking to turn a profit while saving yourself the hassle of actually shopping for anything.

So, how exactly does the whole thing work? We'll look at where resellers go to source their products below...

Where do resellers buy their stock?

The first question we should ask ourselves before starting out as a reseller is whether we plan to make our own purchases or rely entirely on third-party suppliers. This isn't necessarily an easy decision to make because there are pros and cons associated with each option. Buying everything on your own means you control the entire supply chain, including price negotiation and quality assurance. However, doing so will require you to invest significant amounts of time, effort and capital into setting up your business. Not only that, but you could end up spending most of your profits on shipping costs alone. On the flip side, using existing stocks ensures you won't have to spend much on marketing, sales & distribution or running your own operations. You can save a lot of time and energy by outsourcing these tasks to companies whose sole purpose is to handle every single aspect of getting your products onto store shelves. In fact, many big brands prefer working with independent retailers rather than going direct to consumers because they know they can trust those businesses not to steal their intellectual property.

If you decide to run a small business selling vintage clothing, shoes or accessories, however, chances are you'll probably want to use a combination of both methods. For example, you might buy certain pieces from established manufacturers and others from smaller producers, depending on the style and brand of garment being sold. But whatever route you choose to take, you must ensure you have enough stock available to meet demand. If you aren't sure about which method to adopt, try asking fellow resellers for advice. They'll likely be able to give you tips based on years of experience.

Where do resellers get their inventory?

Most resellers buy their stock either from wholesalers or directly from factories. Wholesalers tend to deal exclusively in large quantities and offer greater discounts than individual suppliers. Because they typically deal in bulk orders, though, they usually charge higher fees per unit. Some wholesale distributors provide free delivery services too, which helps keep costs down.

Wholesaler vs Factory:

Factory vs Retailer:

Retailers often opt for factory over wholesaler due to the latter's high markups. These companies generally work directly with brands to produce garments and don't offer much flexibility regarding design, color or size. As such, retail outlets usually benefit from lower production costs. Although they don't always offer the same volume discounts, they can sometimes offer better pricing overall.

When searching for places to buy stock, you'll notice that some stores carry only designer labels whereas others focus mainly on mass produced fashion. So, the next step is deciding which type of retailer suits you best.

Where do vendors buy their merchandise?

Vendors usually buy their stock from wholesalers and/or manufacturing facilities. Wholesalers usually operate on the assumption that customers will eventually return to buy more in the future, meaning they give priority to larger orders. That said, if you happen to want to specialise in niche markets such as retro or vintage apparel, you might consider purchasing stock directly from specialist boutique boutiques instead. Their smaller sizes mean they're less likely to be affected by seasonal trends and therefore more reliable sources of long-term income.

As mentioned above, if you want to cut out the middlemen altogether, you can simply buy directly from manufacturers. Many of these outfits will allow you to customise designs according to your preferences, although some do require you to follow strict guidelines. When negotiating terms with a manufacturer, remember to include your budget in the conversation. Also, check out the company's customer reviews on Google and social media platforms to see what previous clients think of its service. You'll soon learn whether or not you feel comfortable handing over your hard earned cash to them.

Finally, once you've decided which supplier to approach, try to avoid sending multiple emails back and forth requesting information. Instead, send a clear request and wait patiently for a response. Remember, this person doesn't owe you anything unless you've already agreed upon payment arrangements. Even if you haven't yet settled on a figure, politely decline his offers and tell him you'd love to discuss options further. He'll appreciate the honesty and will hopefully understand why you want to proceed slowly.

Where do eBay sellers get their inventory?

eBay is another popular marketplace where resellers can buy and sell secondhand items. There are several reasons why eBay is such a popular choice among individuals looking to become professional sellers. Firstly, it allows users to list almost anything imaginable. Secondly, it provides access to millions of shoppers worldwide. Thirdly, listings remain active for months after they were originally posted, giving buyers plenty of opportunity to inspect items before making a purchase. Finally, the platform boasts a vast array of tools designed specifically to enhance user experiences. Most importantly, the sheer number of visitors to the site means you can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of potential customers at no cost whatsoever. All of these factors combine to create excellent conditions for you to build a thriving business.

In addition to the major benefits listed previously, there are also downsides that come with becoming a member of eBay's community. First off, you'll need to register an account, which involves providing personal data such as name, address and phone number. While this information is completely confidential, it still feels invasive. Second, eBay charges users for listing fees, storage space, postage and advertising expenses. Lastly, the site requires members to adhere to specific rules and regulations concerning anti-fraud measures. These requirements vary depending on the nature of the item being offered, but you'll certainly need to read the fine print thoroughly before agreeing to join the group.

Once you've registered, search the site for relevant keywords related to your area of interest. Next, visit "My Account" to set up a profile page containing basic information about yourself. Afterward, click "Sell Your Items" under the "For Sellers" tab located at the top right corner of the screen to begin posting listings. To increase visibility, you can add photos, videos and descriptions to your auctions. Just bear in mind that you shouldn't post sensitive material such as credit card numbers or bank accounts. Doing so could result in fines levied against you by eBay. Also, never forget to include important information such as your preferred currency and delivery instructions.

Remember, eBay is very different from other popular marketplaces such as Amazon. Don't expect to earn huge sums overnight, especially if you don't have a large following waiting to hear about your latest finds. Nevertheless, the rewards far outweigh the risks involved. And if you put in the necessary legwork upfront, you should be able to generate substantial revenue within six months. Once you're ready to expand your horizons and start offering more types of items, consider joining groups dedicated to selling specific niches. By joining these communities, you'll instantly gain access to loads of resources designed to improve your skills and boost traffic to your site.