How To Start A Resale Business With Just $100

If you're like me, a dedicated reseller with roughly a decade of experience, then you will understand the resale business back in the day. When I started listing back in 2013 there weren't many options as far as online marketplaces go. There was one place. Most resellers flocked to eBay to list and sell. Nobody knew of Poshmark and eBay was already established. Other reseller platforms like Mercari and Depop came much later on.

The Resale Business Back in The Day

Believe it, or not, eBay wasn't as user-friendly as it is today. Listing an item took real time and effort. I can't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure you couldn't adjust quantities yet. If you wanted to sell multiples of the exact same item, then you had to list each one individually.

Starting A Resale Business With Only $100

Let's face it. $100 isn't getting you much these days, especially with the rise of inflation, but it can get you started as a reseller. The trick is don't expect to be flipping millions any time soon. In fact, don't expect thousands. You need to start small and work up to the big bucks. We all had to do it, I think, I hope. I literally began my resale business by surveying what I had in my closet. What clothing do you no longer wear? What kind of condition is it in? Will it turn a profit? Sometimes you never know what will sell. That old vintage Coca Cola t-shirt in your bottom drawer would surprisingly sell over a lot of modern clothing that's slightly out of style.

So, take a deep breath. We’re starting small and smart.

Set Your Resale Business Expectations & Be Realistic

As explained before, don't expect to be a one percenter any time soon. You need to take baby steps in order to be successful. Lay a solid foundation and a clear plan with realistic goals. If you're starting with $100 make a goal to flip that into $150, and so on.

Find & Research Your Resale Business Niche

Before you start spending your $100, think about what you want to sell. Here are a few beginner-friendly niches:

Clothing: Look for trendy brands or timeless basics.

Shoes: Sneakers and boots are particularly lucrative.

Accessories: Bags, belts, and watches are compact and easy to ship.

Home Goods: Vintage décor, kitchen items, and small electronics often sell quickly.

Reseller Tip: Pick one or two categories you’re interested in. Don’t try to sell a little bit of everything right out of the gate—you’ll stretch yourself thin and burn out. Plus, the more familiar you are with your niche, the better you’ll be at spotting hidden gems.

Source Like a Pro For Your Resale Business

Yep, you're going to be a pro sourcer in no time at all. Remember to keep in mind affordable options to begin your resale journey. Here are some popular spots to begin sourcing:

Thrift Stores: Dig through racks for well-known brands, trendy pieces, or high-quality fabrics. (Pro tip: Avoid items with stains or excessive wear unless you’re confident you can fix them.)

Garage Sales: These can be goldmines for shoes, accessories, and home goods.

Clearance Racks: Retail stores often discount items at the end of a season. Snag those deals!

Your Own Closet: This is free inventory, folks. Sell what you don’t wear or use anymore.

Reseller Tip: Aim to spend no more than $5–10 per item, leaving room for profit once you sell. A $100 budget should give you 10-15 quality items to start with.

Decide Where to Kick Off Your Resale Business

Not all platforms are created equal, so pick ones that match your inventory. Here are the bigger marketplaces to list:

eBay

A timeless classic, eBay carries a vast selection of everything and I mean everything. You can list anything from vintage records to fashion sneakers and it will sell.

Reseller Tip: Price your eBay listings right for quick sales. eBay buyers tend to look for the best price available.

Poshmark 

Although the selling fees are a bit steep, if you plan on listing a lot of fashion clothing, shoes, or handbags this platform will be your new best friend.

Reseller Tip: Just like all online selling platforms you need to follow an algorithm in order to keep steady sales. Keep in mind, you'll have to share other sellers' listings and your own pretty frequently to get traffic to your "closet".

Facebook Marketplace

Perfect for listing items you don't want to ship items for your resale business, Facebook offers a local marketplace with just about everything and the kitchen sink available.

Reseller Tip: Watch out for scammers. Facebook Marketplace has been known to be subject to scams, especially if you're buying/selling items. Check out the potential buyer's profile page and do a little digging before you commit.

Mercari

Easy to use and the fees are pretty low, Mercari offers a beginner-friendly reseller platform with simple listing tools and helpful hints.

Reseller Tip: Mercari can be enticing with their lower selling fees, however, keep in mind their customer support can be quite delayed and there are also a lot of scams.

(Enjoy the reseller tips? Be sure to check out my blog for in-depth coverage on all the major, and minor, resale marketplaces.)

Whatnot

If you're not camera shy and you want to flip quick, Whatnot offers a live selling platform where you can stream shows geared toward fast sales.

Reseller Tip: Get your toes wet first before you go diving head first into Whatnot's livestreaming shows. It can be quite challenging for beginners and requires a decent following on other social media platforms to really get a decent group of committed buyers.

Create Killer Listings for Your Resale Business Items

Listings can really make a huge difference as far as how much money you're going to make. Take your time and ensure each listing is quality. Follow these helpful tips to get started:

• Photos Matter: Use natural light and clean backgrounds. Show multiple angles and any flaws (honesty is key).
• Write Descriptive Titles: For example, “Nike Air Max Women’s Running Shoes Size 8” works better than “Shoes for Sale.”
• Be Detailed: Include brand, size, color, material, and condition in your descriptions.
• Price Strategically: Research similar listings to price competitively. Aim for 2-3x your purchase price.

Share Your Resale Business, Promote, Social Media, Sleep & Repeat

Once you get everything listed the work doesn't stop there. You need to spread the word to buyers everywhere that you've got things for sale. Share your listing on the platform (if there's an option), post your listing on social media, and you can also promote your listing on certain marketplaces for a small fee.

Don't Forget To Reinvest Your Resale Business Profits

When you make your first few sales, don’t celebrate by blowing the cash one too many lattes. (Okay, maybe just one.) Instead, reinvest your profits back into more inventory or better tools like shipping supplies or lighting for photos. The goal is to keep growing while keeping your costs low.

Most Importantly Keep Learning About The Resale Business

The reselling world changes fast. Trends come and go, platforms update policies, and new tools emerge. Join reseller communities on social media, watch YouTube tutorials, and keep up with blogs like this one (wink).

Did you enjoy this blog: How to Start A Resale Business With Just $100? Then you're going to really enjoy reading my other blogs on Resale Life - The Stuff Resellers Won't Tell You.