How to get started with reselling with $100
May 29, 2025
Your First Steps in Reselling—Starting with Just $100
Reselling can be an accessible and rewarding way to earn extra income or even build a thriving business. With only $100, you can launch your own reselling venture if you approach it with the right strategy, tools, and mindset. This guide walks you through actionable steps, from sourcing inventory to managing sales and fulfillment, all tailored for absolute beginners.
1. Sourcing Your First Inventory: Where and How to Spend Your $100
Your initial investment should go toward items that are easy to sell, in-demand, and offer decent profit margins. Here’s how to make your $100 count:
Visit Thrift Stores and Garage Sales: Focus on small electronics, branded clothing, books, or collectibles. These items are often undervalued and can be flipped for a profit.
Check Local Online Marketplaces: Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist often have free or cheap items you can resell.
Buy in Small Lots: Look for small bundles (e.g., 5-10 items) rather than sinking all your money into one product. This spreads your risk and gives you more opportunities to learn.
2. Keeping Track: Centralized Inventory and Listing Management
Even with a small operation, organizing your inventory and listings saves time and prevents costly mistakes. Here’s how to keep everything in sync:
Simple Spreadsheets: Start with a free Google Sheet to log your items, purchase prices, where you listed them, and current status. Include columns for item description, cost, platform, sale price, fees, and profit.
Centralized Tools: As you scale, consider using platforms like Gavelbase to automatically sync inventory and listings across multiple sales sites (e.g., eBay, Mercari, Poshmark). This prevents accidental double-selling and helps you stay organized from day one.
3. Listing for Maximum Exposure
To sell quickly, list your items on at least two platforms where your audience shops. Consider:
eBay: Best for collectibles, electronics, and branded goods.
Mercari or Poshmark: Good for clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Facebook Marketplace: Great for local sales and zero shipping fees.
When listing, use clear photos, honest descriptions, and relevant keywords. Research similar active listings to price competitively.
4. Assigning Basic Team Roles (Even If You’re Solo)
Even as a solo beginner, dividing your process into ‘roles’ makes your workflow more efficient and helps if you bring on help later. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Sourcing: Finding and purchasing inventory.
Listing: Photographing and creating product listings.
Fulfillment: Packing, shipping, or arranging local pickup.
Bookkeeping: Tracking sales, costs, fees, and profits.
As you grow, you can involve family, friends, or part-time helpers to take on specific roles.
5. Tracking Sales, Fees, and Profits
It’s essential to know what you’re actually making after platform fees and shipping. Here’s how to ensure you stay profitable:
Use Your Spreadsheet: Enter every sale, along with fees and shipping costs. Google Sheets or Excel is perfect for this.
Automated Tracking: If you use a tool like Gavelbase, you can automate much of this process as your business grows.
Review Weekly: Set aside time each week to check your numbers and adjust your buying and pricing strategy.
6. Handling Shipping and Local Pickups Smoothly
Efficient fulfillment keeps customers happy and earns you repeat business. Here’s how to handle it:
Shipping: Use the built-in shipping tools on eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark. Save money by reusing clean boxes and envelopes. Print labels at home if possible.
Local Pickup: Meet in safe, public locations. Only accept cash or secure payment methods (like Venmo) for in-person transactions. Always mark items as ‘sold’ on all platforms immediately after purchase.
7. Scaling Up: Next Steps After Your First $100
Once you’ve cycled through your first inventory and reinvested your profits, consider these tips for growth:
Specialize: Focus on categories you understand and that sell well for you.
Expand Your Tools: Invest in inventory management or cross-listing software as your inventory grows.
Stay Organized: A clear system saves you time, prevents mistakes, and makes your business easier to scale.
Recommended Resources
Final Thoughts
Starting a reselling business with just $100 is entirely achievable if you’re methodical, organized, and willing to learn. Focus on sourcing wisely, tracking your inventory and sales diligently, and streamlining your fulfillment process. With the right habits and tools, you’ll not only protect your initial investment—you’ll turn it into something much bigger. Good luck!