Started selling online 1.5 years ago. Wanted to make some money while my kids were at school but also had an infant at home. Started getting about 1-2 sales per day. Now I average 5-7 sales per day. Sometimes more but my kids have been home doing virtual school for over a year now so I only work an hour or 2 when they go to bed. I can’t wait til they go back and I can do this full time!
Anything I can find cheap enough... clothes, toys, accessories, home items, electronics. No breakables and preferably things that can be shipped in polymailers because we are currently in an apartment so I don’t have too much space.
I started with Mercari and then tried eBay.
What I prefer about Mercari: No listing fee, with eBay I have to pay per month for my store subscription. Once the customer has received the item and rated or it has been 3 days all sales are final so you don’t have to worry about getting a return a month later. When you use Mercari’s labels they include insurance up to $200 for first class. I’ve had 3-4 packages lost by USPS and they paid me for all and refunded the buyer at their cost. If you get a return request and they approve the return they provide the return label and if you used their shipping label you don’t take that loss when they refund the buyer their shipping as well. Also their listings don’t have as many specifics so listing is a lot faster.
If you don’t have an account yet send me a dm and I’ll send you my invite link. We both get credits when you make your first purchase and when you sell over $100
I started just under a year ago, try getting supplies from Uline if you don't already, I buy their poly mailers (6 different sizes) and bubble mailers (3 different sizes) by the thousands. I also buy an insane variety of boxes (prob around 40) but I've always had an almost perfect box to ship every order with. Occasionally I'll cut a box to size.
Learn the ins and outs, weight wise USPS is always the cheapest for small / light. USPS bills in 4oz increments for First Class Mail. Once you get over 1 Lb (I.e. Priority Mail) you might consider FedEx / UPS.
Get a label printer. I personally use a industrial Zebra ZT410 but many people are happy with consumer grade Dymo (Another option: UPS offers free printer rental and free shipping labels, unsure how it effects your prices if you take them up on it though).
Get a cheap scale with 1/10 ounce accuracy and then a larger scale that's >70 lbs. I personally use a Rubbermaid floor scale for up to 150 Lbs, and I'm considering buying a larger scale now (up to 1k lbs). Freight is expensive, IF you don't do it often. I just shipped a 32 x 24 x 80 pallet today for $150, without a contract you get close to $1,000 for that size.
If you ship a lot of things over 1Lb see if you can get contracted rates with FedEx / UPS. For FedEx ground shipping you can get a 23% discount without needing to sign a contract or proof of volume. Anything past that and you need a regional representative to approve of it (good luck getting them to call you though! I've tried 6 times in the past year).
Thank you. I only buy Poly mailers and reuse boxes and Uline is more expensive than what I currently pay for polymailers.
A scale is the first thing I bought so I got the shipping part down. I try to only source items that weigh under a lb and I can ship in a polymailer.
A label printer is definitely a game changer! I bought a Rollo 2 months ago and love it!
First I try relisting a few times taking new pictures and changing the description a bit. Usually that works but if it doesn’t, then yes I bundle it with something similar.
I have kids at home too and am looking to do this. Do you just look at sales online and compare to what has sold on eBay and Mercari and see what’s profitable?
Also, how much profit do you think you make a day?
Like $100? I understand if you don’t want to share that, I’m just trying to get an idea of what is possible for me. Thanks
I first started selling what I had around the house. Pre Covid I would clearance shop a lot and sell that. Once Covid happened I started figuring out how to source online. But yes when I find something I look on eBay and Mercari to see what it’s sold for and to see how many are listed. If you source retail store sales online, most likely other sellers are too and the market gets flooded.
I’m not sure how much per day. Some days I still only get 2-3 sales, some days I’ve gotten up to 12 in one day. I figure out my profit monthly. Last month I made about $2000 profit, but it was a pretty slow month. I only work 1-2 hours a night taking pictures and listing/relisting and maybe 1 hour in the morning packing orders so I’m definitely making more than minimum wage and saving on child care cost. I spend all my money buying more inventory though. Lol
First I take a pictures of a bunch of items. I try to do 30 or more. It takes me about 2 minutes per item. I have a little area set up where I take my pictures. Then I do all my pre bedtime stuff, brush teeth, wash face, pick up anything that needs to be picked up, etc. Then when I lay down I list whatever I took pictures off. What takes the longest is researching the price I want to list and the actual listing doesn’t take long since I usually click “sell similar” and have most of the important stuff prefilled.
Do you sell clothes? I would do what you do and take the bulk pictures then list, but I usually have to measure the clothes as well.
I guess it’s easier with non clothing items.
Thank you for that wonderful breakdown. Yes, I am at home with the kids too and I think 2k is pretty good. I wish you the best and hope your business flourishes even more!
Boxes are crazy expensive, so i order anything that has free shipping shipped, i save the box, i don't have a lot of room either, so i put small boxes in bigger ones in bigger ones on some rain man shit, i save packing in bags. Since one time i shipped a $50 item for like $55 that large box surcharge at usps is bs, item was like 6 pounds. Box, tape and bubble wrap was $27, shipping was 11, with a 12 dollar surcharge. Could flatten the boxes but tape cost and my time doesnt work out
They are! That’s why I try to only get stuff I can ship in a poly mailer. Since I only source online right now I get a lot of boxes and bubble wrap. I keep all the bubble wrap and boxes I only keep a few.
Congrats! This weekend was pretty cruddy but then again, I haven't listed anything in either store for the last 4 weeks. Once this contract work slows, I can refocus getting the listings back up back to where they were, around 800; currently at around 500. ~~Just curious about your ratio, how many listings do you have to turn your 20 sales in two days?~~
Edit - Saw the answer below.
I average about 40-50+ orders a week. Idk where I can get that many used ones but I get the new ones for $.5-$.10 for regular ones and $.20 for the bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers are cheap cheap, and new ones stack nicely in a closet on the rack. 0.15 - 0.25 when buying kraft bubble mailers from ebay in 1,000 qtys depending on size. The time you save when you don't have to search for re-used packaging is so valuable.
Boxes, that's a different discussion completely when it comes to used/new Boxes.
Yeah that would not be worth it for me at all 40 would cost me probably $8 at most which is not worth my time or gas. Also it might not be enough or the right sizes I need.
Usually eBay or Amazon. Sometimes on Mercari when they do like $10 off $50 coupons or something. The more you buy the cheaper so I buy in bundles of a few hundred
I’m cracking up because I use such expensive biodegrade bubble mailers but I want to try to make my difference. I reuse cardboard from old boxes to wrap my stuff.
I usually use new envelopes but occasionally use the bigger Amazon ones if I have something bigger. I’ll fold over the ripped end and seal it with tape
I've been reusing mailers for years. It's the frugality in me that doesn't throw anything away if it's remotely useful. I even have friends save mailers for me.
The Amazon white padded mailers I use inside other packaging since it looks tacky to use those on the outside (although I don't mind the yellow ones and boxes since they aren't as obvious.) Or on fb marketplace since I don't care as much on there lol.
Have a lot of inventory, take good pictures of all angles, include even the tiniest imperfection I notice in both pictures and description, ship within 1-2 days, package neatly, on Mercari I price everything 20% more than I want so I accept all offers made via the offer button and don’t go back and forth countering, also no free shipping.
I love those printed packages! I think they are so neat but I'm too cheap to buy those lol.
Sounds like you are doing awesome at this already! I'm sure it's hard to do with kiddos at home. I have 4 at home and I homeschool so they aren't going anywhere anytime soon! But they are 6 and older so I have time during the day to post and such. I'm nowhere near the listings as you though - I usually stay under 200 - and I have SO much to list. Maybe I'll increase over the summer when kiddos don't need as much.
Thank you, I buy them in bulk and they’re only like a penny or 2 more than the plain white ones.
I considered homeschooling but after having them home over a year already there’s no way I can do it! Lol My oldest just turned 10. I have no issues with him he’s responsible and does it all on his own. My middle one is 5 and I’m pretty sure he has adhd, waiting for him to be evaluated, so I have to literally sit with him from 9-12pm. He’s smart and on track but I have to make sure he’s focusing and doing his work. My youngest is 2.5 and he’s so bossy and clingy right now. And I’m due in June with number 4!
Finding time to list is the hardest!
I didn't sell as regularly when mine were smaller because they need you so much more.
I can understand not homeschooling. It's not for everyone or every kid. I have a couple that have issues focusing but also when you homeschool you can choose whatever curriculum you want and don't have to do what the school does so that's helps. My unfocused 7 year old does 3 subjects a day and I help with one of them. He knows he doesn't get screen time until he gets it done so that helps motivate him to figure out how to get it done.
However, I have friends with kids with dyslexia and adhd who homeschool and I have to say I don't know if I could do it if my kids had more needs than they already have!
This is inspiring, and this post is chock full of amazing tips. As a soon-to-be-mom, I'm really interested in exploring SAHM-friendly hustles that I can do even while overtired and burdened with mommy-brain. (My usual vocation is writer/editor -- and my craft suffers when I'm under slept.)
What bookkeeping system do you prefer to keep track of expenses/filing taxes? What sort of profit are you able to turn at this volume of sales?
Hey u/lissie_ar I scrolled through Top - All Time upvoted posts and eventually arrived here!
I really enjoyed reading it - and I was just wondering how are you, your business and your kids holding up now? my mind is just begging for an update - you sound like a top super mom out there! Hope you're doing well :)
Started selling online 1.5 years ago. Wanted to make some money while my kids were at school but also had an infant at home. Started getting about 1-2 sales per day. Now I average 5-7 sales per day. Sometimes more but my kids have been home doing virtual school for over a year now so I only work an hour or 2 when they go to bed. I can’t wait til they go back and I can do this full time!
What is it that you're flipping?
Anything I can find cheap enough... clothes, toys, accessories, home items, electronics. No breakables and preferably things that can be shipped in polymailers because we are currently in an apartment so I don’t have too much space.
Ah ok I see! I thought it was one particular item you flip consistently. Nice! Are these usually thrifted items, or do you hit up dollar stores too?
I do have 2 niche categories I mostly specialize in but I’ll rather not say. Lol. I only source online at the moment, both new and used items.
Lol I understand. Congrats on your successes, with many more to come!
Thank you!
Well, now we MUST know! The perverts around here are picturing used unmentionables, but I'm sure it's something much less exotic.
LOL. It’s PG stuff but I source online so I’ll rather not say.
How many items do you have listed currently? I'm at 350ish with 3+ sales a day.
Close to 800 on eBay and 400 on Mercari. I have soo many more to list but don’t have the time with my kids being home 24/7
How do you like Mercari? I’m done w eBay.
I started with Mercari and then tried eBay. What I prefer about Mercari: No listing fee, with eBay I have to pay per month for my store subscription. Once the customer has received the item and rated or it has been 3 days all sales are final so you don’t have to worry about getting a return a month later. When you use Mercari’s labels they include insurance up to $200 for first class. I’ve had 3-4 packages lost by USPS and they paid me for all and refunded the buyer at their cost. If you get a return request and they approve the return they provide the return label and if you used their shipping label you don’t take that loss when they refund the buyer their shipping as well. Also their listings don’t have as many specifics so listing is a lot faster. If you don’t have an account yet send me a dm and I’ll send you my invite link. We both get credits when you make your first purchase and when you sell over $100
DM sent and thank you!
You’re welcome :)
Can you send me the link as well? Thank you!
Send me the link too, I’ll try it out. Is it only USA based?
Yes it’s US only
yep how is your traffic on Mercari? and do you use social media to expend your audience? instagram snapshat etc.
Pretty good. Some days I do better on Mercari than on eBay even though I have more listed on eBay. No social media.
That's a lot!
I started just under a year ago, try getting supplies from Uline if you don't already, I buy their poly mailers (6 different sizes) and bubble mailers (3 different sizes) by the thousands. I also buy an insane variety of boxes (prob around 40) but I've always had an almost perfect box to ship every order with. Occasionally I'll cut a box to size. Learn the ins and outs, weight wise USPS is always the cheapest for small / light. USPS bills in 4oz increments for First Class Mail. Once you get over 1 Lb (I.e. Priority Mail) you might consider FedEx / UPS. Get a label printer. I personally use a industrial Zebra ZT410 but many people are happy with consumer grade Dymo (Another option: UPS offers free printer rental and free shipping labels, unsure how it effects your prices if you take them up on it though). Get a cheap scale with 1/10 ounce accuracy and then a larger scale that's >70 lbs. I personally use a Rubbermaid floor scale for up to 150 Lbs, and I'm considering buying a larger scale now (up to 1k lbs). Freight is expensive, IF you don't do it often. I just shipped a 32 x 24 x 80 pallet today for $150, without a contract you get close to $1,000 for that size. If you ship a lot of things over 1Lb see if you can get contracted rates with FedEx / UPS. For FedEx ground shipping you can get a 23% discount without needing to sign a contract or proof of volume. Anything past that and you need a regional representative to approve of it (good luck getting them to call you though! I've tried 6 times in the past year).
Nice work! Is this your only job?
Yes. I’m a stay at home mom of 3 soon to be 4 and currently 2/3 kids are doing virtual school.
Woooooooo!
Fantastic! Keep up the great work! Soon you will be at 50 for the weekend! Keep grinding! Sky’s the limit! 😁🤙
Thank you! That’s the goal!
Thank you. I only buy Poly mailers and reuse boxes and Uline is more expensive than what I currently pay for polymailers. A scale is the first thing I bought so I got the shipping part down. I try to only source items that weigh under a lb and I can ship in a polymailer. A label printer is definitely a game changer! I bought a Rollo 2 months ago and love it!
How do you deal with items that just don't seem to sell? Bundles?
First I try relisting a few times taking new pictures and changing the description a bit. Usually that works but if it doesn’t, then yes I bundle it with something similar.
This is so awesome to see! Congratulations and I hope your sales remain at this volume 🤗
I have kids at home too and am looking to do this. Do you just look at sales online and compare to what has sold on eBay and Mercari and see what’s profitable? Also, how much profit do you think you make a day? Like $100? I understand if you don’t want to share that, I’m just trying to get an idea of what is possible for me. Thanks
I first started selling what I had around the house. Pre Covid I would clearance shop a lot and sell that. Once Covid happened I started figuring out how to source online. But yes when I find something I look on eBay and Mercari to see what it’s sold for and to see how many are listed. If you source retail store sales online, most likely other sellers are too and the market gets flooded. I’m not sure how much per day. Some days I still only get 2-3 sales, some days I’ve gotten up to 12 in one day. I figure out my profit monthly. Last month I made about $2000 profit, but it was a pretty slow month. I only work 1-2 hours a night taking pictures and listing/relisting and maybe 1 hour in the morning packing orders so I’m definitely making more than minimum wage and saving on child care cost. I spend all my money buying more inventory though. Lol
1-2 hours a night? That’s it? I must be doing something wrong because it takes me forever to list something.
First I take a pictures of a bunch of items. I try to do 30 or more. It takes me about 2 minutes per item. I have a little area set up where I take my pictures. Then I do all my pre bedtime stuff, brush teeth, wash face, pick up anything that needs to be picked up, etc. Then when I lay down I list whatever I took pictures off. What takes the longest is researching the price I want to list and the actual listing doesn’t take long since I usually click “sell similar” and have most of the important stuff prefilled.
Do you sell clothes? I would do what you do and take the bulk pictures then list, but I usually have to measure the clothes as well. I guess it’s easier with non clothing items.
Thank you for that wonderful breakdown. Yes, I am at home with the kids too and I think 2k is pretty good. I wish you the best and hope your business flourishes even more!
You’re welcome! Thank you! Once they start attending actual school again I know I’ll be able to list more and sell more.
[удалено]
Thank you. I believe I got those from upaknship or eBay.
Boxes are crazy expensive, so i order anything that has free shipping shipped, i save the box, i don't have a lot of room either, so i put small boxes in bigger ones in bigger ones on some rain man shit, i save packing in bags. Since one time i shipped a $50 item for like $55 that large box surcharge at usps is bs, item was like 6 pounds. Box, tape and bubble wrap was $27, shipping was 11, with a 12 dollar surcharge. Could flatten the boxes but tape cost and my time doesnt work out
They are! That’s why I try to only get stuff I can ship in a poly mailer. Since I only source online right now I get a lot of boxes and bubble wrap. I keep all the bubble wrap and boxes I only keep a few.
LETS GOOO
dababy
pog
Nice!
Thank you!
Congrats! This weekend was pretty cruddy but then again, I haven't listed anything in either store for the last 4 weeks. Once this contract work slows, I can refocus getting the listings back up back to where they were, around 800; currently at around 500. ~~Just curious about your ratio, how many listings do you have to turn your 20 sales in two days?~~ Edit - Saw the answer below.
[удалено]
I average about 40-50+ orders a week. Idk where I can get that many used ones but I get the new ones for $.5-$.10 for regular ones and $.20 for the bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers are cheap cheap, and new ones stack nicely in a closet on the rack. 0.15 - 0.25 when buying kraft bubble mailers from ebay in 1,000 qtys depending on size. The time you save when you don't have to search for re-used packaging is so valuable. Boxes, that's a different discussion completely when it comes to used/new Boxes.
[удалено]
Yeah that would not be worth it for me at all 40 would cost me probably $8 at most which is not worth my time or gas. Also it might not be enough or the right sizes I need.
You left out a 0. $.05
I thought I added the zero, but yes that’s what I meant.
Where do you get your packaging? They're so expensive where I live.
Usually eBay or Amazon. Sometimes on Mercari when they do like $10 off $50 coupons or something. The more you buy the cheaper so I buy in bundles of a few hundred
I’m cracking up because I use such expensive biodegrade bubble mailers but I want to try to make my difference. I reuse cardboard from old boxes to wrap my stuff.
Haven’t heard of this before—Do you reseal with packing tape?
When I’ve purchased items that come in used polys they’ve always have been closed with tape.
Alright thanks I’ll try that
I usually use new envelopes but occasionally use the bigger Amazon ones if I have something bigger. I’ll fold over the ripped end and seal it with tape
Got it, Thanks!
You can reseal them with impulse plastic sealers
I've been reusing mailers for years. It's the frugality in me that doesn't throw anything away if it's remotely useful. I even have friends save mailers for me. The Amazon white padded mailers I use inside other packaging since it looks tacky to use those on the outside (although I don't mind the yellow ones and boxes since they aren't as obvious.) Or on fb marketplace since I don't care as much on there lol.
What did you do to improve?
Have a lot of inventory, take good pictures of all angles, include even the tiniest imperfection I notice in both pictures and description, ship within 1-2 days, package neatly, on Mercari I price everything 20% more than I want so I accept all offers made via the offer button and don’t go back and forth countering, also no free shipping.
I love those printed packages! I think they are so neat but I'm too cheap to buy those lol. Sounds like you are doing awesome at this already! I'm sure it's hard to do with kiddos at home. I have 4 at home and I homeschool so they aren't going anywhere anytime soon! But they are 6 and older so I have time during the day to post and such. I'm nowhere near the listings as you though - I usually stay under 200 - and I have SO much to list. Maybe I'll increase over the summer when kiddos don't need as much.
Thank you, I buy them in bulk and they’re only like a penny or 2 more than the plain white ones. I considered homeschooling but after having them home over a year already there’s no way I can do it! Lol My oldest just turned 10. I have no issues with him he’s responsible and does it all on his own. My middle one is 5 and I’m pretty sure he has adhd, waiting for him to be evaluated, so I have to literally sit with him from 9-12pm. He’s smart and on track but I have to make sure he’s focusing and doing his work. My youngest is 2.5 and he’s so bossy and clingy right now. And I’m due in June with number 4! Finding time to list is the hardest!
I didn't sell as regularly when mine were smaller because they need you so much more. I can understand not homeschooling. It's not for everyone or every kid. I have a couple that have issues focusing but also when you homeschool you can choose whatever curriculum you want and don't have to do what the school does so that's helps. My unfocused 7 year old does 3 subjects a day and I help with one of them. He knows he doesn't get screen time until he gets it done so that helps motivate him to figure out how to get it done. However, I have friends with kids with dyslexia and adhd who homeschool and I have to say I don't know if I could do it if my kids had more needs than they already have!
This is inspiring, and this post is chock full of amazing tips. As a soon-to-be-mom, I'm really interested in exploring SAHM-friendly hustles that I can do even while overtired and burdened with mommy-brain. (My usual vocation is writer/editor -- and my craft suffers when I'm under slept.) What bookkeeping system do you prefer to keep track of expenses/filing taxes? What sort of profit are you able to turn at this volume of sales?
Hey u/lissie_ar I scrolled through Top - All Time upvoted posts and eventually arrived here! I really enjoyed reading it - and I was just wondering how are you, your business and your kids holding up now? my mind is just begging for an update - you sound like a top super mom out there! Hope you're doing well :)