Reseller who makes thousands every year on eBay & Vinted reveals best brands to cash in on & two big mistakes to avoid
So if you could do with some extra cash but aren't sure where to start, you've come to the right place and will need to listen up.
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Kirsty Quinn, 35, an office manager from Oxfordshire, began reselling when she was just 15-years-old and last year, cashed in £8,000 by flogging items on eBay, Vinted and WhatNot.
Now, the side hustler sells all things from clothes and collectibles to beauty products, and here, shares an expert insight into the best brands that will make you cash quick, as well as which items are best avoided.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Kirsty gets candid on her reselling success, as she explains: 'My first taste of reselling happened when I was 15.
'I purchased two Dandy annuals from a local village fete for the grand total of 2p each, I think they had so many books they just wanted to clear them.
'I researched online and found a book dealer who I sent photos to, I couldn't believe it when they offered me £50.
'A few years later, I started reselling on a small scale to help cover my car insurance. At the time, I was working part-time at Marks & Spencer, but as anyone who's just started driving knows, insurance costs can be through the roof.
'I needed a way to boost my income, and reselling seemed like the perfect side hustle.'
Kirsty has been reselling ever since and even sells 'actual rubbish' she finds on the floor.
She's a huge fan of buying cheap items to sell on for profit, as she adds: 'I really enjoy reselling, I love the thrill of the hunt - you never know what you're going to find, and every sourcing trip is a bit different. It keeps things exciting.
'As I have been doing it for many years I find it quite easy, but I am always learning new things. I have my 'go to' items that I will always pick up but every now and then I do step out of my comfort zone.
I've made £18k on Vinted & a hack means I don't have to hunt for bits I've sold
'If I decide to dedicate a weekend to reselling, it can get pretty busy - I sometimes end up doing up to three car boot sales in one weekend.
'The buying part is the easy bit - it's finding the time to list everything afterwards that can be a bit of a juggling act.'
The best items to cash in and brands to ditch
Now, alongside her full-time job, Kirsty spends between five and seven hours a week reselling and makes £6,000 on average a year.
She beams: 'I average around £500 a month, last year was an exception and I made more [£8,000] as I started selling on WhatNot.'
The savvy seller often buys items to resell from car boot sales and charity shops, but also claims: 'I have found lots of profitable items to resell from Vinted and even in store clearance sections.'
Do you need to pay tax on items sold on Vinted?
QUICK facts on tax from the team at Vinted...
The only time that an item might be taxable is if it sells for more than £6,000 and there is profit (sells for more than you paid for it). Even then, you can use your capital gains tax-free allowance of £3,000 to offset it.
Generally, only business sellers trading for profit (buying goods with the purpose of selling for more than they paid for them) might need to pay tax. Business sellers who trade for profit can use a tax-free allowance of £1,000, which has been in place since 2017.
More information here: vinted.co.uk/no-changes-to-taxes
So, which singular item has made her the most cash? Well, Kirsty reveals: 'One of the biggest sales that sticks in my mind is a Tamagotchi that I found lying on the floor in a pile of stuff at a car boot sale.
'It was 50p and when I got it home I put it in a drawer as I needed to buy a battery and completely forgot about it for a few months.
'When I finally got around to testing and researching it I found that it was an Argos exclusive release so was quite rare.
'I didn't know how to price it so in situations like this I will list the item as an auction as opposed to Buy It Now, that way the market can determine its price. When the auction finished it had ended at £260.'
Brands like Hotter, Clarks, and Hush Puppies might not seem exciting at first, but they often sell quickly and for a decent profit
Kirsty Quinn
Not only this, but she also shares the other items that sell fast, as she explains: ' Retro toys always sell well for me. I grew up in the 90s so love selling things like care bears and Polly Pocket.
'I also sell a lot of mugs, Starbucks mugs tend to sell well and some Disney mugs can be really sought after.
'When it comes to reselling shoes, some brands tend to get overlooked - but they can actually do really well. Brands like Hotter, Clarks, and Hush Puppies might not seem exciting at first, but they often sell quickly and for a decent profit.'
But if you're wondering what to avoid, Kirsty acknowledges: 'In clothing, I tend to avoid fast fashion brands like Shein and Primark as they do not hold as much value.
'I think when people buy second hand clothing they are looking for more quality pieces that are going to last.'
Top tips for resellers
Sharing her top tips for resellers, Kirsty first of all advises: 'Do your research and be consistent. The selling apps like a 'lister' - it keeps the algorithm happy and boosts your store and your listings.
'Rather than listing seven items all in one day, schedule them out so you have one listing go live every day.
'If I am posting on Vinted I will try to post at peak times when people are going to be scrolling. I find that the 'down' time just after dinner is great, so between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.'
A little effort with your pictures and title can make a big difference
Kirsty Quinn
And where your images are concerned, she recommends: 'I try to keep things as simple and clean as possible - no clutter, just a clear background so the item stands out.
'I take pictures from every angle, and if there's any damage, I make sure to show it clearly in the photos and mention it in the listing. Transparency goes a long way with buyers.
'You don't need any fancy photography gear to get started, either. I take all my photos in the brightest room in the house - no light boxes or special setups.
'I just use whatever I've got lying around to help things look their best. For example, I'll use toilet roll tubes to shape shoes or even a dumbbell to prop up a hat!'
Mistakes to avoid
Kirsty also gets candid on the common mistakes sellers will need to avoid, as she warns: 'Always be thorough when picking up items.
'It is easy to get excited when you find an item at the car boot sale or at the charity shop and you do not check over it thoroughly for damage.
'With clothing, check over for holes and stains. Also check for shrinkage, if the bottom hem is curling this is a tell-tale sign that the item has been in the tumble dryer for too long!'
Side hustles in numbers
Based on new research from Finder, an estimated 22.8 million Brits are using side hustles to top up their income.
Among those aged 18-23, 68 percent have a side hustle in 2024.
Those aged 24-42 aren't far behind, with 65 per cent having an additional source of income.
Side hustles are less popular among older generations, with 40 percent of those aged 43-54 having one.
Whereas 23 percent of people aged 55-73 and just 7 per cent of those aged 74 and over are earning extra cash this way.
She also sets the record straight on the importance of uploading the right images and the correct keywords, and claims that keeping things simple is a huge seller error, as she adds: 'Your photos and keywords really matter - they're what get people to actually click on your listings.
'I once bought a pair of Vans on an eBay auction for £10.50. The listing had dark, unclear photos and the title just said 'vans x spongebob,' so it didn't catch much attention.
'I took some brighter, clearer photos on a white background and changed the title to something more detailed: 'Vans SpongeBob Rainbow High Hi Top Lace-Up Trainers Shoes Size UK 7 EU 40.5.' I ended up reselling them for £38.99.
'Just goes to show that a little effort with your pictures and title can make a big difference.'
Despite her financial success, Kirsty gets candid on 'receiving negative comments,' as she admits: 'I have had a couple [of comments] but not too many.
'I think at the moment people are having quite a tough time financially so can appreciate a side hustle.
'I am quite open with my reselling journey and like to share what I pick up so that other people can do the same.
'If just one person picks up something helpful from what I've shared - whether it helps them pay off a bit of debt, save for a holiday, or put something aside for a house deposit - then I'm honestly really happy with that.'
Getting started
And for those eager to get started, Kirsty explains: 'Doing your research really helps! There's so much information out there about reselling, and most of it is super easy to access.
'eBay is also a great tool for checking what things are actually worth - just search for the item and use the 'sold items' filter to see what people have paid for it recently. I do this all the time.
'I might be sitting on the sofa scrolling through eBay and will think about something that might be valuable so I will look it up. That way, if I see it while I'm out sourcing, I'll know if it's worth picking up.'
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