Start where your knowledge helps
Used books, household objects and hobby equipment present very different inspection and shipping problems. Choose items whose condition and completeness you can assess. Avoid safety-critical products or specialized goods when you lack the expertise to establish their suitability for resale.
Compare sourcing channels
Thrift shops, yard sales, estate sales, auctions and your own unused possessions can each offer inventory. Review return policies, auction premiums and pickup requirements before bidding or paying. A purchase is not profitable merely because a seller says its original retail price was high.
Set buying limits
Decide the maximum cash you can leave tied up and the storage space available. Use comparable sold items, not asking prices alone. Include fees, cleaning, testing, transport and packaging. If the likely margin disappears after costs, pass rather than assuming a buyer will overpay.
Keep records at purchase
Save a receipt or a lawful record of the transaction, model details and condition notes. Check the exact item against CPSC recalls before acquiring it for resale. When ownership, authenticity or safety cannot be established, do not buy it. The sourcing checklist is a reminder, not a certification.
Should I buy a whole bundle because the per-item price is low?
Only after considering every item, storage, transport and the portion that may never sell. Allocate the bundle cost in a consistent, supportable way for your records. A low average acquisition cost does not make unsafe, unwanted or unidentifiable items suitable inventory.