EVERYONE loves a bargain but turning shopping into a career could be easier than you think.
Upcycling – where you give an old piece of furniture, pair of jeans or anything else you can think of a second life – has got more popular in recent years.
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Especially when you’re looking to save money, buying something second-hand with a view to tart it up can really cut costs.
Now, with so many websites and platforms that let you sell your wares for next to nothing, you could take the idea further to make some spare cash.
That’s exactly what 35-year-old mum Danielle Bayliss has done – and she’s made thousands of pounds out of it.
“We’d just moved into a new house while I was on maternity leave and couldn’t find something to fit an awkward corner that didn’t cost a fortune,” she told The Sun.
“So I found an old dressing table on eBay and painted it.”
It sparked a new career for Staffordshire-based Danielle, who now brings in anywhere between £500 and £5,000 a month reselling mainly furniture.
“I once made just over £1,000 reselling a beautility sideboard,” she said.
But how does she know what to buy and what will make her a profit?
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“Looking for brand labels or makers marks is a really good way to tell if something is going to sell for more than I paid for it,” she explained.
“After a bit of trial and error you start to see what sells well, for example everyone needs chests of drawers.”
Danielle scours Facebook marketplace, eBay, Gumtree and local auctions and charity shops to track down pieces to scrub up and sell on.
“My favourite find has been an Ercol love seat at £20,” she said. “New these are £680!”
You don’t have to be a creative genius to make money either.
“Generally something is always needed before you resell something but it could be just a clean and tidy,” Danielle said.
Drawers always do well, she said, along with cocktail cabinets and sideboards which are also big sellers.
Quality counts
But to make reselling into a reliable income, investing in the right products is an absolute must.
“Anyone can make a piece of furniture look nice for a photo, but your reputation as a seller is based on creating a product that will last,” said Danielle.
“With anything for the garden, for example, you want to use a wood preserver like Roxil over a traditional oil stain, so it won’t rot.
“Also, don’t be tempted to go and buy every tool straight away, build up what you need over time,” she suggested.
Trying before you buy is also a good idea, according to Danielle.
“For example, sanders can be a pain, I’d always recommend going and picking one up in your local store to see how heavy and big they are.
“Nothing worse than sanding a huge sideboard with a heavy sander!”
Patience is a virtue
Some things take longer to sell than others, but with a bit of patience Danielle’s managed to make money on everything she’s resold.
“Touch wood, so far everything has gone eventually. The longest I’ve waited is 12 months for one piece.”
Danielle now sells her upcycled furniture through her own website, but she still lists everything on eBay and Etsy as well.
“They are both great for reselling and I’ve also just started on Vinterior which is proving really good,” she says.
“Anyone get into reselling – just find something on Facebook marketplace for free and just give it a go!”
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