Can you really make money as a secondhand clothing buyer? A complete guide for beginners to get started without failure

Are you interested in the side job of being a secondhand clothing buyer, but worried about whether you can really make money? With the popularity of Mercari and flea market apps, secondhand clothing resale has been gaining attention as an easy side job to start, but if you start blindly, your inventory will only increase and you will not make as much profit as you hoped. The difference between people who can make money and those who can't is "preparation" and "strategy." In this article, we will carefully explain the knowledge and steps necessary for even beginners to start a secondhand clothing buyer side job without failure.

 

Why are more and more people starting secondhand clothing buying jobs as a side job?

In recent years, secondhand clothing buyers have been gaining attention as a side job that can be started at one's own pace in one's free time. The low initial cost and the ability to utilize fashion knowledge and sense are attractive features. Another factor that has helped is the spread of Mercari and flea market apps, which have lowered the barrier to selling. Here, we will explain three reasons why secondhand clothing buyers are gaining popularity as a side job.

Buying used clothing is a side job that you can start with little capital

When starting a side job, the biggest obstacle for many people is the initial cost. However, secondhand clothing buyers can start with just a few hundred to a few thousand yen per item, so the financial risk is low and it is a side job that is easy for beginners to do.

There are many places where you can purchase items cheaply, such as recycle shops, flea markets, and online auctions, so as long as you make the effort to not hold too much inventory, you can continue doing this without any difficulty.

Another benefit is that you can easily create a business cycle because you only need to reinvest the amount you sell. For those who are unable to take on a side job due to financial reasons, being a secondhand clothing buyer is a good opportunity to take the first step.

Fashion lovers can have fun while earning money

Being a secondhand clothing buyer is not just a way to earn money, but also a side job that you can do using what you love. If you love fashion and are good at following trends, you will enjoy the work of purchasing and listing items.

Because you can utilize your knowledge and sense of fashion, intuitive judgments such as "this item is likely to sell" or "this style is popular" can directly lead to profits.

By working on it as a side job, you can experience turning your daily hobbies and interests into income, which is an appeal that other side jobs don't have.

The popularity of Mercari and flea market apps has made it easier to get started

In the past, selling secondhand clothes was mainly done in brick-and-mortar stores or on personal blogs, but now, with the advent of flea market apps, anyone can easily put items up for sale. In particular, flea market apps such as Mercari and Rakuma have created an era in which you can start a side business with just a smartphone.

By using the app, you can take a photo, write a description, and list your item in just a few minutes. There are many shipping methods available, including anonymous shipping and convenience store shipping, making it easy for even beginners to use.

The popularity of flea market apps has been a big boost for second-hand clothing buyers for the following reasons:

- Easy listing and shipping that can be completed with just a smartphone

-Many sales opportunities due to a large number of users

・Sales commission is clear and secure

・Evaluation system allows for building trust

In this way, with the improvement of the environment, the barrier to starting to sell secondhand clothes as a side job has been greatly lowered.

How to start a side job as a secondhand clothing buyer, even if you're a beginner

Used clothing buyers are popular as a side job that is easy to start even if you have no experience, but there are many people who don't know where to start. By taking the right first step and gradually gaining experience, you can steadily improve your skills and profits. Here, we will introduce the basic steps for beginners to start working as a used clothing buyer in three points.

First, get used to selling items by using a flea market app

The first step as a used clothing buyer is to gain experience in "actually selling." Rather than starting with buying in bulk, I recommend listing unwanted clothes from your home on a flea market app such as Mercari and experiencing the process. By experiencing the process of listing, setting prices, and handling shipping, you can get a real feel for it as a side job.

At first, it is more important to "know the process until selling" than to make a profit. There is a lot of know-how that can only be learned through practice, such as how to communicate when a product is sold, how to rate it, and how to package it. Take your time and get used to it little by little.

Is it necessary to obtain a secondhand goods dealer license? Relationship with side jobs

If you buy and sell used clothing as a side job, you may be wondering whether you need a secondhand goods dealer license. In conclusion, if you buy and sell used clothing on an ongoing basis, you should obtain a secondhand goods dealer license.

If you are only selling clothes that you no longer wear as an individual, you do not need a license, but if you repeatedly purchase clothes for commercial purposes, you are legally considered to be selling secondhand goods. If you continue your business without a license, you may be subject to penalties.

To obtain the permit, you will need documents such as a residence certificate and ID, as well as an application fee (approximately 19,000 yen), but once you have it, it will last a long time. If you want to treat your side job as a proper business, you should consider obtaining it early.

Why you should narrow down the categories of products you sell when reselling used clothing

When you first start out as a secondhand clothing buyer, you may want to try your hand at everything, but it is more efficient to focus on a specific genre in the beginning. By limiting your genre, you will be able to get a good grasp of market prices and demand trends, and you will be able to make purchasing decisions more quickly.

For example, try defining genres according to the following categories:

By continuing to deal with one genre, you will be able to improve the accuracy of your judgment and also improve the efficiency of inventory management and listing work. Once you get used to it, you can step up by gradually expanding your range.

Purchasing methods and tips of secondhand clothing buyers

To make a stable profit as a secondhand clothing buyer, purchasing skills such as "where," "what," and "how to choose" are important. For beginners in particular, finding a purchasing route is the first big hurdle. Here, we will explain the typical purchasing methods used by secondhand clothing buyers and tips for improving the quality of your purchases from three perspectives.

Purchasing strategies for second-hand shops and flea market apps

Recycle shops and flea market apps are very familiar and easy routes for second-hand clothing buyers to purchase goods. Bargains can often be found at local recycle shops, and the biggest attraction is that it is easy to keep purchase prices down. On the other hand, flea market apps also allow you to purchase popular brands at the right time by utilizing their search and notification functions.

However, if you buy either of these items just because they are cheap, you may end up with a pile of inventory. Be sure to purchase strategically, taking into consideration the condition of the items, best-selling items, and market prices.

Purchasing approach that takes trends and seasonality into consideration

Even in the world of secondhand clothing, in the fashion world, "what's in demand right now" tends to sell well. Therefore, being aware of trends and seasonality is essential to purchasing items that will sell. Whether purchasing from a brick-and-mortar store or online, it's important to choose items that match the season and trends.

For example, the accuracy of your purchasing can be improved by considering the following points:

・Predict the seasonal changes and take action 1-2 months in advance

・Check out trend colors and shapes on social media and fashion magazines

- List popular lines and resale items for each brand

The trick to reducing inventory risk and stabilizing profits is to choose products that have a reason to sell, rather than purchasing products that "somehow seem good."

How to improve your research skills by taking courses on second-hand clothing buyers

Research skills are important in improving the quality of your purchases. You need to know what items are likely to sell and which brands are popular. Classes and online communities for secondhand clothing buyers are a great way to learn these information gathering skills efficiently.

These learning services allow you to learn in a practical way how professional buyers view market prices, make purchasing decisions, and see trends in sales, so you can purchase with confidence. This allows you to gain perspectives that are difficult to notice when studying on your own, and can be considered a shortcut for beginners.

Research skills cannot be acquired overnight, but by taking advantage of courses, it is possible to build a foundation efficiently. The key to success is to increase your profits while learning.

Strategies for continuing and expanding your side job as a secondhand clothing buyer

After starting a side job as a secondhand clothing buyer and achieving a certain level of sales, the next important thing is to consider "continuity" and "expansion." There is a limit to simply listing and selling items, so a strategic approach is essential to aim for a more stable income. Here are three strategies to help you grow your secondhand clothing buyer side job sustainably.

Expanding our suppliers and developing our own routes

If your procurement route is fixed, there will be limitations on your inventory and prices. That's why it's important to make an effort to develop new suppliers and find your own procurement route. For example, in addition to thrift shops and flea market apps, you can also use wholesale markets, buyer-only auctions, local events, etc. as procurement sources.

Another key to expansion is connecting with fellow buyers on social media and sharing suppliers through information exchange. If you can secure multiple stable procurement routes, it becomes easier to negotiate prices and secure rare items, expanding the scope of your sales.

Diversifying sales channels using social media

Increasing your sales channels is a very effective way to increase your sales. Recently, more and more buyers are selling directly to customers not only through Mercari, but also through social media such as Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

On social media, posts such as "Here are the vintage clothes used in this outfit" can lead to sales pages, which can also help with branding.

The benefits of using social media to increase sales are as follows:

Build relationships with your fans and followers

・Easy to express your own worldview and style

・Individual sales and pre-orders via direct mail will also be possible.

・Create a stable sales channel that is not dependent on the platform

By adopting these methods, we are able to create a store without a brick-and-mortar store as a second-hand clothing buyer.

Customer service techniques to gain repeat customers

In order to make selling used clothing a stable side business, it is extremely important to increase the number of "repeat customers" rather than just making a one-time purchase. Increasing the number of repeat customers reduces the effort required to find new customers for each sale, and stabilizes profit margins.

When dealing with customers, it is important to respond quickly and courteously. For example, sending a thank-you message immediately after a purchase and informing them of the expected shipping date and the care you took with packaging will greatly increase customer satisfaction. Also, clearly stating "repeater discounts" or "follow-up discounts" in your profile or product description will help encourage repeat purchases.

Courteous communication with each customer builds the foundation for trust and sales.

Take advantage of courses and learning content that will help you become a secondhand clothing buyer

To continue and expand your side job as a secondhand clothing buyer, it is important to improve your skills in purchasing, selling, and branding. Recently, there are many ways to learn, from free information gathering to practical courses. Here, we will introduce the sources of information and how to choose courses that beginners can use to improve their skills while learning.

How to start collecting information for free

When you first start a side job, you want to gain knowledge without spending too much. In times like these, you want to make use of "high-quality information" that you can get for free. Social media, YouTube, blogs, and the listing pages of popular sellers on flea market apps are full of practical information.

In particular, YouTube allows you to learn visually and easily from examples of secondhand clothing buyers, accompanying purchases, sales know-how, etc. Social media provides real-time trends and best-selling information, so daily checks can become part of your learning.

Start by "watching, reading, and imitating," and gradually make the knowledge your own.

Points to consider when choosing a secondhand clothing buyer course and comparison

If you want to step up as a serious secondhand clothing buyer, it is effective to take advantage of paid courses. However, the content and support systems of the courses vary, so choosing the one that suits you is the key to success.

Here are some things to compare when choosing a course:

- Is it for beginners or experienced people?
・Comprehensive curriculum, including purchasing methods and sales strategies

・Follow-up system after taking the course (chat consultation, availability of community)

・Practical or classroom-based

- Balance between price and duration

By carefully comparing and choosing the content that best suits your goals and learning style, you will be able to ensure that your learning leads to direct results.

Improve your skills through hands-on learning

You can learn not only knowledge but also skills by actually doing it. By learning the process of listing, purchasing, and selling through practice, you will gain new insights that you cannot get by just understanding it in your head.

For example, you can learn a lot by actually visiting your supplier and comparing prices, or listing your items on a flea market app and seeing the reactions. Also, any failed experiences can become valuable data that you can use to make your next purchasing decision.

By studying and practicing at the same time, you can develop the ability to earn money in a shorter period of time. The only way to turn learning into results is to take action.

summary

Being a secondhand clothing buyer is an attractive side job that can be started with little capital and can be done at your own pace. However, you won't necessarily be able to make money if you start it randomly, and in order to be successful, you need to be creative with your purchasing and sales, have research skills, and be persistent. The important thing is to make use of what you love and to keep learning and practicing.

If you keep in mind the points introduced in this article, even beginners can steadily improve their skills. The biggest trick to earning a stable income for a long time is to continue while having fun.