Reselling pre-loved items online
Sell your own unused items, then source second-hand clothes, books or electronics to resell on Yaga or Facebook Marketplace.
Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026
- Startup costR0 to R2 000
- First incomeabout 7 days
- Price evidenceNo reliable SA figure yet
- Commercial viability53 / 100
Who it suits
People who need cash quickly and have things to sell or a good eye for bargains.
The customer and the problem
Typical customer: Bargain hunters, students, parents.
Affordable goods.
Is there demand?
Yaga (SA pre-loved fashion marketplace) and Facebook Marketplace are widely used; selling your own items is the fastest legitimate first cash.
- Yaga
- Facebook Marketplace
- Gumtree
Getting customers
Marketplace listings.
Relies on: Listing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!), Direct messages.
Money
- Revenue model: Margin per item.
- Price evidence: Depends entirely on items.
- Gross margin: Varies; you must buy below resale value.
- Payment costs: Yaga holds funds until delivery; cash/EFT for local meetups.
- Operating costs: Transport, courier.
- Recurring costs: Data and airtime.
Time to first income
Own items sell fastest; sourcing stock adds risk.
Competition, risks and scale
High.
- Safety at in-person meetups: meet in public places
- Unsold stock ties up cash
Room to grow: Low unless it becomes a shop.
Legal and tax in South Africa
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received.
How it fits South Africa: Strong.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start reselling pre-loved items online in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R2 000. Recurring costs: Data and airtime.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 7 days, and between 1 and 30 days. Own items sell fastest; sourcing stock adds risk.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.
What about tax and legal rules?
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received.
Free tools for this
Read next
- How to make money online in South Africa
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- Provisional tax for freelancers in South Africa, simply explained
- Getting paid from overseas in South Africa
- Ideas by situation
Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy