The Journey of MabzTheGemHunter: From Hobbyist to Full-Time Online Reseller

Mabz The Gem Hunter (Mahbubur Rahman) - Online Reseller

Introduction: My name is Mahbubur Rahman, known as MabzTheGemHunter (a name bestowed upon me after appearing on a Channel 4 show called Bidding Wars). I am a full-time online reseller, earning a living by selling vintage collectibles, electronics, tools, kitchenalia, and craft items on marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, and Shopify.

The Early Days: I embarked on my reselling journey as a hobby in 2005 on eBay to earn additional income alongside my full-time job. It was the early days of eBay, where one could sell almost anything on the site. Regulation was minimal, and people were selling even fake goods. The first item I sold was a used mp3 player, fetching £15. In 2005, the eBook market was booming online, and I tapped into it. I purchased eBooks with resale rights, bundled them, and sold them as digital downloads on eBay for £5 to £10. I was successful until 2008 when eBay discontinued the sale of digital downloads, prompting me to explore other products.

Finding My Niche: My interest in selling vintage and collectibles on eBay grew after reading "Find a Fortune: How to Buy, Sell and Make Money on eBay and at Boot Sales" by Lorne Spicer. Spicer, with years of experience as a TV presenter on shows like Cash in The Attic, shared invaluable insights gained from her visits to local car boot sales. This book provided a wealth of information, and I highly recommend it. It led me to watch shows such as Flog it, Bargain Hunt, Antique Road Show, and Storage Wars, enriching my knowledge of product sourcing.

Transition to Full-Time Reselling: In 2012, I faced redundancy from my full-time job. While it was disheartening, it presented an opportunity to explore self-employment. With an IT background, securing a job in this field was challenging. After a temporary assignment at the NHS as an IT auditor, I decided to commit to full-time reselling from home. Armed with advice from business advisors at local organizations like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, I underwent training sessions on online business and self-employment. I expanded my product sourcing by buying from local wholesalers, auction houses, and frequenting various car boot sales. Building relationships with sellers and individuals involved in house and office clearances proved pivotal. Buying in bulk, sometimes on credit, became a significant strategy, emphasizing the importance of having reliable contacts.

Establishing a Dedicated Workspace: In 2017, due to space constraints and distractions at home, I decided to establish a dedicated workspace. While working from home has its perks, such as flexibility, family distractions posed challenges. My primary need was space to store and organize my inventory. My office, resembling more of a warehouse than a traditional workspace, provided ample room for stock storage, item photography, packing stations, and a desk for administrative tasks. Despite this, I still enjoy the flexibility of occasionally working from home, balancing work commitments with family time. Being self-employed has also afforded me the opportunity to engage in voluntary and community work. My contributions were recently acknowledged with a BEM (British Empire Medal) for service to Charity and Community in Oldham, as part of the New Year's Honours List. My ethos revolves around giving back, as time is the most valuable asset one can offer.

Tips for fellow resellers:

- Don't Quit Your Job: Maintain job security while starting reselling as a side hustle. Only consider full-time reselling when you have a stable business.

- How to Start: Begin by selling unwanted items from your home to build a positive seller profile. Research products and market trends before investing in stock.

- Learn to Haggle: Negotiate prices to maximize profits, especially at events like car boot sales. Utilize online resources to verify item values.

- Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Diversify sales across multiple platforms and consider owning a website for more control over your business.

- Find a Niche: Focus on selling specific categories of products to establish expertise and profitability.

- Don't Dream of Overnight Success: Building a reselling business takes time and dedication. Learn from experienced resellers and invest in continuous learning.

By following these tips and embracing the journey of reselling, you can establish a successful online business.

The most expensive item I sold on eBay:

A Nikon brand Negative Scanner. Bought for £35, sold for £1287

The most profitable item I sold on eBay:

A rare pocket watch, found in a job lot of jewellery items purchased at a car boot sale. Job lot was in a box which contained around 20 items. The lot cost me £5

The most expensive paper product I sold on eBay: