The idea of the modern-day treasure hunter is something that's captured plenty of imaginations in recent years. From the popularity of shows like American Pickers and Storage Wars, it's clear that people love the idea of profiting from the forgotten treasures of others. For the average person, these shows paint a lifestyle that's surprisingly glamorous, even Romantic: traveling across the country, connecting with colorful locals, discovering bits of American history and turning exciting profits on every find.
Of course, reality is rarely that exciting, and while real people can and do make a living in the resale business, it's rarely as glamorous as television would have you believe. Nevertheless, for the right kind of person, it is absolutely possible to pursue this type of mobile resale business.
A person could, for example, travel interstate to purchase storage units and then resell them locally through Craigslist or local flea markets. After the prospects in one city began to run dry, the buyer could move on to another place. This type of lifestyle would certainly create its share of adventures and prevent life from getting dull; it would also make it easier in some ways to reach a wider set of buyers and find more items for resale. By casting a wide net, it becomes possible to find the most profitable goods.
Before setting out on the open road, though, there are a few things that you'll need to consider to run this type of business and lifestyle effectively:
- Where will you stay? Travel expenses will add up quickly, and the cost of travel may exceed the profits of all but the most lucrative resale businesses. If you already have a house and bills back home, hitting the road for long stretches can be financially draining. On the other hand, if you own a motor home or trailer and live out of it full-time, your travel expenses can be quite low.
- How will you store merchandise? Whether you're traveling in a motor home or staying in hotels, you'll need somewhere secure to keep items that have not yet sold. Will you rent out a storage unit or fill up a trailer of items? How much will you be able to buy and store?
- Do you have ties that will prevent you from being mobile? Spouses and children may not be as easy to travel with as you'd like, and leaving them behind can cause strain on the family. Many travel-based careers are the territory of bachelors for this reason.
The resale business already has narrow profit margins and a high overhead cost, so it takes a smart buyer to make that job really work. On the other hand, a resale business is one of the few careers that can feasibly be completed from any corner of the globe. If your dream has always been to live on the open road, unfettered by an office job and boring obligations, a traveling resale business may be the perfect way to pursue your love of exploring while maintaining a potentially lucrative career. If you're successful, you could even pitch your lifestyle to the networks as the newest reality TV show to cash in on the craze.