Starting a side hustle

[vercetti2021]

Thinking about investing a few hundred of my savings into a cricut coffee mug machine to sell customized mugs on ebay. I guess my question is. Is it a worthwhile side hustle or I'm I gonna burn a hole in my purse? My cousin does the same with homemade signs and makes quite a good amount. I just need a good way to make a little extra money.

[brer cat]

1. Mugs are generally a good seller,

but on Ebay you can get killed by shipping costs. I would estimate that part of the cost very carefully.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Yes a mug will be 8-12 ounces plus the box, larger mugs over a pound

So at current rates, about $5.98 First Class to $9 to 12+ for over a pound. USPS has 7x7x7 boxes Priority Mail for the 1-2 pound rate.

Plus shipping gets hit for fees too.

[msongs]

2. trired sublimation mugs eons ago. mugs with my art and designs on them. turned out

people wanted their dogs and cars and kiddos on mugs, not my art lol. whole process was xpensive then walmart started making ugly custom mugs cheap. oh well

[Trueblue Texan]

3. I would think custom signs would be a better niche.nt

[vercetti2021]

5. Yeah my cousin does that really well

I feel I'd cut into her business online If I did.

[msongs]

6. an excellent youtube tutorial on making mugs...

[MerryHolidays]

7. And remember that you will now apparently be issued a 1099 by eBay if you sell over a certain amount

However, starting your own business does allow you to deduct some business expenses off your taxes if you make a profit.

Good luck!

[vercetti2021]

8. Wait really?

When did that come into play?

[MerryHolidays]

9. From eBay

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/2022-changes-to-ebay-and-your-1099-k.html#:~:text=Starting%20on%20Jan%201%2C%202022,that%20you%20file%20in%202022.

[vercetti2021]

13. Aww

Well scratch this then

[MerryHolidays]

14. Don't...at least if it's something you feel will be a good selling product.

You're taxed on the profits, not on the gross revenue, as per the eBay link. In addition, you get to deduct several business expenses from your taxes if you make a profit. Owning your own business, as opposed to being a W-2 employee, does have benefits.

If you think something will be successful, don't let this be an obstacle. It's just a consideration.

[vercetti2021]

15. I thought mugs would be fun to design

My cousin does signs but she has the proper tools to cut and sand wood. I don't and mugs are cheap to buy in bulk

[DFW]

10. It's that way in Germany, too

Very strict there. If you sell the same kind of item more than six times, you are considered a business, must register it, and be taxed as such. I don‘t know where the threshold between private sales and a business is in the USA, but in Germany, so many people were conducting thriving businesses on eBay right past the tax man that their finance authorities cracked down with the six-times-and-you‘re-a-business rule. Some still try to get away with it, but if you‘re caught, the fines can negate all previous profits.

Never forget: countries run by bureaucrats are always looking for ways to a) create more bureaucrats, and b) find ways to make an ever-shrinking public pay for them.

[MichMan]

12. Part of the American Rescue Plan legislation passed last year

[Shermann]

11. Anything that is easy to do will have a lot of competition nt

[multigraincracker]

16. I buy and sell antiques. Been doing it for over 30 years part time and

have a ball. Get to learn about new/old stuff and that is fun, along with gabbing with the folks having yard and garage sales. Not getting rich, but come out ahead at the end of the year. Mileage saves me on my taxes and I love driving around. Also so save on stuff I would be buying at the store, like cloths.
If you have any hobbies, turn them into a hobby business, as long as it's fun.
Retired 20 years ago this week. Tried a few part time jobs and they never worked out. If you start your own business, invest in business cards, cheap and pay off.

[Marthe48]

17. Research your prospects before you invest

As other posters mentioned, selling costs on eBay add a great deal to your overhead. We sold antique and vintage items until 2016. As our effort evolved, we sold small items that could fit in a padded envelope or 6X6 box. If we sold, we had buyers pay shipping, and if we bought, looked for sellers who offered free shipping. Way of the world. If you offer free shipping, you'll have to add some or all of the cost to the mug. If the buyer pays shipping, you might not be their first choice. Be sure to check the MUGS>Sold and Completed filter and see what sells and for how much.

You might also try Etsy, or one of the other sites that sell artisan items? Maybe take orders?

We sold a few things on Facebook Marketplace, which seems to have the same reach as eBay and a lot less red tape. We sold a couple of huge lamps, which had to be shipped. The seller paid the shipping and we sent them via UPS. It was a good transaction. When we sold locally, we met people in public places, and that too went well.

There are also local sellings meets online. If you are part of one, you sell your items online, and then meet in a public place with other members of the group, and the buyers come and pick up their stuff. We did that one time.

You could also make a supply of mugs and set up at local craft shows, and also take orders from attendees.

Good luck!

[vercetti2021]

18. Very detailed

Thank you!

[Marthe48]

19. You're welcome!

Good luck!