From Hobby to Business: The Journey of An Oldham Reseller

A businessman, who appeared on Channel 4’s ‘Bidding Wars,’ shares his remarkable journey from dabbling in online sales to becoming a thriving full-time entrepreneur.

Mahbubur Rahman, 44, specialises in vintage collectables, electronics, tools, kitchenalia, and craft items. He has carved out a niche for himself on popular platforms such as eBay, Etsy, and Shopify. He was also honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community.

He said: “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, when you could sell almost anything on the site. The first item I sold was a used mp3 player which fetched £15.

“In 2005, the eBook market was booming, and I tapped into it. I purchased eBooks with resale rights, bundled them, and sold them as digital downloads on eBay for £5 – £10. I was successful until 2008 when eBay discontinued the sale of digital downloads, prompting me to explore other products.”

His 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. He was also inspired by popular TV shows like ‘Flog It’ and ‘Bargain Hunt.’

The turning point came in 2012 when he found himself facing redundancy from his full-time job. Rather than viewing it as a setback, he seized the opportunity to delve deeper into self-employment. He ventured into full-time reselling, leveraging his knowledge to navigate the complexities of online commerce.

“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 organisations like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce,” he added.

Mahbubur underwent training sessions to hone his skills in online business and self-employment. He diversified his sourcing strategy, forging relationships with wholesalers, auction houses, and clearance sales vendors, while also establishing a network of contacts for bulk purchases. 

Reflecting on his journey, Mahbubur offers invaluable advice to aspiring resellers. He advocates for a “gradual approach,” and emphasises the “importance of building a strong reputation” on online platforms.  He encourages newcomers to start small.  

“In 2021, I received an unexpected invitation to join Channel 4’s ‘Bidding Wars.’ The production team discovered me through my social media presence and reached out to me. The show brings together six teams of rival resellers who compete in a warehouse to acquire pallets of themed goods at the best prices.”

He added: “The catch is they don’t know the contents of the pallet until after purchase. The challenge was to sell these items for maximum profit, with the team earning the highest profit emerging as the victor. I had the opportunity to appear in two episodes. This experience was entirely unexpected for me, as I had never envisioned myself on a television program. Yet, every moment of the production was thoroughly enjoyable. It not only boosted my confidence but also allowed me to connect with remarkable individuals and well-known resellers.”

Phil the Flipper, who was the winner on ‘Bidding Wars,’ said: “I have been reselling for over 35 years, and I met Mahbubur on the show.

“I come across a lot of resellers but I formed a good relationship with Mahbubur because he has great knowledge. It’s nice to see young men coming through who are passionate about the game.

“We still have a relationship to this day. We discuss things. He is a bright guy so we talk about the markets and how things are going.

“Mahbubur can recognise a profit and is very articulate. When I met him on the show it was obvious he knows what he is doing. He can sometimes be a risk taker too,” Phil added.

“There aren’t many Muslim resellers, which is a shame because Muslims are good businessmen.”

Mahbubur’s tips for fellow resellers:

• Don’t Quit Your day 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 maximise profits, especially at events like car boot sales. Utilise 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.” Mahbubur said.