Your break-even price is the absolute minimum you can sell for without losing money. Below this price, you're literally paying someone to take your item.
The $10 Minimum Rule: Many successful resellers won't list items unless they can profit $10+. It accounts for time, supplies, and unexpected costs.
Before buying an item, calculate what you'd need to sell it for. If comps are below your break-even + target profit, don't buy it.
Death Pile Clearance: Items sitting 6+ months? Getting your money back beats storage costs and tied-up capital.
End of Season: Winter coat in April? Break-even now beats waiting 8 months for next winter.
Damaged in Storage: Something got damaged? Recover what you can.
Supplies: Boxes, tape, poly mailers, tissue paper—add $1-3 per item.
Time: 30 minutes to source, photo, list, pack, ship × your hourly rate.
Returns: Not every sale sticks. Factor in your return rate.
Storage: If you're paying for storage space, factor that in.