Beginners often start with just $100–$300 in working capital and a basic tool kit consisting of screwdrivers, suction cups, and heat guns.
Most learn through free resources like YouTube tutorials or specialized repair guides on sites like iFixit . 2. Scaling Up: From Side Hustle to Full-Time buy broken phones
Some entrepreneurs maximize profits by unlocking devices and shipping them to international markets, where demand for used Western tech is even higher. 3. The Professional Turn: Refurbishment and Retail Beginners often start with just $100–$300 in working
A common starting point is buying a broken iPhone for as little as $30, performing a basic screen repair, and reselling it for over $100. Scaling Up: From Side Hustle to Full-Time Some
The final stage of the story is the transformation into a professional entity. Companies like uBreakiFix began as small eBay services before expanding into hundreds of brick-and-mortar storefronts.
Successful resellers often partner with local carrier stores to buy bulk trade-in devices.
As individual "flippers" gain experience, they move beyond one-off deals to more sophisticated sourcing strategies.