Startup cost: $100 - $5k

Setup costs range from $100 to $5,000 depending on the scale and approach you take in sports card flipping. At a minimum, you would need to budget for purchasing a small inventory of sports cards, which can start as low as $50 for a basic collection. Optional expenses could include investing in a card grading service, which typically costs around $20-$50 per card. Other essentials include storage supplies like card sleeves, top loaders, and storage boxes, adding up to around $30-$100. If you aim to do it right with all recommended tools and services, you might consider joining a subscription-based card market platform, which could range from $20 to $100 per month. Additionally, advertising costs on social media or card trading websites could vary from $50 to $500 per month based on your marketing strategy. Hidden fees might include shipping costs, transaction fees, or unexpected expenses related to damaged cards or returns. While some people online claim it's a low-cost venture, expenses can creep up once you commit, especially if you're looking to scale quickly. For a friend taking this seriously, I would recommend budgeting around $500 to $1,000 initially to cover all essential expenses and have room for growth.