Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, you need to understand the fundamentals of Amazon reselling. These books provide proven frameworks for sourcing, pricing, and scaling your business without wasting money on the wrong tools.
The Amazon FBA Handbook by Steve Will
This book covers the complete workflow of Fulfillment by Amazon, including inventory management and logistics. Understanding FBA mechanics before you buy scanners or storage solutions will save you from purchasing redundant tools. It’s practical and specific to how Amazon’s system actually works.
Shop The Amazon FBA Handbook on Amazon →
The Unofficial Amazon Seller Bible by Simon Slade
This resource focuses on the operational side of running an Amazon business, including sourcing strategies and cost management. Knowing where to source inventory cheaply helps you understand what scanning and logistics equipment you actually need. It emphasizes profit-first thinking, which directly impacts your equipment budget.
Shop The Unofficial Amazon Seller Bible on Amazon →
Reseller’s Guide to Amazon FBA by Sky Hoffman
This guide walks through the practical day-to-day operations of an FBA business, including workspace setup and inventory tracking. It helps you understand which equipment directly impacts your profit margin and which is just nice-to-have. You’ll learn what successful resellers actually use versus what’s marketed as essential.
Shop Reseller’s Guide to Amazon FBA on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
You don’t need much to start Amazon reselling. The barrier to entry is low, but certain tools directly impact your efficiency and accuracy. Focus on items that speed up sourcing, inventory tracking, and order fulfillment—the three areas where mistakes or slow processes cost you money.
Barcode Scanners
- Handheld laser scanner: Essential for quickly checking product codes while sourcing at retail stores or thrift shops. Saves time and reduces manual data entry errors.
- Wireless scanner with USB receiver: Allows you to work without being tethered to your computer during inventory checks.
- Mobile phone barcode scanner app: Many resellers use their smartphone initially. Free option but slower than dedicated hardware.
Shop barcode scanners on Amazon →
Laptop or Desktop Computer
- Mid-range laptop: You need one reliable machine for sourcing research, creating listings, and managing inventory. Doesn’t need to be high-end—web browsers and spreadsheets don’t demand top specs.
- Dual monitor setup (optional but useful): Allows you to compare prices and inventory data side-by-side, speeding up decision-making.
Shipping and Packing Supplies
- Poly mailers: Lightweight envelopes for small items. Bulk ordering reduces per-unit cost significantly.
- Corrugated boxes: For medium and large items. Buy in bulk from packaging suppliers.
- Bubble wrap and packing tape: Essential for protecting products during transit.
- Tissue paper or crinkle fill: Inexpensive filler that improves presentation and reduces movement inside packages.
- Shipping scale: Critical for accurate weight calculations. Mistakes here directly reduce profit.
Shop shipping scales on Amazon →
Storage and Organization
- Shelving units: Heavy-duty metal or plastic shelves to organize inventory by category. Prevents damage and makes picking faster.
- Clear storage bins: For organizing small items by type or ASIN. Label them clearly.
- Label maker: Creates consistent, professional labels for inventory bins and products.
Shop shelving units on Amazon →
Software and Tools
- Inventory management software: Some resellers use spreadsheets; others prefer dedicated platforms. Choose based on your volume and complexity.
- Sourcing apps: Tools that check current Amazon prices and profit margins in real-time while you’re shopping.
- Accounting software: Track expenses and revenue separately from the beginning. Critical for tax preparation.
Safety and Inspection Equipment
- Gloves and hand sanitizer: You’ll be handling used items. Protect yourself and keep your workspace clean.
- Magnifying glass or inspection light: Helps you spot defects accurately before listing products.
- pH test strips or moisture meter (conditional): Only necessary if you’re reselling specific categories like books or electronics sensitive to water damage.
Shop inspection lights on Amazon →
What to Buy First vs Later
Start lean. You’ll learn what you actually need through experience.
- Month 1: Barcode scanner, laptop (if you don’t have one), basic packing supplies, one shelving unit, shipping scale.
- Month 2-3: Label maker, additional storage bins, organizational supplies based on what inventory you’ve accumulated.
- Month 4+: Dual monitors, upgraded shelving, premium sourcing software subscriptions, specialty tools based on product categories you’ve chosen.
Don’t buy multiple scanners, expensive software subscriptions, or bulk storage before you understand your actual workflow. Many resellers waste money on equipment they never use because they don’t yet know their sourcing patterns.
New vs Used Equipment
For reselling equipment itself, buying used makes sense in most cases. A used shelving unit works just as well as a new one. A refurbished barcode scanner performs identically to new. You can save 30-50% on storage, organizational equipment, and even computers by buying used or refurbished.
The exceptions: buy new for anything that directly touches your inventory or products before they ship. New packing tape, new bubble wrap, and new poly mailers are essential because used or damaged supplies can damage your products and trigger customer returns or negative feedback. Similarly, invest in a new or refurbished shipping scale—accuracy matters too much to compromise here. Buy a new laptop if possible; used ones have unpredictable battery life and potential hidden hardware issues.
Where to Buy
- Restaurant supply stores: Offer bulk packaging materials, shelving, and organization equipment often cheaper than retail.
- Local warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club): Competitive pricing on packing supplies in bulk; membership required.
- Office supply retailers: Good source for label makers, scales, and organizational tools.
- Industrial equipment suppliers: Heavy-duty shelving and storage solutions at wholesale prices.
- Local Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: Find used shelving, bins, and office equipment from other businesses closing down or moving.
- eBay: Refurbished barcode scanners and computer equipment often priced better than Amazon.
- Alibaba or DTC suppliers: For bulk orders of packing materials after you scale beyond 50 shipments per month.