The High Street Wants Your Old Stuff Back: Where You Can Sell Furniture, Clothes and Tech

For years, if you wanted to get rid of an old bookcase, phone, pair of trainers or games console, your choices were fairly predictable. You could stick it on eBay, brave the messages on Facebook Marketplace, take it to a charity shop or, if it really had reached the end of its useful life, find a way to recycle it.

But something interesting is happening on the British high street. The shops that sold us all this stuff in the first place increasingly want it back.

IKEA has now launched its own second-hand marketplace in the UK, allowing customers to buy and sell pre-owned IKEA furniture and homewares directly to one another. Meanwhile, Argos is building a much broader online marketplace of its own and already operates a trade-in scheme which can pay customers for unwanted technology.

They are far from alone. John Lewis, Currys, Apple, Decathlon, Schuh and CeX are among the familiar names offering ways to trade in, recycle, reuse or buy pre-owned goods.

And that raises two important questions for MoneyMagpie readers: could the growing second-hand high street help you make money from things you already own, and could buying somebody else’s unwanted stuff save you a significant amount too?

Before you throw it away…

An unwanted phone, table, games console, bike or pair of shoes may still have a value. Before putting anything in the bin or taking it to the tip, check whether you can sell it, trade it in, donate it or recycle it.

We have plenty more ideas in our make money guides, including ways to turn things you already own into extra cash.

IKEA has launched a second-hand marketplace in the UK

This is perhaps the most interesting development because IKEA isn’t simply taking old furniture back and reselling it itself.

Its new UK second-hand marketplace allows IKEA Family members to sell genuine pre-owned IKEA products directly to other customers.

Creating a listing should also be considerably easier than starting completely from scratch on a conventional marketplace. IKEA can identify eligible products and provide information including recommended pricing, product photographs, measurements, descriptions, assembly instructions and care information.

That could be particularly useful if you’ve ever tried to remember the name of an IKEA bookcase you bought eight years ago.

There are restrictions. The marketplace is for genuine IKEA products and excludes certain categories including appliances, mattresses and food. Products must also be safe and usable.

Sellers can set their own price, although IKEA provides a suggested figure, and the maximum listing price is £1,995. Buyers pay through the marketplace, with the money held by a payment provider during the transaction.

Perhaps most importantly for anyone decluttering, this isn’t simply a voucher-for-your-old-furniture scheme. It means you are selling your IKEA item to another customer.

Check IKEA’s latest second-hand and Buyback information.

Could you save money buying second-hand IKEA?

Potentially. Furniture is one of the areas where buying used can produce substantial savings, particularly if you can collect it yourself. However, always compare the second-hand asking price with IKEA’s current new price before assuming you’ve found a bargain.

Remember to include transport costs too. Saving £40 on a wardrobe doesn’t look quite as impressive if you then spend £35 hiring a van to collect it.

You could already sell furniture back to IKEA

The new marketplace sits alongside IKEA’s existing Buyback & Resell scheme, and it’s worth understanding the difference.

With Buyback, IKEA itself assesses eligible used IKEA furniture and gives you a refund card rather than you having to wait for another person to buy it.

Eligible products can include bookcases, shelving, cabinets, dining tables, desks, chairs, stools, chests of drawers, some children’s products, mirrors, shoe storage, plant pots and certain lighting, although you should always check the latest eligibility before making a journey.

Items generally need to be complete, clean, properly assembled, unmodified and in a condition suitable for resale.

The obvious downside is that you’re receiving IKEA credit rather than unrestricted cash, so somebody who simply wants to clear their house and put money into their bank account may prefer the customer-to-customer marketplace.

On the other hand, if you were planning to replace that old IKEA desk with another IKEA desk anyway, Buyback could be considerably less hassle than photographing it, listing it and arranging for somebody to collect it.

MoneyMagpie tip: don’t confuse convenience with getting the best price

Retailer trade-in schemes can be wonderfully easy, but convenience can come at a price. Before accepting an offer, spend five minutes checking what similar items are selling for elsewhere.

If you’re having a proper clear-out, take a look at our latest ways to make money before giving valuable belongings away.

What about the new Argos marketplace?

There is an important distinction here.

Argos has announced that it is developing an online marketplace, but this is not currently a second-hand marketplace for ordinary customers to list unwanted possessions.

Instead, selected third-party marketplace sellers will be able to offer products through the Argos website and app, increasing the range available to shoppers.

So, if you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to put your old toaster on Argos in the same way you might put it on eBay, that’s not what has been announced.

What is interesting is that Argos already operates a separate Trade-In service for technology.

Yes, you can sell old technology to Argos

Argos Trade-In accepts a range of unwanted technology, including mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, games consoles, headphones and Mac computers.

You get a quote, send the device using the service provided and, following inspection, can receive payment depending on the options currently available through the service.

That makes Argos worth checking before automatically putting an old phone on an online marketplace.

It doesn’t necessarily mean Argos will offer the highest possible price. Whenever you sell an old phone, laptop or games console, compare the trade-in quotation against what similar devices are actually selling for elsewhere.

A trade-in service is partly selling you convenience. You may receive less than you could achieve by finding a private buyer yourself, but you don’t have to create listings, answer messages, negotiate with strangers or worry about somebody failing to turn up.

Check the latest Argos Trade-In information.

Old tech could be worth more than you think

Don’t assume an old phone, tablet, console or laptop is worthless. Get several trade-in quotations and compare them with realistic private-sale prices first.

You can find more ideas for generating extra cash in the MoneyMagpie Make Money section.

Currys will also take old tech

Currys operates technology trade-in and recycling services covering old devices and electrical products.

The retailer’s recycling schemes are particularly useful when an electrical item has reached the point where it no longer has a meaningful resale value.

An ageing phone sitting untouched in a kitchen drawer isn’t earning you anything and its components aren’t being reused either.

Before trading anything in, however, compare the valuation. The easiest option isn’t automatically the most profitable one.

See the latest Currys trade-in information.

John Lewis has buyback and recycling schemes too

John Lewis has also operated schemes designed to keep products in circulation for longer, including technology trade-in and fashion initiatives.

As with all retailer schemes, availability, eligible products and rewards can change, so check the latest terms rather than assuming something you bought several years ago will automatically qualify.

Check John Lewis’s current technology trade-in options.

Decathlon could buy your old sports equipment

There is another cupboard worth investigating before a clear-out: the one containing all those abandoned sporting ambitions.

Decathlon operates a Buy Back service covering a range of sports equipment, allowing customers to obtain an estimate for eligible items before taking them into a participating store.

This could be particularly useful for expensive equipment that children have grown out of, bikes that are no longer used or sporting equipment bought enthusiastically in January which hasn’t seen daylight since February.

See what Decathlon currently accepts through Buy Back.

Apple will give you credit for old devices

Apple Trade In allows customers to exchange eligible devices for credit towards another purchase or an Apple Gift Card.

Devices with no trade-in value may still be eligible for recycling.

Again, don’t assume a manufacturer’s trade-in valuation is automatically the best price available. Check it against other trade-in companies and realistic second-hand selling prices.

But for somebody already intending to buy another Apple device, it can provide a relatively simple way of reducing the cost.

Check your device with Apple Trade In.

CeX remains one of the simplest places to sell unwanted tech

CeX has effectively been doing the circular economy on the high street since long before the phrase became fashionable.

It buys a broad range of products including phones, computers, digital electronics, games, consoles and Blu-rays before selling second-hand products back to customers.

For anyone doing a serious declutter, it is worth checking the value of old games and technology before assuming they’re worthless.

Check CeX buying and selling prices.

Schuh could give you money off for old shoes

Your old shoes could have some value too, although not necessarily as cash.

Schuh operates its Sell Your Soles recycling initiative, allowing customers to take unwanted footwear into participating stores in return for a reward towards another purchase, subject to the latest terms.

It’s a useful example of why we need to stop thinking about unwanted possessions as simply either “sellable” or “rubbish”. There is an increasingly large middle ground.

Check Schuh’s latest recycling information.

Where can I sell my old stuff?

IKEA: Eligible IKEA furniture and homeware – customer-to-customer resale or Buyback credit.

Argos: Selected technology – trade-in options.

Currys: Technology and electricals – trade-in or recycling depending on the product.

John Lewis: Selected technology and other eligible products – trade-in, reuse or recycling depending on the scheme.

Decathlon: Selected sports equipment – Buy Back.

Apple: Eligible technology – credit, Gift Card or recycling.

CeX: Phones, games, consoles, computers and electronics – sell or exchange.

Schuh: Old footwear – recycling reward subject to current terms.

Retailer schemes and eligibility change regularly, so always check the retailer’s current terms before travelling to a store or posting an item.

Why retailers suddenly want our old stuff

Retailers aren’t becoming interested in your old bookcase, trainers and iPhone purely out of generosity. There is clearly money in resale.

But there is also an important environmental argument.

Every product that can safely remain in use for longer potentially delays the point at which another product needs to replace it, while reuse can prevent perfectly serviceable possessions entering the waste stream unnecessarily.

Recycling is important, but reuse should often come before recycling.

If somebody else can use your desk for another five years, there is little sense in breaking it down into materials today simply because you no longer want it.

The same principle applies to electronics. A working phone may be worth refurbishing and reselling; a broken device might provide usable components; and something genuinely at the end of its life can finally be recycled so useful materials can potentially be recovered.

Sell it, donate it or recycle it?

1. Sell it: Could somebody else use it and pay you for it?

2. Trade it in: Does a retailer offer cash, credit or a voucher?

3. Donate it: Could a charity shop or reuse organisation make use of it?

4. Recycle it: If it genuinely can’t be reused, find the correct recycling route.

For more ways to squeeze value from things you already own, visit our Make Money hub.

Can buying second-hand actually save you money?

Potentially, yes – but the word “second-hand” isn’t an automatic guarantee of a bargain.

The arrival of retailer-backed resale has some advantages. Product identification can be easier, condition grading may be clearer in some schemes and refurbished products sold commercially can sometimes come with protections that you wouldn’t necessarily get from a casual private sale.

But always compare the second-hand price with the current new price.

This becomes particularly important during sales. A second-hand item advertised at £80 because it originally cost £150 isn’t much of a bargain if the same product is currently available new for £90.

For furniture, factor in collection or delivery costs. With technology, check battery health, age, software support and warranty or returns arrangements rather than looking only at the headline price.

If rising household costs are prompting a wider rethink of your spending, our Save Money guides contain more ideas for cutting everyday costs without simply going without.

Should I trade something in or sell it myself?

This is where a little MoneyMagpie maths comes in.

Before handing anything over, get three figures if you can:

1. The retailer’s trade-in or buyback offer.

2. The realistic price you could get selling it yourself.

3. The price of the replacement item you actually intend to buy.

Don’t compare your trade-in quote with wildly optimistic marketplace listings that have been sitting unsold for six months. Look at what similar items genuinely appear to be selling for.

Then put a value on your own time.

If selling privately might earn you another £15 but requires photographs, a listing, six messages, two ridiculous offers and an afternoon waiting for somebody who may or may not appear at your front door, the instant trade-in starts looking more attractive.

If the difference is £150, doing the work yourself may suddenly feel worthwhile.

Before throwing something away, ask one question

“Is this actually worth something?”

A phone could be traded in. Furniture could be sold to another IKEA customer. A bike might qualify for a buyback scheme. Shoes could earn a recycling reward. Games and old technology could potentially be sold.

Only when an item can’t realistically be reused should recycling become the main option.

Second-hand shopping could become a normal part of the high street

The circular economy can sound like an enormous environmental concept, but for households it can be much simpler.

Before buying new, check whether somebody else has already bought the thing you need and no longer wants it.

And before throwing something away, check whether somebody is prepared to pay you for it.

You could end up with less clutter, more money in your pocket and fewer perfectly usable possessions going to waste.

More ways to make and save money

MoneyMagpie is packed with practical ways to make your household budget go further. Explore our Make Money ideas or head to our Save Money section for more ways to cut costs.

Find ways to make money

Find ways to save money

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my old IKEA furniture back to IKEA?

There are now two routes worth checking. IKEA’s second-hand marketplace allows eligible IKEA Family members to sell qualifying IKEA products to other customers, while its Buyback service can offer IKEA credit for eligible furniture.

Can I sell second-hand items on Argos?

Argos’s announced marketplace is not a customer-to-customer second-hand marketplace. However, Argos does operate a separate technology trade-in service for selected devices.

Which high street shops buy old items?

Depending on the product, retailers and businesses including IKEA, Argos, Currys, Decathlon, Apple and CeX have trade-in, buyback or resale options. Other retailers offer recycling rewards rather than cash.

Is it cheaper to buy second-hand?

It can be considerably cheaper, but always compare the used price with the current new price and include delivery, collection and potential repair costs. For electronics, check the age, condition, battery health, software support and warranty too.

Should I sell or recycle unwanted items?

If an item is safe and usable, selling, trading in or donating it can keep the product in use for longer. If it has reached the end of its useful life, check the correct recycling route rather than putting electrical products or other recyclable materials into general waste.

The post The High Street Wants Your Old Stuff Back: Where You Can Sell Furniture, Clothes and Tech appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Pension Credit: You could qualify even with savings or your own home

Think your savings, private pension or the home you own mean you cannot claim Pension Credit? You could still qualify. Here is how to check, why a small award can matter and what the current rules mean for you.

Rules checked: 1 October 2026. Rates apply to the 2026/27 financial year.

Pension Credit at a glance

• Single: standard Guarantee Credit tops assessed weekly income up to £238.
• Couple: the standard amount is £363.25 a week combined.
• Savings: £10,000 or less does not affect your Pension Credit.
• Homeowners: owning the home you live in does not automatically disqualify you.
• Backdating: up to three months, if you were eligible during that period.

These are standard income levels, not payments added to your existing pension. Extra amounts and individual circumstances can change the calculation.

Check with the official Pension Credit calculator

When you have spent years paying off a mortgage or putting something aside for retirement, it is easy to assume financial help is meant for somebody else.

But having assets does not necessarily mean you have enough coming in to cover the weekly shop, heating and other essentials. Pension Credit can be available to people who own their home, have savings or receive a private pension.

Even a modest award deserves a closer look. Depending on the part you receive and your circumstances, it can also help you qualify for support with other costs.

In this guide

• What is Pension Credit?
• How much can you get?
• Who qualifies?
• Homes, savings and private pensions
• When higher income can still qualify
• Other help an award can unlock
• The current Winter Fuel Payment rules
• How to claim and request backdating
• Frequently asked questions

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a low income. It is separate from your State Pension.

Guarantee Credit tops up your assessed income. Savings Credit is an additional payment for some people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You may receive one part or both, depending on your circumstances.

It is different from National Insurance credits, which can help build your State Pension entitlement.

How much is Pension Credit in 2026/27?

The standard Guarantee Credit calculation tops assessed weekly income up to £238 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple. The couple figure is for both people together.

Example: what a top-up could look like

A single person with £210 a week in assessable income, no savings adjustment and no additional amounts would have a standard Guarantee Credit top-up of £28 a week.

That would be £1,456 over 52 weeks. This is an illustrative calculation, not a typical award or a promise of what you will receive.

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?

In England, Scotland and Wales, you must have reached State Pension age and meet the relevant residence requirements. Northern Ireland has a separate Pension Credit application route.

Use the official State Pension age checker rather than assuming everyone aged 66 qualifies.

If you live with a partner, their income and savings are included. Usually, both partners must have reached State Pension age. Exceptions can apply, including where one receives Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age. Seek advice if one of you is younger or you have an existing award.

Can you claim Pension Credit with savings, a pension or your own home?

Owning your home

Owning the home you live in does not automatically stop you qualifying. A second property or other assets may be treated differently, so declare everything requested on your application.

Having savings

Savings and investments of £10,000 or less do not affect Pension Credit. Above that, every £500, or part of £500, over £10,000 is treated as £1 of weekly income.

For example, £11,000 in savings produces an assumed income of £2 a week. This is a benefit calculation, rather than the interest your bank actually pays. More than £10,000 does not automatically exclude you.

Receiving a private pension

Private and workplace pensions normally count as income, alongside your State Pension. However, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment are among the benefits not counted as income.

Leaving a pension unclaimed does not necessarily keep it out of the calculation: pension income you are entitled to receive can still count.

What if your income is above the standard Pension Credit amount?

The standard figures are not universal cut-offs. Additional amounts can apply for qualifying caring responsibilities, severe disability, certain housing costs or responsibility for a child or young person.

A check carers can easily overlook

The carer addition is £48.15 a week in 2026/27. Some people can qualify through an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment, even when an overlapping benefit prevents a separate payment.

A severe disability addition of £86.05 a week can apply in qualifying circumstances. Household arrangements and whether someone receives a carer benefit for looking after you can affect entitlement.

Ask for a full benefits check before making a carer claim, as it can affect the benefits of the person you care for.

Receiving a disability benefit does not automatically entitle you to the severe disability addition. Read the detailed official guidance or seek benefits advice.

Savings Credit can provide up to £17.96 a week for a single person or £20.10 for a couple in 2026/27, subject to its eligibility and calculation rules. Special restrictions apply to some couples where one partner reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

What other help can Pension Credit unlock?

Depending on your award and circumstances, Pension Credit can help you access:

• Housing Benefit if you rent.
• Council Tax Reduction through your council.
• A free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over and meet the rules.
• Help with NHS costs, including dental treatment and glasses, if you receive Guarantee Credit.
• Cold Weather Payments, or Winter Heating Payment in Scotland.

Some support needs a separate application. Savings Credit alone does not provide all the same entitlements as Guarantee Credit.

Help with energy bills

Pension Credit can be relevant to the Warm Home Discount, a £150 electricity bill discount for eligible households. It is a bill reduction, rather than cash paid into your account.

Eligibility depends on the scheme rules, where you live and your supplier. The scheme operates in England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland.

If you owe money to an energy supplier, investigate grants that may help clear energy bill arrears too.

Help with mortgage interest

Some claimants may qualify for Support for Mortgage Interest. This is a repayable loan with interest, usually repaid when you sell or transfer your home. It is not a grant covering your mortgage repayments in full.

For other ways to reduce everyday costs, explore our guides to free and cheap meals for pensioners and food discounts for people receiving benefits. Each offer has its own conditions.

Do you need Pension Credit to get Winter Fuel Payment?

Pension Credit is no longer the general requirement for receiving Winter Fuel Payment. The eligibility restrictions introduced for winter 2024/25 have changed.

For winter 2026/27, eligible people born on or before 27 June 1960 who usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can receive between £100 and £300, depending on their circumstances.

If an individual’s total income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will recover the payment. Scotland has a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment scheme.

Check the current Winter Fuel Payment guidance for exceptions and individual payment rules.

Check Pension Credit for its ongoing income support and associated help, even if you already receive a winter payment.

How to claim Pension Credit and request backdating

Start with the free official Pension Credit calculator. It gives an estimate, not a final decision. If it cannot assess your circumstances, contact the Pension Service.

• Online: use the official application page if you have already applied for your State Pension.
• Telephone: call 0800 99 1234, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
• Post: download the claim form or request one by telephone.

Have your National Insurance number, bank details and information about income, savings and investments ready. Include your partner’s details where applicable.

You can request up to three months of backdating if you were eligible during that period. Provide details of your circumstances then. You can also start an application up to four months before reaching State Pension age.

Age UK or Citizens Advice can help with the form. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for mandatory reconsideration.

Your Pension Credit checklist

1. Check your State Pension age and your partner’s, if applicable.
2. Gather pension statements, benefit details and savings balances.
3. Include caring responsibilities, disability benefits and relevant housing costs.
4. Use the official calculator or ask for a benefits check.
5. If you apply, ask about backdating.
6. After an award, check which additional help requires a separate application.

Check rather than assume: your home, savings or private pension do not answer the eligibility question on their own.

Pension Credit: frequently asked questions

Is Pension Credit paid automatically with the State Pension?

No. Pension Credit is separate and requires an application. Receiving your State Pension does not mean you have been assessed for Pension Credit.

Can you claim Pension Credit if you are still working?

Working does not automatically rule you out, but earnings are included in the assessment under the relevant rules. Your age, income and circumstances still need to be checked.

Can you claim years of missed Pension Credit?

A new claim can normally be backdated by up to three months if you were eligible. It does not normally recover years of missed payments.

Should you check again if you were previously turned down?

A previous decision reflects your circumstances and the rules at that time. Consider checking again after a change in income, a bereavement, new caring responsibilities or a qualifying disability benefit award. Annual rate changes can also affect the calculation.

If you already receive Pension Credit, report relevant changes to the Pension Service.

Sources and how this guide was checked

This guide was checked against official eligibility, rate and application guidance on 1 October 2026.

• GOV.UK: Pension Credit overview
• GOV.UK: eligibility, income and savings
• GOV.UK: payment rates and additional amounts
• GOV.UK: applications and backdating
• GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment

This article provides general information, not personalised benefits advice. Entitlement depends on individual circumstances. Rates and rules can change; use official guidance or a qualified benefits adviser for help with your claim.

The post Pension Credit: You could qualify even with savings or your own home appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Make money by selling your hair

Selling your hair sounds rather Les Misérables. Thankfully, today you can ask for a quote before the big chop. If you are planning a dramatic haircut, here is how to find out whether your ponytail could bring in extra money.

Most of us leave the salon with less hair and a bill to pay. But if you have a long ponytail you are ready to cut off, you may be able to sell it to a buyer supplying hair for wigs or extensions. Think of it as a possible one-off windfall, rather than regular income: the amount depends on what a buyer can use and what they are willing to offer.

Before you cut: Measure the ponytail you are willing to lose, get written quotes from more than one buyer, and follow the chosen buyer’s instructions for tying and cutting it. A haircut that leaves the hair loose on the floor can make it unsaleable.

In this guide

• How much can you earn?
• Where can you sell it?
• What types of hair are accepted?
• How to sell safely
• What to check about a buyer
• Donation and other savings
• Tax and common questions

How much can you make selling your hair?

There is no dependable UK price list for every ponytail. Buyers look at usable length, weight, condition, colour, processing history and demand. Banbury Postiche says it pays by the ounce, with longer hair attracting a higher price. It does not publish a guaranteed payment for every seller. Ask any buyer for the proposed rate, the likely usable weight and when the final figure will be confirmed.

What you might actually keep: Ask what the buyer will pay after inspection, whether postage is covered and what your haircut will cost. Treat any photograph-based estimate as provisional unless the buyer explicitly guarantees it.

Where can you sell hair in the UK?

1. Specialist UK hair buyers

One documented UK example is Banbury Postiche. Its published terms require at least 14 inches (about 35cm) of suitable hair, tied before cutting. It says it pays by the ounce and returns hair it cannot use. Companies House lists Banbury Postiche Limited as active (company number 00972488), with an address matching the business’s published contact details. That verifies its corporate registration, not a particular payout or the experience of every seller. Its buying page does not set out a fixed rate or a precise payment timetable, so ask for both in writing before posting hair. Do not assume the postage or return postage is paid.

2. Wigmakers and extension suppliers

Some businesses that make wigs, hairpieces or extensions may buy from individuals. We have not independently verified other firms as suitable buyers for this guide. Contact them with clear photographs, your proposed cut length and a frank description of any colour or chemical treatments. Ask whether they are currently buying from private sellers before you cut anything.

3. A private sale

You can seek a direct buyer where a marketplace’s current rules permit it. You would need to arrange the listing, payment and delivery yourself. Check fees and seller protection, keep your home address and personal details as private as practical, and confirm payment in your own account before posting. An unusual offer is not proof of an unusually valuable ponytail.

Can you sell dyed, grey, curly or short hair?

Do not write off your hair because it is not straight or because its colour has changed. A buyer’s needs vary. Banbury Postiche says hair must be of suitable quality and not over-treated or tangled. Its published minimum is 14 inches, so a shorter ponytail will not qualify with that buyer. Another buyer may have different requirements for coloured, grey, curly or textured hair. Be accurate about bleaching, dye, relaxers and other treatments, and ask buyers about your specific hair before cutting.

Measure the cut hair, not the hair on your head. Allow for the style you want to keep. If a buyer needs a 14-inch ponytail, simply having hair that reaches your shoulders is unlikely to be enough.

How to sell your hair: five steps

1. Decide on your post-cut hairstyle. A hairdresser can help you judge how much can be removed comfortably.
2. Measure and photograph the hair. Photograph its length, ends and thickness in good light, and list treatments honestly.
3. Compare written offers. Ask when an estimate can change, when you will be paid, who pays delivery and whether declined hair is returned.
4. Follow the cutting directions exactly. Buyers may require clean, fully dry hair securely banded into ponytails before cutting, with the root ends together. Do not send loose floor sweepings.
5. Keep records. Save the agreed terms, photographs, postage tracking and proof of payment.

What should you check before trusting a hair buyer?

A professional-looking website or a social media testimonial does not guarantee payment. Search for the legal business name, a working contact number and a postal address. If the buyer claims to be a UK limited company, check its status and address on Companies House. A listing confirms registration; it does not endorse the buyer or guarantee that you will be paid.

Questions to ask before sending anything

• Is the quote binding or provisional, and what can reduce it?
• Will you confirm the final offer before processing or reselling the hair?
• When and how will I be paid? Is there a minimum payment?
• Who pays tracked postage, insurance and the return cost if I refuse the offer?
• How long do I have to decline a revised price, and what happens if I do not reply?
• What cutting method, treatment history and photographs do you require?

Read independent feedback with care: reviews of a company’s wigs do not necessarily tell you how it treats people selling hair. Avoid anyone who pressures you to cut immediately, asks you to pay a release fee, or cannot explain what happens to the ponytail if you reject the final offer. Keep screenshots of the offer and terms. Send hair only to an address you have verified from the buyer’s own contact details, using tracked postage where appropriate.

One more consideration: Ask what the hair is likely to be used for if that matters to you. A commercial buyer may supply several markets and cannot necessarily promise your ponytail will become a medical wig. Banbury Postiche says it cannot guarantee where its stock hair will be used.

Could you donate your hair or save on a haircut instead?

If selling does not appeal, you could donate a ponytail and ask friends to sponsor your cut. The Little Princess Trust currently accepts UK hair donations from 10 inches (25cm), though it encourages 12 inches (30cm) or more. It says some salons on its free haircut list offer a cut for donations over 12 inches. The charity says salons set their own terms and some may charge for additional styling. Check the latest guidelines and the individual salon’s offer before booking. Sponsorship donated to the charity is fundraising, not personal earnings.

Another way to benefit from the chop: A qualifying free haircut could save you money even if you prefer to give the ponytail away. You can also raise funds for the charity, which says it needs donations to make, fit and style its wigs.

Do you pay tax on selling your hair?

The answer depends on your circumstances, including whether you are carrying on a trade and whether you earn from other side hustles. HMRC’s trading allowance guidance says people with gross trading income of £1,000 or less across one or more trades may not need to report it, though exceptions apply. There is one trading allowance across qualifying activities, not a separate £1,000 for each idea. If you have other earnings or are unsure how a sale is treated, check directly with HMRC or a qualified tax adviser.

Quick answers

Should I cut my hair before getting a quote?

No. Seek a buyer’s requirements and an estimate first. How the hair is tied and cut can affect whether it can be used.

Can I sell hair that has already been cut?

Ask the buyer, but loose hair is often unsuitable. Banbury Postiche requires hair to have been tied before cutting to keep the root ends together; loose hair may be unusable. Ask before posting any hair you have already cut.

Is selling hair a good side hustle?

It may be a useful one-off earner if you already want a big haircut. It is not a reliable source of regular income, and you should weigh any offer against the cost of cutting and sending the hair.

The MoneyMagpie view: Do the research before the dramatic reveal. A quote you are happy with, a haircut you actually want and clear payment terms make far more sense than growing your hair around an imagined payday.

Buyer criteria and charity guidance were checked on 22 September 2026 and may change. This article offers general information, not personalised tax advice. MoneyMagpie has not tested a seller transaction with the buyer named here. Its inclusion is an example, not an endorsement or a guarantee of payment.

The post Make money by selling your hair appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Everything you need to know to make money baking

Do you have all the skills to bake delicious and tasty cakes? Then you could make money baking.

Take a look at our guide for starting up a baking business below:

• Make money from cakes
• Where to sell your cakes
• Devising a business plan
• Equipment you need
• Getting inspiration 
• Creating hampers
• How much should you charge?
• Seasonal baking
• Have fun with it!
• Case study: Lazy Day Cakes
• Case study: Hummingbird Bakery

 

How to make money from cakes

Home cooking, especially baking cakes and cupcakes, is a popular way for many people to turn a talent into a business. Baking businesses have been booming in recent years. This is thanks to celebrity chefs and cooking programmes like the Great British Bake Off. People will pay good money for high quality baking. You can sell your food at parties, fairs, and even at local food markets.

The beautiful thing about earning by baking is that it’s straightforward, flexible and enjoyable. It isn’t something that you necessarily have to do on a regular basis if you don’t want to. But if you’re ever short on cash, the option is there. All you’ll really need is a few good recipes and a reasonable idea of what people want to buy.

 

Getting started: Where to sell?

There are many places that you can sell cakes and other sweet products.

• Car boot sale
• School fairs
• Online shop
• Selling to local stores
• Setting up your own shop

Remember location is important. Before you decide to make a real go of baking, first find out what sells and where.

Working out a business plan

Working out the basics of your business first will hopefully help you keep on track with your budget. Running your own business can be exciting and rewarding but also stressful and taxing. But if you follow our tips, you’ll find your baking life will be made much easier.

Start small and keep costs low

Don’t spend any more than you have to on your start-up. Lots of big businesses start small, for example Laura Ashley began at her kitchen table. M&S started with a market stall, and Tesco was just a couple of local grocer’s shops at the beginning. Consider using your kitchen as your workplace before moving somewhere bigger.

Don’t forget insurance, as your household insurance may no longer be valid if you’re working from home. This is something you’ll need to check with your current broker. You may need to upgrade your insurance.

Set up a separate bank account for your business. It doesn’t need to be an expensive ‘business’ account, it can be an ordinary current account. Either with your current bank or with a different provider.

Pay attention to cashflow

Starting up a new business can be hard, so any help financially can really make the difference. Don’t assume that people will pay on time every time.

• Cut down your waiting time for payments by getting clients to agree payment terms at the start.
• Don’t spend money now assuming that you’ll receive payment from your clients.
• Plan your business expenditure so that you are not creating debt. And therefore not dependent upon customers paying on time.
• Have more than one income stream – even if that means doing a part-time job while you get established.
• If you’re having consistent problems with unpaid bills then consider joining the Federation of Small Businesses (around £200 a year) so that you can use their legal assistance to chase your debtors.

Create a realistic business plan

As the saying goes: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Therefore, even if you’re just setting up as a part-timer you need to give yourself a clear idea of your monthly costs and how much profit (or other income) you must generate to keep going.

Work out what your monthly sales need to be, factoring in costs like baking equipment, ingredients, delivery etc. Make yourself a chart for the next 12 months showing the growth in sales you can realistically generate and be clear on how you’ll generate those new customers.

It’s a tough thing to guess but just the action of thinking it through will provide you with earnings goals and points to consider as you run your business.

Networking is vital

The more you’re out touting for work, the more work you’re likely get. With the internet it’s possible to meet people without leaving your home.

Join online networking groups and forums and start giving useful advice on areas directly relevant to your business. This raises your profile in a positive way. But don’t spend too much time on it, allocate a certain amount of time a week and stick to that.

A simple way to get some repeat business is to get some business cards printed. If you’re making cakes, you could then advertise the fact that you bake to order for parties and events. Pop into local cafes and coffee shops (not the chain outlets), hand them your card and make your services known. Maybe even provide them with a few samples. Make sure you take your business cards wherever you go. You can meet interesting and potentially useful people anywhere.

Give people what they want

Don’t make the mistake of being blinkered about what you want to produce and sell. You have to be very aware of what your potential and existing customers want to spend money on. Not just what you think they want because it’s easier for you.

Speak to potential customers, both before you start up the business and as an ongoing habit. Take them to lunch, pick their brains, ask them what they want and enjoy.

Keep a realistic perspective of what’s selling as your business develops. Is there a sideline product or service that’s very popular and takes less effort than the main offering? If so, focus more effort on it. Be honest with yourself about what works, what doesn’t. If you have to make enough to pay the rent, then you need to be brutally honest about the success or failure of products pretty quickly.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Flexible work, but make sure you have a strong marketing plan in place

Some startup funds will be needed for ingredients and equipment

Do some market research on where to sell, such as boot sales and local markets

Speak to potential clients to find out what they’d want from a baker

 

What you need to start

Food safety and hygiene

The first thing you should do is research the food safety standards. Legislation says that all food businesses must register their kitchens with their local authority unless they operate on a “casual and limited” basis.

If you’re simply selling once in a blue moon at a car boot sale or market then you don’t need to worry. However, if you are planning on making an income in this way, contact your local council and ask them what the rules are in your area. Laws vary depending on where you live. For example, in some places you will need to become a registered trader, even if you only sell your food once every couple of months.

Be aware that if you’re regularly selling food produce, you may need to need to take a course in food hygiene. You can do this over the internet and it’ll cost you around £15. The course is mostly just common sense so it’s reasonably easy to complete.

Work out your costs

If you want to make money baking, you need to do some basic costings. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You’ll need to take into consideration:

• How much ingredients cost
• Cost of the sale location fee (car boot sale/farmers market fee) if there is one
• Average cost of travel to the location
• Cost of the food packaging (keep it simple to start with, clingfilm will do in most cases)
• Initial cost of food hygiene training (if you’re planning on regular sales)
• Cost of labels/general stationery/invoicing pads
• Extra cost of gas or electricity for your oven

Once you’ve worked out how much all of this is, you should be able to work out how much you’ll need to sell to make a profit.

While you do your research, you should be taking note of how much other stallholders sell their cakes and foods for. This gives you a rough idea of how much you can reasonably expect to charge.

You don’t have to be qualified to sell cakes, but there are hundreds of baking/cake decorating courses you can go on which are likely to benefit the quality of your products.

 

Finding the right location

Try out a stall at a car boot sale first, because it won’t cost much to set up. You can find your nearest car boot sale on Carbootjunction. Once you’re more established, you might consider going a little more upmarket. Although if you have cracked the car boot market, you could also simply increase the number of cakes you take with you. Letting your business grow that way.

To set up a stall at a farmers’ market, you need to find one local to you. You can do this by searching Facebook or the Local Foods website for your nearest market.

 

Consider Small Events and Community Groups

One of your best marketing strategies is word of mouth. And the best way to do that is to offer some at-cost catering of cakes to local events and community groups. Check out local businesses, too: if they’re running a late-night shopping event or a special preview, offer to make their customers even happier with some tasty treats.

Make a point to reach out to PR firms, too. When they have a product launch, in-person talk, or even book launch, offer branded cakes for their guests. Spending money to make money is the name of the game – but it can provide a huge payoff if you target your market just right.

Community groups often have no money – but they DO have people. And those people often have jobs, and those jobs will run events, celebrate birthdays, have cake sales… word of mouth is the best marketing you can get!

Keep on top of your finances

• Put money aside for your forthcoming tax bill.
• If you can, speak to an accountant about how much you should put aside for tax. A good rule of thumb is to put aside 40% of profits (at first, put aside 40% of everything you take and that will provide a useful buffer). Remember that you’re only taxed on profits, so keep accurate accounts for your expenses like ingredients, stall costs, and marketing to keep your tax bill lower.
• If you’re just starting up, you probably won’t have to pay VAT.
• Keep good records of your incoming and outgoing revenues, your receipts and other related information. Again if you speak to an accountant they will give you guidance on what files to keep, how to organise them and what to do to keep your accountancy bills down.
• Accountants too expensive? Though a good accountant is invaluable, you don’t necessarily need one when you’re first starting out. Plenty of people do their own accounts on paper or using an Excel spreadsheet. Making Tax Digital does mean that small business owners will soon have to switch to electronic accounting though, so it could be worth getting started in the way you mean to go on – business bank accounts like Natwest include free access to FreeAgent or similar integrated accounting software which helps keep accurate accounts.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Get your Food Safety certification

Create a realistic budget and work out what you will need to charge

Find a good place to start testing selling your cakes, like community groups and markets

Keep track of your finances from Day One and keep accurate records

How to come up with ideas

It’s a crowded market so how do you make sure people want your cakes?

The cake business has been around for longer than anyone can remember and in recent years the market has become very crowded. It’s important that you create and sell things people will want to buy. Chances are somebody will already have the best butter cream filling or the tastiest frosted cupcakes. How are you going to make sure you stand out from your competitors?  Think outside the box. Take a trip to your local car boot sale or farmers’ market and look for which food stalls are the busiest. If it seems like jam is the ‘in-thing’ and there aren’t that many stalls that sell it, you’ve found your product: jam filled cakes.

If you’re at a car boot and there aren’t any stalls selling food then it’s a good idea to take a look at the people that are there. Are they the sort who would prefer to buy upmarket, fancy, homemade produce or a couple of 20p fairy buns to nibble on? Make the kind of cakes and sweets you think you could sell easily.

You can also ask your family and friends what they’d like. Try to ask a wide range of people and see if you come out with any unanimous decisions. Also, speak to any cake sellers you see at fairs and markets and ask them which cakes sell best.

Experiment

Once you’ve got a good idea of the kind of people you’re going to be selling to, it’s time to get your product sorted. You’ll need to come up with a range of different products to make this work. If you’re selling cake, try out different methods, ingredients, flavours and fillings. With sweets, test out different recipes. You could try focusing on one area, like chocolate, fudge or maybe even health food.

Get your friends and family to try all your samples out and find out which are the most popular choices. They’ll likely be more than willing to help. It’s worth knowing that at farmers’ markets, you’re not likely to sell much unless you use local, organic ingredients. People who go to these events look for traditional homemade foods and one of the pros of shopping for food at a farmers’ market is that you’re able to ask the stallholder precisely where the food is from and how it was made.

Stallholders at farmers’ markets should be prepared to give honest, credible answers to customers. So factor these more expensive ingredients into your budget. Remember that people are usually willing to pay for high quality.

Presentation

Presentation is important, particularly if you sell at an upmarket venue. Consider your customers: are they going to want something ‘cheap and cheerful’, or posh-looking homemade produce? Funnily enough, some of the more expensive jams and cakes have ‘the rustic look’: you could find yourself charging a lot for produce which looks especially homely.

Packaging can affect your sales in a big way. Ribbon is cheap if you buy in bulk from a haberdashery store, and can neaten up any edges around your cakes. If you’re selling jams it’s worth getting some fancy labels printed, or spending some time decorating your own. You could experiment with themed packaging around holidays like Easter and Christmas, and for days like Valentine’s Day and Halloween

Whatever you use to package your products, it’s important to remember that you’re dealing with food. This means that you are limited to certain types of packaging depending on what food you’re selling.

 

Creating hampers

Everyone loves hampers – particularly at special seasons or occasions like birthdays. Big stores like Harrods and M&S do a roaring trade in them – have a look at their hampers to give yourself ideas of what to put in yours. Actually making the hamper can cost very little and the goodies inside can be made at home to bring down costs. However, the selling price can be as high as you like, so this is an amazing potential earner if you get it right.

Seasonal hampers

Seasonal hampers can be best sellers if you do them right. Easter and Christmas will be the best time to make seasonal hampers. Everyone likes a Santa-shaped cake or Easter bunny cookie.

Hamper presentation

It’s important to remember that these hampers or baskets are meant as gifts. So they should look as gorgeous as possible. If a customer is not wowed by the first hamper you supply, they are far less likely to buy from you again.

The key to decorating baskets effectively and cheaply is to keep it simple. Place some shredded paper in the bottom of the hamper to protect your goods. Then arrange your items so they’re all facing the same way, looking up at the buyer.

If you want to add a little more luxury you could tie a ribbon around the hamper. Or you could drop a few foiled chocolates to cover empty space. Simplicity is the key for decoration of hampers.

To add touches of Easter arrange a few decoration chicks in the hamper or a few false flowers. You could also paint eggs and use them to add colour to your basket. At Christmas add some tinsel and a few red or green bow.

 

How much should you charge for a hamper?

To work out how to price your hamper, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

The first and most obvious is how much it costs to make. This includes the items inside the hamper, the basket itself, the decorations. And finally the costs for the delivery, if relevant.

The second cost is your time: how long does it take to make a hamper? Consider how much you would like to pay yourself an hour and incorporate this into the costs.

Once you have a good idea of how much each hamper costs to make and distribute in total, you can decide how much you are going to mark the price up. Other factors to consider are the quality of your hamper, and what you think the market will bear. Remember that if the price is too high then customers will use one of your rivals, so be competitive without selling yourself short.

For more ideas about how to present and sell hampers see our article here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Hampers are best when offered in different size options

They make great gifts all year around but consider seasonal ones too

Good presentation is vital

Price to sell but don’t undercharge: you need to make a profit!

Seasonal baking

Seasonal cakes and cupcakes are also very popular. The safest thing is to go for very simple, cheap cake and biscuit recipes that you can decorate to look really special. Think about sponge cakes, madeiras, shortbread biscuits, gingerbread etc. None of these cost too much to make. With a little extra spent on the icing and decoration, though, you could charge three or four times the cost of making them.

Easter cakes

At Easter you can offer baskets with cakes such as simnel cake, hot cross buns, nest cakes or Easter biscuits. There are many recipes on the internet and in cook books available at your local book store. The BBC Food website has easy-to-follow hot cross bun, Easter biscuit and simnel cake recipes.

To find out how to make chocolate nest cakes visit cakebaker.co.uk. Another particularly good collection of Easter cake recipes can be found here.

Christmas baking ideas

Christmas cakes can come in all different shapes and sizes. A Snowman topped with a delicious layer of snowy buttercream icing. A Christmas tree with green icing and hundred and thousands for decorations. Or something more traditional like a rounded fruit cake. Fruit cakes are very seasonal but they cost a lot to make. Will you be able to make enough of a profit on them?  Whichever way you choose to go, make sure you’re original.

Biscuits are also great for Christmas. Buy a cutter set and make biscuits in the shape of trees and snowflakes, then add some colourful icing and a few silver balls. You could put your biscuits in a simple see through bags with a nice ribbon so they can hang from the tree. This way they can act as a decoration as well as a tasty Christmas treat.

Birthday cakes

Birthday cakes are great because people have birthdays all year round so there is sure to be a demand for your services if your price is right. With birthday cakes people will usually ask for a specific cake, maybe a Spider-Man cake or in the shape of a number.

This is a great time to experiment with food colouring, icing options and build up your portfolio. If someone asks for something you don’t think you can handle, though, don’t take it on just because they are offering you their money. Make sure you have the skills to create what your customer is asking for.

Special occasions

There are so many special occasions that could be used as an opportunity to offer your baking services, including baby showers, retirement parties, graduations, weddings and many more.

 

Finally, remember to have fun…

Running a business should be creative, satisfying and enjoyable. It’s a chance to express yourself, meet interesting and creative people, and potentially make a lot of money. So enjoy the process of being in business. And make the most of the good times.

When you get a big contract or when you complete a difficult task remember to celebrate!

To inspire you to get started with your baking business we have two real life case studies of how you can turn your hobby into a fully functioning money-making business. Both case studies were self-taught bakers! See below:

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Choose a couple of major seasonal events like Easter and Christmas to sell themed baked goods

Birthday cakes always do well – remember to promote to local businesses to give cakes to their staff

Have fun with your work!

Case study: Whitney Hurst – Lazy Day Cakes

Whitney Hurst started selling cakes from her kitchen in 2012. Before she knew it she had a load of orders and decided to set up her own shop, Lazy Day Cakes. Recently she decided to sell up to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife. Below Whitney tells us about her success and experience of selling cakes.

When and why did you start selling cakes?

“In 2012 I fractured my spine in a gym accident. After months being bedbound and unable to work I was finally able to shuffle round my kitchen and that’s when I started baking. I had made my kids birthday cakes in the past but I got started on cupcakes. I was making 30+ a day and that’s when I decided to make a website to see what happened. Amazingly within a few days I had orders.”

What was your first professional baking job?

“I started by going to craft fairs and ladies’ nights. It didn’t take long to realise that ladies love cakes but also are very conscious of them being a treat so I came up with a new recipe that reduced the fat content if the cakes by 50% that’s when things started to go mental.”

How did you go about promoting yourself in the wider community?

“My only form of advertising was Facebook. I just put up lots and lots of pictures and that’s when the word started to spread. I was very lucky because people not only liked the look of the cakes but the taste was a win too. Quite often with cupcakes they look great but the taste isn’t always up to scratch.”

How long did it take to get you established?

“It took probably six months of events such as craft fairs before we started getting recognised.”

Did you initially work from home and then go on to get a shop?

“I did the cakes from home for 12 months doing the craft fairs, farmers’ markets and ladies’ nights. In June 2013, I opened the first shop where I had just four tables and a serving counter.  I was still baking everything at home and transporting the cakes to the shop daily. In October 2013, I moved into a shop three times the size where I had a full bakery and a much larger cafe area.”

Did you have any professional training?

“No. I am totally self-taught.”

How did you set yourself apart from similar businesses around your area?

“There were two other local business that were similar. What made us different was that having four kids we were so child-friendly that people with kids wanted to come just so that they didn’t have to worry about messy children. Our workshops and parties were priced reasonably because the rent overheads were relatively low. The other business that offered just workshops was really expensive because of its city centre location, and the other just did parties whereas we did both and had a tearoom.”

Why did you end up selling?

“I wanted to pursue my passion of becoming a midwife and now that I have the support from my fiancé Ian, to go back to university I decided to enroll. I decided juggling the business and my studies wasn’t a possibility and closing the shop wasn’t really an option – considering how successful it was – so I decided to sell.”

Whitney’s advice to those wanting to make baking a full time career…

“My advice to anyone wanting to set up a cake business is trust your abilities. It’s very difficult to compete with supermarket prices but they’re full of chemicals and made in machines. Don’t sell yourself short, work out how much the ingredients cost, how long it’ll take you to make the cake and add your time and at least minimum wage.”

 

Case study: Tarek Malouf –  The Hummingbird Bakery

Tarek Malouf was working at ABC News in London before he decided to start a bakery business in 2002. Following two years of researching and testing recipes, his first bakery opened its doors for business in early 2004. Below Tarek tells us about his journey to success and future plans for expansion.

When and why did you start selling cakes? 

“The idea of setting up a bakery came to me in early 2002. I was visiting a relative in North Carolina who took me to several traditional American bakeries that served pies and homemade cakes. The smell of fresh baking in these places was amazing. During that time, my sister was living in New York, and we used to go and eat lots of cupcakes and traditional American goodies every time I’d visit her. Taste buds awoken, it was then that I realised I wanted to open my own bakery in London so that people here could enjoy the authentic taste of American baking.”

How did you go about promoting yourself in the wider community?

“Our launch was not promoted in any way. I tried to choose a location for my first branch that had plenty of American expats living close by, as well as a lot of passing foot-traffic. I thought that if we could attract the Americans wanting a taste of home, then we’d start off with a decent customer base. This worked – a very large proportion of our initial customers were American. And after we opened the doors and let the smells of fresh baking waft out onto the street we soon started selling cupcakes to everyone who walked by.”

What was your first professional baking job?

“Prior to first opening The Hummingbird Bakery, I spent two years testing and refining countless recipes in my kitchen at home. Other than this, however, I had no real baking experience. I’d grown up with a great appreciation for the delights of American baking so I did at least have a very clear idea of how I wanted The Hummingbird Bakery’s products to taste. So really, my first professional baking job was in my Notting Hill branch.”

How long did it take to get you established?

“Prior to opening my first bakery, I did do a couple of private cake commissions for friends but this was in no way how I launched. Having fitted out, equipped and opened the doors to my first branch, the business got itself established very quickly. Within a few weeks of launching, word quickly got around that we were baking delicious cakes and business began to grow rapidly.”

Did you have any professional training?

“I have no professional training in baking other than that which I’ve gained from working in my own bakery.”

How did you set yourself apart from similar businesses around your area?

“Initially, we were in the fortunate position of being able to get the business off the ground with no real competitors – there certainly wasn’t anywhere else in London that specialised in quality American baking. Of course, as soon as cupcakes caught on, other cupcake bakeries did quickly pop-up. We have always differentiated ourselves on the quality and authenticity of our products. Another thing we do is bake on site at each of our branches throughout the day to ensure the complete freshness of our products. We also only source quality ingredients – real butter, jams and preserves from Tiptree, free range British eggs, cream cheese from Philadelphia and so on.”

What does the future hold?

“I plan to grow the business here in UK by opening further branches within and around London. I’m also looking at opportunities to open branches in other UK cities. We have franchise partners in the Middle East who have already launched three Hummingbird Bakery branches in Dubai.”

The post Everything you need to know to make money baking appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Looking for a Work-From-Home Side Hustle? The Truth About Viral Pen and Craft Assembly Jobs

Social media adverts claim you can make extra money assembling decorative pens and crafts from your sofa. We investigate whether these work-from-home side hustles are genuine, reveal the warning signs and suggest safer ways to earn.

The idea of a flexible side hustle you can do from home is understandably appealing. Whether you need extra money around another job, want work that fits around childcare or simply cannot commit to a regular commute, assembling and packing small products can look like an easy answer.

That may explain why adverts claiming people can get paid to assemble decorative pens and crafts at home are attracting attention on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

The videos show people fitting colourful beads, charms and pen components together before carefully packaging the finished products. Some suggest that materials will be sent to your home and that you will receive money for every completed item.

It looks like the perfect home-based job: no commute, no experience and the freedom to work whenever you have time. However, anyone looking for a work-from-home side hustle needs to proceed carefully.

MoneyMagpie’s finding: Genuine packing, assembly and piecework jobs exist, but we could not verify a reputable nationwide UK employer currently recruiting people through social media to assemble decorative pens and small crafts at home in the way these adverts suggest.

Some videos show legitimate small-business owners packing products they have sold themselves. Others may lead to schemes that make money from selling starter kits rather than paying workers. More concerning versions can expose jobseekers to advance-fee fraud, identity theft or parcel mule scams.

What’s in this guide?

1. What are the adverts offering?
2. Why are the adverts convincing?
3. Are home assembly jobs legal?
4. Nine warning signs
5. Real ways to earn
6. Tax and side-hustle income
7. What to do if you responded
8. Frequently asked questions

What are the pen and craft adverts offering?

The wording varies, but these adverts commonly appear to promise work involving:

• Assembling decorative pens
• Adding beads, charms or embellishments
• Making small handicraft products
• Packaging completed items
• Preparing products for online shop orders
• Receiving craft materials through the post
• Being paid for every finished item

Some use phrases such as “handicraft assembly”, “product assembly from home” or “home packing work”. “Pens”, “crafts”, “handicrafts” and “assembly work” are more accurate than calling the products “trinkets”.

The distinction the videos may not explain

1. A small-business owner makes and packs products they have sold.
2. An employee is paid by an established business to assemble or pack its products.
3. A social media advertiser recruits strangers to receive materials, assemble products or redirect parcels from home.

The first two can be legitimate. The third requires considerable caution.

Many satisfying “make an order with me” or “pack an order with me” videos are created by independent sellers. They earn money by selling pens, stationery, jewellery, keyrings and other products. They are not necessarily being paid by another company simply to assemble them.

Why work-from-home side-hustle adverts are so convincing

These offers appeal directly to people who need genuinely flexible ways to earn, including parents, carers, disabled people, students, pensioners and employees looking for additional income.

The videos also make the work appear calm, creative and satisfying. Colourful materials, neat packaging and on-screen earnings can make the opportunity feel both enjoyable and profitable.

Before assuming it is a paid job, consider what the video could be showing

• A seller packing orders for their own business
• A creator promoting supplies through affiliate links
• Someone selling a course or starter kit
• Entertainment content rather than a vacancy
• An earning claim that has not been independently verified
• A route into a bogus job or task platform

Always establish where the advertised income comes from. Selling a finished product to a customer is very different from being paid to assemble somebody else’s products.

Are home assembly and piecework jobs legal?

Yes. UK employment law recognises workers paid according to the number of items they produce or tasks they complete. This is known as output work or piecework.

Eligible workers must receive either the minimum wage for every hour worked or a properly calculated “fair rate” for each task. A fair rate must be based on how quickly an average worker performs the task, and the employer should provide written information explaining the calculation.

Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026

• £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
• £10.85 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
• £8 an hour for workers under 18
• £8 an hour for eligible apprentices

Check the latest figures through Acas and the government’s rules for work paid by the task or piece.

Minimum wage protection depends on employment status. Someone genuinely running an independent business is treated differently from a worker who has simply been labelled “self-employed” by an employer.

What should a genuine offer include?

• The employer’s full legal name, address and official email
• A written job description and contract or statement of terms
• Confirmation of your employment status
• The pay rate, calculation and payment dates
• Details of who supplies and owns the materials
• Arrangements for collecting completed products
• Rules covering damaged or rejected items
• Confirmation that you do not have to pay to access the work

Nine warning signs that a pen or craft job may not be genuine

1. You must buy a starter kit

The advertiser might ask you to buy pen components, beads, tools or packaging before starting. The paid work may never appear, or the scheme may profit from repeatedly selling supplies rather than buying completed products. A real employer will normally supply the materials needed for its work.

2. You have to pay a registration or security fee

Be suspicious of registration, training, insurance, activation, deposit or membership charges. Real wages should flow from employer to worker. Employment agencies are generally prohibited from charging work-seekers for finding them a job. Read the GOV.UK agency rules.

3. The pay sounds exceptionally high

Claims that beginners can make hundreds of pounds a day assembling simple items deserve scepticism. Ask why a business would pay an unusually high rate for a task it could arrange more efficiently through its own staff or a fulfilment company.

4. Everything moves to WhatsApp or Telegram

A messaging app does not prove fraud, but be wary if an unsolicited advert immediately sends you to a private chat. Warning signs include disappearing messages, several administrator identities, urgency and refusal to use an official business email.

5. Earnings appear on an unfamiliar website or app

Task scams may display invented earnings and then demand a deposit, tax charge, upgrade or payment to correct a negative balance before withdrawal. Never pay money to release supposed wages.

6. You are promised a large return for almost no work

Calculate the implied hourly rate. If an advert promises £200 for two hours of elementary assembly, ask why an employer would pay £100 an hour for a task requiring no qualifications or specialist equipment.

7. Parcels arrive in somebody else’s name

This could be a parcel mule or reshipping scam. The products may have been bought using stolen payment details. Never redirect unexplained goods on an unverified stranger’s instructions. See official information about recruitment scams.

8. The company’s identity does not add up

Check Companies House, but remember that registration does not prove the advert is genuine. Fraudsters can impersonate real companies. Find the official website independently and ask the company whether the vacancy and recruiter are real.

9. Personal information is requested too early

Do not provide banking logins, card details, passwords, security codes or excessive identity documents simply to learn about a vacancy. Never let a supposed employer use your bank account to receive or redistribute money.

Never do these things for a “side hustle”

• Pay money to unlock a job or withdraw earnings
• Receive or move money for somebody else
• Forward unexplained parcels
• Download an unofficial app
• Share a banking password or one-time security code

Real work-from-home side hustles and safer alternatives

None of the following guarantees income, and self-employed work may involve tax, insurance and record-keeping responsibilities. However, these routes are more transparent than responding to an unidentified social media recruiter.

Apply for legitimate assembly and packing jobs

Warehouses, retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies and ecommerce businesses employ people to prepare products for dispatch. Search terms include “picker packer”, “assembly operative”, “packing assistant”, “production assistant”, “order fulfilment” and “ecommerce warehouse assistant”.

Use the employer’s official careers website or the government’s free Find a Job service. Most genuine roles of this kind take place at business premises rather than in somebody’s spare room.

Contact established local craft businesses

Stationers, gift shops, jewellers, candle companies and personalised-product businesses may need temporary help during busy seasons. Contact them through an official website or established premises and agree the hours, pay and responsibilities in writing.

Offer freelance packing support

An experienced organiser or ecommerce assistant could offer fulfilment help to a known local seller. Agree the rate, packaging and postage costs, stock records, responsibility for damage, data protection and invoice dates in writing. Check that your insurance covers stock kept at home.

Make and sell your own products

You could make pens, keyrings, bookmarks, jewellery or other crafts for sale through a suitable marketplace, at craft fairs or on your own website. This is what many genuine packing videos show, but it is running a business, not being paid simply to assemble items.

Calculate components, packaging, platform fees, postage, refunds, marketing and your time before buying stock. Test a small batch rather than purchasing hundreds of items because a creator says they are profitable.

Provide ecommerce support from home

Real online sellers may need remote help with product descriptions, stock records, customer enquiries or postage administration. Verify the client, agree your price and never allow a business to use your bank account to process its payments or refunds.

Sell a skill instead of buying a kit

Other potential side hustles include virtual assistance, proofreading, tutoring, pet sitting, alterations, gift wrapping, product photography or social media support for local businesses. Start with skills you already have and remain alert to fake clients.

Five rules for choosing a work-from-home side hustle

1. Do not pay to access a job.
2. Calculate the real hourly return, including admin and costs.
3. Verify the person or company paying you.
4. Start small before buying stock.
5. Protect your identity and bank account.

Check the tax position

If you make or buy products specifically to sell for profit, HMRC is likely to consider you to be trading.

The UK trading allowance can cover up to £1,000 of gross trading income per tax year, subject to its conditions. This is income before expenses, not simply the profit remaining after material costs.

Selling your own unwanted possessions is usually treated differently from regularly making or purchasing goods for resale. Check HMRC’s guidance on selling through a digital platform and the trading allowance. Keep records of sales, fees, supplies, packaging and postage.

A 60-second legitimacy check

• Can I identify the legal employer?
• Is the vacancy on its official website?
• Have I contacted the company independently?
• Is there a written job description and pay rate?
• Does the arrangement comply with minimum wage rules?
• Am I being asked to buy supplies from the recruiter?
• Do I have to pay a registration or withdrawal fee?
• Will parcels arrive in somebody else’s name?
• Am I being rushed onto WhatsApp or Telegram?
• Can the business explain why the work must be done at home?

What to do if you have already responded

Stop communicating and do not send any more money. If you supplied financial information, contact your bank immediately using the number on its official website or your card. You can also dial 159 to reach participating UK banks securely.

Change reused passwords and activate two-factor authentication. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report fraud or attempted fraud through Report Fraud or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Forward suspicious texts free to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. See the government’s reporting guidance. Do not forward, sell or use unexplained goods delivered to your address.

Frequently asked questions

Can you genuinely get paid to assemble pens at home?

Genuine home-based piecework can exist, but we could not verify a reputable nationwide UK employer recruiting through social media for the viral pen-assembly opportunity. Verify the employer and written terms before accepting anything.

Should I pay for a craft assembly starter kit?

Do not pay for a kit merely to access promised employment. Buying supplies for your own independently planned craft business is different, but sales and earnings are never guaranteed.

Are packing jobs from home legitimate?

Some home-based packing arrangements may be genuine, but most established packing vacancies are based at business or warehouse premises. Avoid any role requiring you to redirect unexplained parcels.

Do pieceworkers receive the minimum wage?

Eligible UK workers paid per task or item are generally entitled to minimum wage protection through hourly pay or a properly calculated fair piece rate. Employment status affects individual rights.

Do I have to pay tax on a craft side hustle?

If you make or buy goods to sell for profit, you may be trading. HMRC’s trading allowance can cover up to £1,000 of gross trading income per tax year, subject to its rules.

The MoneyMagpie verdict

People searching for flexible work or a way to earn from home deserve clear information, not exaggerated income claims and vague recruitment promises.

It is possible to make money assembling and packing products. However, the most realistic options are working for a verified employer, providing an agreed service to a genuine small business or selling products through your own properly managed venture.

The viral pen and craft videos often blur these arrangements. Someone packing dozens of colourful orders may be a successful shop owner, but that does not mean a company featured in an advert will pay viewers to perform the same task.

Walk away if you are asked to pay an activation fee, buy a compulsory starter pack, move money through your account or redirect unexplained parcels. A legitimate side hustle should leave you better off, not require you to risk your savings or identity before earning anything.

Important disclaimer

This article is provided for general information and consumer awareness only. It does not constitute legal, tax, employment, financial or business advice. MoneyMagpie has not tested, endorsed or approved any individual pen-assembly, craft-assembly or home-packing offer unless expressly stated.

The existence of a website, social media account or Companies House registration does not by itself prove that an opportunity is genuine. Earnings from side hustles are never guaranteed, and examples should not be treated as promises of income.

Your employment status, minimum wage rights, tax obligations, benefit entitlement and insurance requirements depend on your circumstances. Check current guidance from GOV.UK, HMRC and Acas, and seek professional advice where necessary. Never pay money, supply sensitive information or accept goods until you have independently verified the organisation and received clear written terms.

Editorial verification: Employment, minimum wage, tax and fraud-reporting information checked against current GOV.UK, Acas, HMRC and Report Fraud guidance on 9 September 2026. No individual advertiser has been labelled fraudulent without an official finding.

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