How to start reselling
Start small: sell a few things you already own, then buy cheaply from one kind of sale, price every item from what the same thing actually sold for, and do the fee math before you pay. Most steps below link a free tool or guide.
Updated
Seven steps to your first sale
- 1
Start with what you already own
Your closet, garage and kitchen cabinets are free inventory. Selling a few things you already have teaches you photos, listing and shipping before you spend a dollar on stock.
- 2
Pick one place to source
Thrift stores, estate sales and garage sales each suit different items. Pick one, learn what sells from it, and add another later.
Best things to resell, by where you find them - 3
Price from sold listings, not asking prices
An asking price is what someone hopes to get. A sold price is what a buyer paid. Look up what the same item sold for recently, matched on condition, and price from that.
Free eBay sold listings search - 4
Do the fee math before you buy
eBay's final value fee is 13.6% in most categories, plus a per-order fee of 30 or 40 cents, and it is charged on shipping and sales tax too. Subtract fees, shipping and what you paid before you call something a deal.
eBay fee calculator - 5
List it well
Take clear photos in daylight on a plain background, front, back, labels and any flaws. Write the title the way a buyer would search: brand, item, model or pattern, size, color. Fill in the item specifics; buyers filter by them.
- 6
Plan the shipping
Weigh the item packed, then choose calculated shipping so the buyer pays what it really costs. Heavy or fragile things like furniture and lamps may be better as local pickup.
Fee calculators for every marketplace - 7
Expect a slow start
Some items sell in days, some take months, and some never sell at the first price. Keep listing, keep notes on what sold and for how much, and lower or relist what sits.
How to get more sales on eBay
What a typical sale looks like
In the 894,636 eBay sold listings we recorded from July 1, 2026 to September 28, 2026, the category with the most sales was clothing, with a median sold price of $21. At that price eBay's fees come to $3.24 and you receive $18, before what you paid for the item and before shipping.
Most sales are small, so volume and cheap buying matter more than one big find. See the profit math by category.
Before you start
- Reselling is work: sourcing, cleaning, photos, listing, packing and trips to the post office. Count your time.
- Not everything sells. Our data records sales, not the listings that never sold, so we cannot tell you what share of your items will sell.
- Profit is taxable income, and marketplaces report seller income to the IRS above certain thresholds. Keep receipts for what you pay.
- Check your marketplace's rules for restricted items, such as recalled products, some cosmetics and anything counterfeit.
Questions
How much money do I need to start reselling?
Very little. You can start with things you already own and a phone for photos. When you do buy stock, start with a few items you can price from sold listings before you spend more.
What is the best platform to start reselling on?
eBay is the broadest and has the deepest record of sold prices, which is why this guide uses it. Clothing also sells well on Poshmark and Mercari. Many resellers list on more than one.
How do I know what an item is worth?
Look at what the same item sold for recently, not what sellers are asking. Search eBay's sold listings yourself, use our free sold listings search, or scan it: your first scan is free.
Not sure what yours is worth?
Start with one thing from your closet and see what it sold for. Your first scan is free, with no card. After that, scan packs start at $3 for 5 scans, with no subscription, and the credits never expire.
Price your first find free