Do you want to sell on eBay, but you’re not sure if it’s right for you? Or maybe you’re not sure how to start.

I love reselling on sites like Poshmark, Mercari and, of course, eBay. They are excellent secondary marketplaces to sell (and buy😉) pre-owned clothing and other products. Being a reseller is pretty easy once you get used to it – though it does take effort. For eBay, you just need to learn the rules, especially what you can’t sell, and tips to be successful with your eBay business.

This blog post is all about eBay for beginners who want to sell clothing and other items. You’ll learn the basics of how to sell on eBay and some helpful tips to become a successful eBay seller.

Blog posts may contain affiliate links and create no additional costs for you.

What is eBay?

If you don’t know what eBay is, it’s an online marketplace best known for its auction-style and consumer-to-consumer sales. In addition to individuals, many businesses open

an eBay store and use the platform as a primary or additional sales channel.

The platform opened in 1995 and has evolved into the huge marketplace that it is today. There are more than 19million sellers and more than 159 active users.

People from all over the world make money or purchases on eBay, and nearly anyone can open an eBay personal account – for individual sellers – or a business account – which allows you to sell large quantities – for free to start selling.

The model is quite simple. You find products like gently used clothes, accessories, household products, etc., at a good price and then resell them for more money on eBay. There are also lots of people who sell brand new, never used items. Just double-check eBay’s VeRo list to confirm brands that you are not allowed to sell.

Why Should I Sell on eBay?

If you’re wondering if you should sell on eBay, my answer is almost always yes! It’s easy to set up a personal or business account, and you get access to millions of customers. HEADS-UP: To be completely honest, listing items can be a huge pain in the butt compared to listing on Poshmark or Mercari. eBay has a growing list of required item specifics that can be a major time-suck. But that is offset by the large volume of potential customers. 

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You can sign up for an eBay account, list an item, and sell it all in one day. With eBay, you can sell new or used products as long as you do your research to see what sells on the platform. And to confirm what you cannot sell.

It’s generally cheap to start as you can find things you don’t use around the house that you want to get rid of and make money. Your eBay business can be a part-time side hustle or even a full-time job.

Selling on eBay is a flexible job that allows you to work from home and set any schedule you want. The flexibility is a draw for many sellers, including me!

Is It Worth It to Sell on eBay?

It really depends on what you’re selling on eBay. eBay is a great choice if you have new or pre-owned products to sell like collectibles, trading cards, electronics, games, toys and, yes, closting. It is worth noting that if you plan to start a business reselling clothes, you’ll want to consider a variety of platforms including Poshmark, Depop, Grailed and others.

It’s all about doing the research to see what sells, how often and at what price point – all of which can change depending on seasons or shoppers’ moods.

Selling on eBay: The Basics

Here are the basics of how to sell on eBay.

1. Create An Account

First, you want to create an eBay account – either personal or business. New sellers can get started quickly and easily, and I recommend the personal account (you can change later, if you choose).

When you set up an account for your business on eBay, you need to create a user ID. If you already have an online business, you may want to make that your username.

This account and user ID is what you’ll use to make purchases as well.

2. Set Up Your Automatic Payment Method

Next, you want to set up your automatic payment method for your eBay account. You can connect a credit card or checking account.

This account is the one that eBay will deduct your insertion, final value and subscription fees (if you decide to get one), and other charges for selling on eBay.

NOTE: eBay requirements are subject to change, so always double-check the current rules to confirm the latest.

3. Product Research + How to Find Items to Sell on eBay

The research piece is one of the most important parts of selling on eBay. If you don’t list popular, profitable products on the platform, then you’re wasting your time.

Thrifting (check out “examples of a reseller” and “common reselling strategies” for more on thrifting) and retail arbitrage are some of the best ways for eBay sellers to make money. In fact, they are some of the best ways to sell products on many e-commerce sites.

The key is finding things that customers want to buy.

The easiest way to see what items are in demand on eBay is to look at the data it provides. There are two methods to know.

A: You need to determine the sell-through rate of an item. This is essentially the number of listings sold compared to the number of active listings for that item on eBay, stated as a percentage.

A higher sell-through rate illustrates that there is demand for the product. All resellers have their own opinions about the ideal sell-through rate, especially for specific niches. In general, I aim for at least 60-70% but some need at least 50 percent. 

To do this, search for your item on the eBay and take note of the number of active listings. Then, filter the search results by using the “Show Only” option to show only sold or completed listings.

Then take the sold number of listings and divide that by the active listings. This gives you the percentage.

A higher sell-through rate illustrates that there is demand for the product. All resellers have their own opinions about the ideal sell-through rate, especially for specific niches. In general, I aim for at least 60-70% but some need at least 50 percent. 

B: Another research tool is Terapeak, eBay’s exclusive market analysis tool. Just search on an item you want to sell to get data on previous sales, demand and pricing. “Product Research” is now free to ALL sellers with access to Seller Hub. Terapeak “Sourcing Insights” offers sales data on every eBay category and other information and is free to sellers with an eBay Store Subscription.

The Most Popular Products on eBay 

The most popular products sold on eBay include some of the following. But keep in mind shoppers may change with seasons or economic factors:

• Garden and Patio – Outdoor furniture sets, canopies and awnings, panel fences, garden lighting, and BBQ tools and accessories.
• Home and Garden – Vacuum cleaners, light bulbs, small appliances, lawn mowers, power tools, air tools, outdoor heating, eating and cooking products, etc.
• Pet Supplies – Beds, grooming items, poultry products, and training and obedience items.
• Automotive – Air and fuel delivery, interior car parts and accessories, exterior parts and accessories, lighting and bulbs, motorcycle parts, alternators, starters, wiring, and ECUs.
• Clothing and Accessories – Women’s and Men’s clothing, accessories, and shoes, women’s handbags and bags.
• Collectibles – Decorative collectibles, collectible matchboxes, lighters, other smoking items, military equipment, and World War II items.
• Watches and Jewelry – Watches, watch parts, accessories, tools, guides, antique and vintage jewelry, fashion necklaces, bracelets, chards, pendants, and more.

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Here are a few more ideas for some of the top-selling eBay items.

Where Can I Find Popular Items to Sell on eBay if I’m Stuck?

If you’re completely stuck on finding items eBay buyers will purchase, here are some tips.

Know What Products are Trending

First, always be aware of trends. Some things are timeless, while other items are only popular for brief periods of time, then no one is willing to pay for them.

But if you stay on top of new and emerging trends, you can take advantage of these items and make a lot of money as they are rising in popularity.

This is where magazines, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Podcasts and other sources are helpful.

Everyday Common Products Generally Sell Well

While you can make a lot of money on trendy stuff, everyday items can be in demand. Try selling household necessities like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, and conditioner, etc. if this is the type of reselling you’re interested in.

Always Think Seasonally

Seasonality is significant in reselling for many categories like clothing, accessories, outdoor furniture and equipment, crafts, etc.

On average, you make less money selling coats or snow boots in the summer or swimsuits in the winter. 

And the last quarter of the year is primie holiday season. So it’s historically one of the best times to make the most money for many businesses because people are buying gifts.

KEEP IN MIND: Just like time zones, the seasons may be different from you in another part of the world. And Christmas/holiday items can sell year-round #XmasinJuly.

Just be aware of the seasons when sourcing items you plan to sell. You often need to list things in advance to make sure customers can find them, especially if you do any marketing on Pinterest. and you can make eBay sales.

4. Where to Find Items to Sell on eBay

You’ll find plenty of ways to source great products you can sell on eBay. It just depends on your business model. A few ways are:

• Buy things in bulk for a low price; think pallets, outlets, clearance sales, etc.
• Local thrift shop
• Neighborhood garage sale
• Auctions, in-person or online (*this is one of my absolute favorites!)
• Online stores, other e-commerce marketplaces. You can even buy individual items on sale at retail stores (Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar Store, etc.) 

DON’T FORGET: Look out for vintage items. Older, retro or vintage items can be great products to list on eBay, depending on what they are. Often the more unique and collectible an item is, the more money you can make.

Thrift stores, garage sales and church sales are some of the best places to find hidden vintage treasures that customers love. Check out the “How Do Resellers Get Their Products?“ section for some ideas on where to source.

5. Items You Can NOT Sell on eBay

There is a very extensive list of products you may not sell on eBay. Read it and learn it, otherwise you risk being suspended or banned.

There is also a very exhaustive list of brands you may not sell or mention in your listings. This VeRO (Verified Rights Owner) list allows brands to keep sellers from infringing on their intellectual property rights. A very well-known example is that you are not allowed to say something has “Velcro.” Instead, it’s suggested that you say “hook-and-loop closure.” Seriously.

Selling on eBay: How to Create a Listing

1. Identify Your Item and Use Keywords

Once you have done some research and selected your products, it’s time to create your first listing!

When you sell an item on eBay, it’s important to show up in search results, so you want to make sure you use keywords in your title and product description so you can show up in the search engine algorithm.

There are a couple of ways you can list something on the platform – the advanced listing form and eBay’s quick listing tool. The quick listing tool is great for new eBay sellers because it guides you through the process, while the advanced listing form has additional features.

To get started with the quick listing tool, just enter the ISBN, UPC code or keywords that describe your product. To identify your products using the advanced tool, type the keywords for your item, then tap “Get Started.”

If you don’t know the keywords, you can find your product using the “Browse Categories” feature.

TITLE TEMPLATE: Brand + Item + Size + Other Descriptive Keywords

2. Fixed Price vs. Auction Listings

Now it’s time to choose the type of listing. eBay gives you two options – auctions and buy-it-now listings.

Some items do better with auctions, while buy-it-now works well for many others. It really depends on the product.

With auctions, you set a time limit, and the highest bid wins once the auction is over. You’ll find this type of selling works well with rare, vintage and collectible items. But even then, many sellers select buy-it-now and allow shoppers to send a best-offer.

Auctions are also great for products that you aren’t worried about profitability on and/or you want to sell fast. However, you provide a starting price, and you can create a minimum amount that you’ll accept.

The “Buy It Now,” or fixed price listings are for items you want to make the most money on as you set the fixed price. These types of listings are best when you want to accept a specific price.

And you can allow shoppers to send you offers, which I do on all of my listings. You can set a minimum price you’re willing to consider and you can always counter or decline an offer.

3. How to Set Your Listing Duration

Once you decide on a selling format, it’s time to set the duration of your listings. 

Things to consider:

• Auction listings can last from one to 10 days.
• Whether you want to set a duration or just leave them as “Good Until Cancelled.”
• When potential buyers will be purchasing online – with auctions, more people bid when your auctions close. If you list something at 4 AM, it will end at 4 AM, and there won’t be as many people online.

     4. Pricing Items on eBay

Now it’s time to price your listing. You can set a fixed price or you can create an auction. You will get different options either way.

You can also allow “Best Offer.” This option allows people to make offers that are lower than your list price.

Pricing on eBay is VERY important. Setting a competitive price affects your visibility in the search results, and it can’t be so high that buyers are scared off.

Many people just guess or estimate and throw a price up, but you must be strategic and do your research. Check “sold” comps to see how much others have paid for the same item recently. And also consider how many of that item are available; supply vs demand.

But make sure you look at the price of unsold listings too, because they can give you vital data as well. And many sellers use this info to set a price just lower than the current lowest price in hopes of getting the sale. This “race to the bottom” strategy is a bit controversial among sellers, but do what’s best for your business.

     5. Set Up Your Shipping Options

The nice, and sometimes overwhelming, thing about eBay is they give you several shipping options. And eBay also offers discounts to sellers when they purchase shipping labels through eBay. 

You may offer multiple shipping types to a buyer, such as USPS (First-class, Parcel, Priority Mail, Flat-Rate, etc), FedEx and UPS. And you can choose different shipping options for every item. 

Having a scale so that you can weigh the exact amount for shipping is critical! Not only can incorrectly charging for shipping eat into profits, but your packages could be returned to you or worse, sent the buyer with a requirement that they pay additional fees.😟

It’s important to know that the shipping cost can affect whether an item sells or not. Many people don’t factor in these costs when they offer free shipping. If you don’t add this cost to your price, then shipping can eat into your profits. 

Should you Offer Free Shipping?

Free shipping is a very attractive incentive to buyers and they may pay more for a product if it ships free. But it’s up to you whether to offer it or not.

I generally don’t offer free shipping. Approximately 10% of all of my listings have free shipping, and it’s usually lightweight items that may cost a few bucks to ship. But I do allow people to send offers to get a discount. 

Many resellers will encourage you to make your shipping and return policies as buyer-friendly as possible. They say you should aim to offer free returns and free fast shipping. I say it’s a personal/business decision you need to make for yourself.

KEEP IN MIND: Buyers can sort items they are searching for by many factors including free shipping, free returns, accepts offers and many more.

eBay Guaranteed Delivery

eBay’s Guaranteed Delivery specifications are guidelines that promise customers that they will receive their purchases by a specific date.

There are several requirements for your listing to qualify for Guaranteed Delivery:

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• The listing needs to include a named shipping service on eBay’s list of approved carriers.
• The product must be a fixed-price listing.
• You must include the postal code for your item in the listing.
• Resellers offering same-day delivery should set a reasonable cut-off point.

International: GSP or Not?

You can also choose to offer international shipping. You can go through GPS (Global Shipping Program), which is much easier for sellers, but more expensive for buyers. You just ship the item to a shipping center in the U.S. and then eBay ships it to the customer’s international destination. There are no additional forms or fees for you to worry about.

Or you can use International Shipping, which is a bit more complex for sellers, yet cheaper – and more attractive – for buyers. 

I personally use GPS, because it opens up my items to more shoppers while keeping things easier for me. 

     6. Return Policy

I mentioned a return policy a little bit above. The nice thing about eBay versus other platforms is that you can set your own return policy as a seller.

eBay’s Money Back Guarantee protects buyers when they receive an item that doesn’t match the description (INAD – item not as described) or is damaged.

You don’t have to offer returns, but this could affect your conversions as people may not want to take a chance on your listing. Many eBay sellers say that in our current “Amazon Age”, returns are required to succeed.

Offering 30-day or 60-day returns to buyers can increase your conversion rate and help you sell more items. And you don’t always have to pay for the return.

eBay offers several refund policies sellers can choose from:

• None
• 30-day buyer paid-returns
• 30-day free returns
• 60-day buyer-paid returns
• 60-day free returns

Some categories let you offer 14-day returns:

• Medical and Mobility
• Camera Lenses
• Camera Drones
• Jewelry
• Digital Cameras
• Collectibles and Art

     7.  eBay Listing Fees

As a seller you get a certain number of free listings. eBay gives each seller 250 insertion-free listings per month. For some people, that might be all they need.

After you use your 250 free listings you will pay insertion fees. Here is what to keep in mind with these insertion fees:

• They are non-refundable even if your item doesn’t sell
• These fees are only charged once per listing even for listings that include multiple items.
• They are charged per category and per listing. If you list an item in more than one category, you will pay for each category.
• These fees are charged for the original listing every time you relist your product.
• They are charged per listing if you create duplicate listings for identical items in auction-style formats.

There are also final value fees. A final value fee is charged once your product sells and is calculated as a percentage of the total amount of the sale. Sales tax, shipping services, handling charges, and the price of the item are included in the final value fee.

There are also some basic fees that differ per category. You can learn more about all eBay seller fees here.

Things to Do After You List an Item on eBay

Once you’ve listed an item on eBay, your job isn’t over yet. There are some things you still need to do.

Managing Your Listings

Once your listing goes live on the website, you’ll get an email saying that it’s active. After this, you’ll be managing your listing which could mean engaging with potential customers, answering questions or responding to offers.

DON’T FORGET: Make sure to check your account or email daily! You don’t want to miss questions, offers or sales. I did this once and thankfully was able to reconnect with the shopper. But I learned my lesson that day.

Of course, once you make a sale, you’ll be shipping your buyer’s purchase.

How to Promote Your Listings and eBay Store

You’ll also want to promote your store or items listed. You can actually do this right on eBay with ads. You can set up a promoted listing under the “Sell It Faster” option.

It’s much easier than some other platforms. There are no daily budgets, keywords, etc. to track. The rate for your ad is a certain percentage of the final sale price, and you are only charged if the item sells.

You can also promote your store (if you have one) or just your listings on your personal website, social media accounts (Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok are all great) and email newsletter if you have one.

What to Do After You Sell an Item on eBay

How to Ship Items on eBay

Once an item sells on eBay, the buyer receives a confirmation email and has several days to actually pay for it unless you require immediate payment. Like many things with eBay, this is a controversial policy that they say will go away but never does.

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Before you ship an item, make sure the buyer has paid for it. You’ll get confirmation in your account and via email. Then make sure you create a great customer experience by ensuring that you:

• Use the shipping service specified in your listing
• Confirm the product is in the promised condition
• Pack the item with care
• Save time by creating your postage label right on eBay

Then leave feedback for the buyers and if you run into any issues, make sure you communicate with the buyer.

Do everything right, and the customer will likely leave you positive feedback.

KEEP IN MIND: “Feedback” is another contested area on eBay. Sellers are not allowed to leave any negative feedback for a buyer, no matter what happens. Seriously. 

And some buyers use feedback as hostage by incorrectly claiming INADs (Item Not As Described) or by requesting refunds. Just beware! 

Tips for Selling on eBay

Here are some tips for selling your items on eBay.

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Turn on International Shipping

It’s easy to turn on international shipping, especially GSP. So take advantage of this expanded marketplace as more people will have access to your items.

Look for Deals Online

If you do your research, you can find great places to source your items. There’s a website called brickseek.com that allows you to see online deals on products. If you search by zip code, you can find local deals.

Consider Signing Up for an eBay Store Subscription

As you grow your reselling business, consider signing up for an eBay store. They have five main subscriptions with different benefits:

• Starter
• Basic
• Premium
• Anchor
• Enterprise

You get many benefits, like access to additional tools you can use to manage your business, discounted seller fees, FREE SHIPPING SUPPLIES every quarter and more. Learn more about eBay stores here.

Join Reseller Groups

New eBay sellers can benefit from the various reselling communities that share tips and support each other. 

Just search for “reselling, ” “reseller” or something similar on Facebook Groups, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Google.

A few of my faves (but not all) are:

• Pure Hustle Podcast
• Nurse Flipper
• Thrift A Life
• Ms Taffy
• Flippin Hippos
• Nikki Kirk
• Prison 2 Profits
• Raiken Profitcs
• Ginger Marvin
• Mountain Man Treasure
• Rbagnik (lots of good Poshmark tips)
• Commonwealth Picker

Use Product Research Tools to Save Time

eBay has an exclusive market analysis tool called Terapeak . The “Product Research” is now free to all sellers with access to Seller Hub. Terapeak “Sourcing Insights” offers sales data on every eBay category and other information and is free to all sellers with an eBay Store Subscription.

REMINDER: You do NOT need a store subscription to start selling on eBay. And I recommend you sell some items before you decide to purchase a subscription, just to make sure that it’s worth the monthly cost for your business.

This tool uses the most recent eBay data on pricing, supply and demand to help you identify trends. And, you will also know what products to market, what price to sell them at and when to list them.

Tools like this make the research part of selling easier.

FAQs

Do I need PayPal to sell on eBay?

No. eBay has a “Managed Payments System.” This connects to your credit card or bank account and is the preferred method of payment for sellers to pay their fees.

Do I need a bank account to sell on eBay?

You don’t need to connect a bank account to list products on eBay. However, if you want to receive payments from eBay you need to connect a bank account.

Is it free to list on eBay?

Each seller gets 250 free listings each month; after that, you must pay an insertion fee. So, many sellers using eBay as a side hustle won’t pay to list things. But professional sellers will pay more.

How long does it take to get paid on eBay?

Once a buyer’s purchase is confirmed and paid for, eBay initiates your payment, which is made to your checking account or debit card. It typically takes one to three business days for your bank to receive the funds.

Final Thoughts on How to Sell On eBay

Selling on eBay can be very profitable if you know what items to list, when to sell them and how much to charge. You must pay attention to trends and seasons, so that you list items people want to buy.

Plus, you need to find places to source good products at a great price.

You’ll find eBay has plenty of resources to help you get started. Learn the platform and guidelines, and you can earn great money selling on eBay.

You may also be interested in these other posts on reselling:

Online Reselling for Beginners

Firm On Price Meaning? What It Is and What New Resellers Need to Know

What Is A Reseller? The Ultimate Guide To Reselling 101 For Beginners