When it comes to reselling items online, it’s hard to rival eBay. As one of the world’s largest marketplaces, with more than 182 million buyers across the globe, you can sell just about anything on eBay — from clothes to collectibles. 

However, not all items are created equal when it comes to how profitable they are to sell on eBay. Identifying the best things to resell on eBay can be critical to the success of your ecommerce business — and it can be more straightforward than you might think. 

In this article, we’ll cover the best things to resell on eBay so that you can ensure profitability and success for your business. It might be the second time around for your items — but it doesn’t have to be for your business. Let’s dig in. 

Why is eBay a great platform for reselling?

eBay is a premier platform for reselling, boasting an impressive marketplace that caters to over millions of active buyers worldwide. This vast audience is drawn from myriad interests, ensuring that sellers can find a market for almost any item, from niche collectibles to everyday household goods. 

Setting up a seller account on eBay is remarkably straightforward, designed to get vendors up and running in no time. The platform offers comprehensive guides and tools that simplify the listing process, making it accessible even to those new to ecommerce. This ease of use, combined with the platform’s robust infrastructure, enables sellers to start their reselling business with minimal hassle.

Furthermore, eBay’s global reach is a significant advantage for resellers looking to expand their market beyond local boundaries. The platform facilitates international sales, allowing sellers to connect with buyers across the globe. This expansive reach not only increases the potential customer base but also enhances the likelihood of finding buyers for even the most specialized items.

eBay also prioritizes the security and trust of its community through its seller protection policies. These policies are designed to safeguard sellers from fraud, ensuring they can conduct their business with confidence. From transaction monitoring to dispute resolution, eBay’s support systems are in place to protect sellers, thereby fostering a safe and reliable environment for reselling.

Why should you resell items on eBay?

Reselling items on eBay offers a lucrative opportunity for online retailers. For starters, the diversity of eBay’s marketplace is unparalleled. It offers an opportunity for resellers to tap into various consumer segments, and its reach increases the chances of selling.

eBay’s structured yet flexible selling environment supports both auction-style and fixed-price listings, giving sellers control over how they want to sell their items and at what price. The platform’s user-friendly interface simplifies processes. Listing items, managing sales, and interacting with customers become accessible even to those new to online selling. 

Coupled with eBay’s seller protection policies, which aim to safeguard sellers against fraud and disputes, reselling on eBay becomes not just profitable but also secure. It encourages more individuals to explore the potential of turning unwanted items into a source of income.

Where can I get items to resell on eBay?

If you’re looking to start reselling on eBay, you need to ask yourself: Where can I find items to sell at a profit? The good news is that there are plenty of potential sources of cost-effective inventory, both online and offline — ranging from thrift stores to auctions. 

If you have a knack for finding good deals, you may consider sourcing items from garage sales, or even online marketplaces such as Craigslist. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more considerable profit margin, you may consider selling trending items. The risk is that the trend will end. You’d be stuck with a garage full of merchandise that no one wants anymore. 

Suppose you’re good at spotting trends or have early access to items that will be in high demand (such as new video games, gaming systems, or Kickstarter projects for nostalgic items such as Hero’s Quest). In that case, this can be a highly profitable niche.

Here are some great options for places to find items you can resell on eBay for a profit:

• Thrift stores
• Flea markets
• Garage sales
• Craigslist, Letgo, and Facebook Marketplace 
• Estate sales
• Public auctions
• Discounted merchandise, floor models, and discontinued items in big box stores
• Storage unit auctions

Top examples of profitable items to resell on eBay

eBay sellers are running profitable businesses by reselling various items. But here are a few proven winners if you’re just getting started or looking to grow your eBay business.

Auto parts 

Auto parts are always a good bet if you’re looking to make some reliable cash on eBay. While there are many different things you can buy and resell for a profit, auto parts offer a few advantages. 

There’s always a high demand for auto parts since almost everyone needs them at some point. Whether it’s for a repair after an accident or just routine maintenance, the need for new and refurbished auto parts is steady. 

And since there are so many different types of auto parts, you’re sure to find something that fits your budget and expertise. Plus, it’s easy to determine which parts are in high demand and command a higher price with a bit of research. 

Used goods

Used goods are great items to buy and resell on eBay. First, they are usually much less expensive than new items, which means you can get a higher return on investment. 

Second, many used items are unique or hard to find, adding to their collectible value. 

Third, some people simply prefer to buy secondhand items to reduce their environmental impact. 

Finally, used goods typically have more sentimental value than new items, making them more valuable to buyers. Secondhand items are a big business on eBay. 

Closeouts

Closeouts are always a good bet if you’re looking for a hot item to resell on eBay. They are items that retailers are eager to get rid of, usually because they’re overstocked or discontinued. As a result, they can be found at deeply discounted prices. 

And since everyone loves a bargain, closeouts are often in high demand on eBay. But it’s not just about finding the best deals – it’s also about timing. 

To maximize your profits, you need to buy closeouts when they first become available and resell them before the demand starts to wane. Often buyers attempt to complete a set or match what they already have. They are willing to pay more because the item has become scarce. 

Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to stay on top of the latest closeout deals. By keeping an eye out for special sales and signing up for email alerts, you can snag the best deals as soon as they become available. 

If you’re looking for a profitable way to stock your eBay store, keep your eye on the closeouts.

Printer toner/ink

Printer toner/ink are some of the most popular items on eBay. Why? People always need more ink and toner. 

That’s because printer manufacturers intentionally make printers that require frequent replacement of consumables. They do this to sell more printers and more ink and toner. 

As an eBay seller, you can take advantage of this by stocking up on ink and toner when it’s on sale and then selling it at a markup. 

Another reason printer toner is a top item to resell on eBay is that ink and toner are relatively inexpensive to ship. Ink and toner cartridges are small and lightweight. You can store and ship them relatively cheaply, making them ideal for selling online. 

Finally, there’s a massive market for compatible and refurbished cartridges. Buyers often keep their printers for a long time. Thus, it becomes more and more challenging for them to find ink cartridges in retail stores.

Remote controls

Remote controls are another high-profit item to buy and resell on eBay for several reasons. 

First, they’re always in demand. People are constantly losing or breaking their remote controls, so there’s always a market for them. 

Second, they are relatively inexpensive and can often be found for a bargain in thrift stores and even big box stores. 

Third, they are small and lightweight, so they can be easily shipped. So if you’re looking for a great item to buy and resell on eBay, remote controls fit the bill. 

Vintage music players

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of vintage music players, particularly turntables. Once seen as outdated technology, turntables are now prized for their warm, rich sound quality. As a result, they have become a hot commodity on sites like eBay. Sellers can earn a hefty profit by reselling vintage music players.

There are several reasons why vintage music players are such a sought-after item. 

First of all, they offer sound quality that modern digital music players cannot match. The vinyl records also have a unique sonic texture that is highly prized by audiophiles. 

In addition, many buyers have music collections with no way to play them once their boom box or 8-track player stops working. As a result, vintage music players are likely to continue to be a top item for sellers on eBay.

Older music and films on out-of-date media

From vinyl records, cassette tapes, and 8-track tapes to VHS tapes, LaserDiscs, Betamax, BluRays, and DVDs – whatever the form – vintage music and movies on antiquated media are some of the top items sellers can make a profit on by reselling it on eBay.

Nostalgia is the main reason these items are top sellers, and another is that old music on out-of-date media can be hard to find. If someone is looking for a cult classic movie or a particular album that was only released on vinyl, they may have a hard time finding it unless they’re willing to pay a high price. 

Music-wise, most of what you’ll find in thrift stores is country and gospel, which is not in high demand on eBay.

Look for hard rock, metal, and anything signed by the artist or band to maximize your profit. 

As far as movies go, cult classics, foreign films, and indie films with limited distribution are often in high demand on eBay.

Computer parts

Computer parts are one of the hottest items for sellers. There are several reasons for this. 

First, there’s always a demand for computer parts. No matter how advanced technology gets, people will always need replacement parts or upgrades for their computers. 

Second, computer parts tend to have a high resale value. In other words, you can often sell them for more than you paid for them, making it easy to turn a profit. 

Finally, computer parts and components are relatively easy to find at garage sales and thrift shops. Look for monitors, computers, keyboards (especially Apple, specialty, and mechanical keyboards), speakers, and WiFi routers. 

Blank media

Look no further than blank media for another hot item to resell on eBay. 

Whether it’s CDs, DVDs, or Blu-rays, there’s always a demand for blank discs. Why are blank media so popular on eBay? 

There are a few reasons. Blank media is relatively inexpensive to purchase in bulk. 

They have a wide range of uses, from storing digital files to burning music compilations. 

Finally, they’re easy to ship and don’t require special packaging or handling. If you’re looking for a high-margin item with broad appeal, blank media is a great choice.

Things to consider when buying items to resell

Not every item will be a winner on eBay. When buying items to resell on the platform, you will want to consider: 

Item quality

Is it in good or excellent condition? How does it compare to other items in the marketplace?  

Market price

What is it selling for on eBay and through traditional retail channels?

Your profit margin

Is it worth your time to buy the item, list it, and ship it? This is one of your most important considerations. It doesn’t matter if it is in excellent condition and selling well on eBay if you can’t turn a profit on it.

Packaging and shipping

How easy or difficult will this item be to package and ship? Is it small or large? How much does it weigh? Is it breakable? How much additional packaging will it require?

How to price your products

eBay has some great guidelines here for how to price your items based on what similar items are selling for. In addition, there are some useful free and freemium apps available to help you see what items are selling and what they’re selling for, such as ShelfTrend.

Pricing your items is an art form in itself – you’ll need to remain competitive in the marketplace while still maximizing your profits.

eBay selling format

Back in 1995, when eBay first launched, it was solely an auction platform. However, as it evolved, eBay realized did some buyers did not want to wait or participate in the auction process. This led to the introduction of the popular “Buy It Now” feature.  

Which one is right for you? It depends on your goals and your business. 

Auction-style selling

In this format, you run a traditional auction for a specific number of days. At the beginning of your auction, you list an opening bid and any reserve price, and buyers bid up from there. When the auction ends, the bidder with the highest price wins. 

While many sellers will list their auctions at a low starting price to drum up a lot of interest, pros generally set a reserve price (the lowest price you are willing to accept) for the item.

Fixed-price listings

This method, also known as “Buy it Now,” allows interested buyers to click a button and have your item sent right to their door – no bidding required. In this pricing model, sellers establish a fixed price, much like any other retail outlet.

Developing product descriptions for eBay 

Your product descriptions for eBay must include search terms such as size, brand, and color because they help buyers find your item when they’re looking to buy. 

But your product descriptions should also include additional details to help you optimize sales by increasing your product’s visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.  

When listing your product on eBay, make sure to include: 

• Product identifiers
• Product attributes based on its eBay category
• Product dimensions
• Whether it is part of a multi-pack or bundled product
• Product variants

Managing your product listings

If selling on eBay is just a hobby and you have just a few product listings, a spreadsheet is probably fine to manage your product listings.

However, if you’re building a business selling on eBay, managing dozens, hundreds, or thousands of products, using a spreadsheet will make things more complicated and wind up costing you money.

Instead of trying to keep track of your items on a spreadsheet, use inventory management software such as SkuVault Core to manage your stock and listings.  

Inventory management software helps you to stay organized and grow your business by alerting you when you have low stock levels, letting you know when you need order replenishment, and providing analytics, so you understand which items are most profitable and why.

eBay best practices

As you find items for resale and begin building your online business, you’ll want to keep these best practices in mind:

• Include your keywords: in both your titles and descriptions.
• Use highly detailed descriptions: Including color, style, when and where the item was manufactured, its condition, rarity, as well as any damaged areas or flaws.
• Take high-quality photos: Make sure you’re using great lighting for your photos and that you include pictures of your item from all angles. If your item has any flaws or defects, be sure to photograph those as well.
• Offer fast, low-cost shipping: Make sure your customer can get the item quickly and that the shipping cost is reasonable.
• Provide free returns: Free returns give your buyers confidence that the item will meet their satisfaction. Most customers won’t actually use your free return policy, but it can be the factor that convinces them to buy.
• Give great customer service. The better your eBay seller rating, the more comfortable buyers feel about purchasing from you. Your eBay seller rating Includes customer feedback on whether or not your items are as described, your communication, your shipping time, and shipping charges.
• Use SkuVault Core: To manage your orders and inventory to stay organized and grow your business.

Final thoughts

So now that you know what to buy and where to find it, it’s time to get reselling! Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind when jumping into the world of eBay flipping. 

For one, you need to price your products correctly – not too high and not too low. You also want to make sure your product descriptions are well written and enticing for buyers. And finally, don’t forget about the importance of managing your listings and orders. 

Fortunately, SkuVault Core is an inventory management system that integrates seamlessly with eBay and is designed specifically for online sellers like you to help you increase profits and grow your eBay business. 

FAQs