Getting Started with Reselling

Reselling is the practice of buying items at a low price and selling them for a profit. Whether you’re looking to make extra cash or build a full-time business, this guide will help you get started.

What is Reselling?

Reselling (or “flipping”) involves:

1. Sourcing - Finding items below market value
2. Listing - Creating compelling listings on selling platforms
3. Selling - Completing transactions with buyers
4. Shipping - Getting items to customers safely

Choosing Your Niche

Start with what you know. Popular niches include:

• Clothing & Fashion - Thrifted brands, vintage pieces
• Electronics - Used phones, gaming consoles, laptops
• Books - Textbooks, rare editions, collectibles
• Sneakers - Limited releases, vintage pairs
• Home Goods - Vintage decor, kitchenware

Best Platforms for Beginners

Platform	Best For	Fees
eBay	Everything	~13.5%
Poshmark	Fashion	20%
Mercari	General items	10%
Facebook	Local/large items	5% or free

Use our fee calculators to compare profit across platforms.

Where to Source Inventory

Thrift Stores

• Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrifts
• Look for brand names, quality materials
• Visit often - new items daily

Garage Sales & Estate Sales

• Early bird gets the best deals
• Negotiate respectfully
• Bring cash in small bills

Retail Arbitrage

• Clearance sections at Target, Walmart
• Use scanning apps to check prices
• Look for limited editions

Online Arbitrage

• eBay lots, Facebook Marketplace
• Wholesale liquidation sites
• Closeout websites

Pricing Your Items

Research Sold Prices

1. Search the item on eBay
2. Filter by “Sold Items”
3. Note the average selling price
4. Price competitively

Factor in All Costs

• Purchase price
• Platform fees (use our calculators)
• Shipping costs
• Packaging materials

Photography Tips

Good photos sell items faster:

• Use natural lighting
• Clean, simple backgrounds
• Show all angles and flaws
• Include measurements for clothing

Writing Descriptions

Include:

• Brand and model
• Size and measurements
• Condition (be honest about flaws)
• Keywords buyers search for

Shipping Basics

Supplies You’ll Need

• Poly mailers for clothing
• Boxes for fragile items
• Bubble wrap and packing paper
• A kitchen scale
• Printer for labels

Carrier Comparison

• USPS - Best for lightweight items
• FedEx - Good for medium packages
• UPS - Best for heavy items

Next Steps

1. Start with 10-20 items from your own closet
2. Create accounts on 2-3 platforms
3. Use our calculators to price items
4. List and learn from experience

Ready to calculate your profits? Try our Multi-Platform Calculator to see where you’ll make the most money.