Best items to resell for beginners
Apr 8, 2025
Getting Started with Reselling: What You Need to Know
Reselling can be a great way to earn extra income, declutter your space, or even start a small business. For beginners, the process can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you’ll discover it’s surprisingly manageable—and fun! This guide will walk you through the best items to resell, how to keep your inventory and listings organized, assign basic team roles if you have helpers, track your sales and fees, and handle shipping or pickups smoothly.
Top Beginner-Friendly Items to Resell
Clothing and Shoes: Gently used brand-name clothing, vintage pieces, and popular sneakers are always in demand. Start with seasonal items and well-known brands for faster sales.
Books, Textbooks, and Media: Bestselling books, college textbooks, DVDs, and video games hold value, especially if in good condition.
Small Electronics: Phones, tablets, headphones, and smartwatches are high-demand and easy to ship. Stick to recent models and test everything before listing.
Collectibles: Trading cards, toys, Funko Pops, and vintage items often fetch good prices. Research what’s trending before investing heavily.
Household Items: Kitchen gadgets, small appliances, and decor are sought-after on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Sports Equipment: Bicycles, fitness gear, and branded sportswear sell well, especially in good condition.
Designer Accessories: Handbags, sunglasses, and watches from reputable brands can be lucrative, but always check for authenticity.
Tip:
Start by selling what you already own. This keeps your risk low while you learn what sells best in your local market or online.
Choosing Where to Sell: The Best Platforms for Beginners
eBay: Great for almost anything, especially collectibles and electronics.
Facebook Marketplace: Perfect for local sales, bulky items, and avoiding shipping fees.
Poshmark: Specializes in clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Mercari: User-friendly for a wide variety of items, from toys to gadgets.
OfferUp: Good for local sales and quick pickups.
Amazon: More advanced, but great for books, media, and some electronics.
Centralize Your Inventory and Listings
One major challenge for resellers is keeping track of inventory and listings across multiple sites. A central system helps you avoid double-selling or losing track of what’s available. For beginners, a simple spreadsheet can work, but as you grow, consider tools like Gavelbase, which let you:
Sync inventory across different marketplaces
Assign basic team roles (if you have helpers)
Track sales, fees, and profits automatically
Manage shipping and local pickup details
Using a central system saves time, reduces errors, and lets you focus on growing your reselling business.
Assigning Basic Team Roles
If you’re working with friends or family, even a small team benefits from clear roles. Here’s a simple setup for beginners:
Sourcing: Finds items to resell (thrift stores, garage sales, online deals).
Listing: Takes photos, writes descriptions, and posts to marketplaces.
Inventory Manager: Updates the central system, tracks quantities, and ensures listings are accurate.
Shipping & Pickup Coordinator: Handles packaging, mailing, or arranging pickup with buyers.
Finance Tracker: Logs expenses, sales, and fees, helping you understand your profits.
Even if you’re solo, thinking in terms of these "departments" can help you organize your workflow and spot areas to improve.
Tracking Sales, Fees, and Profits: Keep It Simple
Understanding your real earnings is crucial. Start with these steps:
Record Every Sale: Note the item, sale price, date, and platform.
Document Fees: Marketplaces often take a percentage or flat fee. Record these for each sale.
Track Shipping Costs: Include what you pay for postage and packaging.
Calculate Net Profit: Sale price minus fees and shipping equals your profit. Knowing your numbers helps you adjust pricing and sourcing.
Tools like Gavelbase can automate much of this, but even a simple spreadsheet works when you're starting out.
Shipping and Pickup: Keeping It Clean and Simple
Shipping:
Use clean, appropriate packaging—recycled boxes and bubble mailers save money.
Buy postage online (via Pirate Ship, Stamps.com, etc.) for discounts and tracking.
Always provide a tracking number to buyers.
Ship within 1-2 days of sale to get good reviews and repeat business.
Local Pickup:
Meet in safe, public locations (police stations often have designated areas).
Get payment before handing over the item—cash, Venmo, or PayPal work well.
Communicate clearly about pickup time and location.
Easy Steps to Get Started (Recap)
Choose a category to start (clothing, books, electronics, etc.).
Pick one or two selling platforms and create accounts.
Gather items, clean and test them, and take clear photos.
Write honest, detailed descriptions and list your items.
Set up a simple inventory tracking method (spreadsheet or a tool like Gavelbase).
Track each sale, fee, and shipping cost.
Ship items promptly or arrange local pickups safely.
Review your results after a month, and adjust your strategy based on what sold best.
Additional Resources
Starting with reselling doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on beginner-friendly items, using a central system to keep everything in sync, and following straightforward practices, you’ll build confidence—and profits—fast. Happy reselling!