Top mistakes new resellers make
May 15, 2025
Introduction: Getting Started Right
Reselling can be a rewarding way to turn unused goods or smart finds into profit. But for many new resellers, the excitement of starting quickly gives way to frustration when avoidable mistakes pile up. This guide highlights the most common beginner missteps and shares straightforward, actionable steps to build a smoother, more profitable reselling operation—without getting overwhelmed.
1. Not Tracking Inventory Across Platforms
One of the first hurdles new resellers hit is losing track of what’s listed where. You might start selling on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Mercari, only to realize you’ve sold the same item twice—or worse, can’t find it at all when it’s time to ship.
Why it matters: Double-selling leads to cancellations, negative feedback, and even account suspensions.
Simple solution: Use a central system to track your inventory and listings. This doesn’t have to be complex—a spreadsheet is a good start. For those looking to scale or wanting automation, platforms like Gavelbase can sync inventory and listings across multiple sites, reducing manual work and mistakes.
Action Step: Set up a single inventory list. Make it a habit to update it every time you list or sell an item, no matter how small.
2. Skipping Basic Team Roles (Even for Teams of Two)
Many new resellers work with a partner or family member, but don’t clarify who’s responsible for what. This leads to confusion, missed messages, or two people doing the same task.
Why it matters: Clear roles prevent duplicated effort and errors like missed shipments or mixed-up listings.
Simple solution: Assign basic roles early. For example, one person handles sourcing and listing, another manages shipping and customer messages. If you’re solo, use checklists to keep your workflow organized and consistent.
Action Step: Write down each core task (listing, messaging, packing, shipping, bookkeeping) and assign a person—or time slot for yourself—responsible for each.
3. Ignoring Sales and Fee Tracking
It’s easy to lose sight of the bottom line when sales start rolling in. But without tracking sales and platform fees, you can end up working hard for little or no profit.
Why it matters: Every platform (e.g., eBay, Poshmark, Depop) charges different fees. Shipping costs can also eat into margins, especially as rates change.
Simple solution: Maintain a basic income and expense log. Record sale prices, fees, shipping costs, and purchase prices for each item. Even a simple spreadsheet helps you spot which products or platforms make the most sense for you.
If you want more automation, tools like Gavelbase and other reselling apps can pull this data in automatically or provide reports.
Action Step: Set up a weekly routine—say, every Sunday evening—to update your sales and fees for the week. This habit saves headaches at tax time and helps you make smarter decisions.
4. Poor Shipping or Pickup Management
Poor shipping practices or messy pickup arrangements are a frequent source of negative feedback and lost sales. Common mistakes include using the wrong-sized package, underestimating shipping costs, or forgetting to send tracking info to buyers.
Why it matters: Smooth shipping builds buyer trust and encourages repeat business.
Simple solution: Keep a small supply of the most common box sizes and packing materials. Use a postage calculator (like Pirate Ship) to estimate shipping costs before listing. Always provide tracking info promptly.
For local pickups, set a safe, public location and use a shared calendar or reminders to avoid missed appointments.
Action Step: Create a basic shipping checklist: right box, item protected, label printed, tracking sent. For pickups, confirm time and place in writing and follow up the day before.
5. Letting Listings or Inventory Get Outdated
Many new resellers forget to remove sold items from other platforms or don’t update prices and descriptions. This causes buyer confusion, wasted time, and missed sales opportunities.
Why it matters: Outdated listings can lead to cancelled sales, negative reviews, and lost trust from buyers and platforms alike.
Simple solution: Build a quick post-sale routine: when something sells, immediately remove or update it on other platforms and in your inventory tracker. If you use a central system like Gavelbase, many of these updates happen automatically.
Action Step: After each sale, run a quick checklist: mark as sold everywhere, update inventory, and message the buyer with next steps.
Conclusion: Start Simple, Build Good Habits
Reselling success isn’t about flashy tools or complicated systems—it’s about building simple, repeatable habits that prevent costly mistakes. Start with a central inventory list, assign clear roles, track your sales and fees, manage shipping carefully, and keep your listings current. As your business grows, you can add automation tools and more advanced processes, but the basics remain the same. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and see better results, even as a beginner.