How to make money reselling on eBay: Guide for 2025+2026

You can make money reselling on eBay by sourcing strategically, pricing competitively, and managing fees carefully. 

Successful sellers earn $500 to $5,000+ monthly by treating reselling like a real business.

We’ll walk you through how to make money reselling on eBay, from setting up your account and finding inventory to listing optimization, pricing strategically, and scaling with Nifty. We’ll also cover customer service fundamentals that separate profitable resellers from those who quit after a few slow months. 

Why is eBay still a profitable platform for resellers?

eBay is still a profitable platform for resellers because its 134 million active buyers and international shipping options give you access to an enormous, diverse buyer pool. 

A vintage electronics seller can list a rare turntable and reach collectors in Tokyo, Berlin, and Chicago simultaneously. International access helps you move products quickly, reducing the chances that your inventory turns stale. 

Operating since the 1990s, eBay offers more product categories than most online retailers. For instance, you can sell collectibles, automotive parts (even cars!), clothing, and refurbished tech. The platform's auction format and Best Offer tools let you test pricing strategies and maximize margins in ways fixed-price marketplaces simply don't allow.

How eBay works for sellers

By offering seller protection programs, performance tracking, and other tools to help you sell more inventory, eBay offers an environment for building a successful reselling business. Here’s an overview of what you need to know when selling on eBay:‍

Auctions

This classic eBay selling feature allows buyers to bid on your products over a specific timeframe. Start by setting a low bid price that attracts interest, and then let eBay’s buyers (the market) decide how much they’ll pay for your item. Auctions can create urgency for in-demand products, resulting in attractive returns.

Buy it now

Listing a product under “buy it now” gives shoppers a fixed price. Shoppers click the product, enter payment details, and you ship it. This process mirrors checkout on any e-commerce site.

Fees

Most sellers pay a final value fee that combines both eBay’s commission and payment processing. The percentage varies by category, typically ranging between 13% and 15%, plus a $0.30 to $0.40 per-order fee. You receive 250 free listings every month, and additional listings cost $0.35 each.

eBay's payout process works in stages

First, funds move from “Processing” to “Available for payout” within 1–2 business days after the buyer's payment confirms. Then, based on your payout schedule (daily by default, or weekly/on-demand), eBay initiates the transfer.

Finally, your bank processes the deposit, which takes an additional 1–3 business days. From buyer payment to funds in your account, expect 2–5 business days total. New sellers with payment holds must wait for delivery confirmation before this timeline begins.

New sellers typically face holds until delivery confirmation, or 21 days if no tracking. Extended 30-day holds apply only to high-value items ($750+), authentication-required products, or restricted accounts. Holds lift after 90 days of selling with 25+ transactions and $250+ in sales.

Dispute resolution

Sometimes, you might encounter buyers who want a refund. eBay’s Resolution Center manages these cases, using direct communication and evidence review. You’ll submit tracking numbers, photos, and message logs, which eBay will review.

eBay protects sellers who document transactions thoroughly and ship promptly. Upload tracking showing delivery, photograph items before shipping, maintain message records, and respond within 3 to 5 days.

Tips to start reselling on eBay

Strong start on eBay by setting up your account correctly, choosing smart first products, and understanding platform limits before scaling. Follow these tips to achieve early success:

Tip #1: Build a trustworthy seller profile 

Build trust by creating a professional eBay account with clear business policies and return details. Upload quality photos, write keyword-rich titles, and craft detailed descriptions that match buyer searches.

Tip #2: Start with low-risk practice items

Sell inexpensive items such as clothing or household goods. These sales help you learn shipping logistics, customer communication, and dispute handling before investing in higher-value inventory.

Tip #3: Master eBay's shipping requirements

Ship within one business day and include tracking to boost your search rankings. Use eBay's shipping calculator to set accurate costs, buy discounted labels, and always upload tracking numbers.

Tip #4: Respect new seller listing limits

New eBay accounts start with selling limits that are individualized based on account verification, payment methods, and risk assessment. Common starting limits range from 10 items or $500 per month, though some accounts may start lower or higher. Check your specific limits in Seller Hub, where eBay displays your current item and dollar limits. 

After 90 days of selling with at least 25 transactions and $250 in sales, eBay automatically reviews your account for limit increases. You can also request a manual limit increase through Seller Hub once your metrics show consistent, high-quality performance.

What to Sell on eBay

Choosing profitable products can lead to early success on eBay. Focus on the following categories.

Clothing 

Demand for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing exists on eBay. Branded apparel sells well because buyers search by size, brand, and style. Source Ralph Lauren button-down shirts for $3–$10 and resell them for $25–$80.

Electronics 

Refurbished laptops, gaming consoles, smartphones, and accessories draw high-volume traffic from buyers upgrading devices or hunting for discontinued models. For instance, refurbished laptops can sell for $200 to $400 per piece. 

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Test every item thoroughly and disclose any cosmetic flaws honestly. Include original packaging or clear photos showing functionality to justify premium pricing and reduce returns from buyers expecting mint condition.

Collectibles 

Rare toys, sports cards, comics, and memorabilia attract passionate collector communities hunting for hard-to-find pieces. Buyers are willing to pay over $400 for a coveted Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman rookie card. 

Research completed listings to gauge the market value of the collectible you’re looking to sell, and authenticate items when possible. Photograph from multiple angles with clear close-ups of condition issues, signatures, or manufacturer marks.

Home décor

Kitchen gadgets, décor, bedding, and small furniture items sell consistently because buyers constantly refresh their living spaces. You can sell decorative pillows for between $16 and $32, and table lamps from $50 to over $200.

Source products from liquidation sales and overstock retailers. To raise your order values, bundle related products like throw pillows and blankets or vases and artificial flowers, and include multiple items in one transaction to save on shipping costs.

Sourcing your products: Where to look

Sourcing products keeps your eBay store stocked and attracts buyers with variety. Here are the best places to find inventory:‍

• Thrift stores: Check Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local consignment shops for donated items at low prices. Visit weekly and build relationships with staff who can notify you about new arrivals.

• Liquidation: Liquidation companies like B-Stock, Bulq, and Direct Liquidation sell returned or overstock goods by the pallet at 10–30% of retail cost. Although each pallet contains mixed-condition items that need sorting and testing, the low per-unit cost allows profit even after accounting for damaged pieces.

• Wholesale: Buy directly from manufacturers or distributors at bulk prices. You’ll get new, consistent stock with better margins, especially when negotiating minimum order quantities or exclusive deals. 

• Retail arbitrage: Purchase clearance or discounted items from stores like Target or Walmart. Use apps like Profit Bandit to scan barcodes and compare eBay sold prices instantly. Focus on seasonal items, discontinued products, and regional goods with national demand. 

• Estate sales: Estate sales are great for sourcing antiques, tools, furniture, and collectibles. Arrive early for the best selection and focus on affluent areas where high-quality brands and valuable items are common.

What to know about pricing and listing eBay products

Researching average pricing before listing your items helps you price your products strategically. Before listing, follow these pricing research tips: 

Pricing research tip #1: Research real market data

Check eBay’s sold listings to see the prices that similar items actually sold for. Enter the item’s name in the search bar and apply the “Sold Items” filter under “Show only” to view completed sales.

This reveals actual buyer demand and highlights pricing trends across specific brands, categories, and item conditions.

Pricing research tip #2: Adjust for volume or premium pricing

Decide whether you want fast turnover or maximum profit. If you’re looking to sell high volumes quickly, price five to ten percent below the average sold price. For premium items, match the highest sold price only when your item’s condition, presentation, and photography quality justify it. Your pricing strategy should match your storage limits and inventory turnover goals.

Pricing research tip #3: Estimate profit margins

Before setting a price, account for every cost, including purchase price, eBay’s average 13–15% fees, shipping, and packaging. Tools like Nifty provide expenses tracking so you can record all your costs in one easy place. 

Always mark up your items to cover your labor time and eBay’s fees. Before you finalize your listings, calculate profits.

The listing process

Now that you know what your items will sell for, it’s time to list your items. Here’s what you need to create optimal listings that make more revenue:‍

• Eye-grabbing photos: Capture clear and high-resolution images from multiple angles. Get close-ups of brand tags, condition flaws, and functional features that buyers scrutinize before purchasing. Use a photo-editing tool and Nifty’s Photoroom integration to remove backgrounds and enhance your images. 

• Catchy titles: Include brand, model number, size, color, and condition. A strong title reads “Nike Air Max 270 Men's Size 11 Black White Running Shoes New.” 

• Rich descriptions: You should write detailed descriptions that clearly cover condition, measurements, functionality, flaws, and include accessories. Make your descriptions easy to skim with bullet points for key details and short paragraphs for context and history. Always disclose any wear or cosmetic damage clearly and early. 

Pro tip: Use an automation tool, like Nifty, which offers an AI feature that generates titles, descriptions, and keyword-filled tags that you can edit in a jiff.

Common mistakes new eBay sellers make

Learning what not to do saves you months of frustration and lost revenue. Avoid these mistakes:

Mistake #1: Overpricing or underpricing inventory 

Pricing too high leaves items sitting unsold for months, whereas pricing too low sacrifices profit.

How to avoid this mistake: 

• You should research sold listings in your exact category and condition, then price competitively within the proven sold range. 
• If your items have flaws or you can absorb less profit margin, lower your price.

Mistake #2: Poor listing quality hurts conversions

Blurry photos, missing keywords in titles, and vague descriptions drive buyers to other sellers. These flaws damage your professional reputation. 

How to avoid this mistake: 

• Use clear, well-lit images, keyword-rich titles, and thorough descriptions. 
• Write descriptions that answer buyer questions and motivate them to buy.

Mistake #3: Ignoring buyer questions damages trust

Slow or dismissive replies make you look unprofessional and drive buyers to faster-responding competitors. 

How to avoid this mistake: 

• Enable eBay’s mobile notifications to respond quickly to messages, answering clearly and politely, even if questions seem basic. 
• By treating each interaction as an opportunity to build trust, you can earn sales and create customers.

Mistake #4: Neglecting fee structures kills margins

Forgetting to account for eBay's 13–15% final value fees, payment processing charges, and actual shipping costs erodes your profit margins. 

How to avoid this mistake: 

• Calculate total costs, like purchase price, all fees, packaging, and shipping. 
• Then, add your desired profit margin, refusing to list items where the math doesn't support a markup that earns a profit after you deduct every expense.

Avoid scams and protect yourself as a seller

Scammers target sellers who don't recognize warning signs or protect themselves with proper documentation. Beware of these eBay scammer practices:

Scam #1: Return fraud

Buyers sometimes claim items arrived damaged, then return completely different products or empty boxes to receive refunds while keeping your original merchandise. 

How to outsmart scammers: 

• Prevent this scam by photographing serial numbers, unique marks, and defects before shipping. 
• Record video while packing high-value items to prove their condition, and inspect all returns upon arrival. 
• If you find mismatched items, contact eBay. Its Money Back Guarantee protects compliant sellers and defends against false claims.

Scam #2: Fake buyers waste your time

Scammers create new accounts to “purchase” items, then request off-platform payment methods, claim accidental purchases, or demand refunds before items ship. 

How to outsmart scammers: 

• Never communicate outside eBay's messaging system. 
• Refuse payment requests via PayPal Friends & Family or wire transfers.
• Wait for payment confirmation in your eBay account before shipping anything. 

Scam #3: Chargebacks reverse legitimate sales

Dishonest buyers file credit card disputes claiming they never received items or authorized purchases, forcing refunds even after eBay closes cases in your favor. 

How to outsmart scammers: 

• Ship with signature confirmation for orders of $750 or more, confirm buyer receipt, and save messages and tracking logs. 
• When credit cards contact you; respond immediately with tracking, delivery photos, and message logs.

Scaling from side hustle to full-time reselling

Transitioning from a weekend side hustler to a full-time reseller requires systems that manage more sales without burnout. Full-time resellers handle larger inventories efficiently. You’ll need storage space, a cataloging system, and automation tools to stay organized and productive.

To reach a broader buyer base, consider crosslisting to other reselling websites like Mercari, Depop, and Poshmark. Use tools like Nifty to bulk upload listings to these platforms, auto-delist sold items to prevent double-selling, and track overall profits and analytics.

Grow beyond eBay with Nifty

You've learned how to make money reselling on eBay, from sourcing inventory to avoiding scams. Now it's time to scale beyond manual listing and stop losing hours to repetitive tasks. And one of the best tools to get you there is Nifty.

Nifty is the AI command hub for crosslisting, automation, and analytics that helps serious resellers manage eBay and multiple platforms without burning out. Here’s why over 10,000 sellers choose Nifty: ‍

• AI listing generation: Upload photos and Nifty's AI creates complete listings with optimized titles, detailed descriptions, and trending hashtags. It's cloud-based and works on any device, so you can list in seconds.

• Crosslist in clicks: Post inventory across eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, and Etsy from one interface. No repetitive data entry, no juggling browser tabs, just fast multi-platform publishing that expands your reach instantly.

• Auto-delisting prevents double sales: When an item sells on any platform, Nifty automatically removes it from everywhere else. You'll never apologize for selling the same item twice or scrambling to manually update five different listings after every sale.

• Bulk actions save hours: Update prices, relist stale inventory, or schedule new listings across dozens of items simultaneously. Nifty handles the tedious work in the background while you focus on sourcing and shipping.

• Real profit tracking: See actual earnings after fees, shipping costs, and expenses in one unified dashboard. Track which categories and platforms perform best so you can double down on what's working and drop what's wasting your time.

See how Nifty can save time and increase your profits. Start your 7-day free trial today.

FAQs

1. Can you really make money reselling on eBay?

Yes, you can really make money reselling on eBay. But, you’ll need to source inventory strategically, price competitively, and manage costs carefully. Successful resellers earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $3,000 to $5,000+ monthly. Profitability depends on your product selection, sourcing skills, and ability to scale, all while maintaining quality.

2. How much does it cost to sell on eBay?

Selling on eBay costs 13–15% in final value fees plus $0.30–$0.40 per order for payment processing, with 250 free monthly listings before $0.35 insertion fees apply. Additional costs include shipping supplies, storage, and optional store subscriptions ($4.95 to $2,995/month) that reduce fees for high-volume sellers.

3. Can you make a living selling on eBay?

Yes, you can make a living selling on eBay. But it requires consistent inventory sourcing, efficient systems, and treating reselling like a real business rather than casual side income. Success demands storage space, organizational systems, and automation tools that handle scaling without burning you out on repetitive manual tasks.