You’re looking to get into eBay but don’t know where to begin. I’ve been selling on eBay for a few years but still consider myself a beginner too. I created a list of used items that I’ve been able to sell quickly and consistently for profit over the years.
Every item on this list can be sold in pre-owned condition for larger amounts of money than you’ll pay for them at a thrift store.
One piece of advice I have for anyone starting this side hustle with no money is to first try reselling old stuff lying around your home. It’s good practice and you’ll make daily money without having to spend anything.
Here’s a list of 26 pre-owned items that you will have a lot of success selling on eBay. Be aware and search for them in your own home or while you’re out thrifting. I’ve had a lot of success selling all of these used items in the past. They are my bread and butter and could be yours too!
Backpacks
Selling used backpacks is a great way to get started on eBay. Certain brands like Nike, Jansport, Under Armor and North Face hold their value well. As long as the backpack doesn’t have a smell to it or any holes then you can sell them for anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on the brand.
Another great thing about selling backpacks is they are affordable to ship because they aren’t too heavy and don’t have to go in a box. I’ve shipped many backpacks in polybags with no complaints. I love reselling backpacks!
Books
Did you just finish a good read? What about those old textbooks from college? Don’t let those used books sit around and collect dust, list them for sale!
Textbooks, book sets and art books specifically sell really well on eBay. They can sell for great money and be thrifted for cheap. I’ve sold many textbooks for $30 and $40 after buying them for 50 cents at Goodwill.
The best part about selling pre-owned books is the shipping. You can ship books very cheaply using USPS media mail shipping.
Shoes
Reselling used shoes is another bread and butter option on eBay. Some people only resell sneakers because of how valuable they can be. Finding cheap sneakers to resell can be easy if you look in the right places. Thrift stores are great spots to start sourcing but look in your own home first.
Shipping shoes can be a breeze because polybags work well for smaller pairs. Just make sure the shoes you’re selling don’t have holes and the soles aren’t falling off. You can also clean dirty shoes and fix them up to sell for more if you have the time. Also, avoid any smelly shoes!
Hats
Hats are cheap, easy to ship and easy to find. Hats for sports teams, Nike hats and other recognizable brands can be bought for cheap and sold for a lot more. Make sure these hats don’t have too much wear and don’t have sweat stains. If you can remove any stains in a hat then that’s great but if not it’s best to just avoid that specific hat.
Hats are light and cheap to ship but make sure you ship them in a box and not a polybag mailer. They will still be light enough to qualify for first-class shipping.
Just make sure you examine them well so you don’t get many return requests.
Bobbleheads
I’ve sold a lot of bobbleheads over the years. Technically, these bobbleheads are pre-owned but can be sold as new if you still have the original packaging and box.
Bobbleheads are collectibles and can hold their value well even when they are used. Research some of your old bobbleheads on eBay and see if they have any value to them.
Coffee makers
I sold my old used Keurig coffeemaker last year for more than half of what I originally paid for it. I got a new one and needed to rid of the old one. Used Keurig coffee makers hold their value over the years as long as they work well.
Other coffee makers like Mr. Coffee brand have certain models that sell well. Certain models have become cult classics for coffee lovers and hard to find.
One piece of advice I have for coffee makers is to look at each piece individually. I once sold a carafe for my old coffee maker for $40. Just the carafe! The water tank for that same coffee maker was later sold for $30. That’s $70 of sales I made and I didn’t even sell the actual coffee maker itself.
T-shirts
Used t-shirts are easy to ship because they are so light and certain brands retain a lot of value. That old Thrasher shirt you have lying in your drawer could be a quick $25 sale on eBay.
Every so often I go through my own wardrobe and weed out any clothing items I don’t wear often. Then I put these items up for sale. From jeans to t-shirts, if they are in good condition (no holes or smells) these used clothes can turn into quick profits.
Golf clubs
Selling used golf clubs can be intimidating because they are so long and many people think they are hard to ship. It’s true that USPS has recently raised their prices on longer items like golf clubs, but they are still valuable. Just make sure you include the cost of shipping in your listing price or charge the buyer to pay for the shipping.
Over the years, I’ve made a killing by selling golf clubs. Specifically, putters and drivers are what I look for. However, I’ve been known to resell entire sets of pre-owned clubs for a lot of money too.
Golf brands I like to watch for are Callaway, Titleist, Nike and Ping. All four of those golf brands hold their value extremely well.
Golf bags
Golf bags that have been used are harder to ship than clubs because they are heavier. I like to just wrap golf bags I sell on eBay in plastic wrap and garbage bigs. They’ve become much more expensive to ship recently so make sure you include the cost of shipping in your listing or let the buyer pay for it.
Unless a golf bag is a great brand (like Callaway) and is in great condition, I suggest new resellers avoid trying to sell them because it can get tricky.
Baseball bats
Used baseball bats are like golf clubs because many people think they are difficult to ship. The truth is they are also easy enough to ship if you charge the buyer for the shipping cost.
Selling pre-owned bats can be very hit-or-miss. It’s a seasonal item that sells better in the warmer months when more kids are playing the sport. Make sure to do your research when looking on eBay and sales for used bats. An inch difference in size or weight could make a huge change in the value of a baseball bat.
Baseball gloves
Selling pre-owned baseball gloves is just like selling used baseball bats. It’s a seasonal item that sells better in warmer months. However, it’s so easy to ship baseball gloves. They fit perfectly in a polybag and ship for cheap because they aren’t heavy.
Used baseball gloves can have holes and tears in them so look them over thoroughly before picking them up.
Video games
The video game market is hot. Certain used games are selling for a lot of money because they are hard to find. If you’re selling disc games make sure the back is free of scratches.
Some used games I’ve thrifted and sold for good profit include Pokemon games, Forza racing games, Monster Jam games and horror genre games. Video games are used items you have to look up before you can buy and resell. Every game is worth different amounts and the video game market is always changing.
Also, shipping video games via First-class mail is really easy to do.
Video game cases
Not only are used video games worth good money but so are their cases. I recently sold the video game case to a Pokemon game for $30. It’s because someone wanted to complete their collection and they needed the case to do it.
Don’t sleep on used video game cases without the game. They can be worth good money and be shipped very cheap.
Instruction manuals
Certain instruction manuals can be hard to find and sell for good money on eBay. They are easy to ship and just the manual can be worth good money. I suggest always looking up used instruction manuals to see how much they are worth.
Remote controls
Remote controls are easily overlooked but specific ones can be sold quickly on eBay. To test a used remote control, put batteries in it and click the buttons while you point it at your phone while recording. If you see a light in the very front part of the remote then it’s still working.
Pre-owned remotes for air conditioners and certain stereo systems sell well on eBay. And they ship cheap too!
Power cords and strips
Used power cords for laptops or other electronic devices can be worth a lot of money. They’re like remote controls because many people skip over them. Even if it’s a heavy-duty power strip, look it up on eBay. You might be surprised by how much it’s worth.
Printers
Pre-owned printers sell well on eBay. Especially printers from real companies like HP and Canon. Not generic printers from random companies.
Remember, selling printers can be expensive to ship. Make sure you either include the cost of shipping in your listing price or have the buyer pay the shipping. You don’t want to be stuck paying a ton of money to ship a heavy printer across the world.
Polo shirts
Used Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers polo shirts are good sellers for me. They ship very cheaply and sell quickly. If you’re at a thrift store look for those brands of polo shirts. Make sure the shirts don’t have any holes or stains in them.
Once your polo shirt sells, toss it in a polybag and send it out the door. Polo shirts are one of the easiest pre-owned items on this list to sell.
Small weights
Used dumbbells and small plates are great pre-owned items to sell on eBay. If you can fit a set of two 5 lb dumbbells in a flat rate USPS bubble mailer then you can make a quick profit. Usually, weight sell at $2 per pound so keep that rule in mind when figuring out your profit margins.
Calculating shipping prices when selling weights is extremely important. Figure out how you plan on shipping the weights before you put them up for sale.
Sewing machines
I’ve had a lot of luck selling sewing machines. Certain used Singer models can go for hundreds if they work and you have all the pieces. Make sure you’re prepared for a hefty shipping cost if you want to sell a sewing machine.
Another used crafting item that sells for a lot of money is a cricket. Many people don’t know these used crafting tools are worth so much money and can be sold quickly on eBay.
iPhones and smartphones
Done with your used phone? Why not put it up for sale instead of throwing it away or letting it sit in your drawer somewhere? Once you wipe your phone clean and reset it, put it up for sale on eBay. You’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay for phones that are several years old.
The same thing goes for smartwatches and other personal, portable electronics. They ship easily and once you wipe them clean and reset them, they can be sold quickly.
Plush
Used Plush toys can be hit or miss. I recently sold a “How to Train Your Dragon” dragon plush for $30 on eBay. I picked it up for 50 cents at my local Goodwill. However, I’ve been sitting on a Mickey Mouse plush that I thought would sell quickly and did not.
My advice: Research plush toys a lot before you buy them. Look them up on eBay and make sure the ones you’re buying are in good condition and have been sold recently.
Electronic chess boards
This is a very specific item, but I’ve found a few and sold a few over the years. These used electronic chess boards sell well because they are getting harder to find. Even without the pieces, I’m able to sell them for around $50. It’s a very specific BOLO that is profitable to remember.
Computer keyboards
Selling computer keyboards can be a great used BOLO if you do your research. I’d like to point out that computer keyboards can be awkward and difficult to ship so keep that in mind.
You can also resell used computer mice. Certain gaming mice sell for hundreds and are way easier to ship than keyboards. Just make sure they work!
Handbags
I know a lot of resellers who only deal in used handbags. Some buy beat-up and used handbags, fix them up and resell them for triple. Handbags are not for new resellers on eBay. I
f you find a passion for reselling handbags they are a great niche to specialize in. Like sneakers, they sell quickly if you have a trained eye for them. However, it can be tricky to learn which brands sell for good money and to make sure all of your used handbags are authentic.
Camera equipment
My last used item on this list is camera equipment. Cameras are expensive. From the lens to the actual camera body, you could find yourself making a lot of money by reselling camera equipment.
These cameras can range from simple digital cameras to advanced movie cameras and high-end cameras. Do your research when reselling used cameras and always look for them.
