How to Start Reselling in 2026

Reselling is the practice of buying items at a lower price and selling them at a higher price for profit. It's one of the oldest forms of commerce, and in the digital age, it's become accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

Modern resellers source products from thrift stores, retail clearance, online arbitrage, liquidation pallets, garage sales, and wholesale suppliers. They then list these items on marketplaces like eBay, StockX, Depop, Grailed, and others.

The key to successful reselling is finding items that are undervalued in one market and selling them where demand (and prices) are higher.

Reselling offers unique advantages that make it an attractive business model:

• Low startup costs: Start with as little as $50-100 buying items to flip
• Flexible schedule: Work whenever you want, from anywhere
• Scalable income: Grow from side hustle to full-time business
• Learn valuable skills: Marketing, photography, customer service, negotiation
• No inventory creation: You're selling existing products, not manufacturing
• Quick cash flow: Many platforms pay out within days of a sale

The resale market has exploded into a global phenomenon. The industry is projected to reach $350B+ globally by 2027, driven by sustainability trends and digital-native shopping habits.

Here's what makes 2026 the best time to start reselling:

• Live selling is exploding: Whatnot has grown massively, and eBay Live GMV increased 5x year-over-year. Real-time selling creates new opportunities for resellers to move inventory faster.
• AI tools are transforming listings: AI-generated product descriptions, automated background removal, and smart pricing suggestions make listing faster and more professional than ever.
• Crosslisting is the new standard: Tools like Vendoo, List Perfectly, and Closo let you list once and publish to 10+ platforms simultaneously, multiplying your reach without extra work.
• Tax relief for small sellers: The 1099-K threshold returned to $20,000/200 transactions after the OBBBA passed in 2025, reducing the reporting burden for casual resellers.
• Sustainability drives demand: Secondhand shopping is mainstream. Gen Z drives 40%+ of thrift and resale purchases, viewing it as both economical and environmentally responsible.

The barriers to entry have never been lower, and the tools to scale have never been better. 2026 is the year to jump in.

While you can resell almost anything, focusing on a niche helps you:

• Develop expertise and spot deals faster
• Build a reputation with repeat buyers
• Understand market prices without constant research
• Create efficient workflows for listing and shipping

Choose a niche based on your interests, local sourcing opportunities, and profit margins. Don't pick something just because it's trendy—pick something you can learn deeply.

Here are the most profitable reselling niches in 2026:

• Nostalgia tech: Vintage digital cameras (Canon PowerShot, Nikon Coolpix), VCR/DVD combos, Walkmans. Gen Z's "low fidelity" aesthetic trend drives demand. Source for $5-15, sell for $75-250. Platforms: eBay, Depop
• Outdoor/Gorpcore fashion: Vintage Patagonia, Arc'teryx, North Face fleeces. 90s patterns especially hot. Platforms: Depop, Grailed, Poshmark
• Home decor & vintage glass: "Grandma-core" trend—mushroom motifs, colored Depression glass, needlepoint art. Platforms: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Etsy
• Sneakers: Limited releases, collaborations, vintage Nike/Jordan. Market has matured—margins tighter on hyped releases, but vintage/used sneakers increasingly profitable. Platforms: StockX, eBay, Grailed
• Streetwear: Supreme, Palace, BAPE, Off-White. Platforms: Grailed, StockX, Depop
• Vintage clothing: 80s/90s band tees, vintage denim, sportswear. Platforms: Depop, eBay, Grailed
• Trading cards: Sealed Pokemon boxes, One Piece TCG, sports cards, MTG. Sealed vintage products command highest premiums. Platforms: eBay, StockX, Whatnot
• Electronics: Phones, gaming consoles, laptops. Platforms: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari
• Designer goods: Luxury bags, watches, authenticated items. Platforms: eBay, The RealReal
• Toys & collectibles: LEGO, Funko Pops, vintage toys. Platforms: eBay, Mercari, Whatnot

Finding inventory at the right price is the foundation of reselling. The best resellers develop multiple sourcing channels to maintain consistent inventory flow.

Your goal is to buy items for 20-50% of their selling price, leaving room for fees, shipping, and profit.

• Thrift stores: Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrifts. Best for vintage clothing, unique finds. Go often—inventory rotates daily.
• Retail arbitrage: Clearance sections at Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx. Scan items with the Amazon/eBay app to find markdowns selling for more online.
• Garage/estate sales: Best prices on weekends. Arrive early for best selection, but late for better negotiation.
• Online arbitrage: Buy discounted items online to resell. Check Slickdeals, Honey, and retailer flash sales.
• Liquidation pallets: Buy returned/overstock merchandise by the pallet from B-Stock, BULQ, or Direct Liquidation.
• Wholesale: Buy in bulk from manufacturers or distributors. Higher upfront cost but better margins at scale.
• Retail drops: For sneakers/streetwear, enter raffles and buy at retail to resell limited items above retail.

Different platforms attract different buyers and have different fee structures. Most resellers use 2-3 platforms to maximize exposure.

Consider these factors when choosing:

• Platform fees (typically 10-15% of sale price)
• Payment processing fees
• Buyer demographics and what sells well
• Shipping options and seller protections
• Listing requirements and effort

Platform	Best For	Fees	Pros
eBay	Everything, especially electronics, collectibles, trading cards	~13-15%	Huge audience, auction option, buyer trust
Mercari	General items, electronics, fashion	0% + $2 withdrawal	No selling fees, simple interface, fast checkout
Depop	Vintage fashion, Gen Z buyers	~3-4%	Payment processing only, social features, young audience
Poshmark	Women's fashion, designer goods	20% or $2.95 flat	Social selling, built-in audience, prepaid labels
StockX	Sneakers, streetwear, trading cards, electronics	9-10%	Anonymous, no photos needed, price transparency
Whatnot	Live selling, collectibles, trading cards, sports cards	~11%	Real-time engagement, impulse buying, community building
Facebook Marketplace	Furniture, large items, local deals	0% for local	Free for local pickup, huge local audience
Grailed	Men's fashion, streetwear, designer	~13%	Fashion-focused audience, great for rare pieces
Etsy	Vintage (20+ years), handmade, craft supplies	~12%	Niche audience, great for vintage and unique items

Live selling has exploded in 2026, offering a completely different approach to reselling. Instead of static listings, you sell items live on camera to an engaged audience.

Whatnot is the dominant live selling platform, with eBay Live growing 5x year-over-year. Both platforms allow real-time auctions and fixed-price sales during live streams.

Why Live Selling Works

• Real-time engagement: Answer questions instantly, build trust, and create urgency
• Impulse purchases: Live auctions trigger FOMO and competitive bidding
• Faster inventory turnover: Sell dozens of items in a single 2-hour stream
• Community building: Regular viewers become repeat buyers and fans
• Lower barriers: No need for perfect photos or detailed listings

Best Categories for Live Selling

• Trading cards (Pokemon, sports cards, One Piece)
• Collectibles (Funko, LEGO, vintage toys)
• Fashion (mystery boxes, bundles)
• Sports memorabilia

Getting Started with Live Selling

• Start small—test with low-value inventory to learn the format
• Engage with chat actively—viewers want interaction, not a sales pitch
• Build a consistent schedule—regular streams build a following
• Use good lighting and a clean background
• Promote your streams on social media to drive viewers

Pricing is both art and science. Here's how to price items effectively:

1. Research sold listings: Check eBay "Sold" filter, StockX sales history, or Grailed sold items for the same product.
2. Account for condition: Adjust price based on wear, defects, or missing pieces.
3. Calculate your floor: Add up purchase cost + fees + shipping supplies to know your minimum price.
4. Consider competition: If 20 people are selling the same item, you may need to undercut or wait.
5. Leave negotiation room: Price 10-15% above your target to allow for offers.

Great listings sell items faster and at higher prices. Focus on these elements:

Photography

• Use natural lighting or a lightbox
• White or neutral background
• Multiple angles: front, back, sides, tags, flaws
• Show scale (items on a mannequin or model perform better)

Title

• Include brand, model, size, color, condition
• Use keywords buyers search for
• Example: "Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Chicago Size 10 DS"

Description

• Be honest about condition and flaws
• Include measurements for clothing
• State shipping times and return policy
• Tell a story if it adds value (vintage provenance, limited release)

Efficient shipping protects your margins and keeps buyers happy. Note that USPS rates increased in January 2026, making discounted shipping tools even more critical.

• Use free supplies: USPS offers free Priority boxes. eBay and Pirate Ship offer discounted labels.
• Pirate Ship: Now offers both USPS and UPS discounted rates—up to 87% savings vs retail. It's free to use and often the cheapest option.
• Buy supplies in bulk: Poly mailers, bubble mailers, and tape from Amazon in bulk saves 50%+ vs retail.
• Calculate shipping before listing: Weigh and measure items to quote accurately.
• Offer free shipping: Build it into the price—buyers prefer "free shipping" psychologically.
• Ship fast: Same-day or next-day shipping builds reputation and earns positive reviews.
• Always track: Use tracking numbers on every shipment. Never ship without proof of delivery.

In 2026, the right tools are the difference between struggling manually and scaling efficiently. Here are the essential categories:

Crosslisting Tools

• Vendoo: $8.99-69.99/month. List once, publish to 10+ platforms simultaneously.
• List Perfectly: Similar to Vendoo with different pricing tiers.
• Closo: Newer option with competitive pricing.

These tools save hours by syncing inventory, updating quantities, and deleting sold items across all platforms automatically.

AI Listing Tools

• AI-generated descriptions: Create compelling product descriptions in seconds
• Background removal: Tools like remove.bg make photos look professional instantly
• Auto-pricing: AI suggests competitive prices based on market data

Shipping Tools

• Pirate Ship: Free. Cheapest USPS/UPS rates, up to 87% savings over retail.
• eBay shipping labels: Built-in discounts for eBay sellers.

Inventory Management

• ResellAIO: Track inventory, calculate true profits across platforms, see margins in real-time.
• Spreadsheets: Fine for starting out, but you'll outgrow them quickly.

Price Research

• eBay sold listings: The gold standard for market research.
• StockX price history: See historical trends for sneakers, cards, and streetwear.
• Keepa: Amazon price tracking to find arbitrage opportunities.

Authentication

• Entrupy: AI-powered authentication for luxury goods.
• PSA/BGS: Professional grading for trading cards—essential for high-value sales.

Many resellers fail because they don't track their true profits. What feels like a $50 profit might be $20 after fees and costs.

Track these metrics for every sale:

• Purchase price (cost of goods)
• Platform fees (commission, payment processing)
• Shipping costs (labels, boxes, tape)
• Time invested (your hourly rate matters)
• Other expenses (storage, supplies, mileage)

Use inventory management software to automate tracking. Spreadsheets work at first, but dedicated tools save hours and reduce errors as you scale.

Once you're consistently profitable, here's how to grow:

1. Reinvest profits: Put 50-70% of profits back into inventory to compound growth.
2. Improve sourcing: Find new channels, build relationships, buy in larger quantities for better prices.
3. Optimize listings: Test different photos, titles, and prices to improve sell-through rate.
4. Expand platforms: Cross-list to reach more buyers (use tools to sync inventory).
5. Outsource low-value tasks: Hire help for shipping, photography, or listing as volume grows.
6. Develop systems: Create SOPs for every task so the business runs smoothly.

Learn from others' mistakes to accelerate your success:

• Buying before researching: Always check sold prices before purchasing inventory.
• Ignoring fees: A $100 sale is really $70-75 after fees. Calculate profit BEFORE buying.
• Holding too long: Sitting inventory ties up capital. Price to sell, not to maximize every sale.
• Poor record keeping: Not tracking costs leads to thinking you're profitable when you're not.
• Spreading too thin: Master one niche and platform before expanding.
• Ignoring customer service: Bad reviews tank your visibility. Resolve issues quickly and professionally.
• Not treating it like a business: Separate finances, track mileage, save for taxes.
• Not using tools: Manual tracking and single-platform listing is leaving money on the table in 2026. Crosslisting and automation tools are essential at scale.
• Ignoring live selling: Even if you don't sell live yourself, understanding the channel helps you price competitively and spot trends.
• Over-relying on one platform: Platform policy changes can tank your business overnight. Diversify across 2-3 platforms minimum.
• Skipping authentication for high-value items: Returns and chargebacks on fake luxury goods or trading cards will destroy your reputation and profit margins.