Make the Most of the Market
At first glance, eBay looks like an oversaturated market with no room for new items. The problem is, you have dozens of shirts and old books sitting at home, just waiting for their next adventure. Well, you’re in luck—eBay remains one of the best spots to sell gently used goods, and we’re here to break down which items always rake in money!
Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash
1. Clothing
We know clothing sounds a little vague, but you can actually use that to your advantage. Would-be customers love a good bargain, so don’t shy away from listing any item that’s still in good condition. Simple tees, denim, jackets, and even something like water shoes can sell surprisingly well.
2. Luxury Accessories
Of course, not everyone wants thrift store finds—sometimes, they want a good deal on luxury accessories from high-end brands. People pay big bucks for Chanel and Hermes bags. They’ll also spring for watches or jewelry.
3. Silverware
Today’s kids don’t always appreciate a good set of silver. However, they’re slowly hopping on the bandwagon, understanding that it’s better to have fancy dishes for life’s big events. Silverware is always a good eBay option, especially if it’s unopened or in complete sets.
4. “Vintage” Finds
Everyone and their grandma wants vintage finds nowadays. (Grandma probably has a treasure trove of her own.) Sweaters, canisters, and even dishes all come with those adorable cottage core aesthetics that people dream of. They might look campy to you, but those cableknit sweaters could score a fortune.
5. Collectibles
Collectibles trickle into every niche—video games, rare books, and even discontinued toys can earn a nice paycheck online. Be as specific as you can in your listings; people usually spend months hunting for the perfect item, so the more details you have, the more eyes you can attract.
6. Old Comic Books
Comic book culture hasn’t gone anywhere! While you can find most popular titles in Barnes and Noble, rarer comics are reserved for online platforms. They don’t need to be in plastic either; well-loved reads still entice nerds across the internet, and you never know which like-minded person you’ll stumble across.
7. Car Parts
We all want the best for our cars, but those parts can cost an arm and a leg. Sure, your local mechanic “knows a guy,” but who knows how much that will cost or when the parts will even arrive. With eBay, you can find exactly what you’re looking for, including rarer items for classic cars or basic parts at a discount.
8. Garden Goods
Gardening is a pretty popular pastime, which means a nice payday for you. If you have anything like watering cans or vertical gardening solutions, you can easily pop those onto eBay. A lot of people are looking for indoor gardening tools as well, so anything you have to make their lives easier can go over well.
9. Books
Books cost a fortune. Not everyone wants to go to the library for the latest bestseller, either. That’s where you come in. Discounted books go over well with anyone—even if you need to wait a while in such a saturated market, rest assured, they’ll be out the door soon enough.
10. Refurbished Gadgets
We’d love to have a working iPod again…if only we knew how to repair one. It’s a common plight, one that encourages plenty of interest in refurbished gadgets. Laptops, radios, and even vintage tech like CD players or VHS players can all score a fortune.
11. Consoles
Vintage finds aren’t only about clothing. They can play into nostalgic video games and consoles, too! If you have a classic console sitting around (or old video games), you can always list them and see what kind of interest you attract. They sell more often than you’d think.
12. Body Oils
It might seem strange to grab beauty items online, but cleansers and perfumes cost a lot of money. If someone can offer everyday beauty at a discount, you bet someone else will buy it. The best part is, those products don’t always need to be unopened either; some customers are more than willing to spring for perfume that’s only been used once or twice. (Just make sure you check eBay’s restrictions first!)
Enecta Cannabis extracts on Unsplash
13. Shoes
The market for shoes exploded in recent years, especially on eBay. Stellar kicks run several hundred dollars, but if you’re willing to part with yours for a little less, you can actually clean up with sales.
14. Workout Gear
They say walking is the least expensive workout there is—but you still need shoes, good clothing, a decent sports bra, and, you know, the time! Though you can’t provide more hours in the day, you can offer foam rollers and workout mats to eager customers.
15. Sunglasses
Our collection of sunglasses would be a lot bigger if they didn’t cost so much! On eBay, however, people browse dozens of pages for the best deals. List what you have online and watch the offers roll in; it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, people will always need UV protection.
16. Wireless Headphones
The average person doesn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on headphones. That said, they will spring for a decent set. It’s a win-win all around; you can still nab a fair price, while customers can save a little green on a beloved accessory.
17. Storage
Finding ideal storage isn’t as easy as it sounds. Some customers can spend hours searching for the right jewelry box or a sturdy set of storage cubes. We know eBay seems flooded with options, but that doesn’t mean your items aren’t welcome. People will always need choices, so list what you have!
18. Pet Supplies
As much as we love our pets, those furry rascals cost a lot of money. The thing is, you can’t always escape the vet bills or medication—but you can score deals on bedding, toys, and treats. Trust us, pet parents will thank you!
19. Handcrafted Items
Etsy is flooded with AI art and dropshippers at this point, but eBay remains blessedly untouched. If you have a talent for crochet animals or pottery, consider making a side gig online. It doesn’t have to be stressful, either; you can upload whenever you have time!
Daria Nepriakhina 🇺🇦 on Unsplash
20. Rare Toys
Did you have a favorite Beanie Baby as a kid? What about a special Barbie? Maybe you distinctly remember an ‘80s LEGO set. Whatever the case may be, eBay is the best place to find rare toys—and the best place to list them.
