Pick 1–3 categories so you don’t get overwhelmed. Great beginner-friendly options:
Small electronics (calculators, routers, game controllers, headphones)
Tools (hand tools, battery chargers, bits, meters)
Media (sealed/newer video games, niche DVDs, box sets)
Shoes (quality brands, boots, specialty sizes)
Outerwear (work jackets, vintage, name brands)
Collectibles (LEGO, action figures, niche items)
Hard goods (coffee makers, vacuums, kitchen appliances—only if testable)
Rule: Start with what you recognize. Familiarity = fewer mistakes.
Keep this in a small bag:
Smartphone with eBay app logged in
Portable charger
Measuring tape (small)
Pen + sticky notes (or Notes app)
Hand sanitizer/wipes
Flashlight (for pawn shops, garages, dim corners)
Zip bags (for small parts)
Optional: small magnet (to check stainless vs plated metals)
Before you walk in, decide:
Your max spend per item (ex: $5–$20 to start)
Your minimum profit goal (ex: $15+ profit per item)
Your minimum ROI (ex: double your money)
A simple beginner formula:
Target resale price (sold comps) – fees – shipping – supplies – risk buffer = max buy price
Garage/Yard sales
Best deals, fast decisions, unpredictable inventory
Great for: tools, media, toys, small appliances, misc bundles
Flea markets
A mix of “junk to gems” + some professional resellers
Great for: vintage items, collectibles, tools, parts, bundles
Thrift stores
Consistent sourcing, higher competition
Great for: clothing, shoes, small electronics, home goods
Pawn shops
Higher prices but often tested items
Great for: tools, electronics, instruments, gaming, jewelry (if knowledgeable)
When you find an item, do this:
Open the eBay app
Search the item using specific keywords
Brand + model + type (ex: “DeWalt DCB115 charger”)
Tap filters → turn on:
Sold items
Completed items
Sort by:
Most recent (best for fast-changing markets)
Now you’re looking at what people actually paid, not what sellers are asking.
Before you trust the price, confirm:
Exact brand
Exact model number
Size/version (GB, volts, inches, edition)
Condition (new/used/parts)
Included accessories (charger, remote, cords, manuals)
Color can matter (shoes, electronics, limited editions)
Pro tip: Model numbers are usually on a sticker/plate:
Under the item, inside battery compartments, on the back, near ports.
Use this fast estimate:
Expected sold price
Minus eBay fees (~13–15%)
Minus shipping cost
Minus supplies ($1–$3)
Minus risk buffer ($5–$10)
If the leftover isn’t worth your time, pass.
Beginner rule: Only buy if the profit is clearly there, even after shipping.
A simple way:
Look at how many sold recently vs how many are listed.
If you see frequent sold listings in the last 7–30 days, that’s a good sign.
Green flags:
Multiple solds in the last month
Similar prices (stable market)
Not too many “unsold” identical listings
Scan tables fast for brand names and hard goods
Look for:
Toolboxes, drills, chargers, hand tools
Toys in bins (LEGO, action figures, old Nintendo stuff)
Electronics with cords/remotes
Jackets, boots, quality denim
Bundle discounts:
Ask: “What would you do for all of these?”
Watch-outs:
No time to research everything—only grab what you can verify quickly
Missing parts are common
Start in the highest ROI aisles first:
Shoes
Jackets/outerwear
Electronics shelf
Bags/backpacks
Toys/collectibles
Clothing tips (beginner):
Focus on quality + condition
Check: stains, tears, pilling, missing buttons, stretched collars
Look for: workwear, outdoor brands, boots, specialty sizes
Electronics tips:
Look for model numbers
Check cords, battery covers, ports
Prefer items that can be tested or are “simple” (chargers, remotes, adapters)
Walk the whole market once (don’t buy immediately)
Note booths with:
Tools
Vintage
Electronics piles
Media/collectibles
Come back and negotiate once you’ve spotted the best deals.
Negotiation line:
“If I take a few things, what’s the best you can do for me?”
Look for items with:
Clear model numbers
Higher resale demand (tools, consoles, instruments)
Ask:
“Has this been tested?”
“What’s your return window?”
“Any flexibility on price?”
Pawn shops often price expecting negotiation.
Best pawn shop buys:
Battery tool chargers & batteries (with testing)
Consoles/controllers (if they guarantee working)
Instruments (if you know brands)
Use this on every item:
Does it power on? (if possible)
Cracks, chips, heavy wear?
Missing pieces?
Bad smells (smoke/mildew)?
Rust/water damage?
Serial/model label present?
If it fails 2+ checks, pass unless the profit is huge and you’re selling “for parts.”
Skip these until you’re experienced:
Printers (often headaches, expensive shipping, ink issues)
Large fragile items (high break risk + shipping cost)
Items missing power cords/remotes unless cheap and easy to replace
Anything you can’t identify (unknown = risk)
Best times to negotiate:
End of the day
When buying multiple items
Simple phrases:
“Would you take $X cash for this?”
“What’s your best price if I grab these three?”
“It’s missing [part], could you do $X?”
In your phone notes, record:
Item + model
Purchase price
Expected sold price
Where you bought it
Any missing parts/condition notes
This becomes your personal “what works” database.
Clean item (basic wipe down)
Test fully
Take photos in good lighting
List using:
Exact model name
Honest condition notes
Shipping weight/dimensions
Price based on recent sold comps, not current listings
High-signal items that often resell well:
Brand name tools and chargers
Video game controllers and accessories
Small kitchen appliances (good brands, tested)
Boots and durable workwear
LEGO and quality toys
Vintage niche items with model/brand identifiers