Everything you need to know about selling on eBay, according to some of eBay’s top sellers

“You can sell all kinds of things under one storefront. I think that gives people the ability to curate.”

There’s a special place at the back of our closets reserved for that old pile of clothes likely never to see the light of day. To a resourceful bunch of reselling experts, these threads aren’t just gathering dust – they’re an untapped piggy bank. 

But the reselling game isn’t reserved solely for seasoned professionals who know how to make a quick buck off old attire. Anyone with a pile of pre-loved clothes and access to the internet can get in on the action. Below, I ask some of eBay’s top sellers to demystify successful reselling and share their tips for anyone wanting to try their hand at circular fashion.

Make an account

 eBay isn’t just e-commerce, it’s re-commerce. The platform has reinvented pre-loved fashion resale by providing a quick and easy way for anyone to get involved. Charlotte Dallison, an expert in pre-loved fashion, researched and wrote about the site for her book How to be Fabulous. What she found was a platform that made it easy for anyone to jump on and start peddling their pre-loved goods. “I think it gives people a lot more autonomy,” she says. “For one, it’s a straightforward piece of software, and it’s also so broad.” 

To get started on your reselling journey, the first step is to make an eBay account. One of eBay’s top sellers, Nina (Alignment Fashion on eBay), says the website is easy to work out, describing its interface and systems as “very user friendly”. From your account, you can add a profile picture and customise your username, creating a profile that’s protected by eBay’s vault-like security system. 

Knowing you’re protected is vital in running your account smoothly and successfully. While other reselling platforms leave security up to the user, eBay has a team of experts on hand to help out if something seems a little off, offering protections for everything outside of your control. “The security is amazing,” Nina says. “The protection on eBay is world-class.” 

Post the perfect listing

Now for the important part: posting your listing. There are millions of shoppers on eBay, meaning if you’ve got something to sell, there’ll be someone who wants it. 

When creating your eBay listing, it’s best to give your item a simple and clear title that describes exactly what it is. This might include the brand, the colour, the size and any defining features. You can add a more detailed explanation of the product in the description, as well as measurements and level of wear.

Chris (Jeans_Day on eBay), is a top seller who’s been selling on the platform for the past six years. He tells me the process is quick and simple. One of the keys to posting the perfect listing is being as clear as possible. “Make sure your description is accurate and points out any flaws the item might have,” he says. Nina recommends using keywords that are concise, and keeping your descriptions honest and detailed. 

When it comes to adding photos, you don’t need to be a professional photographer. Nina suggests that good lighting is what makes items stand out, attracting more buyers that attract more sales. Chris agrees. “Photos don’t need to be fancy,” he says. “But they should be clear so that the customer knows exactly what they’re getting.” In other words, list an item in a way that would make you want to buy it. A little more effort at this stage can result in a whole lot more interest in an item. For ease, eBay also has an image cleanup tool to help sellers create cleaner listings. 

Treat it like a business

Charlotte points out that in order to find success on eBay, it’s a good idea to run your account like it’s a small business. “You can sell all kinds of things under one storefront,” she says. “I think that gives people the ability to curate, but also to sell as much as they want or as little as they want.” 

This might mean putting aside a short window of time every day or two to focus on listing and packing orders, or responding to customer enquiries. Like you would at a shop, Chris also recommends creating some sort of inventory system that helps you keep track of ‘stock’ (your wardrobe) so that your store can run smoothly.

Understand the market

One of the keys to finding success on eBay is knowing the market you’re operating in. While almost anything can find a new home on the platform, what makes these top sellers so successful is understanding what it is that shoppers are looking for. 

Nina says that if you love fashion, you’ll already have an idea of what types of items could be resellable. “Always look at what people are wearing and consuming,” she suggests. Browse the infinite catalogue of pieces that are already listed on eBay and you’ll be able to get an idea of what people want. Nina points out that Australian designers are especially hot property on the website. Labels like Aje, Bassike and Sir the Label sell fast, both because they’re household brand names and because their garments are high quality and stand the test of time.

For Chris, while capsule pieces stand the test of time, tapping into current trends is also a great way to sell items fast. “Recently the baggy, Y2K, grunge style has been very popular,” he says. Those low-rise jeans that you bought impulsively, then felt like you couldn’t pull off? Someone on eBay is sure they can. Chris also adds that following fashion accounts on social media is a great way to find out what styles are trending at the moment. That way, you can curate your account toward the trends that are in season, resulting in sale after sale.

Quality over quantity

When you’re sifting through your wardrobe in search of old threads to list on eBay, these top sellers all recommend opting for items that scream value. “[I] carefully check that it’s a quality cut in fabric and design,” says Nina, who hand-selects every item she lists herself. In fact, her number one suggestion is to prioritise quality over quantity, paying mind to the condition of your items. 

Selling quality items also means that you’ll get a higher resale price. Buyers are more likely to pay big figures for a vintage Valentino top, a pre-loved Prada piece or a vintage Gucci dress in good condition than for something poorly looked after.  

Figure out what your item is worth

eBay has several features that help you price your items if you don’t know where to start. The pricing indicator tool reviews similar items listed on eBay and recommends a figure, helping you set a price that immediately attracts buyers. “The pricing indicator tool is also good if you don’t have any knowledge of what the item is worth,” notes Chris, adding that your own research can also help, like looking at similar listings on eBay and beyond. 

Patience is key

Sometimes items sell right away, sometimes it takes a while. Remain patient and the perfect buyer might just stumble upon your listing when the time is right – just make sure to list your item as ‘Buy it Now’ so the listing stays live until it sells.  

If you’re looking to sell something quickly, Chris says that “most items sell eventually with a low enough price”. Price your item reasonably enough so that a potential shopper can’t resist it, or find a middle ground. You can set a fixed price but ‘allow offers’ from potential buyers, allowing you to negotiate directly on price.

Take advantage of the shipping options

You’ve made a sale! Now, all you need to do is get it into your buyer’s hands safe and sound. Luckily for eBay users, delivery is made quick and easy with a seamless process that means you don’t even need to leave your house. Using Sendle, you can pack your item, write the reference number and the address on the box, then leave it at your front door for a delivery person to collect.* No printing, no post office runs, no hassle. 

Honesty is the best policy

The best way to keep your shoppers happy and ensure great reviews is to make sure you’re always truthful about your items. Nina highlights the importance of being responsive and honest, saying that “credibility is key”. Be clear in your listings and highlight any important details in your photos (like tears or stains), to ensure buyers won’t be surprised by any hidden flaws or marks in their garments. 

The reality of selling at volume is occasionally, there are mishaps. Chris emphasises that this is perfectly normal – it’s how you deal with these mishaps that will determine how your profile stands. “I always try to respond as quickly as possible to customer questions or complaints,” Chris says. “I understand that not every customer will be happy and that problems occur. Offering free returns is a great way to gain customers’ trust and put their minds at ease when shopping at my store.”

Happy selling!

Whether you’ve got a whole wardrobe that could be someone else’s, or a few items to help you make a quick buck, using eBay to resell your pre-loved clothes is a great way to make an income and reinvest the dollars back into your own closet. Easy to use and quick to sell, eBay takes away the hassle from reselling, so that you can focus on the hustle.

To begin browsing, buying and selling better, head to eBay.

*Pick-up service only offered by Sendle. Selected areas only. Sendle T&Cs apply

eBay is not endorsed by or affiliated with any of the brands referenced in this article.