Checklist for New Resellers: Before Listing Your First Item

Starting a reselling business is an exciting way to make extra income, but before you list your first item, you need to have the right tools and setup. A little prep now can save you time and frustration later, trust me!

This checklist will walk you through everything you need like accounts, supplies, and essential tools, so you can start selling with confidence instead of confusion. 

And if you ever feel like you’d rather have a clear, step-by-step guide instead of figuring it all out on your own, I’ve put together Reseller Roadmap, where I share the exact process I use to run my own reselling business.

Ok, let’s get into the must-have items every new reseller needs.

Create Your Seller Accounts

Before you can start selling, you’ll need to set up accounts on the right platforms. The most popular options for resellers are:

• eBay: Best for a wide variety of items, from clothing to electronics. This one definitely has the most buyers on it, but it can be a bit more confusing to get started. Fees average around 13%
• Poshmark: Ideal for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Poshmark provides a simple shipping process with prepaid labels, but the 20% fees are higher than the other two options.
• Mercari: Great for a wide variety of items as well. Easy to list on, but I find not as many shoppers so sales may be a bit slower. Fees are 10%.

Each platform has different fees and policies, so take a few minutes to review their terms.

My personal take: eBay and Poshmark do the best for me! If you’re new and plan on doing mostly fashion, or even stuff like home decor, Poshmark is easier for beginners. Use the code AILEENBARKER when you sign up to get a $10 credit to shop there!

Shipping & Packing Supplies

The right shipping supplies make the process smoother and will prevent delays. Here’s what you should have on hand to get started:

Shipping Supplies

• Shipping Scale: A shipping scale will help you accurately weigh packages which is important for eBay abd Mercari. If you sell on Poshmark and your packages are under 5 lbs, you might not need a scale (their labels cover up to 5lbs)
• Measuring Tape or Ruler: These are great to help calculate shipping costs because dimensions are used on eBay and Mercari. Also be helpful if selling items that you want to provide measurements for. I try to include measurements for clothing so potential buyers can decide if it’ll fit.
• Poly Mailers: Lightweight and great for shipping clothes! My favorite sizes to keep in stock are 10×13 and 12×15.
• Shipping Boxes: If you’re selling shoes, electronics, or fragile items, you’ll need boxes. Used (clean) boxes are usually fine for this! Walmart has cheap boxes so I just keep a couple of each in stock since I don’t do a lot of items that need boxing.
• Packing Tape: Only needed if you’re taping up boxes. If you’re selling clothes and shipping in a poly mailers you can skip this.
• Bubble Wrap or Packing Paper: If you’re shipping delicate items, some packing paper or bubble wrap is important. Even if you’re only selling clothes, sometimes you come across items that would be best padded so it’s great to have a little on hand.

Free Shipping Supplies from USPS

Did you know you can get free Priority Mail boxes from USPS? These work perfectly when shipping through Poshmark, since all their labels are Priority Mail. For eBay and Mercari, you can use these boxes only when purchasing Priority Mail shipping.  🔗 Order free USPS shipping supplies here

Inventory & Storage Essentials

Keeping your inventory organized from the start will save you time and frustration when sales start rolling in. Here’s what you need to store and manage your items efficiently.

Storage Solutions

• Storage Bins or Boxes: Clear bins with lids keep items dust-free, organized, and help you see what’s inside. Alternatively, some sellers like to put their inventory in clear bags and file them in skinny boxes to easily flip through.
• Shelving Units: Stack bins or display items for easy access! I got mine at Costco, but this is similar. I’ve also seen them used at yard sales and on Facebook marketplace.
• Clothing Racks & Hangers: Prevent wrinkles and make it easier to photograph and ship clothing. I usually hang bulky or easily wrinkled items.
• Ziplock Bags or Clear Poly Bags: Protect items from dust, moisture, and odors. I usually keep these sizes in stock: 10×13 and 12×15
• Labels:  Mark bins and inventory for quick identification. I simply use shipping labels on my bins and my bags of items.

💰 Budget-Friendly & Free Options

• Use cardboard boxes from deliveries or grocery stores instead of bins.
• Save free hangers from thrift stores or retail stores when you purchase items.
• Repurpose shoeboxes for small items like jewelry, electronics, or accessories.
• Store clothing in drawers or under-bed storage if you’re short on space.

✅ Pro Tip: Keeping a simple inventory spreadsheet helps track where items are stored and what’s listed.

Tech & Tools to Make Selling Easier

While you don’t need a ton of fancy equipment to start reselling, having the right tools can make the process smoother.

✅ Need: Must-Have Tools to Get Started

• Smartphone or Camera: A phone with a good camera works fine for listing photos. You can also use your phone to list, though I highly prefer a computer.
• Shipping Scale: Essential for accurate postage and avoiding shipping mistakes.
• Printer for Shipping Labels: A basic inkjet printer with these types of labels works (but a thermal label printer makes things easier when you’re higher volume! This is the one I use.) 

⭐ Nice to Have: Tools That Make Reselling Easier

• Ring Light or Photography Lights: Improves photo quality, especially in low-light areas. Box lights are popular because they create a soft lighting, but they’re kind of bulky. I prefer a ring light.
• White Backdrops or Foam Boards: Helps create clean, professional-looking photos.
• Thermal Label Printer: No ink required and prints labels quickly.
• Crosslisting Tools: Services like Vendoo help you sell on multiple platforms. Use this link to get 25% off your first month. I also have a full Vendoo review post here.

💰 Free & Budget-Friendly Alternatives

• Use natural light instead of a ring light by setting up near a bright window.
• Instead of a backdrop, use a plain white sheet or poster board from the dollar store.
• Don’t have a printer or money for labels? Try printing your labels at a library or office store. Usually this costs less than a dollar.

Business & Financial Setup

Before you start selling, it’s important to have a basic system in place to track your earnings and expenses. This will help you stay organized and make tax time easier.

Essential Business & Financial Tools

• Separate Bank Account: Keeping your reselling income separate makes tracking profits easier. Just head to your bank and open a free checking account and use this for all of your business activities.
• Spreadsheets or Accounting Software: A simple Google Sheets spreadsheet can track sales, fees, and expenses. I created the Reseller Dashboard specifically for resellers to help track things, but for more advanced tracking, consider something like Quickbooks.
• Mileage Tracker App: If you’re sourcing inventory from thrift stores or garage sales, tracking your mileage can be a tax deduction. Free apps like MileIQ work well. 

Free & Budget-Friendly Alternatives

• Use Google Sheets instead of paid accounting software.
• Track expenses manually with a notebook if you prefer a paper system.

Setting up these basic financial tools now, before things get busy, will save you a lot of hassle as your reselling business grows. Trust me, I learned the hard way! 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this list has given you some ideas on what you need to get started and feel prepared with reselling. Want to skip the guesswork? My course, Reseller Roadmap, walks you through everything step-by-step so you can start making money faster and avoid common beginner mistakes. I designed it specifically for newer resellers who need a clear, simple process to follow!