Reselling Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Starting a reselling business is exciting! You’re turning clutter and other people’s trash into extra cash. But let’s be real: everyone makes mistakes when they’re starting out. I did! The good news? You can learn from my (and many other resellers’) trial and error.
Below are some of the most common reselling mistakes beginners make and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
Buying Too Much Inventory Too Soon
I totally get it! The thrill of the hunt is real. When you first start reselling, it’s tempting to buy all the things. I’ve even struggled with this a bit 10+ years in. But stocking up on inventory before you know what actually sells is one of the biggest beginner mistakes. It doesn’t just waste time, it also wastes your money and can bring your whole business down before you even start.
What to do: Start small and test different categories to see what sells best for you. Need sourcing ideas? Check out this guide on finding your first resale items to help you get started the right way.
Forgetting to Check for Flaws
You spend time sourcing, find some great items, bring them home, start to take photos, and whoops, there’s a hole, stain, or missing button you didn’t notice. Now you’ve spent your time and money on items you might not be able to sell. People donate things for a variety of reasons, but one of them is that it’s flawed or damaged in some way.
What to do: Always inspect items thoroughly before buying and if you do decide to sell something with a flaw, make sure you include photos AND a disclaimer in the description.
Hoarding Inventory
It’s fun to source inventory, but if those items are sitting in a pile instead of getting listed, they’re not making you money. In fact, the market is always changing so if it looks like a good buy today, that doesn’t mean it’ll bring the same profit in two months if you wait too long to list it.
What to do: Make sure you list as much as you source. Set goals or limits to ensure that items you purchase get listed in a timely manner. (I created this visual listing tracker to keep me motivated!)
Ignoring Fees and Shipping Costs
One of the fastest ways to lose money as a reseller? Buying items without factoring in platform fees and shipping costs. Every platform (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, etc.) takes a cut of your sale, and shipping costs can eat into your profits if you’re not careful.
What to do: Before purchasing an item, make sure you know what you will profit after any costs like shipping or fees. This guide on pricing items will help you find that sweet spot where items sell fast and make you money.
Taking Lazy Photos
Blurry, dark, or cluttered photos can make even the best items hard to sell. Buyers need to see clear, well-lit images to feel confident in purchasing from you.
What to do: Good photos don’t require a fancy camera. Your phone and some natural light will do just fine. Make sure to include multiple angles, show details, and use a plain background. For more tips, check out this guide on taking photos for eBay & Poshmark.
Bad Titles and Descriptions
A title that just says “Nike Shoes Size 9” isn’t going to cut it. Buyers need details! You need to use keywords! If your title or description is too vague and doesn’t use the words people would use to search for that item, you’re going to miss out on sales.
What to do: Include brand, size, condition, measurements, and any relevant keywords. Be as detailed as possible so buyers know exactly what they’re getting. The more info, the better!
Not Understanding Return Policies
If you don’t know how returns work on each platform, you could end up accepting returns you didn’t have to or dealing with unhappy buyers.
What to do: Read up on return policies for eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. Some platforms, like Poshmark, don’t allow returns unless an item is misrepresented. Need a breakdown? This guide on returns & refunds covers everything you need to know.
Overpricing or Underpricing Items
Pricing too high? Your items might sit forever. Pricing too low? You’re leaving money on the table. Both are common beginner mistakes. Pricing can be tricky!
What to do: Research “sold comps” (completed sales of similar items) before pricing. Platforms like eBay let you filter for sold listings, which is a great way to find the right price range. If you’re unsure, this guide on pricing walks you through how to do it properly.
Skipping Organization from the Start
Lost items, delayed shipping, and a messy workspace can make reselling way more stressful than it needs to be. I hate to admit it, but in the years I’ve been reselling, when my inventory got disorganized, I have had to cancel sales because I couldn’t find an item.
What to do: Keep inventory organized from day one. Use labeled bins, a simple inventory spreadsheet (free!), or whatever works best for you to track what you have listed and sold. A little organization now saves a ton of headaches later.
Getting Discouraged Quickly
Reselling isn’t always instant money. Some items take time to sell, scaling your reselling business takes upfront work, extra time, and a learning curve before you see results. Too many beginners give up after a few slow weeks!
What to do: Be patient. Focus on sourcing great items and listing them at a competitive price. Check your sales regularly, but focus on listing quality items instead of overanalyzing slow periods. Consistency in reselling almost always pays off!
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are part of the learning process, but if I can save you from a few of them so you can grow your reselling business I’m happy to do so! That’s why I love sharing what I’ve learned with others.
I started as a mom just trying to make some extra money, and now I’ve built a reselling business that works for my life and outlined everything in the Reseller Roadmap for anyone looking for extra guidance. (Use code “MISTAKES” for a discount!)
Here’s to learning from our mistakes and building successful businesses!
