Is Reselling Profitable? Is It Still Worth It in 2025?

I get asked this question all the time: “Is reselling really worth it?”

And I get it. Reselling sounds almost too simple — buy something cheap, sell it for more, pocket the profit. But does it actually work once you factor in fees, time, and effort? Isn’t there too much competition to make any money these days?

But the short answer is yes, reselling can absolutely be profitable. The longer answer: it depends on your strategy, your goals, and how much time you want to put into it.

I’ve been reselling on and off for years, so let me break it down for you. We’ll talk about the good, the bad, and whether it’s something you should try.

👉 Brand new to reselling? My free training walks you step-by-step to your first $500.

What Is Reselling?

Reselling is one of the simplest side hustles out there. You find an item for a low price and flip it for more. Sounds easy, right? The idea is simple, but it does take hard work to do it well.

Most people (myself included) start with stuff around the house: clothes, shoes, kitchen gadgets, books. From there, you can branch into sourcing inventory from thrift stores, garage sales, outlet stores, etc. There are sourcing opportunities everywhere! I literally find things in the clearance aisle at Walmart.

The most popular platforms are eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Marketplace. Each has its own fees and quirks, but the general idea is the same: list, sell, ship, repeat.

Is Reselling Profitable?

Here’s the honest truth: reselling IS profitable. How profitable depends on so many factors.

For example, I usually average about $10 profit per item after fees and shipping. That might not sound like much, but when you’re selling dozens of items a month, it adds up. For example, selling 80–100 items in a month can bring in $800–$1,000 profit.

Some resellers go bigger. I know resellers who focus on high-ticket items (like luxury shoes or electronics) and profit $50–$200 per item. Others run live shows on platforms like Jamble or Whatnot and move hundreds of items a week. 

(If you want to try live selling, go download JAMBLE and use the code AILEEN0LUJ for a $10 credit to shop & try it out!)

Alternatively, some people never really figure out the sourcing or pricing part (arguably the two hardest parts) and give up because it feels like too much work for too little money.

So the real answer? It depends on what you’re selling, where you’re sourcing, and how much effort you put in, but yes. There are millions of resellers out there making a profit!

Pros of Reselling

There’s a reason so many people start with reselling as a side hustle.

• Low startup cost: You can start with zero upfront by selling things from your own home.
• Flexible schedule: Perfect for evenings, weekends, or even nap time.
• Quick cash flow: Once you have lots of desirable items listed, you make daily sales.
• Scalable: You can keep it small or build it into a full-time business.
• Teaches business basics: You’ll learn pricing, customer service, inventory, and marketing. I like to call reselling a gateway business because it helps you build skills you can carry into other businesses.

Cons of Reselling

Let’s be real, reselling isn’t perfect.

• Time-consuming: Sourcing, photographing, listing, and shipping take effort.
• Space required: If you scale up, you will need a space to store your inventory.
• Inconsistent sales: Some weeks are busy, others are dead.
• Platform fees: Most platforms take a cut of your sales (they need to make money too!)
• Not passive: If you stop listing, your income usually slows down quickly.

For me, these cons are why I don’t rely 100% on reselling anymore. It’s a great cash flow business, but not the most passive way to make money long-term.

Who Is Reselling Worth It For?

Worth it for:

• Stay-at-home parents who want flexible extra cash.
• People who enjoy thrifting, treasure hunting, or bargain shopping.
• Anyone who needs quick cash and can put in a little time.
• People who enjoy hunting for inventory and hustling

Not worth it for:

• People who hate clutter or don’t have space for storage.
• Anyone looking for 100% passive income.
• People who don’t want to deal with buyers, shipping, or customer service.

Common Myths About Reselling (and the Truth)

Whenever I talk about reselling, I hear the same objections over and over again. So let’s clear a few of them up:

Myth #1: “There’s no profit after fees and shipping.”

This one makes me laugh because it’s only true if you’re buying the wrong items. Yes, eBay and Poshmark take fees, and yes, shipping costs money. But the important thing to remember is that you have to source and price your items with that in mind. On average, I still profit about $10 per item after all of that. If you’re smart about sourcing and pricing, there’s plenty of margin left!

👉 Want me to show you exactly how to source and price for profit? My Reseller Roadmap breaks it all down step by step! I created it to help all the people in my inbox asking me for help with reselling.

Myth #2: “It’s too saturated to make money now.”

I get it, it feels like everyone is selling online. But here’s the thing: the secondhand market is massive and still growing. Every day, new buyers come online looking for deals. If you know how to look up what items are selling and have the patience to comb through thrift stores and clearance racks, you CAN find the items buyers are looking for.

Myth #3: “You need to sell luxury items to make real money.”

Not true! I rarely find any luxury or designer items. In fact, I rarely find anything that can sell for over $50. Sure, luxury resellers exist, but you don’t have to sell $500 designer bags. (Honestly, higher end items stress me out more!) I make consistent profit on bread-and-butter items like mall brand jeans, athletic shoes, and jackets. The small flips add up faster than people realize. And you want to know a secret? They can sell faster because it’s easier to drop $25 on something than it is to drop $250.

Myth #4: “You need tons of space for inventory.”

Do you need a warehouse? Absolutely not. I started with one closet and graduated to a garage. I have also rented a regular storage unit for $90. You only need more space if you want to scale big. Until then, a couple of bins in your closet or a shelf in the garage is more than enough. Here’s how I organize my inventory.

Myth #5: “You need professional equipment.”

Nope. I’ve sold thousands of items using nothing but my iPhone and a window for lighting. Do better photos help? Sure. But you don’t need studio lights or a fancy camera to get started. Don’t overcomplicate it. If you do want to invest in something? My top two are good lighting and a label printer. Other than those and shipping supplies (these are my favorite polymailers), you don’t need much.

My Honest Verdict

So, is reselling profitable? Yes, if you’re smart about it.

Is it worth it? That depends on your goals.

If you’re looking for a flexible way to bring in $300–$1,000 a month, reselling can absolutely get you there. If you want a totally passive business that runs without you, reselling probably isn’t the right fit.

For me, reselling has been a steady income stream that supported my family when I needed it, and it’s still something I do today. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it works when I need it.

👉 Want to give it a try? I put together a free reseller training that walks you step-by-step through how to make your first $500 reselling. You can grab it here!