Hey friends! Happy New Year and Happy 2024!!! If you guys are just stopping by for the first time here at Rooted In Reselling, I’d like to give you a quick synopsis on what we’re all about. We’ll also talk today briefly about how to get started selling on Ebay in 2024 if you’re into trying it out, so let’s get into it shall we?!
Ebay Reselling and Me
I’ve been a reseller for around 7 or 8 years now. Professionally, at least. Personally? I’ve been grinding on the entrepreneurial wheel since early childhood. The difference is that I just didn’t know what reselling was back then, or that I was already doing it!
I’m sure a lot of you might feel the same way. Maybe you had some passion behind selling anything and everything growing up, earning a quarter here, 5 bucks there, and stashing it away for some new treasure in the future. I even had a little plastic cash register to ensure that I’d do my calculations right for my customers in my early teens. It was a whole thing.
Nowadays, I’ve sold tens of thousands of items, over several different platforms and in person. I’ve hopped on the cross-listing band wagon and scooted back off of it a few times as well. The amount of listings I put up each day has varied considerably year over year, and the categories I sell in have varied as well.
At this point in time, Ebay is now my main source of income, providing me a full-time work from home option to help build my family’s savings while paying off those pesky bills in the meantime. It’s also given me opportunities I’d have never realized before getting started selling on Ebay, as well as precious moments with my family and pets that I could never have gotten if I didn’t persist on this reselling endeavor.
Let’s chat today about how you too, can start earning an income from home by selling other peoples things they no longer want. It’s high time to get your life in the order that you want it, isn’t it?
Should Ebay Reselling be your side hustle?
If you’re just getting started selling on Ebay, or heck if you just stumbled upon reselling to begin with, I’m here for you. It’s a tricky world and to get started can be a little daunting sometimes. That’s why I ran through a million different ways of doing it before something actually stuck! I’d like to help you in figuring that out first and foremost, so that you can get it right from the very start.
Whether or not you’ve sold items in your past, in person or online, has nothing to do with being a successful reseller. A benefit, perhaps, but nonetheless, it’s not rocket science. All it takes really is some self-discipline, finding ways to keep improving, and pretty good time management skills.
*We’re just talking about the basics today, so if you’re interested in learning the nitty-gritty of it all, check out the post below when you’re finished with this one!
Related: Want To Get Started Selling On ebay Before The Holidays? Here’s How.
How Many Items Do You Need To Start an Ebay Store?
Once you have your initial items on hand, (by asking friends and family or even finding things in your own home to start with), you can set up a storefront online. I highly recommend starting with things that are free at first, so that you can keep your investment low and expenses down.
Don’t get me wrong. I love to shop the thrift stores for new treasures, (like the beautiful vases I found just recently!). All in all, I try to keep my contact circle to people that now reach out to me and can keep affordable inventory flowing inward. The lower the cost, the higher the profit peeps!
After you get a few items to list piled up, you’ll want to take some high quality pictures of different angles, tags and flaws. I’d suggest waiting until you have about 10 or so items together, so that you can batch these babies out and take less time fussing with one each day. Shoot for starting slowly, 1 listing per day, then 2, then 3, etc. etc. until you get to a number that you feel comfortable with completing consistently, and that you know you can easily replenish. When getting started selling on Ebay in 2024, be sure to list at a pace you are comfortable with.
Want inspiration? Take a look at our ebay store.
How To Take Pictures For Your Ebay Item Listings
So, you may be wondering what pictures look best on, eh?
I’d suggest simply using your iPhone or Android. Last year I switched over to the Apple world and by golly it’s been just great to me. Life with connecting devices is so much easier and efficient! Whichever you have however, is perfect for your pictures. Don’t concern yourself with needing a new camera or phone, use what you have to get started! You have to get started to get selling on Ebay.
I try to do a big batch of pictures if I have a large inventory load one weekend. Usually, though, I’ll just pick away at my death pile a little at a time so I don’t overwhelm myself. Typically I’ll grab between 20-40 items at a time, this way I can bank whatever ones I don’t end up using that day for extras in my draft bank!
Keeping a draft bank is very helpful for those days that you’re wanting to call in sick, have a family emergency or are going away. Don’t just let them sit there though, complete those listings so that when the time comes that you need them up quick, you can simply click List!
Once you have your pictures perfected, you can get going on the listing process. I like to keep things simple and quick as often as possible. The less time I spend fidgeting with what pictures I like best, the more time I can take a mental break and enjoy a snack or a walk with my dogs.
How Many Items Should You List on Your Ebay Store?
Listing is the last step before shipping. I have listed on Ebay nearly every single day for the past 6-7 years. It’s annoying at times, but it’s motivating to see consistent sales the more consistent that I stay listing.
Usually, I’ll shoot for between 15-30 listings each day, trying to at least conquer 20 minimum. I do believe that keeping a consistent number each day and listing at a consistent time each day is the best option. Unfortunately life can get in the way sometimes and that’s not always possible.
Because of this theory, I used to drive myself crazy trying to hit my minimum listings each day by exhausting myself taking pictures and uploading listings at the last minute before bed each night. After a while, I realized that this was really taking a toll on my mental health and burning me out from wanting to list at all.
So today, I list as many as I have time for. Then I take care of my mind, body and family. Just keep doing what you can each day and over time your items sold, reviews, and experience will continue to build!
However, shipping is the one thing I make sure to do each and every day, let’s talk about that next.
Shipping on Ebay and How I Do It
Shipping on Ebay can be a bit challenging at first. I promise, as with everything, it gets easier the more you do it! I suggest making note cards to hang by your shipping station to help out with knowing which bags or boxes your items should be going in.
Speaking of shipping stations, please please please create one for yourself!! Shipping when you are getting started selling on Ebay without a designated area can be hella frustrating. It can cause you to spend way more time on this task than is really needed. A good setup can get you moving through your shipping pile in no time. Stay organized, my friend!
Once your item sells, be sure to adhere to whichever option you chose when setting up your store. If you promise to get your items out within 1 business day, make sure to do so! 1 business day is what we currently use, and if you can swing it, I think it’s the best option! We’re competing with Amazon Prime these days, so the sooner the better.
Expert Tip For Improving Your Ebay Rating
Same day shipping is a smidge faster, but we like to give ourselves some breathing room in case we’re not in office at all times of the day. Don’t feel pressured to ship as everyone else does though, do what works best for you and stick to it!
Once you have your item and proper packing materials ready to go, simply pop in a thank you card if you wish, (definitely recommended!), and seal your bag. A thermal printer works best to create sticky shipping labels. However, a regular printer works just fine as well if you’re just starting out! Just make sure when you go to tape the label on the package, that you’re not covering up the barcode for your mailman!
Need supplies? Check out these links below or see our article 10 Reseller Shipping Supplies You Can’t Live Without.
Conclusion: Resellers Guide To Getting Started Selling on Ebay in 2024
Are you new to Ebay this year? Or perhaps a seasoned vet trying out some new things?
Changes are bound to happen to our platforms and our lives. So let’s keep learning and improving things together as we move along! Drop a comment if you have plans to implement any changes this year, or what you’re most concerned with as a new seller going into the Ebay world for the first time.
Let’s celebrate!
It’s a new year, new you, and a new start online!
You’ve got this!
Thank You For Reading “A Resellers Guide To Getting Started Selling on Ebay In 2024 ”!
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported us thus far on our journey. That includes today’s blog post about getting started selling on Ebay!! We deeply appreciate your ongoing readership. We hope that you will continue to visit us in the future. Please feel free to share any comments or suggestions below.
We’re always open to receiving advice, suggestions, or even hearing your own related stories! We make it a priority to remain active in the comment section and will respond to any questions promptly. We invite you to explore more helpful tips and tricks on Our Blog Posts Page while you’re here. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on our future articles!
P.S. (This will also snag you a super sweet discount code to shop our store on eBay!) If you are struggling with your journey, Rooted Drawers is here to help. Allow our team to work closely with you for an ENTIRE quarter, side by side. You’ll come out at the end feeling refreshed in your business with a new mindset and new goals to crush!
Get in touch! We look forward to making your dreams in the world of reselling come true.
Talk to you soon!