22-09-2025 12:00 PM
Hello, I'm new to eBay and want to sell as a source of extra income. Are there any tools anyone can help me with in identifying high-selling items, etc (any aids in the seller process)? (Thanks in advance)
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22-09-2025 4:03 PM - edited 22-09-2025 4:12 PM
If you are trading (making or buying to sell) then having a business account is the only way to be complaint with consumer protection requirements on ebay. It's not really free to sell for private sellers as ebay still take their cut from what your buyer agrees to pay it's just a technicality that they are charging the buyer not seller. The buyer still only pays what they are willing to pay and you still only end up keeping some of that.
A shop is optional for a business sellers there is a 'pay as you sell' price, although yes you would still have to pay per listing, without needing to pay ongoing fixed costs unless you see enough advantages to pay ongoing for a shop.
In terms of items I'd suggest you don't jump into what sells well as that's what everyone else will be doing so loads of competition - have a think about what areas of expertise you might have in certain types of items that you could use to your advantage in being able to source cheaply and selling at good prices and of course being interesting to you.
Find your niche - good luck.
22-09-2025 12:55 PM
Good Afternoon mic
Just take your time, and do your research ie look at what certain items sell for. Do not jump into the deep end, in other words start off by selling low value items until you build up your knowledge, confidence and feedback score. There is no such thing as a high selling item,unless it is something like a Rolex or gold etc etc.
Sometimes the most unexpected and insignificant item can catch fire and sell for an unexpected high price.
Describe everything in detail and honestly, warts and all. Plenty of good,clear pictures help. Don't get disappointed if something doesn't sell. Don't be tempted to start an auction off at say 99p as you may finish up selling it for 0.99p. Start at the minimum amount that you would be happy with to cover your costs and show you a profit.
Don't advertise anything 'iffy'. Don't sell outside of eBay. Just remember the secret of success is to get it right first time.
Good luck
22-09-2025 1:32 PM
If you are buying items to sell (ie not just clearing your house) then make sure you register as a Business Seller, not a Private Seller.
22-09-2025 3:17 PM - edited 22-09-2025 3:18 PM
@mic_326188 do not start as a business seller on Ebay straight away. Business sellers pay listing fees each month or a shop subscription. Start as a private seller, selling your own bits and bobs, and if and when you feel comfortable to do so you can convert to a business. You cannot convert back, but you can have both private and business accounts.
If you want to try "Flipping" start on Vted where fees are the same whether you are business or private.
In a nutshell, things that sell best are Branded or easy to describe. A silver tone chain for instance will get lost in the listings, but a hideous "purple, red and green shell pendant necklace" will be found in searches and someone will want it.
Describe items the same as how you would search for them. Brand, what it is, color, size etc. Don't use the AI.
Each month, do a "sell similar" on items with no or low views and maybe shuffle or amend the wording. Every other month, sell similar the rest. This gets things up the search rankings.
Set the BIN price with best offers and set it at an amount you will accept to make it easier.
Check the price of similar or the same items and then check sold items.
Give yourself 3 days dispatch, you can ship earlier, not later. I send on a Monday and Thursday as weekends don't count.
Don't get on the wrong side of Ebay or customers, it's not worth it. Ebay can be harsh about stoping sellers selling. Don't start with high priced phones.
Communicate well, dont promote listings and keep good records as Ebay will send data to HMRC after you sell a certain amount.
It is a steep learning curb, don't give up the day job and save every envelooe and box and bit of bubble wrap you come across.
Goodluck.
22-09-2025 4:03 PM - edited 22-09-2025 4:12 PM
If you are trading (making or buying to sell) then having a business account is the only way to be complaint with consumer protection requirements on ebay. It's not really free to sell for private sellers as ebay still take their cut from what your buyer agrees to pay it's just a technicality that they are charging the buyer not seller. The buyer still only pays what they are willing to pay and you still only end up keeping some of that.
A shop is optional for a business sellers there is a 'pay as you sell' price, although yes you would still have to pay per listing, without needing to pay ongoing fixed costs unless you see enough advantages to pay ongoing for a shop.
In terms of items I'd suggest you don't jump into what sells well as that's what everyone else will be doing so loads of competition - have a think about what areas of expertise you might have in certain types of items that you could use to your advantage in being able to source cheaply and selling at good prices and of course being interesting to you.
Find your niche - good luck.
22-09-2025 5:06 PM
In terms of what to sell, sell what you know. It's far easier to list well if you know about what you're selling.