Top 10 Platforms for Reselling Goods: Pros, Cons, and Profitability

 


Top 10 Platforms for Reselling Goods: Pros, Cons, and Profitability

Reselling is one of the most accessible side hustles or full-time business models in today’s e-commerce economy. Whether you’re flipping thrift finds or running a scaled dropshipping operation, the platform you choose can make or break your profitability. Below are ten top platforms for reselling goods — complete with a breakdown of their advantages, drawbacks, and income potential.


1. eBay

  • ✅ Pros: Massive user base, global reach, flexible listing formats (auction or fixed), supports almost every category imaginable.

  • ❌ Cons: High competition, seller fees, returns can be frequent.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate to high, especially for rare or vintage items.

eBay is a go-to for many resellers due to its established audience and search visibility. It’s particularly strong for collectibles, electronics, and refurbished goods.


2. Amazon (via FBA or FBM)

  • ✅ Pros: Trusted by millions, fast shipping with FBA, scalable business model.

  • ❌ Cons: High competition, steep learning curve, strict seller policies.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: High for serious sellers; best for new or wholesale goods.

Amazon's Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) lets you automate shipping, returns, and customer service — but comes at a cost. Ideal for sellers with bulk inventory.


3. Facebook Marketplace

  • ✅ Pros: Free to list, hyper-local reach, no seller fees (except for shipping), quick sales.

  • ❌ Cons: Scams and unreliable buyers, limited seller protections.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: High for local items like furniture, appliances, or second-hand goods.

Great for casual resellers or those looking to avoid fees. The platform also supports nationwide shipping in some cases.


4. Poshmark

  • ✅ Pros: Fashion-focused, built-in social network, easy to list via app.

  • ❌ Cons: 20% commission fee, only available in select countries.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate to high for fashion items and brands in demand.

Best for clothing, shoes, and accessories, especially designer or trendy pieces. The app’s community vibe can help build loyal buyers.


5. Mercari

  • ✅ Pros: Easy to use, low fees (10% seller fee), wide range of categories.

  • ❌ Cons: Slower sales than eBay or Amazon, limited support.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate — ideal for gently used household goods and gadgets.

Mercari offers a simple interface for listing and shipping. It’s beginner-friendly and great for decluttering.


6. Depop

  • ✅ Pros: Trendy, Gen Z-focused, ideal for vintage and Y2K fashion.

  • ❌ Cons: 10% fee, oversaturation in some categories.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate to high for unique fashion and niche aesthetics.

Depop is popular with creatives, stylists, and fashion flippers. Presentation matters — aesthetic photos win.


7. Etsy

  • ✅ Pros: Ideal for handmade, vintage (20+ years), and custom goods. Loyal customer base.

  • ❌ Cons: 6.5% transaction + listing fees, requires brand building.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: High for sellers with a niche or creative angle.

Though not a traditional reselling platform, Etsy works well if you're curating vintage or upcycled items.


8. Whatnot

  • ✅ Pros: Live selling format, fast-growing, strong collector community.

  • ❌ Cons: Must be approved to sell, learning curve with live streaming.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: High for sneakers, trading cards, toys, and collectibles.

This is the Twitch of reselling — best if you’re comfortable on camera and love engaging with buyers in real-time.


9. Craigslist

  • ✅ Pros: No fees, great for bulky items, instant cash transactions.

  • ❌ Cons: No protections, flaky buyers, limited reach.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate — best for local, one-off sales.

Old-school but still useful for selling bikes, furniture, tools, and other big-ticket items locally.


10. OfferUp

  • ✅ Pros: Easy mobile listing, in-app messaging, optional nationwide shipping.

  • ❌ Cons: Competition with scammers, may require meetups.

  • πŸ’° Profitability: Moderate to high for local resale, especially electronics and household items.

OfferUp is great for local resale with less noise than Facebook Marketplace, especially in urban areas.


Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

  • πŸ›️ For fashion: Poshmark, Depop

  • πŸ“¦ For scale and automation: Amazon FBA, eBay

  • 🏑 For local deals: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp

  • πŸŽ₯ For live selling & niche collectors: Whatnot

  • 🧡 For curated or handmade items: Etsy

Start with 1–2 platforms based on what you sell, test your margins, and track your time investment. The right mix of platforms can help you build a flexible and profitable reselling business.



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