Online reselling is exciting, but beginners often stumble into the same pitfalls. To save you time and money, here are the five most common mistakes new resellers make—and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Buying Too Much Inventory Too Fast
New resellers often get caught up in the thrill of sourcing and end up with piles of unlisted inventory. Solution: Start small. Only buy what you can realistically list within a week.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Market Research
Not everything thrifted or discounted will sell. Solution: Use sold-item filters on eBay, check trending sections on Poshmark, or search TikTok hashtags for what’s hot.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Shipping Costs
Shipping can eat into profits fast. Solution: Learn the rates, use a postal scale, and take advantage of discounted labels through your platform.
Mistake 4: Poor Product Photos
Dark, blurry photos can kill sales. Solution: Invest in a simple photo setup—good lighting, a neutral background, and multiple angles.
Mistake 5: Not Treating It Like a Business
If you don’t track profits, taxes, and inventory, you won’t know if you’re really making money. Solution: Use spreadsheets or apps to keep organized from the beginning.
Final Thought: Every reseller makes mistakes, but learning from them early can turn your reselling side hustle into a sustainable business.