Is an item worth reselling? Check the costs first
A gap between a shop price and a resale listing is not the same as profit. Before buying, check what comparable items have sold for and what it would cost you to complete the sale.
This guide is about assessing one item. If you are still choosing a category, read the best things to resell in the UK.
Compare the same product
Check the model, size, edition, language and condition. A sale for a different variant may tell you little about the item in front of you.
Recent completed sales are more useful than an ambitious asking price. Even then, they do not guarantee that your item will sell at that price or within the same time.
Include the costs you will actually pay
Account for the item, purchase delivery, marketplace and payment fees, any promotion, packaging and delivery to the buyer. Your account type and product category can affect the fees.
Buying items to resell requires an eBay business account under its seller rules. Do not apply a private-seller fee assumption to a business sale. Check your platform's current rules before listing.
A worked example, not a member result
The figures below are illustrative. They are not a current product recommendation or a quotation of a marketplace's fee rate.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale proceeds | £70.00 |
| Purchase cost, including delivery | £45.00 |
| Assumed selling fees | £8.00 |
| Postage and packaging | £5.00 |
| Remaining after these costs | £12.00 |
That £12 is before membership costs, other overheads, tax and your time. Returns or a lower sale price would reduce it. Unsold stock has not produced a sale profit.
Use your own figures in the profit calculator. Check that its selected platform and fee assumptions match your account.
Consider what happens if it does not sell
Can you afford to hold the item? Is there room to store it without damage? What happens if you need to reduce the price? Those questions matter even when a recent sale looks promising.
A discount, limited run or restock alert does not answer them for you. It is reasonable to pass on an item when the costs or demand are unclear.
Keep the record with the item
The Paragn iPhone app supports manual inventory tracking with a free account. Recording purchases and sales helps you compare what you expected with what happened.
Network adds member alerts, release guidance and personal keyword alerts. See the membership details or return to the UK reselling overview.