How To Sell On eBay in 2025: The Ultimate Beginner Guide Step By Step

Hey everyone, my name is Dave Po, and I’m a full-time eBay reseller. In this video, I’m going to show you guys step by step how to start selling on eBay – the ultimate beginner guide! We’ll cover everything from how to list, how to ship, how to find products to sell, how to set up your account, how to avoid getting banned, how to have an inventory system, how to find out what is actually selling, and much more.

Whether you’re looking to make extra income, full-time income, or part-time income, this video can apply to anyone. If you’re thinking about starting to sell on eBay, now is the best time to start. If you’re looking for a sign, this is it!

Step 1: Create Your eBay Account

First things first, you need to create an eBay account. You can do this via the app or on desktop. It will ask for your name, address, phone number, date of birth, and other personal information.

Important Note on Taxes: If you plan to sell more than $600, you will need to input your Social Security Number (SSN). eBay will ask for it once you hit that threshold. I suggest inputting it from the start to save future hassle. I’ll also be doing a separate video on how I do all my taxes, so make sure you subscribe!

New Account Selling Limits: When you first open an eBay account, you will likely have a selling limit. This is typically $500 worth of items you can list in a month, or 5 to 10 items, whichever comes first. For example, if you list two items at $250 each, you’re done for the month. This is eBay’s way of building trust with new sellers. However, some lucky people start with a $10,000 or $30,000 limit – it could be you, I’m not sure what causes that.

Building Feedback and Avoiding Scams: With a brand new account, you won’t have any feedback. I suggest buying a few small items you actually need to get some positive feedback from sellers.

Be careful with scammers:

Never do anything outside of eBay. Scammers often message saying their card doesn’t work and ask you to text them or buy off-platform. It’s almost always fake.
Watch out for delayed payments. If buyers take days to pay or offer significantly more than your asking price, they’re likely scammers. If they don’t pay within 2-3 days, cancel the order. Scammers often target new sellers who are less experienced.

Step 2: Start Small – Sell What You Already Have (Zero Investment!)

Many people ask, “Where do I buy stuff? What should I buy?” My answer is: Don’t buy anything when you’re starting out!

Look in your closet: Sell what you already have – shoes, video games, shirts, jackets. Everyone has stuff they don’t use anymore.
Zero investment: This is a great way to get familiar with how the eBay platform works without any initial financial outlay. You likely have at least 20 items in your house that can turn into good money.
Prioritize high-value items: If you have a selling limit, list your most expensive items first (like a PS5 or a high-value pair of shoes). This gets you quick sales, builds feedback, and maximizes your limited listings.

Step 3: Sourcing More Products (Scaling Up)

Once you’ve sold your personal items and want to find more inventory, here are the best places to look:

Flea Markets
Thrift Stores
Garage Sales and Yard Sales

How to find them: Simply Google “flea market near me” or “thrift stores near me.” You need to visit them in person. Some places look great in pictures but are terrible in reality, and vice versa. It’s all about trial and error.

Step 4: Listing Items, Taking Pictures, and Inventory System

This is the core of selling on eBay.

1. Taking Pictures

Start simple: You don’t need a fancy setup. I started by taking pictures of my items on my kitchen floor with natural lighting for about a year. You can build a simple lightbox for under $80 (I’ll make a separate video on that).
What to photograph:
- All angles: Show the item from all sides, top, bottom, and inside.
- Flaws: Always show any flaws, scratches, or wear. Honesty prevents returns.
- Tags/Sizes: Include a clear picture of the size tag (especially for shoes/clothing).
- Square format: I personally prefer taking square pictures.
- First picture edit: I always edit the first picture by raising the exposure and brightness slightly to make it pop.

2. Efficient Listing Process

Use model numbers/UPCs: For items like shoes, find the model number inside the shoe and type it into eBay’s search bar.
“Sell one like this” feature: Once you find a matching item, click “Sell one like this.” This pre-fills most of the listing details for you.
Title optimization: Remove unnecessary descriptors like “excellent condition.” Be honest about the item’s condition to avoid setting unrealistic expectations.
Condition selection: Choose “New with box,” “New with tag,” or “Pre-owned” based on your item.
SKU Inventory System:
- Crucial for avoiding defects: If an item sells and you can’t find it, you get a defect. Early defects can severely limit or even ban your account.
- Simple system: I use a box and number system, e.g., A48-18 (Box A, slot 48, item 18). I often put items in clear poly bags with a masking tape label.
- Adding SKU to listing:
  - Custom SKU option (preferred): If you have an eBay store (like an Anchor store), there’s a custom SKU field on the listing page.
  - Description field: If you don’t have the custom SKU option, add it to the bottom of your item description. When the item sells, you can check the description in the order details.
Description: Keep it simple. Always list any flaws (scratches, cuts, etc.) to avoid returns.

3. Pricing Strategy

Check “Sold Items”: Search for similar items on eBay and filter by “Sold Items” to see what they actually sold for. This is the most accurate way to price.
Flat-rate shipping: I prefer charging a flat rate, e.g., $10.99 for shoes. eBay’s calculated shipping can sometimes overcharge buyers (e.g., $20 to ship from California to New York for a $10 item), which can deter sales.
Free shipping: You can also offer free shipping and factor the cost into your item price.

Step 5: Shipping and Logistics (The Final Step!)

Once an item sells, shipping it quickly and correctly is paramount.

1. Weighing and Measuring

Digital scale: Get a digital scale (a food scale works).
Shipping chart: Refer to a shipping chart (like the one shown at 14:15 in the video) to estimate costs based on weight.
Packaging weight: Account for the weight of your packaging; I usually add about 4 oz.
Dimensions: For small items, dimensions typically don’t matter (you can leave it at 8x8x8 inches). For larger items, input accurate dimensions.

2. Printing Shipping Labels

eBay’s discounted labels: Buying labels through eBay offers significant discounts compared to paying at the post office.
Two options:
- QR code (Beginner friendly): On the eBay app, click “Get shipping label” and select the QR code option. Pack your item, take it to the post office, show the QR code, and they will print the label for free. No printer needed.
- Thermal label printer: If you start selling a decent volume, invest in a thermal label printer (like a Mumba printer, around $100). This greatly speeds up the process.

3. Packaging Tips

Poly mailers: For clothing and shoes, I use poly mailers (12x15 inches are common). They are light, waterproof, and durable. Clear poly bags (12x12x5 inches) are great for showcasing items like shirts or shoes while keeping them protected.
Protective packaging: If an item is fragile, use bubble wrap or other cushioning inside the poly bag or box.
Apply label first: Slap the printed label on the flat poly mailer before putting the item in. This prevents the label from clumping up.

4. International Shipping

eBay International Shipping Program: If you’re enrolled, you simply ship the item to an eBay warehouse in the US, and they handle the international leg. You won’t be charged extra for international shipping.

5. Handling Time

New seller recommendation: Set your handling time to “3 business days.” This gives you enough time and reduces pressure. You can adjust it later as you get faster.

Step 6: How to Tell if an Item Will Sell Quickly (Sell-Through Rate)

This is a crucial tip for product sourcing!

Search on eBay: Type in the item’s keywords (e.g., “iPhone 13 Pro Max”).
Apply Filters: Click “Filter,” then “Show More.”
Select “Sold Items”: Check the “Sold Items” box.
Compare “Listed” vs. “Sold”:

Look at the number of “Active listings” vs. “Sold listings” in the last 90 days.
High sell-through: If there are significantly more “Sold items” than “Listed items” (e.g., 7,200 sold vs. 3,700 listed), that item sells very fast – likely more than once within 90 days.
This is a great rule of thumb to determine how quickly an item moves.

Conclusion and What’s Next

Selling on eBay is a journey that requires repetition and hands-on experience. Start with items around your house, gradually scale up, and you’ll discover the immense potential eBay offers.

How To Sell On eBay in 2025: The Ultimate Beginner Guide Step By Step