eBay For Beginner's Guide 2024 | Full Step by Step Guide

1. What accounts to open. Ebay, some sort of tracking software, you can just use excel or google sheets when you start, but eventually you might want to look into an inventory tracking solution and a profit tracking solution like quickbooks. You do not need an eBay store to begin with but once you’re listing I would say 50+ items a month it would be beneficial to have an ebay store.

2. You are more than likely going to have limitations on your accounts if they are brand new, typically on eBay you’ll be limited to 10 items and/or $500 in sales, just be aware of that. You can ask for increases once a month. Signing up for an eBay store will NOT increase your selling limits.

3. What items should you list for sale? Well because you are going to be limited to those 10 items and because your account will have 0 seller feedback, you want to list highly desirable items that sell fast! We tell new sellers to look around their house and try to find stuff like video games, consoles, electronics etc. those types of items have great demand on eBay and buyers will look past feedback if the deal is good enough.

4. How should you list your items? There’s two ways, but it now or auctions. 99% of our listings currently are listed as buy it now, we only run auctions when we want to clear out old inventory. That being said, when you first start out, auctions can be a good way to guarantee a sale instead of waiting around for a certain buyer, so your options are, list as an auction and take the risk of an item not selling for as much money as you’d like, or list as buy it now and wait. Again, if you list desirable items for a fair price they will sell as buy it now, so we’d suggest going that route to begin with.

5. How to research how much to list your item for. This is fairly easy, go to sold items on eBay, sort by recent sales and take a look at what’s sold. Then go to currently listed and see what your competition is, at the beginning you’ll need to ask less money because you’re not yet a trusted seller.

6. Feedback, so as I said before everyone starts with zero feedback, to get positive seller feedback you should list your items well, take good pics, ship fast and include a thank you note. While you’re doing that, buy some supplies on eBay from sellers with high feedback that will automatically leave you positive feedback, it won’t show as seller feedback but it does count toward your overall number.

7. Pictures and listing, make sure you’re taking clear pictures, you can use a phone, I’d suggest an iPhone, take your pics in square mode, adjust the brightness. Make sure your lighting is good, you can go to the dollar store and grab white poster board, that’s how we started.

8. Shipping. There are soooooo many shipping options on eBay, I could do an hour long video just on shipping, to make it super easy for beginners I’m going to keep it simple. First class mail, flat rate envelopes, flat rate boxes. Make sure your item fits and offer free shipping.

9. Sourcing more items to sell. Once you have the hang of selling on ebay you’ll probably want to start sourcing more items to sell on ebay for a profit. There are many places to source from but some of our favorites are (garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales & auctions. Make sure you’re looking at sold comps and sell through rate. You only want to buy items people are already currently looking for and actively buying. We tell people we’re in the business of selling items, not storing items. If you’re not looking at the sell through rate on ebay you’ll become a storage facility not a selling facility.

If you'd like to send us mail:
Ralli Roots
11705 Boyette Rd.
PMB 526
Riverview Florida 33569

See you on the next one!

[ErinChamberlain]

And this is why you guys are the GOAT of Youtuber resellers. You could have made this as a part of your private group, but, you provide so much free advice and information. That's beautiful. I know you get a certain amount of money from the Tubes of You, but, you know what I'm saying. Thank you to you and your beautiful wife for all you guys do to help!

[EmpireStrikesPacks]

You have no idea how much anxiety you're taking out of selling on eBay. Your videos are very helpful. Thank you.

[drewmonroe]

For over a year, I have been going back and forth with eBay, TRYING to understand their 'how to become a seller' videos. I finally gave up trying to understand their very confusing ways. Today, I tried again, but with youtube. I landed on this video and I'm so thankful!! Watching this vid was like sitting down with a friend back in the day, while learning and being taught something on how to do it properly. Just by watching this one video, I am now confident to know I can do this. Dude, you are amazing and very knowledgeable. The way you explain things are so easy to understand. I wrote down 8 pages of notes on this video. Have subscribed and so glad your channel is here. It's very rare to come across a person like you. So thankful to you!!!! Will check out your other channels. All the best!!!👍Drew from Canada.

[dymanroye]

And ebay offers the QR Code option for shipping so you can just have them scan the QR code at the post office and they print out the label on their label printer for you; standard size is 4x6in

[UncleJeepwillys]

All good advice you offer Ryan.
I've been doing Ebay since 1998. Started with my Hobby, Slot cars, and me buying them, which led to me wheeling and dealing in them on ebay.
Then I found something being thrown out, which I knew was valuable, and resold it on Ebay for almost $800 ! That was it, I was 'Hooked' I've been a 'Picker' ever since. The more you do it, the better you get at it, and as your knowledge base grows so do the profits...
Two things I'd add in.
1st. is start off with what you know. For me it was my Hobby, I knew it well, so I never over paid anything I intended to resell.
2nd. ALWAYS reach out to the buyer, just to update them with their purchase/shipping. That Personal contact helps to increase the likelihood that the buyer will leave feedback.

[godisgoodalways]

Your ability to communicate in a way that is consistent and pleasing to the ear is amazing. Thank you so much so many videos have painful performances.

[AustinRobinson-cges]

Thank you for your honesty. It’s hard to find truthful answers on YouTube.

[melodymueller]

Thankyou so much for this tutorial this is so much help. I have over 250 accuquilt dies which 200 never got out of the package.I have over 50 quilts I made, sitting in a hope chest . I have over 400 Tim Holtz. Spell Binders, Simon says stamps and dies. I had crafts accessories in every room, now all in one room. That is why I'm here . I just retired, its time to clean up.

[gayleyb]

This is the most clear and concise guide I have seen on eBay, how-to, start-ups. I have been preparing and getting ready to take the plunge, then get cold feet. But you have also given me the confidence that I can do this. We used to sell at the flea market every weekend, so it's not totally foreign. It's not the same, and yes, it's a little scary, but it is so doable. ! Thank you !

[lostworldvideogames]

I was very surprised yesterday to get an email from eBay that they removed my selling limits completely. Didn’t even know that was an option 😂

[n.s.]

I've been reselling off and on for years, and the last 3 years i've officially taken the plunge. THANK YOU for talking about getting paid for your time. I also hope more Youtube resellers talk more about getting the real value of an item. Anyone can make $20 on an item, the real skill is knowing the value of an item and getting a good price for it - which is what really pays us for our time. It's been a bit maddening to see how many items that sell for over $300 retail, I've been seeing sold for under $40 lately. : / Thank you for the space to vent!

[ChelleBatista]

Thank you. It’s been a few years since I’ve sold anything on Ebay. This was just the review I needed.

[mixedandknot]

I am sold and ready to start selling on eBay. Clear, straight forward and great advice. Than you very much.

[lindalou]

This was amazing…I’m a longtime eBay seller but this was great especially for newbies. Pls your voice is so relaxing …so easy to listen to. Great video

[robinm]

Very well done video! Highly recommend this to every new Ebay seller. One thing that I would like to clarify for newbies is that when you are pricing things out to sell, don't think you can charge higher shipping on items to get around the 12.9% Ebay fee. Ebay charges 12.9% on the whole amount charged to the buyer which includes the shipping charge AND taxes. So keep that in mind.

[loyestevenson]

Thank you so very much for your instructional video!! You have certainly helped an old lady! My deceased son was an avid sports card collector and sold on eBay. He left me thousands of cards that I would like to start selling, but am a bit intimidated. Now I’m getting more courage! 😊 Thanks again!!

[bigtimepluto]

All your videos keep me motivated to keep going when I have bad days or weeks!!!

[vickyjarvis]

Thank you for the information you have shared. I have enjoyed watching you and your wife thrifting over the last years.

[secondchancegoods]

Great video Ryan! Been a viewer for years. People like you Ryan, Allison & callie and other resellers have inspired me to document my reselling journey here on YouTube. 😇 God bless

[jacquelinecraft]

I am just looking at the possibility of selling on eBay and I really appreciate your informative videos. You make it seem not quite so daunting. Thank you!