The Best Reselling Platforms I’ve Actually Made Money On (Quick Overview Included)

The Best Reselling Platforms I’ve Actually Made Money On (Quick Overview Included)

Introduction

My first resale “flip” was almost accidental. In October 2020, I found a pair of Doc Martens for $18 at a local thrift store in Brooklyn. I listed them on Poshmark with blurry photos and no clue what I was doing. Less than 48 hours later, someone bought them for $72.

That single sale was the gateway drug. Over the next 24 months, I tested almost every major resale app and website I could get my hands on — from Facebook Marketplace to eBay, Depop, Mercari, Whatnot, and even consignment sites like The RealReal.

What I learned surprised me: the “best reselling website” isn’t universal. It depends on what you’re selling, how fast you want to move inventory, and how much work you’re willing to put in. Here’s my brutally honest breakdown of the platforms that have actually worked for me (and a few that haven’t).


Poshmark — The Fast-Flip Favorite for Clothing Sellers

If your inventory leans clothing, Poshmark is still one of the best reselling platforms to start with.

I made my first 100 sales here before I even understood how shipping labels worked. Poshmark’s buyer pool loves:

  • Branded fashion (Patagonia, Lululemon, Free People)

  • Vintage streetwear

  • Shoes and handbags

What makes Poshmark great:

  • Built-in buyer audience that loves apparel

  • Prepaid shipping labels (no shipping guesswork)

  • Bundling offers and “Offer to Likers” convert surprisingly well

But here’s where it gets interesting: once you pass 100+ active listings, sharing becomes a time sink. I hit this wall in April 2021 with 143 active items. That’s when I started using Closo to automate crossposting and sharing — saving about 3 hours weekly.

👉 Side link: Efficient Ways to Manage Listings and Sharing Across Platforms has a fantastic breakdown of how automation fits into this.

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 5.2

  • Avg. sale price: $48

  • Fees: 20% flat

  • Best items: shoes, outerwear, trendy brands

Limitation: Poshmark doesn’t move collectibles or hard goods well. If it’s not clothing, it’s probably not moving.


eBay — The Volume Workhorse with the Best Analytics

eBay is hands down one of the best reselling websites for sellers who want reach. If you can describe it, you can probably sell it here. I moved my first camera (a $55 Minolta SRT) in early 2021 and never looked back.

Why eBay stands out:

  • The largest buyer base of any platform

  • You control pricing, shipping, and offers

  • Excellent reporting and seller analytics

  • Global shipping options (great for niche collectibles)

But — and this is important — eBay has a learning curve. Shipping, returns, and communication take more effort than Poshmark. I made my first big mistake here in May 2021 when I undercharged shipping on a typewriter by $42. Ouch.

👉 Side link: eBay Seller Analytics: Real Data That Drives Real Sales explains how to use data here effectively.

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 8.6

  • Avg. sale price: $52

  • Fees: ~13%

  • Best items: cameras, shoes, jackets, collectibles

Limitation: You’ll need to handle more messages, shipping options, and occasional returns. But the scale is unmatched.


Facebook Marketplace — The Local Speed Demon

When it comes to best things to resell on marketplace, Facebook tops the list for one reason: velocity.

I listed a $95 Dyson vacuum in January 2022 and got 9 messages in three hours. It sold the same day for $90 cash.

What sells best here:

  • Home goods

  • Appliances and electronics

  • Furniture

  • Seasonal clothing (jackets, boots)

The magic of Facebook Marketplace:

  • Fastest average sell time of all platforms I’ve used

  • No platform fees for local pickup

  • Easy negotiation flow

But here’s where the tricky part comes in: tracking inventory is harder when you’re crossposting. Early on, I double-sold two pairs of boots in the same weekend. That’s when I started using cross posting platforms (Closo) to automate delisting.

👉 Upward link: Closo Seller Hub has a clean explanation of how this works.

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 2.4

  • Avg. sale price: $60

  • Fees: $0 (local)

  • Best items: furniture, shoes, small appliances

Limitation: High no-show rate and manual management if you’re not automated.


Mercari — The Underrated Middle Ground

Mercari doesn’t get as much hype, but it quietly makes me a steady $300–$500/month.

I listed my first batch of 10 tech gadgets in November 2021 and sold 7 of them in under two weeks. For newer resellers, Mercari has the least learning curve.

What makes Mercari solid:

  • Simple listing process

  • Buyer pool loves electronics, shoes, and small home goods

  • Lower fees than Poshmark

But it can feel slower in some categories. I’ve noticed apparel moves slower here than eBay or Poshmark.

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 6.7

  • Avg. sale price: $45

  • Fees: 10%

  • Best items: small electronics, shoes, kitchen gadgets

Limitation: Less buyer traffic than the “big three.”


Depop — Best for Youthful Trends and Niche Styles

Depop is one of those best reselling platforms that either works for you or it doesn’t. For me, it’s a niche play.

I started testing Depop in March 2022 with vintage Levi’s, streetwear tees, and Y2K pieces. Within the first 30 days, I sold 9 of 25 listed items.

Why Depop stands out:

  • Visual-first platform (Instagram meets eBay)

  • Buyers are trend-focused

  • Works well for vintage and streetwear

But it’s not ideal for everything. My housewares and non-fashion items sit forever.

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 7.3

  • Avg. sale price: $42

  • Fees: 10%

  • Best items: vintage, streetwear, Y2K

Limitation: Smaller buyer base; heavy competition for trend categories.


The RealReal — Best Consignment Seller Option for Luxury

If you’re a consignment seller moving higher-end items, The RealReal is a serious contender.

I consigned my first designer piece (a Burberry trench) here in 2021. It sold in 11 days. Yes, they take a steep cut, but the luxury audience is real.

Why The RealReal matters:

  • High-end buyer pool

  • They handle authentication and shipping

  • Great for freeing up your time on luxury items

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 10.1

  • Avg. sale price: $340

  • Commission: up to 40%

  • Best items: luxury outerwear, handbags, shoes

Limitation: Lack of control — they price your items, not you. Also, payouts can take weeks.


Whatnot — The Wildcard Live Selling Platform

Here’s where it gets interesting: live selling.

I started experimenting with Whatnot in April 2023 for vintage tees. I ran my first live show with 34 items. Sold 29 of them in 90 minutes.

Why Whatnot is gaining traction:

  • Real-time buyer engagement

  • Fast sell-through

  • Great for lower-cost, fast-moving inventory

My numbers:

  • Avg. days to sell: 0.5 (live show)

  • Avg. sale price: $35

  • Fees: ~12%

  • Best items: vintage tees, sneakers, collectibles

Limitation: You have to show up live. It’s time-intensive and requires energy.


Comparing the Best Reselling Platforms (At a Glance)

Platform Avg. Days to Sell Avg. Sale Price Fees Best For My Monthly Revenue
Facebook Marketplace 2.4 $60 $0 Furniture, shoes, electronics $1,100+
Poshmark 5.2 $48 20% Clothing, shoes, accessories $850
eBay 8.6 $52 ~13% Collectibles, apparel, cameras $1,300
Mercari 6.7 $45 10% Electronics, shoes $400
Depop 7.3 $42 10% Vintage, Y2K fashion $250
The RealReal 10.1 $340 30–40% Luxury consignment $600
Whatnot 0.5 $35 12% Vintage tees, sneakers, shows $300–500

Common Question I See: “Which Platform Is Best for Beginners?”

Here’s something everyone wants to know: where should beginners start?

If your inventory is mostly clothing — start with Poshmark. If it’s a mixed bag — eBay. If it’s household items or you want fast cash — Facebook Marketplace.

I started with one platform, but by month 8, I was using three in parallel. I wouldn’t have scaled without that.


Common Question I See: “What Are the Best Things to Resell on Marketplace?”

My top performers over the past three years:

  • Furniture (especially IKEA, West Elm, CB2)

  • Sneakers (Nike, Adidas, Hoka)

  • Small appliances (Dyson, Ninja)

  • Jackets and boots (seasonal)

  • Mid-range electronics

These move fast locally and give you good margins with low shipping headaches.


Common Question I See: “Are Cross Posting Platforms Worth It?”

I’ll be honest: yes — once you pass 50 listings.

In summer 2022, I tried managing Facebook, eBay, and Poshmark manually. It was a nightmare. I double-sold three items in one week. After switching to Closo, my delisting time dropped to under 5 minutes.

👉 Side link: How to Efficiently List More Products explains how to set this up.

If you’re scaling, cross posting platforms aren’t just nice-to-have. They’re oxygen.


Honest Failures Along the Way

  • March 2021 — underpriced 5 sneakers on Poshmark because I didn’t check comps. Lost ~$200 margin.

  • July 2022 — didn’t delist a Facebook sale fast enough. Refund nightmare.

  • November 2022 — overlisted on Whatnot with no backup shipping supplies. Chaos ensued.

These screw-ups were expensive, but they forced me to build systems.


My Honest Take: Best Reselling Platforms Are Personal

There isn’t a single “best reselling website.”

For me, Facebook + eBay + Poshmark is the power trio. They cover fast flips, broad reach, and steady income. Whatnot is my wildcard for fun. The RealReal is my passive luxury play.

I use Closo to automate crossposting and delisting — saves me around 3 hours every week. That time goes back into sourcing, not managing chaos.


Cross-Links (Authentic)

If you want to go deeper: