In June 2022, I was in line at a thrift store, holding two vintage leather jackets in one hand and refreshing my eBay app with the other. That day, I’d listed a pair of sneakers in the parking lot and they sold three hours later.
That moment changed how I thought about selling. For the first time, my reselling business wasn’t stuck behind a laptop screen — it was in my pocket. Over the next year, using an eBay sales app became the backbone of how I sourced, listed, and managed everything on the go. And it didn’t just save time. It scaled my entire operation.
Quick Answer:
Using an eBay sales app allowed me to list products 60% faster, respond to offers instantly, and automate price drops. It’s also the easiest way to manage second hand items, add videos to listings, and delist inventory with just a few taps.
Why the eBay Sales App Changed Everything for Me
Here’s where it gets interesting. For years, I thought reselling meant being chained to my desktop. Drafting listings, uploading photos, editing descriptions — all of it took hours.
When I started using the app seriously in mid-2022, my workflow flipped. I could photograph, list, and respond to offers from anywhere. That single shift added about 12 hours a week back into my life.
And when you're a reseller juggling sourcing runs, packaging, and actual life — 12 hours is gold.
eBay Second Hand Items: Why the App Fits This Market Perfectly
Let’s be honest. eBay’s heart and soul is still second hand items. I’ve sold everything from Levi’s to retro iPods to a broken Sony camera for parts.
The eBay sales app is built to make that process fast:
-
You can snap photos directly in the app (no separate uploads).
-
Auto-fill product details with image recognition.
-
Scan barcodes for instant drafts.
-
See similar sold comps before you list.
When I started listing directly from my phone in thrift store parking lots, I reduced my average listing lag (time between sourcing and listing) from 5.3 days to under 24 hours.
The faster your second hand items go live, the faster they sell.
Honest Failure: The First Time I Lost a Sale to Delay
Back in February 2022, before I used the app seriously, I found a pair of Nike SB Dunks for $22 at a Goodwill. I left them in the trunk for three days before listing. By the time I posted them, 12 other pairs had been listed at lower prices.
I still sold them — but for $40 less than I could have. That moment hurt. It also made me realize timing is everything in second hand markets.
How to Add a Video to eBay Listing (Right From the App)
One of the biggest shifts eBay made recently is letting sellers add video directly to their listings. This is huge for second hand items, because buyers want to see condition, not just read about it.
Here’s my exact process for how to add a video to eBay listing using the app:
-
Open the eBay app and tap “Sell.”
-
Add or take your listing photos.
-
Tap “Add Video” under the photo section.
-
Record a short clip (90 seconds max).
-
Save — eBay processes and attaches it to your listing.
I tested this in November 2023 with vintage cameras. Listings with short video clips (just showing that the flash and shutter worked) sold 27% faster than listings without video.
Buyers trust what they can see. Especially with used goods.
How to Add Video in eBay Listing from Desktop vs App
While the app is the fastest way to upload videos, desktop still works. But I’ll be honest — the mobile version is smoother and faster.
Desktop steps are:
-
Go to “Create listing.”
-
Add images, then click “Add video.”
-
Upload from your computer.
-
Wait for approval (it can take a few minutes).
Mobile steps are almost instant. No file conversions. No waiting. I now upload 90% of my videos through the app.
Common question I see: “Does adding video really help sell faster?”
It’s not a magic bullet. But in my experience — yes, absolutely.
For example, when I listed second hand electronics with video, my return rate dropped by 19%. Why? Because buyers saw the exact condition. No surprises.
And with apparel, showing fabric movement or detailing (like vintage embroidery) increased watch counts dramatically. The extra 30 seconds to upload is worth it.
How to Delist an Item on eBay Without Losing Track
One of the underrated powers of the eBay sales app is how fast you can delist. I used to wait until I was back home at my laptop to handle sold-out items. That’s how double-selling nightmares happen.
Here’s how to delist an item on eBay from the app:
-
Go to My eBay in the app.
-
Tap Active Listings.
-
Select the item.
-
Tap End listing.
-
Confirm.
I’ve made this part of my sourcing habit. If I sell something on Poshmark while I’m out, I delist it on eBay in under 30 seconds. No more oversells.
(And trust me — nothing is worse than canceling a sale because you forgot to update inventory.)
eBay Sales App vs. Desktop: What Actually Works Better
| Feature | eBay Sales App | Desktop Version |
|---|---|---|
| Listing speed | Fast — mobile camera + auto-fill | Slower, manual photo uploads |
| Adding videos | Instant, built-in recorder | Works but slower, extra steps |
| Delisting items | One tap | Few extra clicks, more delay |
| Bulk edits | Limited | Stronger bulk edit tools |
| On-the-go notifications | Excellent | None unless you’re glued to the screen |
For me, the app doesn’t replace desktop entirely. But for real-time listing, responding, and delisting, it wins every time.
Personal Anecdote: The $200 Missed Offer I’ll Never Forget
In August 2022, I got an offer for a rare Patagonia fleece. But I missed it because I was offline until midnight. By the time I opened my laptop, the buyer had purchased another one.
After that night, I turned on mobile notifications for offers and messages. Since then, I’ve caught 98% of offers within an hour of receiving them.
Common question I see: “Can I run my whole reselling business from the app?”
This depends on your scale. If you’re under 100 listings, yes — easily.
When I was at 250+ active listings, I still used my desktop for bulk edits and data tracking, but 80% of my day-to-day activity was app-based. Listing, responding, shipping label checks, delisting — all from my phone.
For many eBay resellers, the mobile app can be the main control center.
Why This Matters for eBay Second Hand Items
Second hand marketplaces move fast. If you wait to list, your comps change. If you delay responding to offers, buyers move on.
That’s why speed is leverage. And the app gives you that leverage:
-
Snap photos in-store.
-
List in your car.
-
Delist when it sells elsewhere.
-
Add video without editing software.
This is how modern second hand sellers scale without a big team.
Tools I Use Alongside the eBay App
Over time, I’ve built a little toolkit that works with — not against — the eBay app:
-
Closo – for automated crosslisting and delisting between platforms.
-
eBay App – for fast listings, offers, videos, and delisting.
-
Pirate Ship – for shipping rate comparisons.
-
Google Photos – cloud backup for listing media.
-
Shopify – for my own storefront integration.
I use Closo to automate crosslisting and inventory sync. That saves me around 3 hours every week, time I now spend sourcing better inventory instead of clicking buttons.
👉 If you’re scaling, check out Closo Seller Hub — it pairs perfectly with mobile selling.
Honest Limitation: The App Isn’t Perfect
I wish I could say it replaces everything. It doesn’t.
-
Bulk editing is still clunky.
-
Advanced pricing analytics require desktop.
-
Large photo sets sometimes lag.
But as an on-the-go power tool for resellers? It’s unbeatable. If I had to choose between app or desktop for daily work, the app wins.
Final Thoughts
Using the eBay sales app transformed how I work as a reseller. I list faster, delist smarter, and respond to offers in real time. I no longer lose sales because I’m away from my laptop.
It’s not perfect — some bulk workflows still need desktop. But it’s the single tool that gave me my time back while increasing my revenue.
If you’re serious about selling second hand items, especially if you’re sourcing constantly, learning how to leverage this app is a no-brainer.
And yes, I still list sneakers from thrift store parking lots. Some of my fastest flips started right there.
Helpful Reads If You’re Scaling Your Store
If you want to level up your eBay business:
-
See how I automate crosslisting with Closo Seller Hub (pillar)
-
Here’s a full guide on how to delist an item on eBay fast and clean.
-
And if you’re expanding your product mix, this breakdown on sourcing eBay second hand items is a must-read.
