Becoming a reseller is potentially a lucrative online business that can lead to financial independence. Done correctly, the cost of entry and risk is low, and the rewards can be high. I recommend new resellers start small to minimize start-up costs and practice getting their shipping, packaging and listing habits right before expanding into the bigger platforms like eBay and Amazon (where mistakes can cost you your account).
Here are 5 online marketplaces where a new reseller can get a fast start.
Poshmark
Poshmark is known for fashion resellers. You can sell new and used clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories on Poshmark. Recently the platform has expanded, allowing sales of home decor and some small electronics. But, Poshmark is still primarily a fashion app, that’s where the money is.
There is no charge to join Poshmark, and no monthly membership or per listing fees. Poshmark simply deducts 20% of each sale. This cut of the profit covers their escrow service, the shipping labels, and customer service. Poshmark holds each sale proceeds in escrow until the buyer receives their item and accepts it (they have 3 days before it’s auto accepted). After acceptance the funds, minus Poshmark’s fee is released to the seller.
Set-up is fast and easy and new sellers can be up and running on the platform in less than 30 minutes. The only drawback to Poshmark is it’s built around the idea of social sharing. The platform has in internal sharing function where sellers are encouraged to follow other sellers and share each other’s listings within the app. This can take up a bit of time, but it keeps your listing on top of the search results, and sellers seem to be rewarded with better search placement for sharing and listing activity.
Mercari
Mercari is very similar to Poshmark in many ways. There are no fees to join or list items. It’s quick and easy to set-up, and new sellers can have their listings for sale in minutes. However, there are key differences. Mercari is not a clothing first marketplace. It has a more garage sale or flea market feel. Anything and everything that’s legal to sell is available on Mercari. So if you want to start your reseller journey by cleaning out your garage or attic, Mercari is your app.
Mercari takes 10% of each sale and holds the sale proceeds in escrow until the buyer receives their item and accepts it (they have 3 days before it’s auto accepted). Unlike Poshmark, Mercari is flexible with its shipping label offerings. You can use the Mercari’s labels and offer free shipping to the buyer or charge the buyer for the Mercari label, or you can buy your own shipping labels.
Pairing Mercari and Poshmark together and posting clothing items on both is a next level hustle move that can increase your sales.
The RealReal
The RealReal is geared towards the luxury market. If you have luxury handbags, accessories and clothing or jewelry listing on The RealReal generally will net you a higher price for your items. The RealReal team inspects each item for authenticity, so if you have an obvious knockoff or a replica, don’t bother.
This is where you want to sell your unused items from upper tier designers like Gucci, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, etc. The app allows the listing of only certain brands, and they have an extensive list showing the preferred brand names.
The also platform heavily pushes it on the spot “buy now pay later” option, encouraging buyers to splurge on pricey items, a clear advantage for sellers. This app’s commission structure is more tiered than the previous two, with the seller’s cut varying significantly depending on the final sale price.
The RealReal is also fee free for sellers and its app is quick and easy to use.
Grailed
Are you looking for a marketplace that leans heavily towards menswear? Check out Grailed. Grailed sells men’s and women’s’ clothing, however menswear, particularly streetwear, is its core market.
Grailed is also free to use for resellers and charges a pretty reasonable commission of 9% for each sale, plus a PayPal fee of 2.9% + 30 cents. Sale proceeds are held in escrow until the buyer receives their item and accepts it (they have 3 days before it’s auto accepted).
Grailed also offers shipping options similar to Mercari, Grailed shipping, or seller provided shipping.
Pairing your sneaker and streetwear listing on Grailed and Poshmark will give you more exposure, however most streetwear items will sell a bit higher on Grailed.
Depop
Depop is another clothing first reseller app. It has a pretty large audience of registered users and is perfect for selling new and used women’s clothing items. It’s also fee free for sellers and is easy and fast to get up and running as a new seller. Depop charges a commission of 10% for each sale, plus a PayPal fee of 2.9% + 30 cents.
Depop is like Mercari, in that you can sell anything that’s legal, even though the focus is on clothing.
Depop focuses on a fast sale, it only allows 4 photos per item, and the listings in general are a bit less “polished” than you would find on The RealReal and Poshmark. The listings are more eclectic and “home grown” in appearance. Also, on Depop, stock photos are a hard “no”. Poshmark and The RealReal generally turn a blind eye to stock photos, especially if user generated photos are included in the listing. But on Depop, zero stock photos are permitted.
