Sourcing eBay Inventory

I've had many people ask me where I source my eBay inventory, so I thought I'd put together a quick list for everyone. My experience is mainly with clothing, but all of these can be great resources for other items as well.



Much of the clothing in my eBay store comes from Goodwill. It's not always the cheapest place to shop for inventory (relatively speaking), but it's quick and easy. Plus I'm able to inspect each item before purchasing. Goodwill stores vary greatly with pricing, but ours has tops and shirts for $3.75, shorts for $3.75, jeans and pants for $4.25, dresses for $4.75, and coats and jackets for $3.75 and up. (Some Goodwill stores have discount programs, promotions or sales. Ours does not.) It's important to always closely look at the items because there are absolutely no returns. Key things to look for are loose hems, snags, holes, stains, missing buttons, wear, and fading. And you need to inspect even the items that are new with tags. Often retail stores donate defective items they are not able to sell.

Thrift Stores are pretty much like Goodwill, except their prices are often lower. I've gotten some items that I've flipped easily for a nice profit at the thrift store we have in our town. Unfortunately, we only have one thrift store and the inventory is limited. However, if you live in a larger city, this might be a great source for you. Again, make sure you inspect clothing as there are typically no returns.

There are so many online selling groups that have popped up on Facebook the past few years, and they are full of people wanting to get rid of their stuff. This is not usually a source I use, only because I live in a small town and choose to remain anonymous about what I resell on eBay. People can get a bit testy when they realize you are selling their things for four times what you paid them. But I do keep my eye on the local "garage sale" groups. Sometimes there are deals I just can't pass up!

Summer means garage sales in my neck of the woods! I love garage sales because of the great deals. And people are willing to dicker on prices--even better! For example, I found nine plus size tops at a garage sale earlier this summer. They were priced at $1-2 each. I offered $5, and walked away with all nine tops for $7. (Just for reference, I would have paid $33.73 for the same tops at Goodwill!) Be on the look out for boxes of free items, and don't be afraid to make deals on large lots of items, especially if it's near the end of the garage sale. Some people may be happy to pay you to take away what hasn't sold instead of packing it up themselves. Unfortunately, not all garage sales are that great. I've found some with prices close to eBay or even retail, so be willing to walk away because there's always a better deal somewhere else. And like Facebook groups, it's wise to be discreet about your intentions for the things you are purchasing.

My usual source for handbags and wallets is the online swap/sell website Poshmark (poshmark.com). There are several brands of bags that I prefer to sell, and I've been able to get some great deals there. Not everything is priced low enough to make a profit, and you have to be patient enough to sort through all of the listings. Another drawback is that you can't physically inspect the item prior to purchasing, and there's a higher risk of receiving a knock off; however, Poshmark guarantees your purchase to be authentic and as described. I did have one bad experience with a fake bag that I had to fight to get my money back on, but they eventually refunded my money. There are other swap/sell sites, but Poshmark is the one that I have used. Make sure you research any swap/sell site's policies prior to purchasing to make sure you have buyer protection.

Consignment shops can be a great source if the prices are good. But you must be careful because you can quickly narrow your profit margin. I usually look for name brand jeans (Silver, BKE, Big Star, Miss Me) priced at $10-20. Larger sizes and long inseams always sell better for me, so I stay away from anything under size 12. I will skip over the tops and shirts from consignment shops unless they are on the clearance rack. Plus size tops bring the biggest profit margin for me, so I'll pick them up even if they are a little more. However, I'm picky about getting brands I know will sell well.

Some of my fellow thrifters have purchased items for resale from Craig's List, but this is a source I haven't personally used yet (although we have successfully sold several things on Craig's List that wouldn't have been feasible to sell on eBay). If you're going to go this route, look for big lots of items that you can pick up cheap. Make an offer and see what happens. And please, always be cautious when meeting with a stranger from Craig's List. Don't go to someone's house alone, and don't invite a stranger into your own home. Meet inside a public place instead. And be careful with revealing your personal information.

Know of anyone who's moving or downsizing? Friends and family can be excellent sources of inventory! Now I don't usually go around asking people if they have things that I can have to sell on eBay, but I won't turn it down if the opportunity arises. And I make sure to offer to pay, just because that's the polite thing to do! This is one that you really need to feel out and be aware of others' feelings and opinions, especially in family situations. Everyone's family has different dynamics, so please proceed with caution. (Yes, I am speaking from experience here!)

I'm a bit reluctant to admit this, but I have scooped up some dirt cheap items from fellow eBayers to flip in my own store. Skip the "best match" results and search for auctions ending soon with low prices and no bids, as well as cheap buy it now/best offer auctions. I will sort by "ending soonest" for auctions, and "newly listing" for BIN/BO for the best deals. A few words of advice here: if you don't want the buyer to know you're going to resell the item, make your purchase from an eBay account separate from your seller account. Again, people can be feisty when they realize what you're doing. This hasn't happened to me, but I have heard from other sellers who have been burned.

When I'm short on inventory, low on funds for sourcing, or don't care to take the kids thrifting (pick your battles!), I will shop in my own closets or basement. It never fails that I can find something worth selling. In fact, this is exactly what I did today. One pass through my closet and I came out with two Gap cardigan sweaters, a top from Dressbarn, a Lucky Brand t-shirt, and a True Grit long sleeve top. These are all things I haven't worn in over a year! So why am I hanging on to them? Exactly. I never want to hear from anyone that they don't have anything to sell, because that's simply not true. You just have to be willing to let go of all your crap. If you need more inspiration, please watch this YouTube video with Adam Baker of the blog Man vs. Debt. Powerful stuff, people.

I hope this gives you a place to start and a bit of inspiration! If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

And now for the shameless plug for Dakota Prairie Girl's Closet!