The First-Sale Checklist

12 steps to go from "no seller account" to your first item listed on Amazon or eBay. Work through them in order. Most people can finish steps 1-6 in a weekend.

Set up

  1. Pick your first marketplace. eBay is the easiest start for used and thrift items. Amazon has more buyers but more rules (some brands and categories need approval).
  2. Create your seller account. Use a professional name. Have your ID, bank account, and address ready for verification. On Amazon, the Individual plan keeps costs low until you're selling regularly.
  3. Separate your money. Open a separate bank account or card for the business so every purchase and sale is easy to track. (An LLC and EIN can come later. Check your state's rules.)
  4. Get your shipping basics. A 4x6 thermal label printer (or a regular printer), boxes, tape, and bubble wrap or packing paper.

Find what sells

  1. Research before you buy. On eBay, search the item and filter by Sold Items, then sort by most recent. On Amazon, check the listing's price history and how fast it sells with a tool like Keepa or SellerAmp.
  2. Check restrictions first. On Amazon, search the item in the Seller app or Seller Central and confirm you're allowed to sell it before you spend a dollar.
  3. Do the profit math. Sale price minus marketplace fees, minus shipping, minus what you paid = your real profit. If it's not worth your time, pass.
  4. Source 3-5 test items. Thrift stores, Goodwill, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, clearance aisles. Start small and keep every receipt.

List and ship

  1. Write a searchable title. Brand + model + size + color + condition, e.g. "Nike Air Max 270 Men's Size 10 Black/Red".
  2. Take honest photos. Natural light, several angles, labels, and any flaws. Clear photos reduce returns.
  3. Price from sold comps, not asking prices. Use what items actually sold for recently.
  4. Ship fast and pack well. Ship within 24 hours with tracking, and pack so nothing moves in the box.

Want the full walkthrough?

The Amazon Seller Guide ($47) covers account setup, LLC/EIN, sourcing tools, your first listing, and FBM shipping with Shippo step by step. The eBay Seller Guide ($27) covers the sold-listings method, listings that get found, and thrift sourcing.

Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Marketplace rules and fees change, so check Amazon's and eBay's current seller pages. No income guarantees.