What kind of items are the cheapest to sell on eBay?

Mostly, I have been asked the question that What kind of items are the cheapest to sell on eBay? Starting an eBay business can seem daunting, especially if you think you need to sell high-ticket luxury items to make good money.

But here’s the truth: some of the most profitable products to sell on eBay are actually inexpensive, low-cost items!  I learned this lesson first-hand when I was just getting started as an eBay seller. At first, I thought I needed to source and sell only expensive, brand name merchandise.

But it turned out to be a lot more lucrative (and way less risky) to sell affordable, bargain-priced goods instead. In this post, I’ll walk you through my journey selling cheap products on eBay and share some of the categories that have been most successful for me.

As an ecommerce expert I’ll also give you my best tips for maximising your profit margins on inexpensive inventory.  If you’re looking to start or grow your own eBay business, selling affordable products is one of the easiest ways to get going.

You can start small while minimising upfront costs and risks. Then let your inventory and profits snowball from there!

What kind of items are the cheapest to sell on eBay?

The key is to source products that are in demand but don’t cost much for you to acquire. With a little digging, you can find flippable items at garage sales, clearance racks, estate sales, and more. Just make sure to factor in fees when pricing items for sale on eBay.

Why Selling Cheap Items is Smart eBay Strategy

When I first started selling on eBay, I didn’t appreciate the benefits of selling low-cost products. I thought I needed to sell luxury and designer brands to make decent money. But what I found was that cheap items have some major advantages:

Lower Barriers to Entry

Sourcing expensive inventory requires a ton of upfront capital. But with inexpensive products, you can start selling with very little money down. You won’t be shelling out big bucks just to stock your eBay store. This makes cheap items ideal for new sellers or those operating on a limited budget.

High Sales Volume

Inexpensive products tend to sell on eBay in much higher quantities than pricier ones. After all, it’s an easier purchase decision for buyers to click “Buy” on a $10 item than a $1,000 one. More sales mean more profits in your pocket. Volume can more than make up for lower margins.

Low Shipping Costs

When you’re selling smaller, lighter products, shipping fees are minimal. I can ship a bracelet or pair of earrings for just a few bucks. But shipping costs quickly escalate for large, heavy, or fragile inventory. Keeping shipping costs down is crucial for eBay success.

Impulse Purchases

Shoppers are much more likely to impulsively buy a lower-priced item. If you’ve ever browsed eBay, you know how tempting it is to add a few cheap impulse buys to your cart. As a seller, that works to your advantage!

Ideal for New Sellers

When you’re first starting out on eBay, you want to gain experience without a lot of risk. Inexpensive inventory is perfect. You can try out different products, learn what sells, and build up your seller metrics without breaking the bank.

Flexible Side Income

Finally, selling affordable merchandise allows you to use eBay for supplemental income without consuming all your time. You can casually sell a handful of inexpensive products each week for a little extra cash without making it a full-time job.

Best Cheap Products to Sell on eBay

Over the years, I’ve experimented with dozens of different inexpensive products to sell on eBay. Some have flopped while others have taken off and been very profitable. If you want to maximize success and returns, focus on these categories:

Used Books

Books are one of my personal favourite products to sell on eBay. They meet all the criteria: cheap to source, inexpensive to ship, and strong demand. I visit library sales, thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, and more to buy used books in bulk for pennies apiece. Hardcovers, paperbacks, textbooks, vintage books – they all sell.

Pro tip: Look up the going rates for books before you buy. Rare editions can be worth a bundle! For common books, price competitively and aim for volume sales.

Small Home Goods

Household items like candles, frames, vases, dishes, utensils, and decor are wildly popular on eBay. I pick up tons of extra inventory at Target and Walmart clearance sections. Things like holiday figurines can be flipped for big profits in-season. Minimal shipping costs means almost all the profit goes straight into your pocket.

Jewelry Making Supplies

Earring wires, clasps, jump rings, beads, and other jewelry findings are essential supplies for crafters and artisans. They buy these components in bulk for their jewelry making businesses. I sell affordable jewelry supplies at nice markups while keeping my costs way down by buying in large wholesale lots.

Toys & Games

Little kids love toys, teens obsess over trading cards, and families enjoy playing games together. Fun toys, Pokémon cards, board games and more are great low-cost products. They are in high demand for birthdays, holidays, rainy days and more. Stock up at liquidation and clearance sales after the holidays.

Electronic Accessories

Consumers need a constant flow of electronic add-ons like phone cases, chargers, cables, headphones, laptop bags and more. Accessories wear out and get replaced often. Keeping ample inventory of these cheap but useful items means repeat business.

Maximizing Profits on Cheap eBay Products

When selling inexpensive products on eBay, profit margins are admittedly lower per item. But you can employ strategies to improve your overall bottom line:

• Buy in bulk whenever possible to get the lowest wholesale rates.
• Offer free shipping to increase conversions, building the small cost into your list price strategy.
• Run frequent sales, discounts, and promotions to boost volume.
• Price competitively based on current going rates.
• Cross-sell additional products to get more dollars per order.
• Upsale customers to higher priced variations and bundles.
• Keep shipping fees low by using the lightest packaging possible.
• Automate processes to save time like listing, shipping, feedback etc.
• Source opportunistically, buying up closeouts, lots and liquidations when you find them.

The key is moving high volumes across multiple product categories. Even a couple dollars profit on a cheap item adds up fast when you sell hundreds per month. With low startup costs and strong demand, inexpensive offers are the perfect way to launch or grow your eBay business.

My Journey to eBay Success Selling Small Stuff

When I first stumbled into selling on eBay, I didn’t plan for it at all. I just had some extra belongings I no longer needed, like an old guitar, a few video games, some jewelry I didn’t wear anymore. On a whim, I decided to list them just to see if I could make a few bucks.

To my surprise, my items sold quickly and easily. After paying my seller fees, I had earned a decent little profit. It gave me the confidence to list a few more small things from around the house. Again, they sold faster than I expected!

It didn’t take long before I was hooked on selling, motivated to grow this into a real side business. I started scouring thrift stores and estate sales to find inexpensive items to list on eBay. Things like glassware, books, toys, and home goods were cheap to source and ship.

I reinvested my earnings in more inventory and supplies. Slowly the extra income became a decent side hustle. Once I built up enough capital, I started researching suppliers and wholesalers. This allowed me to buy products in bulk for super cheap.

Today, selling on eBay is my full-time job. I have an entire warehouse full of inventory. And it all started by simply listing a few random low-cost items I already owned. My top tip for new sellers is to start small just like I did. Focus on selling a handful of affordable products at first as you learn the ropes. You can always scale up. But inexpensive inventory minimizes risks.

FAQs:

What are the best categories of inexpensive items to sell on eBay?

Some top-selling categories for affordable products are books, jewelry supplies, small home goods, crafts, toys, games, and electronic accessories. Focus on lightweight items to save on shipping.

Where can I source cheap inventory to sell on eBay?

Check thrift stores, garage sales, library book sales, wholesale suppliers, liquidations, and retail clearance sections. Buy in bulk when possible to get better rates.

How much profit can I make selling inexpensive items?

Profit margins are smaller per item, but you make up for it with high sales volume. Aim for at least $3-5 profit per small item. With enough volume, profits add up quickly.

Should I offer free shipping on low-cost eBay products?

Free shipping often boosts sales of cheap items substantially. Absorb the small shipping cost into your pricing strategy. Customers love free shipping.

How can I scale up from selling a few items to selling full time?

Reinvest your profits into more inventory. Automate tasks like shipping and listing. Source larger wholesale lots. Hire help if needed. Grow your eBay store slowly and steadily.

What mistakes should I avoid when selling cheap eBay products?

Don’t sacrifice quality and service. Don’t price gouge or inflate shipping costs. Avoid generic descriptions and photos. Stay organised with your inventory and orders.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking to earn extra cash or even start a full-time eBay business, selling low-cost, inexpensive merchandise is the easiest approach. Minimal startup investment is required. You can dabble casually or sell high volumes. There is healthy demand across many budget-friendly product categories.

By focusing on inexpensive inventory, you can get sales and profits rolling quickly. As you reinvest earnings back into more inventory, your eBay business will compound. Sure, profit margins are smaller per item. But robust sales volume makes up for it many times over. 

Don’t let limited funds or fear of risk hold you back. Start listing some small inexpensive items today and see where it takes you on your own journey to eBay success!Ready to get started selling affordable products on eBay? Click here to get my ecommerce services!

Read More:

What is eBay seller account?

Do I need a licence to sell on eBay?