Skip to the content
    Revived
    Research desk with framed art, a collectible aircraft, reference books and a magnifier

    Selling Guides

    How to start a resale business with a car and a phone

    Pick a lane where buyers search by model, learn sold comps, buy under them and sell where the buyers look. Six steps from 12 years of buying and reselling, with real flips.

    All selling guidesPublished November 1, 20263 min readBy Stone Ross

    Stone Ross has bought and resold for more than 12 years. Revived is the consignment and resale company he runs from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Anybody with a car and a go-getter mentality can learn this. These are the six steps he would give someone starting today.

    01

    1. Pick a lane where buyers search by name

    Tools, trade equipment, lab and test gear, cameras and audio. Buyers type the maker and model into a search box, so a fair price is easy to prove and easy to find. Furniture sells too. It is heavy, local and slower.

    Our tool flips with real numbers show what a good lane looks like.

    02

    2. Learn sold comps before you buy

    An asking price is a wish. A sold price is a fact. Search the exact model on eBay, filter to sold listings and read the condition of each one. Write down the three closest matches.

    If you cannot find sold copies of a piece, you cannot price it yet. Pass and keep looking.

    03

    3. Buy under the comps, with room for costs

    Marketplace fees, a shipping label and a box come out of every sale. The gap between your buy and the comps has to cover them.

    Fieldpiece VP87 two-stage vacuum pump
    Fieldpiece VP87 vacuum pump. Bought for $120, sold for $280.
    • Fieldpiece VP87 vacuum pump. Bought for $120, sold for $280.
    • Wilton bench vise. Bought for $30, sold for $95.
    • Milwaukee deep cut band saw. Bought for $50, sold for $142.50.

    Small, steady flips teach the routine before you put real cash on a bigger piece.

    04

    4. Test it, photograph it, describe it plainly

    Power it on before you pay. Photograph the model plate, every side, the accessories and anything missing. Buyers who search by model number read the photos closely.

    05

    5. Sell where its buyers look

    Shippable gear sells to the whole country on eBay. Big, heavy pieces sell on Facebook Marketplace, where a local buyer comes to you.

    06

    6. Keep a ledger from day one

    Record the buy price, the sold price, the fees and the shipping for every piece. After a month the ledger tells you which lane to stay in.

    07

    The hard part is finding the deal

    People list tools and equipment far under what they sell for every day, and the good ones go fast. Revived Deal Alerts points our deal engine at your town, anywhere in the continental US. Each alert shows the asking price, our resale estimate from past sold listings, the estimated profit and the sold comps behind it. Estimated profit is our estimate, never a promise.

    Start your own resale business with Deal Alerts. Every membership starts with 7 days free.

    Keep exploring

    Another useful guide.

    Back to All Articles

    Public feedback

    In their words.

    • Enjoyed working with Stone. He was on top of every sale with exact information of buyers arrival time and payment.

      Phyllis J., Google

    • Hundred percent legitimate person. Had a wonderful business exchange and I’m sure we will do more together.

      Sanjiv J., Google

    • Stone was great! Item was as described and he was very helpful with additional photos, and had clear & punctual communication. Even helped load furniture in my car. Would def shop with Stone again.

      Heather, Facebook Marketplace

    • Outstanding seller!! Packaging could not have been better! Great comms, extremely friendly. You should give lessons! Very happy with the entire transaction. Many thanks.

      granpup, eBay

    • Flexible with time, helped load the dresser, easy transaction!

      Emily, Facebook Marketplace

    • Outstanding seller! Great communication, fast shipping & careful & professional attention to packaging of model to ensure that it arrived undamaged. Very concerned that the customer is satisfied. First rate customer service & a pleasure to deal with!

      chrislf78, eBay

    • Very easy to work with

      Chris, Facebook Marketplace

    • Amazing communicator! Kind, flexible, and helpful. Helped me figure out how to make shipping work for this wonderful gift. All time great eBay seller!

      sofauxboho, eBay

    • ・Stone responded promptly and politely. ・The item was shipped quickly. ・The item matched the description and pictures. ・The item was good quality.

      Wendy, Facebook Marketplace

    • Great communication, prompt shipping, item just as pictured and described. I'm happy with my purchase and the experience.

      bklaker711, eBay

    • My purchase was exactly like the picture

      Linda, Facebook Marketplace

    • Excellent Seller! Super fast shipping! Item exactly as stated and packed securely. Highly recommend Seller.

      marcellasdoughnuts, eBay

    • ・The item was good quality. ・The item matched the description and pictures. ・The item was shipped quickly. ・Stone responded promptly and politely.

      Terri, Facebook Marketplace

    • Item received well packed. Excellent communication from Seller. Item exactly as described. Definitely recommend this Seller!

      marcellasdoughnuts, eBay

    • We enjoyed fast, courteous service with such kindness from the sellers . Thank you for sharing your talent with your customers.

      Susan, Facebook Marketplace

    • Item exactly as described, fast shipping, great seller, highly recommended!

      a-v_surplus, eBay

    • It was shipped pretty quickly and it was well packaged. Seller was very communicative

      gasal4, eBay

    • Great communication, answered back quickly and gave great description of the part.

      richthesmokerguy, eBay

    • Easy transaction. Very polite and nice to deal with.

      rmc1148, eBay

    • Great seller, thanks

      down.set.hike, eBay

    • Great ebayer. Arrived as described. Would definitely buy from again. Very smooth transaction.

      zap82, eBay

    • Perfect transaction all the way around. Exceptionally good packing effort and great communication as well. Well pleased with this purchase. Thanks so much.

      pworthfamily, eBay

    • Such a positive experience! Communication was awesome. I would definitely buy from them again.

      questa84.jt-2, eBay

    • Described the product well, communicated perfectly about the product and it was packed good and the price was good.

      gasal4, eBay

    • Packaged well. Seller made sure packaged arrived on time and in good condition. Item looks great. Much appreciated.

      kylburn_27, eBay

    • Great seller! Thank you!

      mancave2008, eBay

    • Great packaging, 5 stars!

      mancave2008, eBay

    • Happy with purchase. Good communication very easy transaction.

      rmc1148, eBay

    • Everything was exactly as described. Packaged extremely well. I would definitely recommend this seller and would buy from him again. Seller is AAAA!!!!!! Great

      mostoys2, eBay

    • Easy pickup. Good communication. Thank you.

      rmc1148, eBay

    • Great seller, headset arrived just as described and works perfectly. Fast shipping and good communication. Would definitely buy from again

      andreinabzh, eBay

    • Quick shipper! Quality seller!

      retrospektllc, eBay

    • As described thank you!

      931motoboy, eBay

    • as described thanks A+A+A+

      bm3336, eBay

    • Good transaction

      ramanager22, eBay

    • Look good. Thank you. Arrived quickly and safely

      rock1976blue, eBay

    • Fast shipping. Recommended ebay seller.

      mbzt_23, eBay

    • As described, works well for 3D printer filament.

      myykflys, eBay

    • Super Fast Shipping!!! Physically shipped same day!! Appearance as described; fantastic condition. Good quality product!! Great deal!! Love Love Love❣️ Perfect transaction!! A+++

      halfcro73, eBay

    • Fast shipping, great item

      kaplu.vital, eBay

    • Exactly as described. Prompt shipping.

      ande19559, eBay

    • Great quality! Super fast shipping. Thanks

      mslarue72, eBay

    • Works great love it wish I bought one sooner.

      v659n46, eBay

    Start with what you have.

    Send photos of a valuable piece or a collection. We review what you have, then agree on the right next step. A visit and written proposal follow when the collection is a fit.

    Based in Kennett Square. We work about 30 miles in every direction, and farther when the house is worth the drive.

    Call or text (484) 8-REVIVE

    Let’s talk about what you have

    Leave your name and number. We’ll be in touch to talk through the next step. Photos are optional.

    Add details, photos or video (optional)

    No cost. No obligation.We’ll be in touch to arrange a call.

    By sending this you agree that Revived may text and email you about your request, with occasional updates. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Privacy · Terms