03/12/2026
The online reseller landscape is ever changing..
This is actually kind of funny when I think about it, and I’m honestly considering making a video about it.
I’ve been reselling for about ten years, mostly on eBay. During COVID it was actually my full-time job. After that I stepped back and it became more of a side hustle.
Back then my strategy was simple: if I thought I could make a few bucks on something, I bought it.
And yeah… that works.
But it also led to a basement full of random stuff that either takes forever to sell or I’m not motivated enough to even list. No real system, no clear inventory structure, just piles of “things that might sell someday.” Eventually that kills your momentum.
At the same time, the resale landscape has definitely shifted. People aren’t just browsing for random stuff anymore, they’re buying things they need.
Parts. Specific replacements. Problem-solving items.
That realization completely changed my approach.
After thinking it through (and honestly bouncing ideas around with ChatGPT), I realized the real key was focusing on what I actually enjoy sourcing and selling.
For me, that’s parts.
Now when I go to garage sales, auctions, or cleanouts, I’m not trying to buy everything anymore. I’m looking for very specific categories I know well. And the biggest shift? I’m comfortable walking away from everything else.
It’s a mindset change.
Living in rural Iowa actually makes this easier. The stuff that’s easy to source around here is things like:
vintage well built tools
car parts
lawn mower parts
small engine equipment
high end vacuum parts
These are items you can source for very cheap and often, for free!
And eBay is literally where people go when they need a very specific part. When someone needs it, they’ll pay for it.
Meanwhile platforms like Whatnot are great for moving lots of miscellaneous items quickly.
Both can make money — it just depends on your strategy.
But personally, if one part can net me $50 profit, I’d much rather sell that than list ten different $5 items.
It’s cleaner, faster, and honestly way more enjoyable.
