How to Sell Used items on Amazon 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Many people are now using Amazon to sell their old stuff and make some extra money while cleaning up their homes. If you know how to do it right, you can reach lots of customers and make more money. In this guide, we’ll explain how to find and sell used items on Amazon in 2024, from making your product listings better to keeping customers happy.

Before starting on how to sell used items on Amazon in 2024, we should have a knowledge on categories that are eligible to be sold as used on Amazon.

What categories are eligible to be sold as used on Amazon?

Amazon has rules about which categories of products can be sold as “used,” and it’s to make sure everything sold on their website is safe, real, and meets customer expectations. You can’t treat Amazon like a flea market and sell anything used. Here are the categories on Amazon where you can sell used items:

• Amazon Device Accessories: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used ones.
• Amazon Kindle: You can sell used ones.
• Automotive & Powersports: You can sell new, certified refurbished, used, or collectible items.
• Baby Products (except clothes): You can sell new items.
• Beauty: You can sell new beauty products.
• Books: You can sell new, used, or collectible books.
• Camera & Photo: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used items.
• Clothing: You can sell new clothing.
• Cell Phones & Accessories: You can sell new, used, certified refurbished, and unlocked items.
• Collectible Coins: You can sell coins that are like new and collectible.
• Consumer Electronics: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used electronics.
• Entertainment Collectibles: You can sell collectibles that are like new.
• Fine Art: You can sell new artworks.
• Grocery & Gourmet Food: You can sell new food items.
• Health & Personal Care: You can sell new health and personal care products.
• Home & Garden: You can sell new, certified refurbished, used, or collectible items.
• Independent Design: You can sell new independently designed products.
• Industrial & Scientific: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used items.
• Jewelry: You can sell new jewelry.
• Kindle Accessories and Amazon Fire TV Accessories: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used accessories.
• Major Appliances: You can sell new, used, or certified refurbished appliances.
• Music: You can sell new, used, or collectible music.
• Musical Instruments: You can sell new, certified refurbished, used, or collectible instruments.
• Office Products: You can sell new, certified refurbished, used, or collectible office items.
• Outdoors: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used outdoor products.
• Personal Computers: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used computers.
• Pet Supplies: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used pet supplies.
• Shoes & Handbags: You can sell new shoes and handbags.
• Software: You can sell new or used software.
• Sports: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used sports items.
• Sports Collectibles: You can sell collectibles that are like new.
• Tools & Home Improvement: You can sell new, certified refurbished, or used tools and home improvement items.
• Toys & Games: You can sell new toys and games, as well as collectible ones.
• Video, DVD & Blu-ray: You can sell new, used, or collectible items.
• Video Games: You can sell new, used, or collectible video games.
• Watches: You can sell new watches.

Amazon has some categories where you can’t sell things as “used.” These include baby products (except clothes), beauty products, clothing, collectible coins, entertainment collectibles, fine art, groceries, health and personal care items, independent design products, jewelry, shoes and handbags, sports collectibles, toys and games, and watches.

But in many other categories, you can sell used items. Just remember that even if you’re selling something as “used,” it still has to meet Amazon’s guidelines for used items.

Amazon’s Used Condition Guidelines

Amazon has some rules about how you can describe the condition of used items you’re selling. Here’s what they mean:

• Used – Like New or Open Box: The item is in perfect working condition, comes in its original packaging (which might have some minor damage), and includes instructions.
• Used – Very Good: The item has been taken care of, hasn’t been used much, and still works well. It might have small scratches or cosmetic issues. The packaging could be damaged, or the item might be in different packaging. If any accessories are missing, you need to say so.
• Used – Good: The item is in good working condition but shows signs of wear from regular use. It might have some marks or minor cosmetic damage. It could be in different or damaged packaging. It might be missing parts, accessories, or instructions.
• Used – Acceptable: The item still works, but it’s pretty worn. It might be in different or damaged packaging and could have scratches, dents, or other signs of use. It might be missing parts, accessories, or instructions.

Amazon doesn’t allow items that are:

• Dirty, moldy, or really stained
• Damaged in a way that makes them unusable
• Missing essential parts or accessories (except instructions)
• Needing repairs
• Copies, fakes, or counterfeits
• Promotional items like product samples
• Expired or close to expiring
• Marked as unsellable by the manufacturer

When you’re listing a used item, it’s a good idea to pick a condition that’s a bit lower than what you think it is. For example, if you think it’s “Like New,” list it as “Very Good.” That way, customers might be pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed.

How can we find used products to sell on Amazon?

You can find used products to sell on Amazon from various sources. Here are some popular places to find used items for resale:

1. Thrift Stores: Thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrift shops often have a wide range of used items, including clothing, electronics, and home goods.
2. Garage Sales: Garage sales and yard sales are great places to find inexpensive used items that you can resell on Amazon.
3. Flea Markets: Flea markets are treasure troves of used and vintage items. You can often negotiate prices with vendors to get a better deal.
4. Estate Sales: Estate sales typically offer a variety of items from a single household. You can find everything from furniture to collectibles.
5. Online Marketplaces: Websites like eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Letgo are excellent platforms to source used products. You can negotiate prices and arrange for local pickup.
6. Wholesale Suppliers: Some wholesalers specialize in selling refurbished or returned products. You can establish relationships with these suppliers to access a consistent source of used items.
7. Liquidation Auctions: Liquidation auctions offer pallets or truckloads of customer returns, overstock, and refurbished products. Websites like Liquidation.com and B-Stock Solutions host such auctions.
8. Local Classified Ads: Check local classified ads in newspapers or online for people selling used items. You can often find items at a lower cost than retail prices.
9. Networking: Connect with friends, family, and acquaintances who might have used items they no longer need. They may offer you items for free or at a discounted price.
10. Retail Arbitrage: Visit retail stores during clearance sales, end-of-season sales, or when they’re discontinuing items. You can find brand new items at significantly reduced prices.

Remember to thoroughly research the products you plan to sell on Amazon, check their condition, and ensure they meet Amazon’s guidelines for used items. Additionally, consider the competition and pricing strategy for each product category to maximize your profits.

How to sell certified pre-owned and refurbished products

Amazon has a program called Amazon Renewed where sellers can list used and refurbished items that meet Amazon’s standards. Not all sellers can join this program; usually, experienced sellers are eligible. Amazon has these strict rules to make sure that the businesses selling these items are trustworthy and offer high-quality products.

To qualify for Amazon Renewed, you need to:

1. Show supply invoices proving that you’ve purchased at least $50,000 worth of refurbished items in the last 90 days (or 180 days for certain categories).
2. If you’re already selling on Amazon, you should have a low Order Defect Rate (ODR) of 0.8% or less over the past 90 days.
3. If you want to list factory-refurbished items without a manufacturer warranty, you need to provide at least 8 images of a sample unit for Amazon to review. These images should show the product and its packaging from different angles.
4. Your company must offer the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, and you’re responsible for any claims made under this guarantee.
5. If you want to sell Apple products in the Consumer Electronics categories, you need to show invoices from the past 90 days totaling $2.5 million in Apple refurbished products.

These requirements ensure that the items listed in the Amazon Renewed program are of high quality and come from reputable sellers.

How to list used items for sale on Amazon

Listing used items for sale on Amazon is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it, simplified and with an example:

Step 1: Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Step 2: Log In to Your Seller Account

• Use your account credentials to log in to your Amazon Seller account.

Step 3: Start a New Product Listing

• In your seller dashboard, look for the option that says “Add a Product.” Click on it.

Step 4: Search for Your Item

Step 5: Select Your Product

• Choose the product that matches what you’re selling. If you can’t find it, you can create a new listing.

Step 6: Fill in the Details

Step 7: List Your Item

• Once you’ve filled in all the details, click the button that says “List Your Item.” Your used item is now up for sale on Amazon!

Real-Life Example: Let’s say you have a gently used PlayStation game to sell. You’d log in to your Amazon Seller account, search for the game, fill in details like its condition, price, and shipping options, and then click “List Your Item.” Now, gamers looking for that game can find it on Amazon, and you can make a sale.

How to Optimize Product Listings for Visibility

Create product titles and descriptions that are engaging and full of useful information, and don’t forget to include important keywords. Use bullet points to emphasize the main features of your items, and use clear, high-quality images to display your products.

Imagine you’re selling a smartphone online. Instead of just saying “Used Smartphone for Sale,” you could craft a better title like “Gently Used iPhone X – Unlocked – 64GB – Excellent Condition.” In the description, you’d mention its features, such as the great camera quality, fast performance, and long battery life. Use bullet points to list these features, and include clear photos of the phone from various angles so potential buyers can see exactly what they’re getting.

Effective Pricing Strategies for Used Items

When you’re deciding how much to charge for your used items, it’s important to find a balance between offering a competitive price and making a profit. Here’s how you can do it, explained simply:

Step 1: Research the Market

• Start by looking at similar products that are already listed for sale. This will give you an idea of how much similar items are being sold for.

Step 2: Set a Competitive Price

• Based on your research, choose a price that’s competitive but still allows you to make money. Don’t go too high or too low; aim for a balance.

Step 3: Consider Your Item’s Unique Qualities

• If your item has something special about it, like being a rare collectible or having extra accessories, you can often charge a bit more.

Step 4: Brand and Condition Matter

• Items from well-known brands and those in excellent condition often fetch higher prices.

Step 5: Keep Your Profit Margin in Mind

• While being competitive is essential, make sure you’re not selling at a price that leaves you with very little profit.

Real-Life Example: Let’s say you have a vintage vinyl record to sell. You research similar records and find that they typically sell for around $20 to $30. Yours is in excellent condition and happens to be a rare edition. You decide to list it for $25, which is competitive but still allows you to make a profit considering its uniqueness and condition.

Managing Customer Reviews and Feedback

Getting positive reviews is super important for gaining trust and looking reliable. To do this, be super helpful to your customers, fix any problems fast, and ask them to write a review after they’ve had a good experience.

Staying Updated with Amazon’s Policies and Changes

Amazon’s rules and computer systems can change, which might impact how you sell stuff. To handle this, keep an eye on Amazon’s Seller Central for any updates and adjust your plans to fit.

Think of it like driving a car. If the road changes or there’s construction, you need to pay attention and change your route to reach your destination. Similarly, when Amazon updates its rules or how things work for sellers, you need to adapt your selling strategies to keep your business on track.

Ready to sell used items on Amazon?

I hope this information has been helpful in addressing your queries about selling used items on Amazon! I personally suggest starting with used books because they are inexpensive to acquire and readily available.

While Amazon permits sellers to list items as used in specific categories, it’s essential to exercise caution when deciding what to sell. Your items must still be in decent working condition to be eligible for sale. If you’re uncertain about an item’s condition, I recommend considering platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Do you have more questions or need further guidance on selling used products on Amazon? Please feel free to ask in the comments section below!

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about selling used products on Amazon:

Q: Do I really need a Professional Seller Account?

A: While it’s not a must, having a Professional plan can be beneficial. It gives you tools for listing many items at once and access to advanced selling features.

Q: How should I handle returns for my used items?

A: You should follow Amazon’s return policies, which apply to used products as well. These guidelines can be found in Seller Central.

Q: Can I sell items with some damage as used products?

A: Yes, you can, but it’s crucial to describe the item’s condition accurately, including any flaws or defects.

Q: Are there specific categories where selling used items is more successful?

A: Yes, certain categories like electronics, books, and clothing often have a higher demand for used products.

Q: What’s the best way to get more attention for my used product listings?

A: You can use Amazon’s advertising options and even consider using social media to drive more people to your listings.