You don’t have to go on a thrift store spree to kickstart a side hustle selling secondhand items on eBay. There’s a good chance you already have plenty of inventory in your home that could earn you some extra cash in the online marketplace. Besides the obvious items like clothes, children’s toys, and personal electronics, there’s potential profit in things you might typically recycle or throw away. Keep reading to discover unexpected items you can sell on eBay and start transforming your clutter into cash—we bet you’ll be scouring your house the moment you’re done with this article.
Broken Crayons
Melted crayons offer numerous crafting opportunities; a 1-pound bag of assorted colors can fetch $15 on eBay.
Egg Cartons
Both crafters and backyard egg enthusiasts often require empty egg cartons. A bundle of 20 cardboard cartons can sell for up to $20.
Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Rolls
Teachers and parents frequently utilize these leftover cardboard rolls for children’s arts and crafts. A box containing 135 empty rolls can fetch between $5 to $15.
Plastic Bottle Caps
Included in the craft supplies category: A collection of 50 used plastic bottle caps can be listed for up to $7.
Beer Bottle Caps
Some crafters also upcycle beer bottle caps, transforming them into art and accessories. When sold in bulk, 100 non-dented beer caps can fetch $12 or more.
Rewards Points
A set of four Southwest Airlines drink vouchers sold for $20.78. Kroger Fuel Reward Points are also popular, with 6000 points fetching $130.
Coupons
High-value coupons for stores like Lowe’s, Kohl’s, and Pottery Barn regularly sell for between $0.99 and $10.
Empty Candle Jars
A set of four used Yankee Candle jars, perfect for various crafts, typically sells for around $30.
Old Cables and Cell Phone Chargers
A charger for the iPod Classic’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Generation, for example, can fetch about $3 on the online marketplace.
Product Boxes
An empty iPhone 12 product box can be found on the site for about $9, while an empty American Girl doll box can bring in $18.99.
Old Catalogs
A 1981 JCPenney catalog can be found for almost $19 (though it’s unclear why anyone would need it).
Paper Shopping Bags
Paper bags are useful for grocery shopping, especially at stores that charge for new ones. A set of nine used Starbucks bags was listed for $15.
Empty Perfume Bottles
A vintage Chanel No. 5 glass perfume bottle sells for approximately $25.
Pinecones
Large pinecones are highly sought-after for crafting holiday decorations. Best sold as a lot, a group of 25 pinecones can be priced at $17.
Wine Corks
Natural wine corks sold in bulk are also popular with crafters. A bag of 100 used wine corks (no synthetic stoppers or champagne corks!) fetches $12.99.
Back Issues of Magazines
Seven back issues of Country Living from the ’90s are listed for $12, and you can find just about any magazine you’re searching for.
Owner’s Manuals
Owner’s manuals for vintage model cars usually sell for prices ranging from $5 to $30.
Installation CDs
Installation CDs for printers, software, and operating systems can sell for prices ranging from $3 to $16.
Broken coffee makers and other appliances
For example, a broken Keurig coffee maker can be sold for parts for around $40.
Junk Drawer Contents
Junk drawer lots, ranging from newer office supplies to vintage lighters, can sell for anywhere between $5 and $50.
VHS Tapes
A collection of Disney movies on VHS can range between $15 and $90, depending on the films and their condition.
Cassette Tapes
“Build your own lots” are popular on eBay because they allow collectors to choose exactly which tapes they want. The price of a collection varies depending on how many tapes are purchased, but it can go as high as $50.
Gift Cards
Have you ever returned an item for store credit but would rather have cash? Gift cards often sell for less than their actual value on eBay. For instance, a $263 Target card is listed for $237.
Empty Wine Bottles
Another popular item with the crafting crowd, used wine bottles can sell for $10 when sold in a case of six.
Empty Makeup Containers
There are numerous ways to repurpose old makeup containers for storage. Depending on the size and quantity of containers, these can sell for anywhere between $4 and $20.
Old Software
The Microsoft Windows Operating System from 2000 goes for about $50.
Trophies
Crafters repurpose trophies into various items like bottle stoppers and cake toppers, making it unsurprising that a large trophy can sell for anywhere from $15 to over $100 on eBay.
Empty Cases for Games
Empty cases can be sold for between $4 to $12, depending on the game.
Empty Printer Ink Cartridges
The price varies depending on the type and quantity, but currently, a set of 14 HP ink cartridges is listed for $18.50.
Incomplete Board Games
Don’t discard a game just because it’s missing pieces—someone else may be seeking replacements. An incomplete version of the 1999 Monopoly: Pokemon Collector’s Edition is listed for $25.
Damaged Sweaters
Torn, holey sweaters, particularly those made of quality materials like cashmere, can still sell for a good price on eBay. Prices typically start at $10 for various sizes and colors.
Old Phones
Original, first-generation iPhones are becoming collectible items. While a factory-sealed product can bring in up to $10,000, even pre-loved phones have been known to sell for around $100.
Baby Food Jars
Listed under multi-purpose craft supplies, a collection of 24 empty Gerber baby food jars can typically sell for around $15.
Used Golf Balls
A box containing 24 Titleist Pro balls typically sells for about $40.
Tires
While old tires might not be suitable for your car, they make adorable tire swings! Depending on the size and brand, they typically sell for anywhere between $20 and $80.
Paper Clips
Paper clips serve as both an office essential and a creative tool for children’s art projects. A boxed set featuring various colors typically fetches $19.95.
Bubble Wrap
Rolls of pre-owned bubble wrap can be listed for up to $25, depending on the quantity available.
Vintage Door Knobs
Vintage details are highly sought after for home decor, which is why older door knobs can sell for $20 or even higher.
Shoelaces
If you have special or even just really clean shoelaces, there’s likely someone out there searching for a deal. A batch of 55 pairs is available for $9.99!
Remote Controls
Perhaps someone lost theirs, or maybe it broke. Either way, TV remote controls typically sell for up to $10.
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