How to List Used Items on Shopify in 2025?

Selling used items online has become a big business. Many people want to make money from things they no longer need. Shopify is one of the best places to sell 2nd hand stuff online. The secondhand market reached $523.29 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $1451.34 billion by 2032. This shows how popular used items have become.

More people are buying pre-owned items to save money and help the planet. You can start your store on Shopify to sell used goods. This guide will show you exactly how to list pre-owned items on Shopify. We will cover everything from setting up your store to making sales. Whether you have clothes, electronics, or furniture, you can sell them all.

Why Sell Used Items on Shopify?

Shopify makes it easy to sell used goods online. You get your website to showcase your items. This is better than using Facebook Marketplace or other basic platforms.

With Shopify, you control your brand. You can make your store look professional. Customers trust stores that look good and work well. Benefits of using Shopify:

• You own your customer data
• No listing fees like eBay charges
• Professional-looking website
• Easy payment processing
• Mobile-friendly design
• SEO tools to get found online

Facebook Marketplace has 250 million sellers worldwide, but most of them look unprofessional. Your Shopify store will stand out from the crowd.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Shopify Store

First, you need to create your Shopify account. Go to Shopify.com and click “Start free trial.” You get 14 days to test everything for free.

Choose a store name that relates to used items. Good examples are “SecondLife Goods” or “Preloved Treasures.” Make it easy to remember and spell.

Choose a theme that suits used items well. Look for themes with good photo galleries. Your pictures need to look great, as customers cannot physically touch the items.

Essential pages to create:

• About Us page
• Return policy
• Shipping information
• Contact details
• FAQ section

Set up your payment methods. Shopify works with PayPal, Stripe, and various credit card providers. Offer multiple payment options so customers can pay in the way that suits them best.

How to List Used Items on Shopify: Step-by-Step

Below are seamless steps to list used items on Shopify:

Step 1: Create a Shopify Store

If you haven’t already:

• Visit shopify.com
• Click “Start free trial”
• Follow prompts to set up your store basics (name, domain, preferences)

Step 2: Add a New Product

1. Go to your Shopify Admin Dashboard.
2. Click on Products > Add product.

Step 3: Enter Product Details for Your Used Item

Fill out the form carefully:

• Title: Clearly label it as a used item, e.g., “Used Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera”
• Description: Include:
  • Condition (e.g., “Gently used, excellent condition”)
  • Any defects or wear
  • Photos from multiple angles
• Images: Upload high-quality, real photos (not stock images)

Step 4: Set Inventory & Pricing

• Price: Reflect the used condition and market demand
• SKU: Assign a unique identifier
• Quantity: Often just 1 for used items
• Enable “Track quantity” so the listing is removed when sold

Step 5: Add Tags & Collections

• Use relevant tags like: used, second-hand, pre-owned
  
• Add to collections like “Used Gear” or “Clearance”

Step 6: Choose Sales Channels

Ensure your product is visible on your:

• Online Store
• Social media integrations
• Shopify POS (if applicable)

Step 7: Save & Preview

• Click Save
• Click Preview to see how it appears to customers

Step 8: Set a Return Policy (Optional)

Used items may have different return policies:

• Create a separate “Used Item Policy” page
• Link it in the product description or footer

Tips to follow while listing used items on Shopify

• Be honest about product condition
• Clearly indicate “Used” in the title and description
• Use keywords buyers search for like “certified pre-owned” or “second-hand”
• Consider offering a small warranty for trust

Top Shopify Applications to sell Used items

Below are some of the top-notch Shopify applications to make selling used items easier and at a click:

 Trade-In & Resale Programs

1. SELLIT9 Trade

• Allows customers to trade in used items for store credit at checkout. The app handles logistics and pays you while boosting customer engagement and sustainability

2. Recommerce 

• Offers buyback/resale features: customers can trade in items for cash or store credit, with smart pricing and automated return labels.

Open-Box & Returns Resale

3. DRIP: Returns For Sale Widget

Lets you list returned, open-box, or demo items directly on your store with a customizable widget. It auto-removes listings once sold

Peer-to-Peer/Consignment Platforms

4. OWNI

Enables a true resale marketplace: customers can resell items on your site, and you earn a commission on each resale.

5. Tern Trade‑in

Allows you to launch a trade-in program where customers send in items in exchange for store credit. You can manage pricing and relist items for resale.

Full Multi‑Vendor Marketplace

6. Webkul Multi‑Vendor Marketplace

Converts your store into a full C2C marketplace where users can act as buyers and sellers, complete with seller dashboards, commissions, and auction features.

Proven Strategies to Grow and Scale Your Used Items Business

Below are effective strategies to grow and scale your used items business:

Best Product Categories for Used Items

Some types of used items sell more effectively online than others. Focus on categories that ship easily and have steady demand. Here are the top-selling used item categories:

• Designer clothing and accessories
• Electronics and gadgets
• Books and media
• Home decor and furniture
• Sports equipment
• Musical instruments
• Collectibles and antiques

Electronics need special attention. Test everything before listing. Include chargers and original boxes when possible.

Clothing should be clean and wrinkle-free. Measure everything and include size charts. Many buyers return clothes that don’t fit.

Marketing Your Used Items Store

Getting traffic to your Shopify store takes effort. You cannot just list items and wait for sales. You need to actively promote your business.

Marketing strategies that work:

• Social media posts showing new arrivals
• Email newsletters to past customers
• SEO optimization for search engines
• Google Ads for high-value items
• Influencer partnerships
• Cross-posting on multiple platforms

There are 2.71 billion digital buyers worldwide in 2024. This huge market means plenty of potential customers exist.

Use Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your best items. These visual platforms work great for used goods. Post regularly and use relevant hashtags.

Shipping and Handling Used Items

Shipping used items requires extra care. These items are often unique and cannot be easily replaced if damaged.

Packing tips:

• Use plenty of bubble wrap
• Choose boxes slightly larger than needed
• Add “FRAGILE” stickers for delicate items
• Take photos of packed items
• Get insurance for expensive pieces

Offer multiple shipping options. Some customers want items quickly and will pay extra. Others prefer cheaper, slow shipping.

Calculate shipping costs accurately. Heavy items, such as furniture, require special handling. Consider using freight shipping for large pieces.

Customer Service for Used Item Sales

Great customer service separates successful sellers from those who fail. Customers have more questions about used items than they do about new ones.

Respond to messages quickly. Please respond within a few hours, if possible. Be friendly and helpful in all communications.

Common customer questions:

• Exact measurements and fit
• More photos from different angles
• History and previous ownership
• Maintenance requirements
• Compatibility with other items

Be prepared to negotiate on prices. Many customers expect to bargain on used items. Set your initial prices with room for negotiation.

Sell Used Items with Better Deals Using the Free Bargain App by CartCoders

Selling used items on Shopify becomes more effective when buyers can make their own offers. The Bargain App by CartCoders adds this feature at zero cost. It’s perfect for pre-owned products, where price flexibility drives quicker decisions and better conversions.

Why use it:

• 100% free to install and use (no hidden fees)
• Lets shoppers negotiate prices directly on product pages
• Speeds up sales of second-hand inventory
• Auto-accept low bids to save time
• Simple setup – no coding needed

Handling Returns and Complaints

Returns happen more often with used items. Customers might receive something different than expected. Having a clear return policy protects both you and buyers.

Return policy elements:

• Time limit (7-14 days typical)
• Who pays return shipping
• Condition requirements
• Refund vs store credit options
• Restocking fees if applicable

Document everything with photos and descriptions. This helps resolve disputes quickly. Most problems come from misunderstandings about the condition or size.

47% of consumers now consider the resale value when buying new items. This shows customers understand used items have value and expect fair treatment.

Legal Considerations and Taxes

Selling used items online creates tax obligations. Keep records of all sales and expenses. You might need to pay income tax on profits.

Some items need special handling:

• Electronics might need safety certifications
• Children’s items have strict safety rules
• Recalled products cannot be sold
• Copyrighted items need permission

Check local laws about business licenses. Some cities require permits for online sales. Better to be safe and legal from the start.

Scaling Your Used Items Business

Once you get comfortable selling used items, you can grow your business. Look for ways to increase inventory and boost sales.

Growth strategies:

• Buy items from estate sales and thrift stores
• Accept consignment items from others
• Specialize in specific categories
• Hire help for photography and shipping
• Automate repetitive tasks

The global second-hand product market is expected to reach $771.08 billion by 2029. This massive growth means that plenty of opportunities exist.

Track your performance using Shopify’s analytics. See which items sell best and focus on those categories. Drop categories that don’t perform well.

Conclusion

Shopify offers numerous opportunities when you learn how to sell second-hand goods on it. The second-hand market continues to expand as individuals seek bargains and eco-friendly products.

Start small using what you already have. Discover how to do it and develop your skills. You will be able to increase your business as you relax and grow your stock.

Do not forget, good things come with time and effort. Concentrate on customer service and top-quality products. Your reputation will grow, attracting repeat customers.

Are you struggling to list items on Shopify? CartCoders is here to assist you. We have a team of dedicated Shopify experts that provides you with end-to-end assistance with Shopify and gives you all the tools needed to sell 2nd hand stuff professionally.

Contact us today, and we will stand by your side to assist you with Shopify listing services.