What is the best online marketplace to sell stuff?

The best marketplace depends on what you're selling: Electronics and collectibles: eBay (large audience, seller protections, but 13.25% fees on most categories); Clothing and fashion: Poshmark (15% fee) or ThredUp for bulk; Furniture and large items: Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist (free, local pickup, no shipping); Handmade goods and crafts: Etsy (6.5% transaction fee + listing fee); General second-hand: OfferUp or Mercari (10–12.9% fees). For highest profit: Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist take no platform fee.

How much can I make selling stuff online?

Casual sellers decluttering a home can generate $500–$2,000 from one round of selling. Consistent part-time resellers (buying and flipping thrift store finds, liquidation pallets) can earn $500–$3,000/month. Full-time resellers using eBay, Amazon FBA, or Etsy generate $30,000–$100,000+ per year. The key variables: volume of items, profit margin per item, and how efficiently you source inventory.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I make selling online?

Yes. IRS rules: if you sell personal items for less than you paid (at a loss), no tax is owed. If you sell at a profit, it's taxable as a capital gain. If you regularly buy items to resell, it's considered self-employment income, taxed as ordinary income plus 15.3% self-employment tax. Platforms like eBay, Etsy, PayPal, and Venmo issue a 1099-K form if you receive $600 or more in a year (reduced from previous $20,000 threshold starting 2024). Keep records of what you paid for items to document any losses.

What is the safest way to receive payment when selling locally?

For local sales (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp): cash remains the safest option — no chargeback risk. Alternatives: PayPal Goods and Services (buyer protected, but you pay fees and have chargeback exposure); Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App for Goods and Services. Avoid personal PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle transfers for merchandise — if a buyer claims the item wasn't received, you have no recourse on personal transfers. Never accept cashier's checks or money orders from strangers — common scam vectors.

What household items sell best online?

Top-selling household items online in 2026: electronics (phones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras — sell well on eBay and Swappa); clothing and shoes (Poshmark, Mercari — especially designer brands); furniture (Facebook Marketplace for local sales); sporting equipment (eBay, Craigslist); tools and power tools (eBay, Facebook Marketplace); vintage items and collectibles (eBay, Etsy, Ruby Lane); video games and consoles (eBay, Facebook Marketplace); baby/toddler items (Facebook Marketplace, Kidizen).

Best Online Marketplaces for Making Money Selling Stuff 2026

Best Online Marketplaces for Selling Stuff in 2026

Whether you’re decluttering or building a resale business, choosing the right platform dramatically affects your profits. This guide covers every major option.

Platform Comparison Table

Platform	Best For	Seller Fee	Shipping	Local Option
eBay	Electronics, collectibles, anything	13.25% (most categories)	Buyer or seller pays	No
Facebook Marketplace	Furniture, large items, local	Free (no fees)	Local pickup	Yes (primary)
Poshmark	Clothing, accessories, shoes	20% on sales over $15	Prepaid label	No
Mercari	General second-hand	10%	Seller pays	Optional
Etsy	Handmade, vintage, craft supplies	6.5% + $0.20 listing	Seller pays	No
Craigslist	Furniture, cars, local	Free	Local pickup	Yes (only)
OfferUp	General, local	12.9% for shipped	Optional	Yes
Amazon FBA	New/like-new retail	8–15% + fulfillment	Amazon handles	No
Swappa	Phones, laptops, tablets	Flat fee + 3%	Seller pays	No
Depop	Vintage clothing, gen Z fashion	10%	Seller pays	No
ThredUp	Clothing bulk (send a bag)	15–90% (ThredUp keeps most for cheap items)	Free bag provided	No

Best for Specific Categories

Electronics

Best: eBay (largest electronics marketplace), Swappa (phones and laptops specifically — no broken/locked devices), Facebook Marketplace (local, no fees, avoid shipping headaches)

Tips: Reset all personal data before selling. Include original chargers and accessories — significantly increases value. Mention battery health percentage for phones.

Clothing and Fashion

Best: Poshmark (strong community, easy shipping with prepaid labels), Mercari (lower fees for non-designer items), Depop (vintage and trendy/gen Z items)

Avoid ThredUp for valuable items — they price and sell items themselves and keep the majority of proceeds on lower-priced pieces. ThredUp is best for bulk disposal, not maximizing value.

Furniture and Large Items

Best: Facebook Marketplace (free, local pickup, massive user base) and Craigslist (still active for furniture).

Tips: Take photos in natural lighting. State the exact dimensions. List pickup-only clearly. Cash preferred for safety.

Handmade, Vintage, Crafts

Best: Etsy — 90+ million active buyers searching specifically for handmade and vintage goods. Transaction fee is 6.5% plus a $0.20 per listing fee plus payment processing.

Fees: What You Actually Keep

Example: You sell a $100 item.

Platform	Fee	You Keep
Facebook Marketplace (local)	$0	$100
Craigslist	$0	$100
eBay	$13.25	$86.75
Mercari	$10	$90
Poshmark	$20	$80
Etsy	$7.15 (6.5% + listing)	$92.85
Amazon FBA	$15–$20+	$80–$85

Shipping costs reduce these further if seller pays. Facebook Marketplace local sales are the highest-margin option.

Taxes on Online Sales

Personal items at a loss: Not taxable (e.g., sold your old sofa for less than you paid).

Personal items at a profit: Taxable as capital gains (e.g., sold a collectible for more than you paid).

Regular reselling activity: Taxable as self-employment income. Deductible expenses: platform fees, shipping materials, mileage to acquire inventory, portion of home office if dedicated to reselling.

1099-K reporting: Platforms issue a 1099-K if you receive $600+ in payments. The IRS receives a copy. Track your cost basis (what you paid for items) to accurately report profit vs revenue.

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Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy