Reseller glossary

A listing where buyers bid and the highest bid wins when the timer ends. Good for items where you're unsure of demand; for everyday items a fixed price is usually simpler.

See also: BIN (Buy It Now), Reserve price, Sniping

An eBay service where some items in certain categories, such as trainers, handbags and watches, are checked by independent authenticators before they reach the buyer. Which items qualify is set by eBay and can change.

See also: Counterfeit (replica, fake), Item verification (Vinted)

Also called: make an offer

An option on a fixed-price listing that lets buyers suggest a lower price. You can accept, decline or counter, and on eBay you can set prices to accept or decline automatically.

See also: BIN (Buy It Now), Watchers

Also called: fixed price

A fixed-price listing: the buyer pays the price you set straight away, with no bidding.

See also: Auction, Best offer

Also called: be on the lookout

Short for "be on the lookout". Resellers use it for items or brands worth grabbing when sourcing, usually shared in groups and videos. Treat any list as a hint, not a promise of profit.

See also: Sourcing, Comps (sold comps)

A paid Vinted feature that shows your items to more buyers for a few days. Some sellers also say "bump" for relisting or editing an item to refresh it.

See also: Promoted listings, Relisting

Several items bought from the same seller in one order, often with a discount you set. On Vinted buyers can bundle items from your wardrobe; a bundle cover photo helps them see everything at once.

See also: Lot

Also called: trader, private seller

Someone who buys items to resell, or makes items to sell, for profit. Private sellers are clearing out their own things. Business sellers have extra duties (consumer rights, product safety, tax) and must say they're a business on the platform.

See also: Vinted Pro, GPSR, Trading allowance

A fee Vinted charges the buyer on top of the item price, covering refunds if an order goes wrong. Private sellers normally receive the full item price. Check Vinted's help centre for the current terms in your country.

See also: FVF (final value fee), Payouts

A sale where people sell their own things from their car boot or a table, usually at weekends. A classic place to source stock cheaply, so check items closely before you pay.

See also: Sourcing, Charity shop

A shop selling donated second-hand goods to raise money for a charity. A common place to source clothes, books and homeware.

See also: Sourcing, Car boot sale

Also called: cost price

What you paid for the items you sold. Taking it away from your sales, along with fees and postage, gives your real profit.

See also: ROI (return on investment), Margin (profit margin)

Also called: comparables

Similar items that have already sold, used to judge a fair price. Sold prices tell you more than asking prices, because anyone can ask any price.

See also: Sourcing, Sell-through rate

A copy made to look like a branded item. Selling fakes is banned on eBay and Vinted and against the law. If you can't confirm an item is genuine, don't list it as the brand.

See also: Authenticity Guarantee (eBay), Item verification (Vinted), Hallmark

Listing the same item on more than one site, such as eBay and Vinted. When it sells on one, remove it from the others straight away so it can't sell twice.

See also: Inventory, SKU

The EU rules that make online platforms report sellers' sales to tax authorities, once a seller makes 30 or more sales or €2,000 or more in a calendar year. Being reported doesn't by itself mean you owe tax.

See also: Platform reporting (HMRC), Business seller

Old stock that was never sold or worn, often still with tags or in the box. In trainers it means unworn pairs; for resellers it can also mean your own stock that won't shift.

See also: NWT (new with tags), NIB / NWB (new in box)

How many working days you promise to take before posting an item after it's paid for. Set one you can always meet; late dispatch hurts your seller standing.

See also: Tracked postage, Top Rated Seller

Also called: ParcelShop, pick-up point

A shop or post office where you hand in a parcel with its label or QR code, instead of booking a collection. Each carrier has its own network.

See also: Parcel locker, Prepaid label

Used, but with no visible wear. Always back it up with photos and mention anything a buyer might notice.

See also: VGC (very good condition), NWOT (new without tags)

Also called: hearts

Buyers saving an item to come back to. On Vinted you can send an offer to people who favourited an item; lots of favourites but no sale often means the price is a little high.

See also: Watchers, Best offer

Also called: reviews, ratings

Ratings and comments buyers and sellers leave after an order. Good feedback builds trust, so describe items honestly and post them quickly.

See also: Top Rated Seller, SNAD (not as described)

A photo taken from above with the item laid flat on a plain surface. Popular for clothes because buyers can see the shape and any marks clearly.

See also: Pit to pit

Also called: flip

Buying an item cheaply and reselling it for more. A "flip" is one item bought to resell.

See also: Reseller, Sourcing, ROI (return on investment)

eBay's fee taken when an item sells, usually a percentage of the total including postage plus a fixed amount per order. eBay UK doesn't charge private sellers this fee in most categories; business sellers pay it.

See also: Promoted listings, Business seller, Buyer Protection fee (Vinted)

Also called: General Product Safety Regulation

The EU product safety law in force since 13 December 2024. Business sellers selling to buyers in the EU or Northern Ireland must show the manufacturer's details, and an EU-based responsible person when the manufacturer is outside the EU.

See also: Business seller

Official marks stamped on gold, silver, platinum or palladium showing the metal, its purity and who tested it. Photograph hallmarks clearly; they help buyers trust precious-metal jewellery.

See also: Counterfeit (replica, fake)

A batch of stock bought in one trip, such as a car boot or charity shop run. Many resellers film or photograph their hauls.

See also: Sourcing, Lot

A buyer's claim that their order never arrived. Tracked postage and the carrier's proof of delivery are your best protection.

See also: Tracked postage, SNAD (not as described)

The length of a trouser leg from the crotch seam to the bottom hem. One of the most useful measurements for jeans and trousers.

See also: Pit to pit

Also called: stock

Everything you have to sell, listed or not, and where it's stored. Keeping track stops you losing items or selling the same one twice.

See also: SKU, Crosslisting

The structured details on an eBay listing, such as brand, size, colour and model. Buyers filter searches by them, so filling them in helps your item show up.

See also: Style code

An optional Vinted service where some higher-value branded items are checked before they reach the buyer. Which items qualify is set by Vinted; check its help centre.

See also: Authenticity Guarantee (eBay), Counterfeit (replica, fake)

A Royal Mail format for flat items: up to 35.3 cm long, 25 cm wide, 2.5 cm thick and 750 g. A thin T-shirt or a slim book can fit; anything thicker goes as a parcel.

See also: Tracked postage

Also called: job lot

Several items sold together as one listing, such as a bag of kids' clothes or a box of books. Good for cheaper items that aren't worth listing on their own.

See also: Bundle, Haul

Profit as a share of the sale price: profit divided by sale price. It tells you how much of each sale you keep, while ROI tells you how hard your stock money worked.

See also: ROI (return on investment), COGS (cost of goods sold)

Also called: new with box, BNIB

Brand new and still in its original box. Common for trainers, toys and electronics.

See also: NWT (new with tags), Deadstock

Never worn or used, but the tags have been removed or it never had any. There should be no marks or wear at all.

See also: NWT (new with tags), EUC (excellent used condition)

Also called: BNWT

Never worn or used, with the original tags still attached. Show the tags in a photo.

See also: NWOT (new without tags), NIB / NWB (new in box), Deadstock

A bank of self-service lockers where you drop off or collect parcels with a code, at any time of day. Each locker size has a maximum size and weight.

See also: Drop-off point (parcel shop), Prepaid label

Also called: managed payments, balance

The money a platform sends to your bank account after a sale. eBay and Vinted hold the payment for a short time, for example until the order is delivered or confirmed, before you can withdraw it.

See also: FVF (final value fee), Buyer Protection fee (Vinted)

Also called: P2P, chest width

The width of a top measured straight across the front from one armpit seam to the other, laid flat. The measurement buyers ask for most.

See also: Inseam, Flat lay

Also called: digital platform reporting rules

UK rules that make online platforms send HMRC details of sellers who make 30 or more sales, or about £1,700 or more, in a calendar year. Being reported doesn't by itself mean you owe tax.

See also: DAC7, Trading allowance, Self Assessment

Also called: QR code label

A postage label already paid for, usually by the buyer at checkout. On Vinted you must use the label you're sent; many carriers give a QR code so you don't need a printer.

See also: Simple Delivery (eBay), Drop-off point (parcel shop)

eBay's paid adverts that show your listings more often. With the standard option you pay a percentage you choose only if the item sells through the advert. It's an extra cost on top of selling fees.

See also: FVF (final value fee), Bumping (Vinted Bump)

Putting an unsold item up for sale again, often with better photos, a sharper title or a new price. Some sellers do it to give an item a fresh start in search.

See also: Bumping (Vinted Bump), Sell-through rate

Someone who buys items to sell on for a profit. If you do this regularly, you're likely to count as a business seller.

See also: Flipping, Business seller

The lowest price you'll accept in an auction, hidden from bidders. If bidding doesn't reach it, the item doesn't sell. eBay may charge a fee for using one.

See also: Auction

Profit divided by what you paid for the item, shown as a percentage. It tells you how hard your stock money is working.

See also: Margin (profit margin), COGS (cost of goods sold)

The UK tax return for income that isn't taxed at source, including trading income. Online returns are due by 31 January after the tax year ends.

See also: Trading allowance, Platform reporting (HMRC)

The share of items that sold over a period: items sold divided by items listed (or sold plus unsold). A low rate can mean prices are too high or the item isn't in demand.

See also: Comps (sold comps), Relisting

eBay UK's postage method for private sellers listing eligible items. eBay suggests the parcel size and service, then gives you a prepaid label and QR code when the item sells.

See also: Prepaid label, Drop-off point (parcel shop)

Also called: stock keeping unit

Your own code for an item, such as a number on a bag or shelf label. It links the listing to where the item is stored, so you can find it fast when it sells.

See also: Inventory, Crosslisting

Also called: significantly not as described

A buyer's claim that the item is different from the listing, for example a flaw you didn't mention. Honest descriptions and clear photos of every mark are the best way to avoid them.

See also: INR (item not received), Feedback

Placing a bid in the last seconds of an auction so other bidders have no time to respond.

See also: Auction

Finding stock to resell, from car boots, charity shops, clearance aisles or your own wardrobe. Check what similar items have sold for before you buy.

See also: Comps (sold comps), BOLO, Haul

Also called: SKU code, product code

The manufacturer's code for a model and colourway, usually on the label inside a shoe or garment. Putting it in your listing helps buyers find the exact item.

See also: Item specifics

An eBay status for sellers who meet its performance standards, such as few problems with orders and on-time dispatch. Eligible listings can show a badge.

See also: Feedback, Dispatch time (handling time)

A postage service that records the parcel's journey and delivery. It's your evidence if a buyer says an item never arrived.

See also: INR (item not received), Large letter

In the UK, the first £1,000 a year of trading income is tax-free and doesn't need to be declared. Selling your own unwanted things at a loss isn't usually trading income.

See also: Self Assessment, Platform reporting (HMRC), Business seller

Turning an old or damaged item into something new or better, such as painting furniture or reworking clothes. Say clearly in the listing what you changed.

See also: Vintage

Used with light signs of wear you have to look for. Mention and photograph each mark so the buyer isn't surprised.

See also: EUC (excellent used condition)

Older items valued for their age and style. There's no single rule for how old: each marketplace sets its own definition, so check before you use the word in a listing.

See also: Upcycling, Deadstock

Vinted's account type for business sellers. If you sell as a business, Vinted expects you to use Vinted Pro rather than a private account.

See also: Business seller, DAC7

eBay buyers who've added your item to their watch list. On eBay you can send watchers an offer; on Vinted the equivalent is favourites.

See also: Favourites (likes), Best offer