When most people think of Shopify, they picture stores selling brand-new items. But Shopify isn’t just for selling new products — it’s also an incredible platform for anyone looking to sell used, secondhand, vintage, or refurbished items.
With the massive growth of the secondhand economy, more consumers are turning to resale for sustainability, savings, and unique finds. Whether you’re flipping furniture, reselling electronics, offering refurbished gear, or running a vintage clothing store, Shopify can help you set up a professional and scalable storefront.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn how to list used items on Shopify step-by-step. This includes:
- Setting up your store correctly
- Writing product descriptions for used items
- Handling shipping and returns
- Optimizing for SEO
- Marketing strategies
- Plus a detailed FAQ section
✅ Can You Sell Used Items on Shopify?
Yes! Shopify allows the sale of used, pre-owned, secondhand, and refurbished items. You just need to ensure the products comply with Shopify’s terms of service and are legal to sell in your country or region.
🚀 Why Sell Used Items on Shopify?
✔️ Growing Market Demand
Consumers are increasingly drawn to sustainability, affordability, and unique products. The resale market is booming.
✔️ Low Inventory Costs
Sourcing used items often costs less than wholesale, with higher margins per sale.
✔️ Flexible Niches
From fashion and furniture to electronics and collectibles, secondhand covers countless categories.
✔️ Full Control Over Your Store
Unlike marketplaces (eBay, Etsy), Shopify gives you full branding, control over customer experience, and the ability to build a loyal audience.
🔧 Step 1: Set Up Your Shopify Store
1️⃣ Sign Up for Shopify
Go to shopify.com and sign up for an account. Shopify offers a free trial.
2️⃣ Pick a Store Name
Choose a name that reflects your niche, e.g.:
- “Vintage Threads Hub”
- “Second Chance Electronics”
- “ReHome Furniture Co.”
3️⃣ Choose a Theme
Recommended free themes for used item stores:
- Dawn – Clean and versatile
- Craft – Great for vintage and handmade aesthetics
- Sense – Minimal but image-heavy
Or explore premium themes on the Shopify theme store.
4️⃣ Customize Your Theme
- Add your logo
- Choose a color palette matching your brand
- Update the header, footer, and homepage layout
📦 Step 2: Create Product Listings for Used Items
🏷️ How to Write Product Titles
- Be descriptive and honest. Example:
“Pre-Owned Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Headphones – Excellent Condition”
✍️ Writing Product Descriptions for Used Items
- Mention the condition clearly: new, like-new, good, fair, refurbished.
- Describe any imperfections (scratches, dents).
- Include dimensions, materials, functionality, and unique features.
- Example description:
“This is a pre-loved leather jacket from Levi’s. Minor signs of wear on the cuffs, but otherwise excellent. 100% genuine leather. Timeless vintage look.”
📸 Add High-Quality Photos
- Show the actual product, not stock images.
- Capture different angles, imperfections, tags, or serial numbers.
- Tip: Use a clean background or a lightbox for clarity.
💰 Pricing Used Items
- Base pricing on:
- Item condition
- Original retail price
- Market demand
- Competitor prices
🔖 Tags & Categories
- Create collections like:
- Vintage Clothing
- Refurbished Electronics
- Pre-Owned Furniture
Use tags like “used”, “secondhand”, “vintage”, “refurbished” for SEO and filtering.
🏛️ Step 3: Set Policies for Selling Used Items
📜 Return Policy
- Be clear:
- “All sales are final” or
- “Returns accepted within 7 days for faulty items only”
📦 Shipping Policy
- Clarify dispatch times (e.g., ships within 2 business days).
- State whether items are shipped with insurance for fragile or high-value items.
🔒 Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Refund Policy
- Shopify offers templates. Customize them to fit the secondhand nature of your business.
⚙️ Step 4: Install Useful Shopify Apps for Used Item Stores
| App | Purpose |
|---|---|
| ReConvert | Post-purchase upsells |
| Loox or Judge.me | Product photo reviews |
| Veeqo or ShipStation | Shipping and inventory management |
| SEO Manager | On-page SEO optimization |
| Back in Stock Alerts | Notify customers of restocks |
🔍 Step 5: Optimize for SEO
🏷️ Product Page SEO
- Title: “Used Levi’s Leather Jacket – Men’s Large – Vintage Style”
- Meta description: “Shop pre-loved Levi’s leather jacket in excellent condition. Unique vintage style with fast shipping.”
- Add alt text to images describing the product condition and type.
📚 Blog Content Ideas for SEO
- “Why Buy Pre-Owned Electronics?”
- “Caring for Vintage Leather Jackets”
- “The Sustainability Benefits of Buying Secondhand”
🔗 Build Backlinks
- Guest posts on eco-friendly blogs, thrifting blogs, or local sustainability communities.
🗺️ Add Schema Markup
- Shopify apps like JSON-LD for SEO can help implement schema for rich snippets in Google (e.g., reviews, prices).
🚚 Step 6: Manage Inventory for Used Items
- Each item is usually unique, so keep inventory accurate.
- Once an item is sold, mark it as “Sold Out” or remove the listing.
- If sourcing multiples (e.g., refurbished phones), list available quantities.
📣 Step 7: Marketing Your Used Items Shopify Store
✔️ Social Media Marketing
- Focus on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for visual products.
- Post before/after refurbishing videos, thrift hauls, packaging videos, customer unboxings.
✔️ Email Marketing
- Offer 10% off for new subscribers.
- Send newsletters with restocks, new arrivals, or blog content.
✔️ Collaborate with Influencers
- Partner with thrifting influencers, vintage fashion bloggers, or sustainability advocates.
✔️ Google & Facebook Ads
- Target audiences looking for deals, vintage items, or eco-conscious shopping.
✔️ Local Marketing
- Offer local pickup if applicable.
- Join Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist with links to your Shopify store.
🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Not describing defects properly
- ❌ Using stock photos instead of real photos
- ❌ No clear return policy
- ❌ Poor SEO optimization
- ❌ Inaccurate inventory management
❓ FAQ – Selling Used Items on Shopify
🔸 Can you legally sell used items on Shopify?
Yes, as long as the products are legal in your jurisdiction and comply with Shopify’s terms.
🔸 Do I need a business license to sell used items?
Depends on your country or state. Many locations require a business license, even for selling secondhand.
🔸 How do I handle returns for used products?
You can set your own policy. Some sellers offer no returns; others allow returns if items arrive not as described.
🔸 Can I sell refurbished electronics?
Yes, but be clear about the refurbished status, functionality, warranty (if any), and condition.
🔸 How do I price used items?
- Consider:
- Original retail price
- Current market value
- Condition
- Competitor pricing
🔸 Are there Shopify apps specifically for used goods?
There aren’t apps exclusively for used items, but inventory, review, SEO, and shipping apps are highly useful.
🔸 What payment methods work best?
Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Buy Now Pay Later options (like Shop Pay Installments) work well.
🔸 Can I sell locally and online?
Yes, Shopify supports both local pickup and nationwide/international shipping.
🔸 How do I manage one-of-a-kind items?
Once sold, the item will show as sold out or can be automatically removed from your catalog.
🎯 Conclusion
Selling used items on Shopify is not only possible — it’s an excellent way to build a sustainable, profitable business. With the rise in eco-conscious shopping, the demand for secondhand goods has never been higher.
By following this guide, you now know how to:
- Set up your Shopify store
- Create compelling listings for used products
- Handle shipping, policies, and returns
- Optimize for SEO
- Market your store for consistent traffic and sales
Whether you’re selling vintage fashion, refurbished tech, pre-owned furniture, or collectibles, Shopify gives you the tools to run a professional online resale business.