When you’re a reseller, the marketplace can feel overwhelming. You find a great product, but then you realize—someone else is already selling it. And maybe they’ve been in the game longer, have more reviews, and seem impossible to compete with.
I’ve been there. But through trial and error, I’ve found strategies that allow me to carve out my own space without resorting to price wars that eat into my profits. Instead of competing, I create my own lane.
Finding the Right Product: A Case Study on Bendable Baby Spoons
In a previous article, I talked about reselling practical evergreen items, like comic book storage boxes that I sourced off Wish. Today, I want to highlight another simple yet consistently profitable item: bendable baby spoons.
Think about it—more than 10,000 babies are born every day in the U.S. alone. Parents constantly need baby utensils because they get lost, need to be replaced, or simply make life easier when you have multiple sets on hand.
At Wish, I source baby spoon and fork sets for around $2. A quick search on Amazon shows that the exact same item as a set of three for $10—or about $5 per set.
At first, it seems like an impossible space to break into. But rather than trying to undercut established sellers, I do something different.
I give them away for free.
Wait, Give Them Away for Free?
Yes. But with a twist.
Instead of selling the baby spoons traditionally on Amazon or eBay, I sell them on my own ecommerce account and focus on building a customer base. Here’s how:
- I only charge for shipping and handling. Customers feel like they’re getting an amazing deal, while I still cover my costs and make a small profit.
- I use Instagram-sponsored ads to promote my site, offering first-time customers a free set—just pay shipping.
- I bypass third-party platforms like Amazon and eBay, keeping full control over my customer list.
- I build long-term relationships with my customers so I can offer them other products in the future.
The Benefits of This Strategy
This method isn’t just about selling spoons—it’s about building something bigger. Here’s why it works:
- Cuts out the middleman – No more relying on eBay or Amazon to control my sales.
- Avoids price wars – I’m not competing on price with other resellers; I’m creating my own unique offer.
- Creates a customer base – Instead of one-off transactions, I’m gathering emails and building a list of buyers who trust me.
- Opens doors for upselling – Once customers are on my site, I can offer them complementary products that they might need.
- Data is the new gold – All of this is information that informs me of user needs, patterns, and behavior. Not only does it help me serve my customers better, but it helps me stay ahead.
The Takeaway: Think Beyond Just Selling
If you’re struggling as a reseller, don’t get discouraged. The key isn’t just selling a product—it’s about selling an experience. Find creative ways to stand out, provide value, and build relationships with your customers.
By shifting the focus from competition to community and connection, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success, not just quick wins.