How to write and photograph a second-hand listing
ResellrHub editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12
A good second-hand listing helps a buyer identify the item, understand its condition and decide whether it fits their needs. Photographs and text should describe the same physical product. Before publishing elsewhere, create one factual source record that you can adapt without losing measurements, accessories or defects.
Prepare the item and a simple photo setup
Clean the item appropriately and place it against an uncluttered background. Use even light and avoid filters that change color or conceal wear. A plain wall, tabletop or hanging space is enough if the product is easy to see.
Photograph the whole item first, then front, back, labels, accessories and defects. For clothing, show relevant measurements; for devices, show the included components and describe what was actually tested. Do not imply that a device works merely because a screen appears in a photo.
Show condition before the buyer asks
Include close-ups of scratches, stains, repairs and missing parts. Keep these photos with the SKU so they do not become mixed with another similar product. Photograph the actual item, not a manufacturer image that represents a different condition or color.
Check that text and photographs agree. If an image shows damage, mention it plainly. If a defect cannot be captured clearly, describe its position and extent. Avoid editing away wear or using unrelated stock photos to fill missing images.
Write an identifiable, factual title
Start with recognizable information such as brand, product type, model or size. Avoid repeated promotional words that push useful details out of the title. Check the destination’s title and category requirements when crosslisting.
For an illustrative clothing example, “Denim jacket, size M, blue, small mark on sleeve” tells a buyer more than “Amazing bargain, must buy”. Add a brand only when you can verify it. Do not claim authenticity, rarity or a material you have not checked.
Build the description from a repeatable checklist
Cover what the item is, size or measurements, condition, defects, included accessories and delivery arrangements. Keep sentences direct. Explain whether measurements are approximate and distinguish tested functions from unknown ones.
Use the same facts across marketplaces but adapt their required fields. ResellrHub can hold a central record, while publishing still requires the correct category and attributes for each destination. If you use AI to draft text, verify every claim against the physical item before saving it.
Review the published page as a buyer
After publication, open the marketplace URL and inspect the photo order, title, price, condition and delivery details. A form preview may differ from the actual listing. Check that all photos belong to the correct SKU and that important defect photos are not omitted.
Save the URL on your stock record and repeat the review on each destination. Keep the post-sale cleanup checklist ready before taking orders. If a required photo or field failed to upload, correct it rather than assuming buyers will ask about the missing detail.
Your action checklist
- Photograph the actual item in even light.
- Show labels, measurements, accessories and defects.
- Use a factual, identifiable title.
- Verify any AI-generated claims before publication.
- Review each live listing and save its URL.
Official marketplace guidance
These are general seller resources, not endorsements of ResellrHub. Check your marketplace’s current listing, shipping, account and automation rules before publishing.