Ask Difference

Resale vs. Resell — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 22, 2023
Resale refers to the act of selling something again, while resell means to sell something that one has bought.

Difference Between Resale and Resell

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Key Differences

An interesting note is how resale value comes into play. This term references the potential amount an item can fetch when put up for resale in the market. Alternatively, if someone decides to resell their car, they would be putting it back on the market, aiming to recuperate a portion of their initial investment.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
In many marketplaces, resale shops or businesses specialize in items that have been previously owned. These shops focus on the resale of items, buying them from individuals and then offering them for sale to others. On the flip side, individuals or businesses might resell products, whether they initially purchased them for personal use or for a specific purpose.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
While both words are closely related, context determines their apt usage. For instance, if one talks about the process or instance of selling again, "resale" fits the bill. Conversely, if referring to the act of selling something one has previously bought, "resell" is the word to go for.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Resale and resell both revolve around the concept of selling something again, but they serve different grammatical roles. Resale, primarily a noun, denotes the activity or instance of selling a previously owned item. Resell, however, stands as a verb, indicating the action taken to sell an item again after its initial purchase.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Noun
Verb
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
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Meaning

The act or instance of selling again
To sell something one has bought
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Usage Context

Refers to the activity or occasion
Indicates the action taken
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Examples

Resale value, resale shop
Resell a ticket, resell a product
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Associated Phrases

"Up for resale", "resale market"
"Looking to resell", "can't resell it"
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Oct 21, 2023

Definitions

Resale

A market where previously owned goods are sold.
She found a rare book at the resale shop.
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Oct 21, 2023
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Resell

An instance of selling a previously owned item.
The resale of the vintage watch fetched a high price.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resale

The act of selling something again.
The resale of the tickets was prohibited.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resell

A market where previously owned goods are sold.
She found a rare book at the resale shop.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resale

An instance of selling a previously owned item.
The resale of the vintage watch fetched a high price.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resell

The act of selling something again.
The resale of the tickets was prohibited.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resale

The potential selling price of an item if sold again.
The car's resale value remained high.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resell

The potential selling price of an item if sold again.
The car's resale value remained high.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resale

Selling items that have been previously used or owned.
The resale market for designer bags is booming.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resell

Selling items that have been previously used or owned.
The resale market for designer bags is booming.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Resale

The sale of a thing previously bought
He is renovating them for resale
Resale value
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resell

Sell (something one has bought) to someone else
Products can be resold on the black market for huge profits
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resale

The act of selling again.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resell

To sell again.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resale

The action of selling something previously bought, usually at a higher price for profit.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resell

To sell (a product or service) to the public or to an end user, especially as an authorized dealer.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resale

Of or pertaining to selling on.
The resale value was high as the items were quite rare.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resell

To sell again.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resale

A sale at second hand, or at retail; also, a second sale.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resell

To sell again; to sell what has been bought or sold; to retail.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

Resale

The selling of something purchased
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Mar 27, 2019

Resell

Sell (something) again after having bought it
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 27, 2019

FAQs

What might a "resale shop" offer?

A "resale shop" offers items that have been previously owned and are up for sale again.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

If I buy a concert ticket and sell it to someone else, what am I doing?

You are choosing to resell the ticket.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Is "resale value" the same as the purchase price?

Not necessarily. "Resale value" refers to the potential amount an item can fetch when sold again.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

What determines an item's "resale value"?

Factors like demand, condition, rarity, and brand can determine an item's resale value.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Are there legal restrictions on what items one can resell?

Yes, depending on the item and jurisdiction, there can be legal restrictions on reselling.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Is there a difference between a "resale shop" and a thrift store?

Both sell used items, but a resale shop often buys items to sell, while thrift stores often operate on donations.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Can "resell" refer to selling something more than once?

Yes, "resell" can refer to selling an item multiple times after its initial purchase.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Is "resale" a noun or a verb?

"Resale" is primarily a noun.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

What does "resell" indicate?

"Resell" is a verb that indicates the action of selling something one has bought.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Can I use "resale" and "resell" interchangeably?

While related, they serve different grammatical roles; they aren't typically interchangeable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

If I'm talking about selling my old books, should I use "resale" or "resell"?

You can say you want to "resell" your old books, or you can refer to the "resale" of your old books.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Are "resale rights" the same as copyrights?

No, "resale rights" allow one to sell a product, while copyrights pertain to the rights of the creator or holder.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Can businesses resell products?

Yes, businesses can and often do resell products, especially in secondary markets.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Why is "resale value" important for cars?

"Resale value" for cars indicates how much value the car retains and can fetch when sold in the future.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

If I buy software and then sell it, am I reselling it?

Yes, but there might be licensing restrictions that prohibit the resale of software.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 21, 2023

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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