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
Table of Contents
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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
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Meaning
The act or instance of selling again
To sell something one has bought
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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.
Tayyaba Rehman
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.
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Oct 21, 2023
Resale
Selling items that have been previously used or owned.
The resale market for designer bags is booming.
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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 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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 RehmanTayyaba 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.