Reverb ROI Calculator
The difference between what you paid and what you sold for is not your return. Enter a resale to see your real ROI and net profit after Reverb fees, repairs, and shipping.
Your resale
Know your return before you buy.
- ✓ True ROI on every resale, after Reverb fees
- ✓ Track purchase, repairs, and shipping per item
- ✓ Concentrate capital on your best-returning inventory
Free forever to get started. No credit card required.
Your return
Estimates only, based on Reverb's published rates as of June 2026. Sales tax is a buyer-paid passthrough and is excluded. Not affiliated with Reverb.com.
How to calculate ROI on Reverb
ROI answers the question every reseller cares about: how efficiently is my capital working? It is net profit divided by what you actually put into the item. The common mistake is measuring it off the difference between purchase and sale price while ignoring fees, repairs, and shipping.
| Term | Formula |
|---|---|
| Total invested | Purchase price + repairs + shipping cost |
| Net profit | Payout after Reverb fees − total invested |
| ROI | Net profit ÷ total invested |
See it on a real resale
You buy a Stratocaster for $200, invest $50 in a setup and new strings, then sell it for $525 with $45 shipping (your shipping costs $42):
| Gross sale (with shipping) | $570.00 |
| Reverb fees (5% + 3.19% + $0.49) | −$47.17 |
| Purchase + repairs | −$250.00 |
| Shipping cost | −$42.00 |
| Net profit | $230.83 |
| ROI (on $292 invested) | 79.1% |
The difference between purchase and sale price looked like $325. The real return is $230.83 once Reverb's fees and your costs are in. Still a strong result, and now you know the true number.
Buy smarter, not just more
- Set a minimum ROI before you buy. Knowing your target return keeps you from overpaying when you source inventory.
- Account for the work. Repairs, setup, and parts are real money. Include them so a low-cost item that needs hours of work does not mislead you.
- Compare ROI across categories. Track which brands and types return best, then concentrate your capital where it performs.
Verbstack tracks ROI, cost, and profit on every order so you can see your best-returning inventory at a glance. Connect your shop to track it automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate ROI on a resale?
ROI = net profit divided by the cash you put into the item. Add your purchase price, any repairs or setup, and your shipping cost to get total invested, then divide your net profit (after Reverb fees) by that number. A resale that costs $250 all in and nets $200 has an 80% ROI.
What is a good ROI when reselling musical gear?
A strong resale often returns 50% or more after fees, though it varies by category and how much work the item needs. The key is to measure ROI after Reverb’s fees and your real costs, not off the difference between purchase and sale price, because fees and shipping reduce the return.
Does this account for repairs and setup costs?
Yes. Enter repairs or setup separately and the calculator includes them in your total invested. Cleaning, a setup, new strings, or a replacement part all reduce your ROI, so it is worth recording them accurately.
What is the difference between ROI and profit margin?
Margin is net profit as a percentage of the sale price. ROI is net profit as a percentage of what you invested in the item. Two resales can share the same margin but very different ROI depending on how cheaply you acquired the item. ROI measures how efficiently your capital is working.
How much does Reverb take on a sale?
Reverb charges a 5% selling fee plus payment processing of 3.19% + $0.49 (2.99% for Preferred Sellers), and any Bump you choose. Together that is roughly 8% to 9% of a typical sale before your costs. Use our fee calculator for the full breakdown.
Find your best-returning inventory.
Connect your Reverb shop and track ROI and net profit on every order automatically.
Get started freeFree forever to get started. No credit card required.