Ebay selling

genchan · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2004, 08:48 AM

Can you really make a living by selling on ebay? What are the best things to sell? Where do you find the things to sell? How much works does it take to get set up to sell?

singinjeannie · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2004, 10:05 AM

I sell stuff on ebay, but it's not easy to make a good living there. You have to have something really unique, I think. I've attempted to sell books, and it seems that unless you have really rare books, they don't sell well.

CDs seem to sell better than books, but you may not make much on each CD, and some don't sell. It all depends who's on the internet looking the week you post your item.

Selling stuff isn't HARD to do, nor is it expensive to give it a try. It only costs between $.30 cents and $1.70 for an average listing, but my experience is that it's hard to find something that will sell consistently.

There are just soooo many people selling on ebay now, it's hard to find something that isn't already being offered in bulk by 100 other sellers.

I'm going to keep trying to find something that will sell well, because I need to find a way to make money from home!

-Jean

PennyPincher · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 12:02 PM

It can be difficult to find a unique item to sell on ebay... I'm trying to figure it out myself. People sell just about everything online. Lately, I've been trying to sell things that I've gotten free, or have anyway. Just for an example, have you ever seen how many people sell COUPONS on ebay?!?!? Now this could certainly be a time consuming and low-producing little business, but it's the process of thinking outside the box. One of my recent coupons went for $5.50 online. Cost to me - $0. Listing can be time consuming, but a few bucks here and there add up. My advice ~ watch what is working for other people, but try to find that item or items that don't have hundreds of people to compete against. If I figure it all out, I'll let you know!

singinjeannie · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 12:27 PM

It's so funny you mentioned coupons! I just sold some coupons for $5.50. I'm amazed how they go. Right now I have 3 sets of coupons on ebay for sale. They are one item that always seem to sell!

I have lots of books and CDs and am selling them as I get around to it (between changing diapers and all the other fun kid care I have to do...)

I'm selling my maternity outfits (the better ones) and I have baby clothes. It's funny, though. There isn't any logic to what sells and what doesn't. I had brand-new with tags, baby clothes, 4 outfits, gorgious winter clothes for 9 month old baby girl. These items would have a retail value of about $90.00 (easily). I sold them as a lot, thinking I'd get a good amount for them. They sold for $2.20. $2.20 for 4 brand new winter outfits. I couldn't believe it. The remainder of the clothes will go as individual items with the hope I'll make a little more on them.

I saw a pair of maternity jeans on there the other day selling for $107.00. Wow.
-Jean

PennyPincher · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 12:33 PM

I wish I had more time....(don't we all), because I've had great luck buying things at a discounted price and reselling them on ebay. Certain items do consistently sell. I bought a Baby Bjorn baby carrier on clearance for $18. Since it was new, I figured I could always return it if it didn't sell, but I doubted it...I watched the ebay market for a week or two. It sold for $70!!!! That's a nicer profit than what we make on these coupons, huh? I just keep my eyes open when I'm shopping and watch what happens on ebay. There's room enough for us all to make some cash...

mbhunter · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2004, 07:23 PM

Couple of comments here:

1) If you're selling coupons, make sure that you mention that you're auctioning the time you take in assembling the package of coupons rather than the coupons themselves. It's a CYA thing.
2) Usually if you can acquire things cheaply enough you have a chance of selling it on eBay. I don't hesitate picking up a box of 30-40 specialty magazines (i.e., magazines that address a particular interest (guitars, dogs, model airplanes, etc.)) at a flea market for $5 because there's a good chance that I can at least make my money back on them, and I could make a bit on them. I throw them up using the cheapest auction method I can, start it at $0.99 no reserve, and away it goes. I usually get bids because my low starting price beats the other sellers'.

If you have time, check to see whether the items are in demand before you buy them.

John

singinjeannie · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2004, 07:26 PM

1) If you're selling coupons, make sure that you mention that you're auctioning the time you take in assembling the package of coupons rather than the coupons themselves. It's a CYA thing.

Why do you have to CYA on this? Are you not allowed to sell coupons?

Thanks!
Jean

mbhunter · #8 (**permalink**) 10-17-2004, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singinjeannie

1) If you're selling coupons, make sure that you mention that you're auctioning the time you take in assembling the package of coupons rather than the coupons themselves. It's a CYA thing.

Why do you have to CYA on this? Are you not allowed to sell coupons?

I said this because I had seen the phrase in some listings for coupons. I googled the phrase "reselling grocery coupons legal" and found a few links. Among other things, there may be legal wording on the coupon that prohibits anyone from selling the coupons, even the issuer of the coupons.

People do it all the time on eBay, so it's probably a gray area if nothing else. And, unless the coupons magically appear in your home without any effort on your part, you're 100% truthful if you say that you're auctioning your effort to assemble the coupons.

FWIW. :D

John

jeffrey · #9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2004, 06:24 AM

Yes, it is illegal to sell coupons and that is why all the auctions say the payment is for the time to gather and sort them. If the auction stated that yuo were selling the coupons themselves, it would be illegal and ebay would take the auction down. <A HREF="http://www.grocerycouponguide.com/auction_coupons.html">Coupon Guide Auctions</A>

singinjeannie · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2004, 08:10 AM

I've been continuing my side ebay selling. It's strange what will sell and what won't. I put on a brand new, in box race track. Never been opened, in mint condition. I purchased it on clearance last year for $5.00.

I thought, seeing that it was the Christmas season, I'd get something for it. Would you believe it sold for $1.95??? I put a low starting price to get the bidding started, and the bidding never did start until the very last few minutes, at which only one person bid and got it for $1.95. What a rip off for me!!!

Other times I get lucky. I found an Armani suit in perfect condition at the Good Will, purchased it for $8.00 and re-sold it on ebay for $91.00. That was a definite win.

It's just so iffy whether you'll actually make any real money after the cost of listing, the paypal fees, etc. Sometimes you just break even, it seems!

I keep trying 'cause I desperately need the money!
-Jean

maryannsms · #11 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 01:34 AM

It's the secret that all the best sellers on eBay are trying to hide from you my friend. The secret is how to find those best suppliers that will give you the best products for the best prices.

MelC · #12 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

It can be difficult to find a unique item to sell on ebay... I'm trying to figure it out myself. People sell just about everything online. Lately, I've been trying to sell things that I've gotten free, or have anyway. Just for an example, have you ever seen how many people sell COUPONS on ebay?!?!? Now this could certainly be a time consuming and low-producing little business, but it's the process of thinking outside the box. One of my recent coupons went for $5.50 online. Cost to me - $0. Listing can be time consuming, but a few bucks here and there add up. My advice ~ watch what is working for other people, but try to find that item or items that don't have hundreds of people to compete against. If I figure it all out, I'll let you know!

I signed up for a free baby magazine and in it came vouchers for free formula- they sell like hotcakes too.

MelC · #13 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 07:54 AM

My MIL in law sells vintage toys on eBay. But she has an eye for items that are worth something and is able to buy low and sell high. She also lives in a place where there are always interesting flea markets or other places which would sell antique/vintage toys to go to. I live in an area that is boring and doesn't have anything like that.

Craigslist is a good place to sell things that are just taking up space in your house, no listing fees and the seller comes to pick it up rather than you wrapping it up and taking it to the post office. Also if you accept Paypal as payment, it charges a fee.

I used to love eBay to both buy and sell. But now shipping fees are so high, I hardly ever buy anything on eBay anymore.

Good Luck

PennySaved · #14 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 11:45 AM

Hmmm... making a living on Ebay? Perhaps, but it won't be easy and you'll need to move lots of merchandise for slim profits.

I'd say it can be done, but you need to have access to products that you can get for deeply discounted, wholesale prices. If you find that "in", such as a local manufacturer who liquidates their leftovers through you, it could work. Otherwise, you're competing with hundreds of others trying to do the same thing.