By: Skip McGrath
I probably receive more emails on this subject than any other. Buyers read our Basic Seller's Manual; they want to start selling but just can't figure out what to sell or how to get started.
If you are a new seller, my first piece of advice is to clean out your garage or attic. You need to gain some experience selling before you go off and purchase a large lot of wholesale merchandise.
Start by selling used goods, small appliances, wedding gifts you never use, old books (non-fiction one are best), used sporting goods, clothing items (that great leather jacket that doesn't fit you any more or that pair of cowboy boots you bought on your business trip to Dallas, but never wear). The experience you gain will be invaluable, you will not risk any capital or make any investment beyond some small eBay fees.
Virtually everything is for sale on eBay. One night while watching the sport of Curling during the Winter Olympics, I though a curling stone would make an attractive doorstop and conversation piece for my office. During the commercial I went on line to eBay and found dozens of curling stones for sale. One of them now holds the door open to our billiard room.
Next turn to your hobbies and interests. Too many sellers think the only way to make a fortune is to buy hundreds of the latest hot selling items and put up dozens of auctions. The problem is that hundreds of other sellers are doing the same thing. (If you don't believe me do a search for diet pills, or cell phone boosters) As you gain experience you can move into these markets, but this area is fraught with danger for the new seller. There are plenty of companies with enough money to import these items directly by the thousands and undersell anyone who buys through a distributor or wholesaler.
Sell something you know something about. Almost everyone collects "something." If you are knowledgeable about a collectible or an art object, then you have the ability to do the research to find the products at prices you can resell.
Once you gain experience try to focus on larger dollar items. If you only make $2.00 profit per sale, you have to close (and ship) 1000 auctions per month to make $2,000.
Continue:SkimMcGrathLabels: eBay tips, Skip McGrath |
