When my mom retired she started an ebay business, and actually makes over 100,000 a year with some help from my dad. I had helped them a lot too so I decided to start my own really small ebay business this year.
Today I sold a $2 doorknob for $125 Its a really easy way to make extra money, especially if you're a college student. So I'll give a few non-professional tips if anyone is interested.
The first step is obviously finding where to get the stuff you're gonna sell. So search the internet/paper for garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets (garage and flea markets season is almost over, estate sales go on year round). Estate sales are the best bc they have the most stuff and often the person selling all the stuff just wants to get rid of it asap. Don't go to antique marts, that is for personal buyers not for re-sellers.
Next, buy what you know:
-old toys
-old electronics
-old sports stuff
-old music equipment
-old cameras especially Polaroids
I make most of my money on things like:
-vintage hardware (cabinet/door knobs, door plates, lamp finials)
-dish sets (has to be old but clean and have NO chips whatsoever or it won't sell, generally if you think something is 'pretty' someone else will too and want to buy it. Check the back of the plates for the manufacturer stamp, if its from France or Switzerland buy it, if its not use your best judgement)
*Never pay full price, and try to bundle all the items you want to buy together for more savings.
On eBay,
- Always offer free shipping (obviously work the cost into your auction price)
- Take lots of good pictures, written descriptions can be short but the pics need to be detailed.
- Set your prices lower and let the bidding drive it up (you will still be stuck with auction fees if you set it too high and nobody bids
FInal step is to go on usps.com and order some size 4 and size 7 boxes, they're free and will fit most items.
Good luck
/PSA
