11 Ways To Find Products To Sell On eBay
I was part of an eBay Roundtable discussion recently with six
other experts and we all agreed that the number one question
most new (and even old) eBay sellers ask is:
"Where do I find things to sell on eBay??"
To help answer that question I have compiled 10 ways that anyone
can use to find products to sell on eBay. This is by no means a
definitive list and depending on your situation, some of the
ways may not apply to you. However, if you're a beginner and
don't know where to start, this list should help you get on
track.
1. Look Around The House:
We all have items lying around the house that we no longer use
or need. Have you grown or shrunk in size? If so, you have
clothes you can no longer wear and can sell. Did you get a gift
for Christmas or your birthday that you will never use? If so,
slap it on eBay (just don't let the person who gave you the gift
find out). Do your kids have toys they no longer play with? Just
looking around your house and garage should give you plenty of
things to get your eBay ball rolling.
2. Garage Sales and Flea Markets:
When it comes to eBay, remember this old adage: One man's junk
is another man's treasure. Now this is not to say that you
should sell junk on eBay. You should only sell products in good
condition. The point is you can find items in good condition at
garage sales and flea markets that you can pick up cheap and
resell for a profit. Remember, nobody wants to buy your old
Beanie Babies that no longer have eyes and noses, but they may
buy "gently used" items if they're in good shape and offered at
a good price.
3. Talk To Your Friends and Relatives:
After you've gone through your own in-house inventory, contact
your friends and relatives and tell them you have started an
eBay business and will sell their items for a piece of the sales
price. Chances are they have as much excess stuff lying around
their house as you did. Offer to list the items for them and if
they sell, take half the profits. You will probably have to pay
the eBay fees out of your pocket up front, but you can then
deduct the eBay fees from the sales price before slicing up the
pie.
4. Consignment Sales:
Consignment sales are a great way to find a wide range of
products to sell on eBay. Consignment selling means that you
offer to sell an item that belongs to a company. In exchange for
your trouble you get a percentage of the sales price. You can
charge up to 50% plus fees for smaller items like clothing,
lamps, jewelry, etc. and around 15% for larger items like cars,
boats, and bulldozers (yes, I said bulldozers).
Contact every business in town and offer to list their excess
goods on eBay for a piece of the action. Most businesses have
returned items, liquidated products, used equipment, etc. that
they would love to get rid of, but don't have the time to do so.
Many will see you as their hero if you can help them get rid of
this merchandise and you'll make a pretty profit for your
efforts. For business customers you should have them pay the
eBay fees on the front end, not you.
5. Thrift Stores:
Thrift stores are an excellent place to look for things to sell
online. Stores maintained by the Salvation Army and non-profit%