One step in getting started
People often ask me how do you do ebay. Ebay has over the years become very simple and easy to navigate. Of course, if it was super simple to make a living at ebay everyone would quit their jobs, put on their pjs and start selling stuff from home. I guess when I think about it there is a bit more involved. When I first started I took the shotgun approach; i.e., I listed just about anything and everything and hoped it would sell. When my parents moved out of the house I had grown up in it gave me a great chance to sell some of my old toys, which because I am 41 are now considered vintage. Which I guess means that I am vintage as well, but let us not go there. There is a huge market for vintage toys. Still today at 41 there are toys that I look up that I never received as a kid, but REALLY wanted to have. I think that is where a huge market was created-people still want that dad gum toy that they never got for their eighth birthday. Ebay lets them find it. Not too long ago, I paid $12 for a mint Whitman Tiny Town book (I think that the original retail was around $.98). You punch out the cardboard houses and the put them together and make a little suburban town. I had it when I was little and I must say that I still love it today. Many collectors pay big money to reclaim lost but loved toys…but I am going off in another direction. How do you decide what to sell? Shotgunning it is one way to find out what sells well.
When I use the term shotgun I mean this: assemble a variety of items from your house, say, those that you were considering selling in your next garage sale. Think in terms of items that were maybe a bit more big ticket…your daughter’s clothes from Gymboree, the Lego set your son no longer plays with, the expensive fishing reel that your parents gave your husband but failed to notice that he rarely goes fishing. That sort of thing. My rule of thumb is that if you paid decent money for it when you bought it at the store, then there is a good chance that someone will pay you decent money for it used. Selling stuff you have in your house is a good way to get rid of some stuff while educating yourself on what you might be a good line of things to sell on a more permanent basis. You have to be able to find a consistent supply of items—but that is a topic for another day. Please send me any questions you may have, I would love to hear from you.
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I am interested in learning more and viewing your location. Is the best way to read about ebay. This info is very good and clear. I want to reduce debts.
Hey Paula! Thanks for the shout out. When I started the blog it was because so many of my friends were asking me how to do ebay. I now have a place to send them.
Prior to starting the blog, I had read Tricia’s ‘Blogging Away Debt’ blog for the past year. I am blown away by her debt, as well as her dedication to getting rid of it. I have corresponded with her via email and she wants me to guest post on her site on ‘Why I procrastinate about doing ebay’. For this, I am perhaps as perplexed as she is.
What has become clear to me is that ebay or Craigslist is an awesome way for those burdened with debt to get on the right track to lighten their load. My advice to you is to start with one object. You will need a digital camera. And then you go. I can help if you need it. It could revolutionize your life, and I mean that in all seriousness.
Please continue to read. I am always happy to answer questions or give advice.
I wish you the best of luck in ridding yourself of your debt.
-Tracy