Part One: Beginer’s Guide
Part Two: What doesn’t sell / what to buy
Part Three: Your tips
Part Four: Later this week
Okay, we already know how to sell things on eBay, but that is only half the battle. People come into the store skipping along merrily thinking of the gold mine they have in their attic and then puff away pissed when it turns out their crap is… well, crap. The following is list of stuff that in my time at DropIt sells terribly. On the reverse side, if you need to buy any of these things you can get them for great prices.
1) Jewelry
Jewelry, 9 out of 10 times sells horribly. My only reasoning is that the customer has no way of guaranteeing that it’s real. I imagine jewelry is something you need to see sparkle up close. Plus most people buy jewelry for other people (usually a significant other) and would feel terrible if they got it for dirt cheap. It is something of a badge of honor when people ask you how much you girlfriend’s new ring was.
2) Computer Monitors / Printers.
What kind of computer are you on? If it is a PC, chances are it is a HP, Dell, or a Gateway. Because these companies usually offer a monitor or printer with their systems there isn’t much of a demand out there. Unless your monitor is a flat screen it will go for 5 bucks. Unless your printer is new in the box, don’t even bother.
3) Your hand made anything.
People often bring in their beautiful quilts and needlework in, only to discover that it is worthless. Here’s a general tip about eBay: brand names are everything. People search for brand names 1000 times more then they search for “home-made.” Even though you made a beautiful scarf, its worth 5 bucks on eBay. The only exception to this is that some people set up an eBay store and slowly gain a reputation.
4) Antiques
“But I bought this for $500!” says the lady who just had her antique chair priced at 50 bucks. Think of how much it takes to ship some antiques, and most antique prices are discretionary anyway. Ignore Antiques Roadshow and realize that eBay is supply and demand
5) Records
Trying to liquidate your record collection? You and everyone else. As one guy I know puts it: All of the baby boomers are retiring and cleaning out there closet, flooding the market with records. There was one auction that a guy won of 50 records and then asked if we could throw the actual records out and send him the cases.
These are just a few things I almost instantly turn away when someone wants to sell them.
[tags]eBay, antiques, jewelry [/tags]