Online Seller Success Story – Smith Corona Typewriter

I love getting success stories from other sellers. There are so many items out there that are thrown away or donated that others simply treasure. I recently got this email from Denise McNabb:

I just purchased a nice Skywriter typewriter at my local thrift store. I paid just $4.00 and sold it for $99.50. I did throw in free shipping but this ended up selling to a customer in Canada so that added $27 to my expenses. Love your site. I've been selling on eBay since 1997. I always look for new items to resell and recently retired from teaching, 31 years in the profession, now I'm ready to move on to selling full time on eBay and Amazon. Thanks for all you do for your readers.

Here is a screenshot of the closed listing for the 1957 Smith Corona Typewriter:

Even with the additional shipping costs, Denise profited nicely on this sale. Vintage items are great sellers on eBay. (This is a list of vintage items that usually go well on eBay.)

Thank you, Denise, for sharing this eBay Seller Success Story! Click here to visit Denise’s Good Bye Antiques Shop on eBay.

Do you have a great sale or an interesting eBay item to share? Send your find to eBaycoach@yahoo.com for consideration.

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eBay Creates Selling Course for the Visually Impaired

Many of us are using eBay to replace income lost, to replace a corporate job, or even to supplement retirement income. eBay is now helping the visually impaired learn to use its site for selling . In partnership with the Hadley School for the Blind’s Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurs, eBay’s Accessibility Team has created a course is going to allow those with an impairment the same opportunities and abilities as everyone else who uses eBay.

The free, one-lesson course, Selling On eBay, is designed to not only explain how eBay works, but it also show how to set up a Paypal account and other basic eBay information including selling on the site. There are some rules, regulations and fees that must be known by all users, and the services are designed to help those people understand about the fees and what goes on with an eBay account.
With all of the services eBay is currently offering to other individuals, this is a great start for those who are visually impaired, yet still want to use the Internet in order to make a living at home. For more information about the course, click here.

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Hunting for Inventory

I have been finding and selling discontinued products for 6 years online now. People seem to think there is a magic list, or a site you can go to that lists all these things. Don't know where that idea came from, but that isn't how it has worked for me. Here are a few ways I have found out about these things in the past.


1. PAY ATTENTION. Look at store shelves in regular stores (grocery, Wal-Mart, Target, drug stores), especially health and beauty aisles. Look for empty spaces on the shelves where a product should be but it not. Read the tag and research the product. You may be able to find it somewhere else.


2. Along the same lines, look at the signs stores display that say "temporarily unavailable" or "sorry out of stock." Research those. Sometimes the store doesn't know the situation - they just aren't getting any more of a popular product so they put up the sign.


3. Listen to the people around you in the store. This is the best way to find out! This happens to me all the time. People are shopping, the product they want is not there, they either say something out loud to themselves or to the person they are with, or to a nearby stock clerk. I usually go like this, "Ugh! Why are they always out of ______? I am so sick of this! I can't ever find it anymore!" If they don't say the name of the product in their rant, ask them what it is. They will tell you even more about why the product is so great and their frustration finding it.


4. Listen to the national news, or read trusted sites like USA Today, Huffington Post, New York Times. You will find lots of info on products being taken off the market, a plant being moved, an ingredient being investigated. I am not talking about recalls or product bans, but just news about product productions. Happens all the time. Case in point - the Today Sponge shortage was on the news.


5. Pay attention to your own sales. Is something selling unusually fast, or are people buying in larger than normal quantities? Has a slow mover now become a fast mover? Last year I was selling some hard candy, and I noticed as soon as they hit FBA I sold out, and the buyer would buy all I sent. PAY ATTENTION!


6. Talk to stock clerks and understand the store's markdown and tagging system. Ask questions about what the tags mean, DON'T ASSUME. For example, when Wal-Mart is not going to carry a product anymore, they put a red sticker on the shelf where the price is displayed. The sticker is not put on the product, and it is not always marked down. It is not always put in a clearance section. Just the red sticker on the shelf. The product may not be carried anymore because it isn't profitable, it isn't popular, they are making room for something else to go there, or the manufacturer is discontinuing it, there may be a packaging change and it is coming back later, etc.. Look for the red stickers and investigate on your own further. The stock clerk only knows that it is going away from the Wal-Mart shelf.


I have several right now that are in short supply and I learned about them through the methods above. Keep your eyes and ears open!


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eBay: On Location Plans Philadelphia Event

 

Image courtesy of Flickr

If you are looking to meet other eBayers from across the country or to learn ways to build your eBay business directly from the company itself, then you should register for an eBay: On Location event. The next one will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 5 and 6.

During the two-day event that is held twice a year, eBay and its sellers get the opportunity to interact and improve the partnership between them. Sellers are given the chance to find out more about eBay, new developments, new tools, and how to become better sellers. eBay gets the chance to talk directly with its users and to find out what is working and what is not.

There are many courses you can attend no matter what your level of experience. There will even be a few of eBay’s top buyers there for the eBay Buyer Panel who will be able to provide insight on their experiences.

For more information on this event, click here. Registration to attend opens July 17, 2012.


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Personal Reasons Prompt Selling on eBay

Many online sellers have ventured into eBay to make money while staying at home, to sell surplus items they have found around the house, or as a replacement for a full-time job. There are a couple of guys out there who are using eBay for a more personal reason.

First is Bill Shephard. Bill is an out of work Iraqi vet who lives in Woodbury, NJ. He recently left the Army and was finding it difficult find work as a civilian. He was at a major fork in the road. Upon leaving the Army, he returned to school. He applied for numerous jobs. He asked for help from various veteran organizations but still was not able to find work. Bill made a difficult decision. In order to support his family and to start a new business, Bill decided to sell his Army Achievement medal on eBay. With a starting bid of $1.00, the auction closed three days (and 62 bids) later with a winning bid of $5,200.

While many are not happy with his decision to sell the medal, the proceeds have allowed Bill to take care of the immediate needs of his family and to purchase equipment to start a landscaping business.

Then there is Andy Martin of Stockton, Teesides, UK. Andy was recently notified that his position as traffic planner for a waste management company would no longer exist after June 30. After sending is many copies of his resume to various companies with no leads, Andy finally decided to list himself on eBay. His buy it now price was £20,000 (which currently is about $31,000 US dollars.) eBay has contacted Andy to let him know there is a policy against selling one’s self on its site but has let him move the listings to a “goods wanted” section. Meanwhile, Andy continues his job search and is hopeful his will find something before the end of his current position.

There are many others who have found themselves in similar positions that have led to becoming successful online sellers. It can be done. Find out how by visiting the related links below.


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What Happened to The Guy Who Auctioned His Life On eBay.au?

Ian Usher was a seemingly normal guy who was working as a rug store manager, and thought he was happily married. One day his wife left him after being together for more than 12 years. His life was in shambles, and he came up with this idea to auction his entire life: his job, possessions, his friends… the whole ball of wax. He chose eBay as the answer. He wanted to start his life anew. Below is a screenshot of the actual auction for his home while it was open. This was four years ago, and now his life is very different.
 

Ian set off to do things that he had never done before like skydiving and swimming with humpbacked whales. He took the time to raise thousand of dollars for bowel cancer research, the disease that claimed his father. A woman named Maureen Boksa (his current lady) was reading about Ian on the internet. She messaged him with a challenge that said he was invited to come to Yukon to ride on a husky powered sled. Maureen thought this could be one of the items he could add on to his bucket list. He did respond and went to Yukon, and completed the challenge. He decided to move on and complete more items on his list, and he didn’t see Moe (Maureen) for another 15 months.

During those 15 months away from Moe, Ian began to have strong feelings for her. He was ready to settle down and find his dream home. He hired a real estate agent and they found a place called “Dolphin Bay.” The island was a 20 minute boat ride away from Yukon, perfect for the solitude he was looking for. After three years, he purchased the property. This was the perfect setting for a man starting all over again. During this time Disney bought the film rights for Ian’s life for 220 thousand dollars.

It took Ian three months to clear the land on his private little island. The island was nicknamed Gilligan’s Island, after the television series. He began to build his home and plant crops. Moe visits him often.

Ian is very happy with the way his new life is shaping up. He living life the way he wants to live it. No one could ask for more than that. eBay can really change a person’s life, even unconventionally.


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Selling Off-Season Items on eBay – Ice Skates

I often see discussions on different eBay groups and forums about selling off season items on eBay. Remember, eBay is a global community and if you are open to shipping internationally, it is never really “off season” as someone is living in the right climate to use your product right now.

Just to prove this point, I checked on what seems like an off season product right now (in August) – figure skates. Here are a few completed eBay listings for ice skates and figure skates. All of these items are in used condition and could be found at garage sales, thrift stores, or maybe even in your own home.

Klingbeil Ice Women’s Ice Skates – sold for $120 ($15 shipping)


Riddell Women’s Ice Skates – sold for $90 ($20 shipping)


Jackson Artiste Women’s Ice Skates – Sold for $95 ($14.67 shipping)


My motto is, “If you have it, list it!” There is a buyer for everything on eBay. Don’t assume that everyone shops, thinks, or plans the same way you do. Although ice skating may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, there are people out there right now looking forward to winter sports and shopping for off season items. Why not be the seller who thinks ahead and provides these items for those buyers?


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Big Lots is celebrating Friends and Family this weekend

Big Lots is celebrating Friends and Family this weekend, Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17. On Saturday, 5pm-9pm, Buzz Club Rewards members will receive 20% off their purchase by scanning their Buzz Club Rewards Card. On Sunday, just present this printable coupon to receive 20% off your entire purchase.

Now, if you really want to "work the deal," hit multiple Big Lots in your area. The coupon can be printed multiple times as it is not tied to your specific Buzz Club card, it is just a generic printable coupon. Here is how I make the most of these coupon deals:

If you are unfamiliar with the locations of the Big Lots in your area, go to the website and enter your zip code to see the locations.

Create your battle plan. Make a route using the store addresses and Yahoo or Google Maps. I usually design my route in a big circle and hit about 4 Big Lots in one day.

If you go on Sunday, make sure you have printed multiple coupons so you have enough to use at each store you visit.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on items for your eBay and Amazon stores. Many Amazon FBA sellers rely heavily on Big Lots for inventory. Remember that Big Lots will accept returns within 30 days with the original receipt, as long as the item is in original condition. So if you over-buy, you can return some of your items. Also remember that if you are selling on Amazon FBA, you don’t have to send in all of your inventory at once. You can send in a few items, see how they perform, and decide if you want to send in the rest or return them.

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Niche Products to Sell on eBay

Below is a list of niche products that have been featured on the eBay Coach blog. Keep in mind that niche products are a moving target. What may have been hot 90 days ago may not be hot now. Products change, consumer preferences change, technology changes, and the economy changes. This list is meant to provide you with insight into the types of products that may be good sellers in the future and product categories to pay attention to. Also included in this list are links to helpful articles that contain information on how to research, recognize, and discover niche products to sell online.

Niche Products:

5 Pet Product Niches

Christmas Ornaments

Cigar Boxes

Cool Gadgets

Designer Maternity Jeans

Flight Socks

Geocaching Supplies

iPad Accessories

Kool Aid

Repurposed Cashmere

Sublingual HCG Drops

Zumba Products

 

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Tips for Estate Sale Shopping

People love to shop estate sales because it gives them a chance to see into other people’s lives – plus you can get some great deals! Estate sales offer just about everything – they’re normally a way for people to get of the contents of a whole house, so buyers can find everything from kitchen supplies to window treatments. Because there is such a wide range of items, estate sales are popular with eBay sellers, antique dealers, and individuals. Check out these tips to help you shop successfully.

Don’t miss your chance. Other shoppers won’t have a problem grabbing something that you’re looking at, so pick up items you’re interested in immediately. You’ll always have the option to put it back later. It’s also a good idea to bring a mesh bag with you to carry all your items.

Focus on lesser known items. Popular brands and collectibles will be priced higher. If you can learn about valuable items that aren’t as easy to spot (such as items that don’t have the brand name marked obviously), you can get better deals.

Start in the basement. Most companies that run estate sales will place all the “nicer” items near the checkout station so they can watch them. Most buyers look at those items first. By heading to the kitchen or basement first, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds and have a better selection in those rooms.

Wait to shop until the last day. Not everything will be gone by then, and the best part is that sellers will become more willing to deal with you because they want to get rid of the items. You can score great deals by waiting until the last day – often up to 75% off.

Respect the family and their items. Even if you think everything you’ve seen is a piece of junk, there’s no need to say it. You never know who is listening – family members and close friends may have decided to come to the sale. Be nice and thank the sellers for giving you the chance to look, even if you don’t choose to purchase anything.

It’s also very important to be honest and polite. Many people push and shove and fight over items at estate sales. No item is worth causing a fight. Becoming known as a trouble maker can also cause you to be banned from future sales – estate sale companies share information on people like that so don’t get put on the naughty list!

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Tips for Selling Used Shoes on eBay

If you have plans on selling used shoes on eBay, there are a few tricks and techniques you should first know. There is a lot of competition on eBay, so therefore you want to make sure you understand and have knowledge of the different shoe types.

Athletic shoes such as Chuck Taylors, Keds and Nikes are probably the most easiest to maintain. These shoes are usually made out of fabric or canvas. Depending on the shoe’s material, a quick toss in the washer machine can have them looking good as new. You also want to pay attention to the shoelaces, and whether or not you need to replace them. Shoelaces that are extremely dirty or otherwise damaged will need to be replaced with a new pair. A $3 investment on new shoelaces can help increase the sales price. You won’t want to place a photo in your listing containing shoes that missing the laces or the laces are damaged in any way. 

For other type shoes, look closely for any imperfections such as scrapes, scratches or blemishes. A good tip for those handling children’s black patent leather shoes is a black magic marker to fill in any discoloration. With leather shoes, you will probably want to add a coat of shoe polish. In fact, it is a good idea to invest in different colors in shoe polish, if you plan to become a successful shoe seller on eBay. Next look at the sole of the shoes. Don’t try to sell shoes with holes in the sole. The soles won’t look appealing and the shoes will require too much repair to be wearable. 

Cleaning is a big part of selling used shoes. Especially if these shoes are found in second-hand stores or yard sales. The cleaner the shoe, the better they will look in photos. I keep a small kit of different colors of shoe polish, a small brush, brown and black sharpies, and some sneaker white to spruce up old shoes. A few minutes of cleaning can help increase your sale price.

When scouting for used shoes, you will want to keep your eye out for expensive designer brands. Used designers shoes will still sell for a decent profit. Get wide widths and larger sizes, as these are the most popular on eBay. A good guide to go by: Men’s size 12 and up -- Women’s sizes 9 and up. Click here for my free BOLO (Be On Look Out) list for good brands that sell on eBay.

When you create the listing, add all the relevant information concerning the shoe. This includes the measurements, condition, color, gender, and shoe size. Include plenty of photos, so the shoe can be seen at different angles. Always include a photo showing the bottom of the sole, as it is one of the buyer’s main concerns.

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Congratulations to the Kindle winner, Vickie Lynn of Lexington, Kentucky! Vicki Lynn will receive a Kindle wireless reading device valued at $139! Thanks to all who participated and promoted the giveaway. Look for another one soon!

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Tom's eBay Success Story

Tom sent in his seller success story last week. Wow, he has been busy! Tom writes,

“I just want to say a BIG THANKS for the advice you have given as far as what to buy and sell from thrift stores and garage sales! I have been doing this for a few months and have made good money so far and a sell through rate of over 90%.

The items I have been focusing on are:
Harris Tweed
Revere Ware
Born
Cashmere
Coffee Mugs
Glassware

My most recent big sale was a collection of Ed Gein newspaper clippings that I bought for .25 and sold for $127.50! Here is a screen shot of Tom’s listing:

Also, an official 1956 Kentucky Derby Julep Glass, purchased at a Goodwill for .49 and sold for $95

Yellow Pyrex butter print 4 bowl set, purchased for $18 and sold for $125

I am addicted now that I am getting the eye for what will sell.”

Thank you, Tom, for sending in these finds. Newspaper clippings are true collector’s items! You definitely are getting an eye for what to buy for resale. Keep up the great work!

You see Tom’s other finds here on eBay.

Do you have a success story to share? Have you recently sold something odd, unusual, interesting, or even downright weird? Send in your story and let me know! We can all learn more by sharing our finds.

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