Bargain Ebay Business

How to Turn Your Love of Bargains into a Thriving Business

Are you one of those people who loves getting up at the crack of dawn and searching for treasure at yard sales and flea markets? Maybe up until now you've purchased things for yourself, family or friends. But did you know that you can take your love of bargain shopping and make some real money with it? It's true -- thanks to Ebay, the world's biggest online marketplace.

Many of the items you find at thrift shops, yard sales and flea markets can be placed on Ebay and sold for a lot more than you paid for them. For example, I once purchased a box of paperback books by bestselling author Sandra Brown. The books looked just like new, and offered at only ten cents each. The twenty books I purchased cost me $2. How much did I sell them for? $36! That's an amazing profit margin. Here's another example: Another time I found a Belleek porcelain butter dish at a thrift shop for $1.49. The price I got on Ebay for this item? $21.95!

Imagine if you found items like this each and every week. It's entirely possible -- especially if you live in an area that's full of swap meets, thrift shops, flea markets and yard sales. Estate sales are another way you can find valuable items at cheap prices. Some people simply want to declutter their homes. They're not interested in going through all the hassle of listing each piece on Ebay. They just want someone to take their so-called junk off their hands. That's where you come in!

So how do you recognize what's good to buy and what isn't? Any item in its original packaging is a good bet. Bestselling books in good condition are a good bet, as are vintage or antique books, especially those that are first editions. Ceramics, crystal, pottery and porcelain are also good bets. Depression era glass, also known as carnival glass, can be a profitable pick. Clothing is sometimes good, especially when it's in like-new condition from a brand name designer. Vintage toys are also great items, especially when they're in packaging or in like-new condition.

This business can work if you're vigilant, determined and dedicated to good customer service. If you're able to locate and list a good number of treasures every week, you're likely to get repeat customers that visit your listings and/or Ebay store on a regular basis to see what's new. And by packaging your items well and shipping them in a timely manner, you'll get good feedback, one of the most important aspects to running a successful Ebay business.

When listing your item, always aim for your auction to start and end on Sunday evening. This will ensure your item is seen by as many people as possible. Take clear pictures of your item and always choose the Gallery option. Write an auction listing title that grabs a reader's attention, is easily found via keyword search and gives a clear description. Include the name of the item, color, size, condition and any other applicable details. When writing the actual listing, you'll need all of this information as well as any other pertinent details. Describe the item in more detail and use enticing words. Make sure to include your payment and shipping details as well. Price your item low as you can while still making a profit. A low starting price will lure more bidders, and give you the best chance of fetching top prices.