A few years ago, I started selling a few items around the house on eBay. Realizing that I could actually sell cheap stuff for a reasonable price, I started scouring yard sales for the same sort of items. Finding items that would be popular on eBay meant testing the waters, realizing something was very popular on eBay and then searching for more of those items in yard sales. As time went on, I turned to a few of the best websites for hot selling items on eBay, and eventually became a fairly successful PowerSeller. So I’ve decided to put together a quick guide to help other hopeful sellers increase their Ebay earnings tenfold.
Earning Income from Selling Hot Selling Items on eBay?
At first, it felt almost impossible to make a profit on eBay. I started with a few items from around the house. It was ridiculous what people were willing to buy – but the cheques that came in the mail were very real, and they started to add up. Before long, I noticed those giant eBay PowerSellers with an inventory of hundreds of expensive items for sale. I was curious how they did it. After a few years, I was not only able to learn how they do it but do it myself. The secret is this – you need a source. There are a variety of sources for hot selling items on eBay, including…
Finding antiques at a local auction and selling them on eBay was one of the most significant ways that I was able to multiply my sales. In time, I learned how to recognize individual items at auctions that had huge eBay potential – but you still have to be very careful not to overpay for those items or you can lose your shirt. Using auctions as an eBay source is one of the best methods to become a PowerSeller, but finding the best auctions in your area can be difficult. One of the best sites I found to do that is Auctionbiz, which has listings for auctioneers all around the country, from the huge auction houses in the city to the smallest auctioneers out in the country.
Unfortunately, these listings are only available within the U.S., but another great site for European eBay sellers is AuctionGuide, which covers auctioneers from all across the world.
These listings are fairly comprehensive. Just be sure to work yourself up from the cheaper “country” auctions up toward the more expensive city auction houses as you earn more, and as you learn how to recognize the hot selling items on eBay. Also, if you plan to shop at auctions for your eBay merchandise, purchase a mobile device such as a smartphone with an Internet capable browser on it. While you’re at the auction during the preview session, simply visit eBay.com, click “Advanced Search,” and then search through past eBay sales for the items that you see at the auction. Make sure “Show Completed Listings Only” is selected.
This will show you how much the item sold for on eBay, before you buy it. It also tells you how much you should pay for the item without losing your shirt.
Local Yard Sales and Electronic Bulletin Boards
Another great source that I found for items at very cheap prices are local items for sale. These are the deals where you can create a fortune – if you’re diligent and quick to act. Back in February, I wrote an article on an application you can use to search Craigslist for your local area. Whether you use that application or not, Craigslist listings are a constant source of some of the best opportunities for eBay PowerSellers. For example, a recent search for “digital camera” in my area turns up a long list of great deals.
You can find some pretty impressive deals on PropertyRoom, however competition for those items is getting pretty fierce. For now, there’re still some impressive lots of high quality items available, including computers, cars and jewelry.
The Hottest Selling Items on eBay are Everywhere
As you can see, becoming a PowerSeller on eBay is only a matter of finding a good source of low cost items. When I first started, the hardest part was finding those items. Toward the end of my eBay PowerSeller career, the hard part was keeping up with packaging and shipping. Once you find one or two product sources that work for you, you’ll have no problem making a tremendous income from eBay.
MakeUseOf has written a handful of great articles on eBay tips, be sure to check them out.
Are you an eBay seller? Share some of your own tips and tricks in the comments section below.
Earning Income from Selling Hot Selling Items on eBay?
At first, it felt almost impossible to make a profit on eBay. I started with a few items from around the house. It was ridiculous what people were willing to buy – but the cheques that came in the mail were very real, and they started to add up. Before long, I noticed those giant eBay PowerSellers with an inventory of hundreds of expensive items for sale. I was curious how they did it. After a few years, I was not only able to learn how they do it but do it myself. The secret is this – you need a source. There are a variety of sources for hot selling items on eBay, including…
- Local auctions
- Local yard sales
- Electronic bulletin boards
- Overstock
- Buying in bulk
- Other online auctions
Ads by Google
How to Start a Blog WebsiteSetupGuide.com
A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners. Read Along and Start Your Own Blog.
Liquidation Auction Sale auctions.dealdash.com
Brand New Items. Up to 95% OFF. See the Amazing Deals!
Googles Deal of the Day www.google.com/offers
Google Offers. Deals on Recreation, Dining, Events and More
eBay Sellers Tools PageMage.com
#1 Most Popular Free App In The eBay Apps Center. Try It Now!
Buying Items at AuctionHow to Start a Blog WebsiteSetupGuide.com
A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners. Read Along and Start Your Own Blog.
Liquidation Auction Sale auctions.dealdash.com
Brand New Items. Up to 95% OFF. See the Amazing Deals!
Googles Deal of the Day www.google.com/offers
Google Offers. Deals on Recreation, Dining, Events and More
eBay Sellers Tools PageMage.com
#1 Most Popular Free App In The eBay Apps Center. Try It Now!
Finding antiques at a local auction and selling them on eBay was one of the most significant ways that I was able to multiply my sales. In time, I learned how to recognize individual items at auctions that had huge eBay potential – but you still have to be very careful not to overpay for those items or you can lose your shirt. Using auctions as an eBay source is one of the best methods to become a PowerSeller, but finding the best auctions in your area can be difficult. One of the best sites I found to do that is Auctionbiz, which has listings for auctioneers all around the country, from the huge auction houses in the city to the smallest auctioneers out in the country.
Local Yard Sales and Electronic Bulletin Boards
Another great source that I found for items at very cheap prices are local items for sale. These are the deals where you can create a fortune – if you’re diligent and quick to act. Back in February, I wrote an article on an application you can use to search Craigslist for your local area. Whether you use that application or not, Craigslist listings are a constant source of some of the best opportunities for eBay PowerSellers. For example, a recent search for “digital camera” in my area turns up a long list of great deals.
Remember, be smart about how you buy. For each item, search the completed eBay listings. If the Craigslist seller is offering the item at less than what it sells for on eBay, contact them immediately and ask to buy it. Drive over and pick it up so that you can save on shipping costs. The best website out there to look up local yard sales is one that MakeUseOf reviewed before called the Yard Sale Treasure Map – a very cool site that lists lots of yard sales in your local area.
Overstock and Buying in Bulk
If you have enough cash on hand, you can always invest in an inventory. Lots of sellers do this. There really isn’t any secret to it, except that you need to spend a bit upfront. Be careful about scam artists that “cherry pick” their pallets. These items typically come from store closings or overstock inventory. This is a field where reputation is king, and buying locally is your best bet. Just search Google for “wholesale pallets,” and you’ll find a long list of them. One good example is RhinoMart wholesale distribution.
The thing to look for are sites that offer good, clear photos of the pallets, and decent listings of contents. However, in most cases these items were all packaged quickly during store closings - so you simply get what you get. However, in the end you’re paying only a fraction of what the items are really worth, so this is usually one of the best ways to earn some significant eBay income.
Other Online Auctions
If you don’t have a fortune to invest up front, one of the easiest ways to make money on eBay is buying at smaller auction sites and then reselling on eBay. You’ll likely find far fewer items at these sites, but you’ll also find much better deals. A few of these include:
- OverStock Auctions – Auctions of “overstock” items
- uBid - Excess Inventory Auctions
- GovDeals – Pick up government surplus items at great prices
- ShopGoodwill – The popular “used goods” store is now an excellent Ebay seller source as well
The Hottest Selling Items on eBay are Everywhere
As you can see, becoming a PowerSeller on eBay is only a matter of finding a good source of low cost items. When I first started, the hardest part was finding those items. Toward the end of my eBay PowerSeller career, the hard part was keeping up with packaging and shipping. Once you find one or two product sources that work for you, you’ll have no problem making a tremendous income from eBay.
MakeUseOf has written a handful of great articles on eBay tips, be sure to check them out.
Are you an eBay seller? Share some of your own tips and tricks in the comments section below.
