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Finding Items to Sell on Ebay or other online venues

Buying Vintage Items to Sell on Ebay or other venues

I will be posting before and after shots of items I buy to sell on ebay, along with tips, and links that will help you profit from selling online. 

Ebay is the best place to sell as far as obtaining the most traffic.  You will pay for this traffic but if you work hard, keep good records, and pay as you go.  You will make money.

I also feel it's important to say, as you search the web for other sites on selling on ebay, you may also find a lot of negativity on how high ebay and paypal fees are.  While it is true, they are high, you won't find another site that will move your items as fast as ebay.  The good thing is, ebay makes it easy for new sellers to get started by offering 50 free listing each month.  You do no have to pay unless your item sells.  When it does sell, you will be charged a final value fee.  I would strongly recommend, once the buyer pays, that you pay your ebay fees right away.  This will prevent you from getting a large bill a month later.

Finding things to sell is a constant effort.  Everytime I drive into town, I stop at a flea market.  I make my rounds as often as possible to all our local ones.  I may not buy every time I stop, but you'll never know when new items arrive and you need to be the first to find that big ticket item.  You have to love the hunt, and enjoy the items you find.  If you don't find a niche you love and enjoy, you will quickly lose interest.  If you are new to selling, I would suggest finding things you already have to test the waters.  Here are some ideas of where to find items to sell.

Beginners:  flea markets, garage/yard sales, friends and family.
Advanced Sellers:  Auctions, Antique Shops and Ebay or other online auction sites.

I will begin with these cute vintage cat bookends I bought today for $5.00.

                                         Before


After cleaning one, side by side comparison.



After



Cleaning Tip:  On dark wood items, I use the dark Old English to cover scratches and condition the wood.  This is a cleaning product I always keep on hand. 
(remember, cleaning products are tax deductible, so save those receipts)


I have them posted on ebay.  Here's the link--- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280959700226 or search for my store modretroliving.   I have done my research and I am confident that these should sell within a few months.  After ebays listing, relising and final value fees, paypal fees, subscriptions, overhead and adding my time for researching, cleaning, and my finders fee, I should make a decent profit of $30.  Sometimes you have to wait, relist, wait relist and wait and relist but being patient has it rewards.  If I placed the $5.00 I paid for these in a savings account, how long would it take to turn it into $30?  FOREVER!!! 

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You can also email me at modretrogirl@yahoo.com for free advise or assistance.


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