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Witch Doctor
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/22/2008 9:40:29 AM
Posts: 36,
Visits: 34
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I'm wondering what folks think is a good approach toward selling on eBay. Many people just try and sell their household junk but I understand the way to really build a business is to focus on a niche and build a solid reputation.
What are some of the best niche ideas out there, and is the market saturated? How do you come up with a niche? 
Thanks! Mr. J.
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I go ape over eBay!
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Auction Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 2:31:35 PM
Posts: 65,
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Clothes are certainly popular, (easy to ship and they can't break) check out all the folks who focus on retro, goth, or current styles. Some people narrow their focus further to shoes or other accessories. Jewelry is a big hitter, too, those who can establish themselves as reputable seem to do well, but it's important for them to rise above the common scammer. I think the niche approach is really the way to go. 
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Handygirl, loves buying/selling clothes and tools
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Zombie Hunter
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/23/2007 2:54:04 PM
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Mr. Jiggs (4/19/2007)
I'm wondering what folks think is a good approach toward selling on eBay. Many people just try and sell their household junk but I understand the way to really build a business is to focus on a niche and build a solid reputation. What are some of the best niche ideas out there, and is the market saturated? How do you come up with a niche? Thanks! Mr. J. I dont care what you sell caus im rollin in the cash flow!!!!
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Witch Doctor
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/22/2008 9:40:29 AM
Posts: 36,
Visits: 34
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I dont care what you sell caus im rollin in the cash flow!!!!
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I go ape over eBay!
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/5/2007 12:16:42 PM
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Find a niche that you know about...and have access to the the stuff, and you can build a nice little business selling the stuff on eBay. 
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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
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Thrift stores are a good start. You must recognize items that will sell on ebay such as collectibles like retro games or toys, obscure books, and the like. There are lots of treasures in little thrift stores in large cities that you can get for pennies on the dollar. I purchased an item for $3 that sold on ebay for $355.
I try to stay away from bulky items because even if you're fair on shipping a lot of people avoid items where they pay too high for shipping even if the overall price is good.
What it boils down to is this; you must find items that you know are of value that you can obtain for less than you can sell them for. For some people the items are tools, other it's software, some it's antiques. One guy I know goes to junkyards and takes emblems off of old junk cars (he'll pay $1 for a handful) and sells them to collectors/restoration folks for 20x the price. Only you can figure out what your product will be depending on your location, knowledge, and product availability.
If you want a faster start and have some cash to begin (any business needs an investment), you might consider attending auctions at storage facilities. During these auctions, they open the front of the unit, and let you look inside without stepping in. You then bid on it. I passed on one unit that looked like it was full of trash. Nobody would bid and then a guy said, "hell, I'll give you $5 for it". Sold. I stood around he started taking out the trash. Behind it was a gigantic plasma TV, beautiful leather couch, and various electronics (although this is the rare exception, as the majority of the time you'll spend about $400 for a unit and sell the items for $600 or so).
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Auction Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 2:31:35 PM
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Good stuff there, Soc! That storage unit thing is a good idea, though I imagine there could be some weird creepy crap in those places...
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Handygirl, loves buying/selling clothes and tools
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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
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Yep, it's a gamble sometimes. I saw one unit sell and the previous owners had left food inside. Well, this attracted rodents that left feces all over the floor and had chewed up everything inside. Unfortunately for the buyer, none of this could be seen until the unit was being unloaded. When you buy the unit, you're contractually obligated to empty it in "X" amount of days. Often the company wants a CC #. If you decide, "hey I don't want this" and fail to unload it, you'll start getting charges for storage yourself.
It helps big time to have a truck and trailer, and to attend auctions and just watch a few times to get the feel of it. You can usually find out about upcoming auctions by looking at the "legal notices" or "public notices" section of your local newspaper. Many states require that the auctions/evictions be publicly announced.
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