| As a Silver Level Power Seller on eBay since 2003, I | | | | Again, look for vintage items, name brand clothing, |
| have made $3,000 or more every month in profit and | | | | household items, tools, CDs and DVDs, and sporting |
| have never used a wholesaler or drop shipper. One | | | | goods. |
| disadvantage to dealing with a wholesaler is having to | | | | Visit your local dry cleaner. You may be able to create |
| buy in quantity. Many wholesalers require large | | | | a partnership where you can sell unclaimed items on |
| purchases, such as $500 worth, and then you may be | | | | consignment. Used clothing in good condition is a great |
| stuck with the merchandise if it doesn't sell. By finding | | | | seller. Think about it. People take their finest items to |
| your inventory locally, you don't have to spend as | | | | the dry cleaner, since they cannot be thrown in the |
| much on inventory up front, you can buy small | | | | washing machine. The cleaner may end up with |
| quantities to test out the products, and you can find | | | | unclaimed items such as cashmere sweaters, business |
| vintage items that sell for high margins. | | | | suits, silk blouses and skirts, beaded evening gowns, or |
| My inventory comes from all local sources. Thrift | | | | down comforters. The items will already be cleaned |
| stores, also known as second hand stores, are one of | | | | and ready to list. You won't even have to buy the |
| the best sources for eBay inventory. You can find | | | | inventory; you just arrange to share the profit with the |
| vintage items, clothing (many times new with tags), | | | | dry cleaner. |
| household items, and brand new items such as | | | | You can also find inventory locally by shopping at |
| candles, bath gel, and stationery. Valuable vintage items | | | | off-price stores including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, and |
| are coming out of basements and attics and appearing | | | | Steinmart. These stores carry designer name brands |
| at garage sales and estate sales. For example, vintage | | | | already discounted. If you buy the items on clearance, |
| rotary phones are very good sellers on eBay as they | | | | you can often get name brand labels like Ann Taylor |
| are now collectibles and some sell for over $200. | | | | and Ralph Lauren at 90% off retail. Unlike dealing with |
| Record players (consoles, turntables, and suitcase | | | | a wholesaler, you can buy just a few pieces to see |
| style) are popular on eBay. Some sell for well over | | | | how the items sell, and then go back and get more. |
| $100. Vintage Fisher Price toys can sell for up to $300 | | | | These are just a few examples of where you can |
| if a complete set. Examples include the airport and the | | | | find inventory locally to sell on eBay, without using a |
| castle set. You can't find vintage items through a | | | | wholesaler. You can also check storage unit auctions, |
| wholesaler, and they are much more profitable than | | | | local salvage stores, consignment stores, closeout |
| any wholesale item. You can also find resalable items | | | | stores like Big Lots, and flea markets. |
| very inexpensively at garage sales and estate sales. | | | | |