posted on January 8, 2001 11:11:47 PM
I'm interested in finding out how to research/find out about hot categories on ebay. I have the occasional big score on thrift store finds (clothing, antiques, etc.) but I know there's more I could never imagine! If you know a hot category (I don't do adult, risque, or occult), please tell me!
posted on January 8, 2001 11:28:11 PM
I doubt if you will get many responses. This is a very competitive market. Most sellers aren't going to creative more competition for themselves by giving away all of their hard work and knowledge.
Study the market and sell what you know, is the best I or many others will tell you.
posted on January 9, 2001 03:24:22 AM
Yeah ditto to Pineyhurst...spend ( a lot ) of hours looking through ebay and see what is getting bids. Think to yourself..1. Do I know anything about "whatever"? 2. Can I get my hands on "whatever"? 3. Is there money to be made in selling "whatever"? 4. Can "whatever" be packaged and posted easily? I realise this advice is very broad but its about the best you are going to get on here. Nobody wants to spill their guts on their on businesses. Goodluck and remember to have fun.
posted on January 9, 2001 06:03:47 AM
Hello Erookie,
Start off by browsing eBay's Going, going gone for patterns.
You also need to decide what is (for you personally) a hot item?
Something that commands high bids?
Many bids?
Snipe bids?
High starting bids?
Consistent bids?
Bids affording you a reasonable profit margin?
Emerging fad items?
Seasonal bidding?
When you get right down to it, you have to monitor the marketplace you are selling into. With eBay you can count on that marketplace to shift fairly regularly.
posted on January 9, 2001 06:09:58 AM
Wow! This really is great advice. Usually this question just gets nonsense. Consider what has been said carefully.
You might also want to consider who will buy something you know about or can easily acquire. Not everyone, either in the US or around the world, has the same access to certain products.
posted on January 9, 2001 06:21:29 AM
Well, there's two ways of going at this.
You can either spend a good chunk of your time researching what is and will be the next fad, figuring out what it'd cost you to captalize on it, and gambling your capital on that fad.
Or you can spend your time building a (moderately diversified) niche that's fad-proof, acquiring expertise in that area, and developing a solid, long-term customer base and a business projection that takes into account both "boom" and "bust" periods.
The former is more exciting, and some folks make a living at it. Me, I take the latter route. When I want gambling excitement, I go to Biloxi.
