pixiamom
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posted on February 18, 2009 07:31:20 PM new
In saner times, I would say that buying and reselling inventory in the same venue doesn't make sense if you expect a decent profit. The recent downturn of buyers on eBay plus many sellers offering free shipping presents many opportunities to obtain inventory dirt cheap - less than I can buy it locally. I look for small lots from sellers that don't specialize in postcard sales. They generally have awful pictures, useless descriptions, illogical groupings and are ignored by the collectors. Does anyone else buy on eBay to resell on eBay?
Visit_my_vintage_modern_art_postcards_on_EBay
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eauctionmgnt
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posted on February 18, 2009 07:52:54 PM new
I have in the past... Until I used eBay to establish a business contact with a particular magazine seller... but, both he and I find it much more profitable to conduct our business outside eBay. He's got plenty of inventory to get rid of... yet by selling to me directly, he avoids all the fees, re-lists and non-paying bidders. In turn, I get fantastic pricing. Since he keeps me so well-supplied, I haven't needed any additional sources. We both are very happy with the arrangement... and best part is eBay doesn't get a cut.
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Vintage Paper Ads
http://www.vintagepaperads.com
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on February 18, 2009 08:08:41 PM new
Nope, I never do that.
fLufF
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Claim your FREE $5 jewelry gift certificate!
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ebabestreasures
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posted on February 20, 2009 09:28:16 AM new
I have done it in the past as well.
I found one lady that was closing out her families' estate. After I purchased a few things - she would send me advance notice (along with her family and friends who got 1st dibs).
I got some wonderful antiques from her that never made it to ebay and resold them at a very nice profit.
I past on a set of Wedgwood Bowls with ships on them for something like $100. She listed them herself and they sold for $600.  Sorry I missed that one.
I guess there is a lot of junk to go thur now but it may be worth a try.
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ewora
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posted on February 20, 2009 09:59:14 AM new
I've done that in the past with various things. It's fun to find something that somebody has up for auction and they don't really know what they have. I've seen this more then once with Alaska Native handcrafted items.
My son in law wears cuff links so I often buy them in lots and let him pick out the ones he likes and then re-sell the rest. So I wouldn't say I'm making a profit but I do get a chunk of my money back.
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HWAHWA
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posted on February 20, 2009 02:59:40 PM new
It is just too time consuming plus these sellers may be hiding something with lousy pictures and description!
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Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
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LtRay
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posted on February 20, 2009 04:27:25 PM new
I have found myself buying on ebay more than usual but not necessarily for inventory. There are so many listings with poor descriptions and even worse pictures that it is fairly easy to find some great deal on there when you know your stuff.
example: Taxco Sterling bracelet with foiled glass cabochons listed only as "mexican bracelet". The pictures were blurry and did not show the maker. I scooped it up for $5. I will have to post a pic later and get an opinion from the pros here.
and a Scottish sterling brooch for $6 because seller did not mention or show the hallmarks in their listing. A piece of the same design from the same maker that had a better title, description and pictures closed at $65 the same night.
. When your ship comes in.... make sure you are willing to unload it. .
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HWAHWA
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posted on February 20, 2009 09:42:19 PM new
Once I spotted a Scottish piece of jewelry made by a company I know but it has no trade mark and the seller has no idea where it comes from and what material altho it looks silver.
I know the company and I know they will never leave out the trademark,so my guess is that it could be a knockoff or it could be a defective one which should have been properly disposed of by the company.
There are plenty of Ebay sellers who list an ivory or ivory look alike item with poor picture and jade jewelry not knowing whether it is jade or plastic or polymer jade.
For me,I can do better flipping burger or pouring coffee than finding that diamond in the rough on fleabay!
Unless you call it entertainment or detective work or panning for that golden nuggets
*
Economic Reform act of Chairman Obama of the socialist States of America :
10 ounces of meat per month,half a yard of cotton per year per adult.
Hellilujah!
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LtRay
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posted on February 21, 2009 12:59:37 AM new
HWAHWA, the average person probably would be better off flipping burgers than surfing ebay or spending time at yard/estate sales as a means to support themselves.
For me , surfing ebay it is a type of entertainment with fringe benefits. Some of us just enjoy the thrill of taking a gamble. Just like Vegas but with better odds for those who have the experience. Finding a sleeper (that mis-identified, hard to identify/rare/specialized piece) just keeps the game interesting.
I would have passed on either of these pieces had I not been in a gambling mood. I am not a jewelry seller and was not even searching for jewelry on the evenings when I found them. I usually find the steals when I am looking for one thing and click to view the seller's other listings.
Like Pixiamom, most good buys are found from sellers who do not specialize. I just love it when I stumble across those sellers who have decided to sell off grandmaw's stuff with a one sentence description and a picture from a cellphone camera. Yes, 98% of them just have a bunch of junk but the 2% make it fun.
Could not remember how I found the Scottish brooch so I just went back and checked the invoice. I think I was looking for a truck part for my husband that evening and the seller had a mishmash of stuff listed. Pin was listed as "silver pin with amber stone". Not exactly a title a collector would have been searching for.
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alldings
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posted on February 21, 2009 04:53:06 AM new
I haven't done much buying or selling on eBay in the last couple of years.
Before that quite a bit of my sales involved buying stuff on the bay and reselling it. The items purchased were hobby related. I kept the best,sold the rest and made a few bucks. Some time I would like to sell off my keepers. I don't think this is the time!
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bjboswell
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posted on February 22, 2009 06:10:40 AM new
ABSOLUTELY - POSITIVELY - EVERYDAY! I have been buying some wonderful things on ebay flipping them over to my web site and having good luck there.Remember the old saying buy low sell high.... well now is THE time to buy low! Doesn't hurt my feelings to buy a set of Mabe pearl earrings set in 14k,mixed into a vintage lot/pile for $32.00. Works for me.
eBay is so large a marketplace that good stuff gets lost everyday.
[ edited by bjboswell on Feb 22, 2009 06:12 AM ]
[ edited by bjboswell on Feb 22, 2009 06:14 AM ]
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libertywatches
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posted on February 22, 2009 06:32:23 AM new
Hi, here is one I been using this guys for 3 years, they sell me watches that is currently selling on Big Brand name web sites at wholesale price, they don't list the prices on the site until you join the wholesale club but it is well wort-ed the $10 one time registration fee they charge.
http://www.cheap-wholesale-watches.com/
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stonecold613
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posted on February 22, 2009 01:09:45 PM new
I have done it on a few occasions, but it's rare to find those kinds of deals and generally don't have that many hours in a day to explore them.
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cherishedclutter
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posted on February 22, 2009 05:32:42 PM new
I've never bought on ebay to resell on ebay. I have bought lots of linens on ebay to resell in a b&m shop.
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http://www.rubylane.com/shops/ceeceescollectibles
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