What to sell on Ebay?

Nicifer_noonoo

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I'm a full time student looking for a way to supplement my student loan by selling a few things on ebay. I've only ever sold things I no longer want, but what would be best to buy to sell???

Thanks for any input.

Nic

Brooker_Dave

Nicifer_noonoo wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I'm a full time student looking for a way to supplement my student loan by selling a few things on ebay. I've only ever sold things I no longer want, but what would be best to buy to sell???

Thanks for any input.

Nic

Things people want, and things that few others are also selling...

StaffsSW

Books on HMRC, taxable allowances, starting a business, and consumer legislation would do well at the moment!

rsykes2000

Don't forget if you are buying to sell then you are a trader and will need to register with the Inland Revenue and make sure you pay any applicable taxes.

melliott1963

Anyone who knows what they can buy cheaply to sell at a profit isn't, I'm afraid, going to pass on their secret to someone else, so you're just going to have to do your homework.

What sort of items do you know a lot about? Then have a look at completed listing for these items. Are there a lot or not many? Do they sell and, if so, how much do they normally go for? Then look around for a supplier who can sell them to you at a price where you can make a profit. But you're only probably going to be able to do this if you buy in bulk, so that means a large financial outlay from the start, something you probably won't be able to afford.

Your best bet would be to trawl through the local classifieds and boot sales and see what you can pick up cheaply.

Sorry to sound pesimistic. But no one is going to hand you the golden egg on a plate!

FloFlo

Best sellers list 2008

1. Well worn shoes (only no.1 because dirty underwear isn't allowed)
2. Scally lad clothing (must be photos of scally lad wearing said scally lad clothing in listing)
3. Cheap to buy things that sell for lots more (if you find any of these please let me know as sales are verrrryy slowwww at the moment).

Nicifer_noonoo

Thanks to those of you that have offered actual advice

Badger_Lady

The problem is it's not that simple - you will be setting up a business, and eBay will be a channel of distribution. So in deciding what business to set up, you need to go through all the usual processes, e.g.:

- What's popular in your chosen market? (if eBay is the only distribution channel, then your research should be centred around eBay users)

- What can you get hold of cheaper than anyone else? Supply chain - if you can get cheap wholesale goods that no-one else has access to / knows about.

- Operationally, what's the cheapest to deal with (e.g. storage or postage - getting it to you, getting it to customers...)

- Individual skills / knowledge - what do you have insight on? You have to understand your product and how to sell it. Can you make something that fits into the model? Or provide a service?

These are just a few key considerations - remember that you will also need to register your business for tax and, if you don't have a decent grasp of finance, you may benefit from an accountant to enhance your tax benefits (off-setting costs against your income etc).

It's up to you where you start! Good luck

_______

EDIT TO ADD: Personally, I did quite well by doing early morning shifts at Tesco (7-10am). That way, I got first look at all the end-of-line products that were reduced, and I could go back in after my shift and buy up stock of digital cameras, mobile phones etc less than half price but still current enough to shift at full-price on eBay.

FloFlo

Glad you found it useful.

magic57

Hi I don't have much advice about ebay sorry I only sell my own unwanted stuff. But as you are a student how about selling any unwanted textbooks on Amazon? I've sold quite a lot and sometimes get a good price. You don't have to pay to list them but you pay a fee if they sell. Might just make you a few pounds. Good luck.

minghis

Try going to jumble sales, car boot sales or shops closing down and look for kids shoes, they seem to do well.