How I Sell on Ebay Part 1 :: My Closet

This little nook at the back of our basement office is the space 

where I make my part-time income.

I have been selling on eBay since October 2000.

My very first sale was a set of coordinating Old Navy Baby footie pajamas.

I paid 50 cents for both of them and then sold them for $10!

(If you handed me 50 cents and I gave you back a $10 bill, 

you'd be happy, right?)

I was hooked!

Maybe you'd like to de-clutter and start making money 

to pay for life's little extras (like vacations, braces, a major appliance) you'd like or need,

so you can get out of or stay out of debt, like we did?

I also sell with etsy, Amazon and Craigslist, so my closet houses these things, as well, 

but for the sake of simplicity, I am only going to be sharing about eBay only, for now.

I am blessed to have this closet.

But maybe you have a place in the corner of a room, 

in a cabinet, under the bed boxes, the garage that you can store items to be sold?

 

(This prism is the pull for the light bulb overhead which is NOT attractive)

These are the labels I use for Priority Shipping

and Delivery Confirmation.

FedEx Shipping labels.

This is the right side of the closet.

It contains the items that are incoming, and haven't yet been photographed or listed.

Books to resell (homeschooling, cookbooks, decorating, etc.)

DVDs and CDs, too.

The top shelf holds vintage luggage, Creative Memories pages.

The basket on the left has vintage Christmas linens.

The basket on the right contains vintage Christmas baubles, ornaments and bulbs.

These will get listed in November.

Vintage glassware and silver.

On the floor are all my recycled packing supplies:

(L) Top bin: Peanuts

(L) Middle bin: Air Pillows

(L) Bottom bin: Bubble Wrap, Cardboard Flats, and Tissue Paper

(R) Bottom bin: Tubes and Flattened Boxes 

The left side of the closet contains items that have been listed

and are waiting to be sold and shipped.

The top shelf: vintage linens, fabrics and serveware.
Middle shelves: items that don't fit in the baskets.
Bottom bins: clothing and gift wrapping supplies.

Set of 5 Simply Shabby Chic pillows that I paid $4 for.

Which sold for: $76.99!

The Daisy-patterned glasses and tray below: I paid $4.50 for the set of 9 pieces.

They sold for $60.95!

Here are some other things I sell.

    

Vintage lingerie.

It sounds weird, I know, but these are highly sought after.

Here's a recent example of an auction's ending.

I hope I don't make some of you blush (sorry)!

See the SOLD price: $152.50!

So, you see--people really do buy ANYTHING!

(By the way, the undies cost 50 cents!)

Birdbath measuring tape holder.

This beautiful box was sent to me during this past Spring Supply Swap 

held at The Shabby Chic Cottage each spring.

My swapping partner, Kathy at Creative Home Expressions made it for me!

It holds the Thank You cards I enclose with each sale.

Lightweight scale and heavy duty scale.

Clear Tape from the Dollar Tree.

Priority tape from the USPS.

If you want to start selling online, here's how to start:

• Find and clear out a place to start storing items you think you want to sell. Create a staging area for the items you are selling.
• Start filling it with items you want to sell. Anything. You'd be surprised what another person's treasure looks like.
• Pick up some FedEx/UPS/USPS Priority labels and Priority boxes.
• Find a postal scale. You'll definitely need one to weigh packages.

I know you all will have many questions if this is something you are interested in doing.

PLEASE ask me anything, I will answer you in future posts.

For Part 2:: What I Sell, click here.

For Part 3::Packing and Shipping, click here.

Other topics in the future:

Setting Up a PayPal Seller Account

Setting Up an eBay Seller Account
How Many Pictures DO I Need to Take?
What About the Seller/Auction Fees?
How to Maintain a Good Seller Rating
What to do After the Auction Closes

I am linking up and visiting with these ladies:


The DIY Showoff: Project Parade
11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven: Homemaker Mondays
Southern Hospitality: Today's Thrift Treasures
A Silly Little Sparrow: Toot Your Horn Tuesday
Blue Cricket Design: Show and Tell
Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
Chic on a Shoestring Decor: Flaunt it Friday
Finding Fabulous: Frugalicious Friday