Everyone’s business is slow. Unemployment shows no signs of abating. Consumer confidence is down and everyone is being cautious.  Everyone wants to sell the newest, latest hottest product –but that business is cratering. My eBay sales are off over 50% from the same time last year.  We are still making money –just not as much of it.

But there is a bright spot. Used and Vintage Goods.  When tough times hit, people pull back their spending overall, but they still need some things. I have been watching the markets and talking to other sellers, and the sellers of used goods are doing pretty well.  I spoke with one woman who specializes in used children’s toys. Her business has doubled from this time last year. Another lady specializes in used blue jeans –same thing.

The simple truth is that people need and want to save money and they are willing to check their egos and buy used. And its not just online. When I went to the post office the other day, I drove by our local Rotary Club Thrift shop and it was crowded.  Same thing when I drove to our local Costco.  The Costco wasn’t that busy, but the parking lot at the nearby Value Village ( a used clothing store) was packed.

The advantage of selling used goods are many. Products are easy to find. You buy them at flea markets, thrift shops and garage and lawn sales.  The markups are high. The lady who sells used baby toys routinely makes 75% margins on her sales. The lady who sell blue jeans gets most of them at local thrift shops for about a buck a pair and sells them for between $10 and $20 a pair.

The downside to this business is time. I can order a case of new kitchen knives to sell with a simple phone call and they are delivered in about a week. But when I want to find used merchandise, I have to go out and look for it, haul it home, clean and photograph everything and then ship it.  And yes, time is money. But in this case I am making a lot more money.  I found a 1975 vintage stereo system at a church rummage sale a few weeks ago. I bought it for $20 and sold it on eBay for $375.  Now thats the kind of markups I like.

I have even started to work on a new product. It is a book called The Electronic Trader – how to buy, sell and trade on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist.  I have about 3 more chapters to write and hope to have it ready for the next newsletter. In the meantime, you may want to take a look at Ten Little Known, Highly Profitable Niche Markets on eBay.  All of them are about selling used products that are easy to find and even easier to sell. I have just finished updating the book for 2010.

If you’re a seasoned eBay seller, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be expanding your business into selling internationally.  

I just got this from eBay Power Up Feb. Edition - three big reasons to start cashing in today:

Reach millions more buyers–for no extra cost. If you ship worldwide, for no extra cost your listings will appear on eBay.eu with access to nearly 200 million more Europeans. (No more switching to eBay UK to list your items)

Only domestic DSRs count. Since only DSRs on your transactions with U.S. buyers count on eBay.com, you can sell globally without worrying about customs or international delivery affecting your eligibility for Top-rated seller or PowerSeller status.  ( I had NO idea that DSRs from international selling wouldn’t effect selling out of the U.S – BONUS!)

Be a Top-rated seller in more countries. Now you can also earn and enjoy the rewards of being a Top-rated seller in more countries, including Germany and the U.K., two of the largest export markets for U.S. eBay sellers.  (This is great for branding yourself in other countries!)

Get more helpful tips and best practices for international selling.

 

GREAT news from an eBay seller standpoint!  It certainly takes the guess work out of selling Worldwide!

Everyone’s business is slow. Unemployment shows no signs of abating. Consumer confidence is down and everyone is being cautious.  Everyone wants to sell the newest, latest hottest product –but that business is cratering. My eBay sales are off over 50% from the same time last year.  We are still making money –just not as much of it.

But there is a bright spot. Used and Vintage Goods.  When tough times hit, people pull back their spending overall, but they still need some things. I have been watching the markets and talking to other sellers, and the sellers of used goods are doing pretty well.  I spoke with one woman who specializes in used children’s toys. Her business has doubled from this time last year. Another lady specializes in used blue jeans –same thing.

The simple truth is that people need and want to save money and they are willing to check their egos and buy used. And its not just online. When I went to the post office the other day, I drove by our local Rotary Club Thrift shop and it was crowded.  Same thing when I drove to our local Costco.  The Costco wasn’t that busy, but the parking lot at the nearby Value Village ( a used clothing store) was packed.

The advantage of selling used goods are many. Products are easy to find. You buy them at flea markets, thrift shops and garage and lawn sales.  The markups are high. The lady who sells used baby toys routinely makes 75% margins on her sales. The lady who sell blue jeans gets most of them at local thrift shops for about a buck a pair and sells them for between $10 and $20 a pair.

The downside to this business is time. I can order a case of new kitchen knives to sell with a simple phone call and they are delivered in about a week. But when I want to find used merchandise, I have to go out and look for it, haul it home, clean and photograph everything and then ship it.  And yes, time is money. But in this case I am making a lot more money.  I found a 1975 vintage stereo system at a church rummage sale a few weeks ago. I bought it for $20 and sold it on eBay for $375.  Now thats the kind of markups I like.

I have even started to work on a new product. It is a book called The Electronic Trader – how to buy, sell and trade on eBay, Amazon and Craigslist.  I have about 3 more chapters to write and hope to have it ready for the next newsletter. In the meantime, you may want to take a look at Ten Little Known, Highly Profitable Niche Markets on eBay.  All of them are about selling used products that are easy to find and even easier to sell. I have just finished updating the book for 2010.