Anybody here making a living selling on eBay?

[chaska]

Or know anyone who is, or has any clue about it what so ever?

Unemployed ... again.

And depressed as hell. Need some hope to cling to.

[Joanne98]

1. No but I'd like to find that too.

[MissRegina]

2. Unemployed, again?

What happened? My dad sells on ebay but he is retired and whatever he makes is just fun money. He has his pension to live on. Surely, we can help you find a job!

[MrSlayer]

3. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

You'd be surprised how much money you can make selling off useless shit. I don't throw away the kids' old toys anymore, I put em up on Ebay and let some sucker take em. You can sell just about anything on there. Try it, you'll be surprised.

[Skittles]

7. I can't believe the shit people buy on EBay

what is ridiculous is when they claim they are getting a bargain buying crap they would never have even wanted if EBay did not exist.

[pagerbear]

4. I think more people are making a living

...selling plans and schemes to make a living selling on eBay.

[VOX]

5. eBay is cool. But sooner or later you'll need "inventory"...

Eventually, you'll sell off all your own junk -- then you've gotta go junk-hunting, unless you have lots of friends and relatives who want to give their stuff to you.

[Don_G]

6. Our Neighbor Did

I don't know what he sold, but there was a garage full of stuff and an empty UPS truck at the house 4 times a week.

I guess a Union truck driver makes a lot of contacts in his career.

[chaska]

8. It's a long story.

And it's at least as much my fault as anybody elses, and it involves family members that got hurt in the process, so I'd rather not go into it.

Bottom line, I have to work alone. I can't take other people.

Let me explain that a bit: I have terrible self-esteem. I have no reason to be that way. I am, if anything, above average in pretty much everyway. Still, I beat myself up constantly whenever I make the smallest mistake. I am absolutely unable to control my urge to berate myself. Other people then often take this as a cue that it's okay for them to do the same. As a result, I too often find myself getting trashed by others for no justifiable reason. And I am the kind of person who takes it and takes it without complaint until I just can't anymore and I just explode. This time I managed to leave the scene without breaking anything or abusing anyone's feelings or such. But now I can't go back. The bridge was burned behind me.

I hated the job anyway, but now I'm unemployed, broke and have no prospects. And I'm not sure I really give a damn anymore.

[Wickerman]

12. Thats tough stuff, man

Have you seen someone? I'm serious, the right person could work with you and help you through what sounds like a pretty painful way of coping.

That said, look around you. What do you know about? What do you like? What do you have a lot of? If any of the first two collide with the 3rd, try selling some of the stuff just for the taste. Look at other Ebay listings of like for a flavor of what to do.

I sold ebay in the early 00's when I was underemployed. I did reasonably well for a little bit time and capital investment. My situation has changed and I don't do it any more. I also see the market has saturated some and volume is the deal now - you need to sell a lot more stuff - unless you get lucky often.

Best of luck, we're pulling for you!

[mitchum]

9. I haven't tried to make a living, but I make very good...

"walking around money" for just a few hours of work.
Find a niche, chaska.
Good luck (things will get better):)

[Tom_Foolery]

10. eBay has changed a lot since 9/11...

I used to sell full time on eBay. I had my business built up to such a degree that I was looking at $10,000 for the month of September in 2001. I had grossed almost $6,000 in August 2001, so I was estimating the $10,000 amount based on Christmas sales beginning. Well, needless to say, my business went to hell after 9/11. I still sell on eBay, but it isn't like it used to be. The craziest thing I ever sold was an unopened Christmas pack of High Karate from 1972. I paid .50 cents for it and sold it for $61.00. Who knew that it was a collectible?

If you decide to sell on eBay, go to garage sales, junk shops, consignment shops, auctions, flea markets, thrift stores, etc. Look for anything for less than a dollar that comes from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. You can still make some money.

[Speck Tater]

11. I spend maybe 1 or 2 hours on Saturday mornings

and make between $50 and $200 per week.

I specialize in used/rare non-fiction books in a limited number of specific fields. I could make more, but that would be too much like work. I'd rather keep it at the hobby level.

[chaska]

13. I did books for a couple of weeks.

About broke even. Got out of that quick. I've done pretty well with musical instruments and related stuff. But finding new inventory is a problem. Used to be you could find good stuff in pawn shops. Not anymore. Pawn shops are selling on ebay too.

I've got a few ideas. I may go broke trying them, but I've got a large inventory of '70's musical instrument catalogs that should keep me going for a while.

[jayavarman]

14. Inventory is the key

Unless you want to sell used socks, that is . . . check it out on ebay, freaks buy these things

[Iris]

15. I used to work in a thrift store

and we had 2 regular customers who did. In fact, one quit his day job to do it full time. He basically went to various thrift stores throughout the week. He would buy a lot of the higher-end stuff we'd get - like Chanel dresses. He might buy one for $50 and make $150 or more. He would measure the various dimensions of the clothes and use that when he put them up for auction.

If you do something like this, I'd suggest going to thrift stores that are run by groups like the Junior League. Also, try going on Monday mornings and at various other times throughout the week until you figure out when you're likely to find the most stuff.

[Les BOOGIE]

16. I would consider old picture post cards if you can find supplies;

they are easy & inexpensive to pack & ship

[Les BOOGIE]

17. old picture post cards might be a good idea for part of your mix

they are quick, easy & inexpensive to mail

buy in quantity & sell individually

learn the market

[Les BOOGIE]

18. sorry for the dup; it told me first one was not sent