So, you've listed on ebay just about everything in your house there is worth selling, apart from the kids but you've read on here somewhere that the sale of children is forbidden. And now you're wondering 'perhaps I should buy stuff to sell on here?' Read this before you do...

• What should I buy to sell?

• Something you can make a worthwhile profit on. (I know that sounds pretty basic, but I never fail to be surprised when people offer stuff on here that's dirt cheap to buy in the shops these days.) Something that you know something about. (Don't offer car spare parts if you don't know one end of a 'big end' from another and you're real love is collecting egg cups, for example). Something you think there's a demand for. (Take you're pick of categories!) Something you know is genuine. (Not fake Vuitton bags, or Gucci belts, or Dior sunglasses, or you'll get booted off e bay and sent to face the wall on the naughty step!)

• Where should I buy it from?

• Somewhere that charges less than you can sell it for on e bay, naturally, remembering postal and admin charges will 'up' the cost of your item, especially if it's heavy or bulky. Try getting your stock from markets, jumble sales, warehouses, ebay (try 'lots', for example), friends and relations, car boot sales, antique markets, garage sales, clearance sales, charity shops, skips, or (best of all) think about making something beautiful and unusual to sell, if you are creative.

• What's not allowed?

• Do an ebay search on prohibited items. Basically it's anything illegal, drugs, stolen goods, fake stuff, rare animals and their pelts, body parts / fluids (!), soiled clothing (oh pleeeease!),  pets, husbands, slaves and children (see intro) and other distasteful things. If you have any quieries whether what you are about to sell is within e bay rules, just ask 'em!

• What are the pitfalls?

• Listing stuff is TIME CONSUMING! If others in the family need the computer it may lead to riots in the house, as e bay listing can take hours .Turbo Lister is designed to help but it's still not brilliant if, like me, you have lots of different items to sell in different categories. Keeping up with the mailing out takes hours too. You also really need a digital camera for great photos. You can be disappointed if your stuff doesn't sell, if the ad gets booted off ebay for some little error you have made, like keyword spamming, or if you get neutral or negative feedback. You'll be out of pocket if the item doesn't sell, if you don't get paid or if you underestimated the profit margin / postal packing admin transportation charges / e bay fees.You'll also become an absolute bore to your friends 'cos all you'll be able to talk about is what you have done on e bay lately!

• What about the fees?

• Ebay is in a win+win situation. They make money whether you sell your item or not. But they make more if you do, with their final valuation fee (fvf). So, you have the cost of your ads, the fvf's, and then Pay Pal fees (if you accept that method of payment.)  So make sure whatever you are selling you take into account these three variables when you state your start price.. Then of course there is the cost of your administration, packaging, the cost of sourcing your goods and getting the items to the post office if you're posting them.

• So is it worth all the bother?

• That depends. If you've got lots of spare time, great! If you look on it as a hobby then yes, if you enjoy it. If you can get a supply of items at a good price that you enjoy selling and can make a little profit (at least enough to pay for your next computer!) then I would say you are doing well. If you look on it as a possible way of making a living then you will need  far more indepth advice than I am able to give. But many people are finding a 'niche' market for their products here on e bay and doing very nicely in this global market.

By dressing-2-kill

Do check out my other ebay guides!

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