Product Sourcing Tips For eBay Sellers is what I will offer to you in this Post. Well, not so much as Product Sourcing Tips, but rather information on actual sources for products for eBay Sellers. Sourcing Products is the “KEY” to any business that sells Products. If you intend on selling them, then you either have to offer something that you make yourself, or get it from somewhere else. It’s just that simple. Please keep it that way. If you’re a Newbie, I’d suggest that you “NOT” look for the “Hottest” or “Best” Products to sell on eBay. Why? Because eBay may not be for you. Please get your feet wet “FIRST“, then you’ll know if you’d want to proceed. The Sources and Tips that I have here, will soon be yours, and by the end of it, you will definitely have several “Product Sources” for you to begin or continue along, with your eBay Ventures. Note: All “Product Sources” will be highlighted in Blue or Red! This will not be a Post on things like:
- Arbitrage
- White Labeling
- Wholesaling
- Wholesale Sources
- Manufacturing Sources
- Private Labeling
- Drop-Shipping
- or things of that nature
This Post will be strictly limited to, what I call, “Product Sourcing Tips for eBay Sellers“.
Product Sourcing Tips #1 – Search at Home
Home is the place where I believe that most people start and should start. It’s the easiest place to find Products to List and Sell, and to see how this eBay thing, actually works. Everyone has something they don’t want or need. In the beginning, look for something small, easy to ship and not to heavy. (Old Cell Phones, Coins, Used Jewelry, Clothing, A Book, ect… So Find Products at Home – Attic, Garage, Basement, Look Around the House
Product Sourcing Tips #2 – Search you Computer
Find Products on “Other Websites” (Arbitrage – Buy low from one Site and sell on another), Connect with Dropshippers, Buy from Wholesalers, seek out Small, Local Independent Businesses to see if they have any “Overstock Items” that they want to get rid of. Search “Other Auction Sites and Retailers” to look for items you can buy in Bulk or at Deep Discounts.
Concerning Websites, you can check with Overstock Sites, Liquidation Sites, Government Surplus Sites and more. Also check out Craigslist, Offerup and other “Local Online Yard Sale Websites” including Facebook. You can also search for and offer eBooks, Images, Free Content and other Free Items that you can repackage and/or resell at a profit. In 2019 you can now buy “Storage Units” Online….it’s just CRAZY about the number of places you can do your “Product Sourcing“.
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Product Sourcing Tips #3 – Search your Neighborhood
You can absolutely find Products to Source around your Neighborhood. How about visiting some Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Swap Meets, Estate Sales, Street Vendor Setups, Thrift Stores, Factory Outlets, Expos, Pawn Shops, Storage Unit Auctions, State & County Fairs or Church Sales. Search for Items on the Street for Free. Get items from Relatives or Neighbors that you can sell on eBay. Get items for free, have a Yard Sale, Buy items in Bulk, then Sell on eBay.
Become a “Consignment Seller“. I have had friends, not on eBay, ask if I could sell their items, since they knew I was a Seller. I’d sell the items and make some sort of commission, or not. It didn’t matter to me, cause I wasn’t going to charge my friends. In the beginning, I just wanted the experience and the Sales Volume to get that “PowerSeller Status“, so it didn’t matter if the items were mine or not, I was the one who made the sale. You would, of course, charge a Commission of some sort, to other people.
Product Sourcing Tips #4 – Search from Within
Source your Products from Within. If you are a Creator, no matter how small or large, you can make money by selling your creations. Sell your: Artwork (Paint Pictures on Mugs and Plates purchased from the thrift store). Handmade Jewelry (Necklaces, Bracelets and Rings. Clothing, Glasswork, Music….. They’re probably Millions of Items in this Section so I’ll stop here.
Product Sourcing Tips #5 – Search Businesses in Distress
Businesses in Distress is often overlooked in my opinion. I never hear anyone (those experts) talking about this Product Sourcing Tip. Could it be the Number one Source? I don’t know about all that, but is should be in the Top 5 if you have Cash or Credit.
You could really clean up on “Highly Discounted Items” when these Stores have their “Going out of Business Sales“. You remember Circuit City don’t you. Okay, well I’m sure you’ve seen Store Closings from Sears and K-Mart. No??? Well just think of all of the Retail Outlets that have closed and are closing, where you live, due to the success of the Online and Offline Giants of, Amazon and Wal Mart respectively.
Where have all the Mom and Pop Shops gone?
When these Stores eventually close, it doesn’t mean that the products are bad. They just want to lower their Inventory before they close the door. I’ve seen thousands of Products over the years go for 75%-90% off , from its original Retail Price. Sometimes they even take a loss! At the end of the day, most of these Retail Outlets “DESTROY” the items that did not sale. So this is an excellent Product Source.
Product Sourcing Tips #6 – Keep an Open Mind
With keeping an open mind, I’m sure you’ll come up with a few more places to Source Products. Below, you’ll find a few Honorable Mentions.
- Your Own Business – You just may have things laying around that you no longer have use for. Time to Declutter.
- Your Current Job Location – Companies are always buying and updating equipment, especially Office Supplies. Office Chairs, Desks and Copy Machines turn over faster than Hands on a Clock. Even Computer Cords or Used Keyboards sell well on eBay. Try asking your Boss who has the final say when “Destroying Equipment“. It’s sad to think, but watch what happens when the next Supervisor is Laid off or even Promoted.
- Dollar Stores – Okay, it’s not me, but, I’ve heard stories of people “Coming Up” with Dollar Store Items. I hear that they buy a bunch of stuff and send it to Amazon to sell via Amazon FBA. Now I haven’t really looked into that type of Business Model as of yet, but I’m sure it’s worth looking into.
- New Product Releases – Okay, I’ll keep this one simple. This may or may not be a sustainable Online Business Modes, but here it is anyway. Buy New Products when they hit the Market, or even before. Examples would be: NBA Championship Tickets, SupeBowl Tickets, World Series Tickets, Concert Tickets, The Latest Cell Phone, The Latest Video Game or Video Game Unit.
- eBay’s Seller Center – Look under “What to Sell” for ideas
- eBay Trends – Find out what’s Trending
- TeraPeak – TeraPeak shows you what to Sell and its’ Tools and Insights help Sellers better manage and grow their businesses on eBay
Simple Tips
- Always Hot Items – iPhone, Nordic Track , Bow-Flex, Weight Loss Shakes
- The Hottest Items always involve “Toys“, whether it is an Adult Toy or Child’s Toy – X-Box, PlayStation, Elmo
- The best Season for Toys is Christmas – Plan ahead
Okay, okay, that’s all I have for right now. I’ve provided 6 Product Sourcing Tips for eBay Sellers and over 40 Sources to find those Products. I hope that I have provided you with some useful information! Feel free to take advantage of me and continue to pluck my Text.
Notes and Disclaimers:
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The information that was given, was based on the Information, Expertise, Training and Experience obtained by the Author. If you believe that “Legal Advice” was given, even if accidentally, the Author would remain harmless for any actions taken, based solely on the information within this Article.
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