| I have really learned ALOT in my short time | | | | outfits will sell well at this time. If you sell |
| selling on Ebay. I don't claim to be an expert, but | | | | wholesale lots, I would recommend saving your |
| after less than one year, I am now a Power | | | | summer outfits for the buyers to get their hands |
| Seller, and I have over 100 items selling in my | | | | on. |
| store, Dragonflies and Ladybugs. These are some | | | | · April-June: Still sell Summer items, break |
| of my tips and tricks that I have learned along | | | | out the 4th of July items, but start to run SALES |
| the way. I hope that I can help you like so many | | | | (shipping sales are always a winner!!!), because you |
| of you have helped me!!!!1. Research, research, | | | | want to clear out your inventory to make room |
| research!!!! It is really important that you research | | | | for Fall/Winter clothing. |
| the items that you are interested in selling. This | | | | · June-September: I would start putting up |
| tells you a lot! What is hot and what is not. What | | | | your fall outfits and Back To School items. People |
| items are going for, what people are buying, and | | | | start gearing up for this time of year. June and |
| whether or not the market you are interested in | | | | July are typically slower months due to vacations, |
| is already saturated with sellers. Ebay has new | | | | and people already have obtained their summer |
| features that allow you to look into the past at | | | | items earlier in the year. |
| what items have ended at. You can also learn | | | | · September-October: Put your Fall/Winter |
| how to be competitive with your fellow sellers.2. | | | | Clothing up for sale, give shipping discounts, etc. |
| Join Paypal. If you have not already, it is a | | | | Start listing Halloween Costumes in September, |
| "MUST" to sign up with a paypal account in order | | | | and start listing alternate items like toys, games, |
| to sell on Ebay. It is a really safe way to do | | | | dvd's, etc. in November for Christmas.9. How To |
| business. I was leery at first, but now I am very | | | | Buy NWT Gymboree and Name Brand Clothing: It |
| comfortable with doing business this way. BE | | | | is really hard to purchase a large volume of NWT |
| CAREFUL: do not answer any e-mail that appear | | | | clothing, and I can personally vouch for this, |
| to come from Paypal. I did this and it was a | | | | because I have made ALOT of mistakes this |
| "spoof" e-mail. If you are unsure whether or not | | | | past year, and I have lost a lot of $ in the |
| an e-mail is legitimately from Paypal or Ebay, sign | | | | process. These are my recommendations gained |
| into the site through your server, not through the | | | | from my own mistakes, but you can create your |
| email, or contact support and ask.3. Invest in a | | | | own method for obtaining your inventory. |
| Decent Digital Camera: Most of you may already | | | | · I applied for a Gymboree Visa Card, which |
| have a digital camera, but if you do not, there are | | | | allows you to get 5% off all of your Gymboree |
| a lot out there for a reasonable price. I have a | | | | purchases, even during sales, apply online anytime. |
| Kodak Easyshare CX7300. This is not an | | | | |
| expensive camera, but you should have at least | | | | · Join mailing lists, like Gymboree's Circle of |
| 3.1 Megapixels in order to produce halfway decent | | | | Friends. They will email you all the sales prior to, |
| photos. A picture is worth a thousand words. I | | | | and they will email you online coupon codes, which |
| know that I will not even look at an auction if the | | | | can save you a bundle. |
| picture is of poor quality.4. Take Good Photos: | | | | · Buy sale items only, get your 5% discount, |
| This brings me to my next important tip, take | | | | and buy when they are offering Gymbucks! This |
| the time to take good photo's. First, you should | | | | way, you can shop again, getting more inventory |
| purchase a white and black poster board. This | | | | for your buck!!!! Just think that if you have $50 in |
| provides you with a good background for your | | | | Gymbucks, you can get $100 in inventory for |
| items. You really should not take your photo's on | | | | only $50, this is 1/2 off. And, if you only shop the |
| your bed, carpet, or table. It looks more | | | | sale rack, then you will DEFINATELY save more!!! |
| professional to have a clean and non-distracting | | | | · Finally, if you must buy lots online, here are |
| background for your items. Posterboard looks the | | | | some sellers that I recommend:1. Special Delivery |
| best, a white sheet would work too, just make | | | | 2. Dragonflies and Ladybugs |
| sure it is pressed. I have made that mistake, and | | | | 3. K and Bs Closet |
| some of my pictures do not look as good as | | | | 4. Here Comes The Stork |
| they should. Finally, make sure you take the | | | | 5. Gymboree GoddessThese sellers put GOOD |
| pictures in the right kind of lighting, they will look | | | | quality lots together for reasonable prices, and |
| better to your potential buyers.5. Honesty is the | | | | they usually offer either FREE shipping or a |
| BEST Policy: Set up a clear, concise, and honest | | | | shipping discount. I have bought from a lot of |
| description. If your item has even a tiny flaw, | | | | other seller (s), whom I will not mention here, that |
| make sure to notate it in your auction. This will | | | | don't put fair lots together, they give you a lot of |
| save you the hassle of an unsatisfied customer | | | | duplicates, unsellable sizes, and single pieces which |
| on the receiving end. Also, I learned that what | | | | are harder to sell separately. What you want to |
| may seem like "Excellent Condition" to you, may | | | | look for are the quality and prime selling sizes: |
| not be the case for others. Be careful when listing | | | | 12-24 months, 2T, and 3T, some 4T. Anything |
| something used as LIKE NEW or in Excellent | | | | under 6 months and over 4T are Harder to sell. |
| Condition. I consider an item to be in Excellent | | | | You would like to have outfits and dresses. Items |
| condition when it has never been washed or | | | | like shorts, tops and leggings that don't match can |
| washed and worn maybe one time. Other than | | | | be harder to generate a profit. You would like one |
| that, I would describe used items as Good Used | | | | or two Boys outfits and no more!!! Unfortunately, |
| Condition or Lovingly worn. I try not to sell | | | | boys clothing is not as popular as girls clothing. |
| anything that would be considered fair or less | | | | Although it is cute, it is harder to move in your |
| than good.6. Use Professional Auction Tools: You | | | | store. If the seller puts boys clothing in your lot, |
| should invest time researching some of the | | | | request that they give you a full outfit, if they |
| auction listing tools that are on the internet. I have | | | | allow it. Also, no seller should include socks, hats, |
| provided you with a lot of resources on my Sell | | | | or hairbands in the RV of their lot, if they do, |
| on Ebay page that will give you the tools to | | | | don't buy from them!!!!!10. Hidden Treasures: |
| produce a professional looking auction. I highly | | | | Believe it or not, my best money making items |
| recommend The Sellers Sourcebook and Auction | | | | have been my Used and Gently worn Name |
| Insights.7. Join Ebay Selling Forums: Ebay gives | | | | brand clothing. You can find a lot of "gems" in |
| you a lot of selling tools and allows you to join in | | | | thrift stores and local garage sales. You would not |
| on a variety of community forums and classes. | | | | believe what people donate. I have found Oilily, |
| Take advantage of these resources, other, more | | | | Hannah Anderson, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, and |
| experienced sellers can be of help. Some forums | | | | Baby Lulu at Thrift Stores and Garage sales, |
| that I recommend using to advertise your | | | | paying only pennies and selling for over $20. Which |
| auctions and search for other auction sellers are:1. | | | | comes out to a huge profit for you!!!! Some highly |
| Coupon Chix | | | | recommended thrift stores are:1. Goodwill |
| 2. Once Upon a Life | | | | 2. Savers |
| 3. Here Comes The Stork | | | | 3. Salvation Army |
| 4. WAHMS United | | | | 4. American Thrift StoreI would recommend |
| 5. Just Between Moms8. Selling Times and Dates: | | | | going through your Yellow Pages, finding all your |
| When you list your auctions is equally as | | | | local thrift stores and hitting them all on a monthly |
| important as everything else. I learned early on | | | | basis. Remember, thrift store inventory changes |
| that on what day and time I listed my auctions | | | | daily and weekly, so you have to be diligent and |
| had an impact on my sales volume. I found that | | | | patient. You must go frequently and search for |
| starting my listings on Monday and Thursday | | | | these hidden treasures.11. Auction Listing Write Up: |
| evenings had the best results. This may not work | | | | It is very important that you take the time to |
| for your items, so you will need to experiment a | | | | write up a clear and concise auction listing. Make |
| little with this. In addition to your listing days and | | | | sure to include as much information as you can |
| times, the seasons for selling is also important. | | | | about your item, and most of all, be HONEST. It |
| This is especially true when you are selling clothing | | | | is better to list all the flaws than to try to "mask" |
| and gifts. Here are some GENERAL seasonal | | | | them. I have had some sellers tell me not to say |
| Guidelines for you to follow when putting up your | | | | that something does or does not have "stains", |
| listings:· January-March: Get your spring and | | | | they claim that it is up to the buyer to ask |
| summer clothing items up and running. Easter is | | | | further questions. I have not found this to be the |
| approaching, so any cute dresses and Easter | | | | best for me. I like to list EXACTLY what is wrong. |