Expert: Marvinator - 10/30/2004

Question
I have multitudes of stuff.  Some things brand new, others used but in great condition.  I was going to have a garage sell but decided that it was easier and a better way to reach people if I had an "online garge sale" on ebay.  My question is what would be the best way of going about selling my stuff on e-bay for the max of profits.

Tamika Johnson

Answer
The first thing you must do is to go through your "STUFF" and decide how much of it really is junk.  This stuff can be donated to the local Charities which run thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc) as putting them on Ebay won't do a thing for you and will cost you money rather than make you money.

The rest of your 'stuff' you have to go through and decide how much of it is in 'resaleable' condition.  You may have a nice collectible Fitz & Floyd Teapot, but if it's chipped or broken and reglued, you won't get more than a few bucks for it.  

This is the hardest part of ebay, and that's choosing what to put on and what NOT to put on auction.  It may need saying and it may also seem obvious, but let's get this out in the open:  Just because you put something on Auction on Ebay doesn't mean it will sell and doesn't mean it will make large profits.  

Thanks to those wonderful stories on 60 Minutes and the local news, everyone thinks that all they have to do is put up an auction and the bucks roll in. This is so far from the truth that it's almost in the realm of fantasy.  The number of people who put up auctions for their "garage sale" stuff and who make NOTHING are right up there with the number of people who think they can make millions by selling Granny's Apple Pie Recipe.  How many is that?  Zilch.

Now, please understand, I'm not telling you not to do what you want.  I'm trying to be as honest as I can be about what your chances are with those dime store Knick Knacks and used clothing.  

Ok, so let's say out of all the Garage Sale items that you do have a few items which are out of production or out of print, like unused Wilton cAke pans, 30 Year Old Barbie Dolls or maybe some unopened expensive perfume which  you never used.  These items may have a chance as there could be someone looking for these items.  THESE are the items you want to actuall list, because they actually have a chance of selling.  

The next thing to do then is to learn about the system of Ebay and how auctions work.  Get to the Ebay Site Map, Left Hand Column near the bottom and read everything about both the sellers and buyers information.  Then go to the forums and look at some of the questions which seem like they are asking questions you have.  Lastly, drop by the Ebay Q&A Board (a live posting board also available from the Site Map) and ask any questions you may have.  It's always best to ask questions before rather than after you've sold an item.  AND, you can always come back here and ask more questions.