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My theory, wait, hypothesis, is that someone makes a listing at a high price and has a friend buy it and cancel. The solds on eBay then don’t show that the sale was canceled, and it looks as if that item has a high value. I “heard” that this happened several years back when there was a big run on Disney classic VHS tapes, which were really widely available.
The patch seller might be knowledgeable, and this item might actually be worth it. They could be an expert on their niche, they might have an online following where people are willing to spend more, etc. Maybe there are buyers out there who just want to make someone’s day. We really can’t say.
Well before I became a reseller, I would peruse eBay listings for unusual items; just for entertainment, I guess. I recall a few where people needed money, and they would post something cheap, give their sob story, and ask for a ridiculous amount of money. I don’t know if that happens any more. I haven’t really looked. I don’t think that is the case here. Just throwing it out there.
The thing that makes eBay great for a scavenger might also make it not so great for the average buyer not that familiar with it. Sure, that is why eBay failed as a competitor to Amazon.
I do agree that eBay’s search algorithms have much to be desired. I sometimes google for something and find my options before taking a closer look at eBay. Their help function is particularly bad, and I almost always use Google first and then click on an eBay help link.
For the overpriced items, I sometimes wonder if people use that to prove that an item is worth more than it is valued. For instance, I recall a story here when someone saw two lamps in an estate sale with Ryanne’s listing printed out showing her crazy asking price. Eventually, those lamps sold for less than half of what was listed. If you’re setting up an estate sale and want someone to think they are getting a great deal, why not create an overpriced listing and use that at the sale? I’m sure there are other purposes to it. Like drive up the cost of classic Disney VHS tapes by having someone buy the tape and then cancel. I mean, I don’t really know, but that is what I think when I see those listings.
Someone mentioned Bulq.com on the forums last year, and I’ve looked around on their site. I have too much inventory to go through right now, but maybe some day I’ll buy a box.
The link you posted is less than an hour drive for me. Maybe I’ll go some day.
You could also take a look at this place: http://www.aeclothing.net. They are one of the companies that buy used clothing from school and organization fund raisers. They are located in Carteret, NJ. I’ve never bought from them either.
Steve – Thanks so much for continuing to do these videos. Your work with stereos is amazing. I finally got out a JC Penney system that I’ve had in my basement for over two years and tried to see if replacing the belts would be a big deal or not. I realized that I couldn’t even figure out how to open the unit without breaking a tab. I’d have to research it, and I just don’t have the time. I gave up and listed them for repair.
Anyway, here’s a few from the last two weeks:
I like technical books with a small niche like this one on welding. You know someone’s going to want it. Got this for free, sold for $20.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184960557452
I thought this yearbook from 1966 would sell faster, but it’s been in my inventory for about 3 or 4 years. Bought for about $2 and sold for $22. I still have another one that is a few years older.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184588999352
I recently purchased a lot of three Ralph Lauren crystal vases/bowl in an online auction for about $4. Here is the first to sell, a centerpiece bowl, for $37:
Ray – just watched your interview. This is amazing, and another wonderful side project for you and Ryanne. Everything you two touch makes the world a better place. Thank-you.
I had a long weekend trip. I slept in this morning because I was a bit lazy. I woke up with the thought that I just didn’t have the energy of Jay and Ryanne. They have three different businesses, they do things for fun, and they have a podcast. In the end, though, you guys are humans too and don’t have all the bandwidth to do everything.
In 2015, I was laid off because my company moved out of state, and I didn’t want to go with them. I couldn’t find anything in my expertise that was a reasonable commute. I still had kids in school. I wanted to do something. I tried a few auctions on eBay not understanding that it wasn’t what it used to be. I sold one or two items and didn’t make much money. I found your podcast and manifesto in 2016, and off I went!
I’m sad to see you end it, but I understand. I hope you consider doing a few a year. Maybe just start threads here and there. I know I use the forum pretty extensively for encouragement (the listing challenge), the “what’s this” section, and general how to’s of eBay. I’ll keep with it here, if you continue to post. If you close it down, I guess I’ll have to find something else. It will be tough to find drama-free sites.
Week of Aug 22 – 28
Total Items in Store: 1351 eBay, 39 Etsy
Items Sold: 8 eBay 1 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $10.45 + $0 Commission
Total Sales: $142.56 eBay $43.50 Etsy
Highest Price Sold: $43.50 vintage Springbank whiskey pitcher (Etsy)
Average price: $20.67
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 2I listed 2, but at least both met the challenge. I think that is it for me on this month’s challenge. Sad, since this is where I really need to do some work. I do have two more days, right? Let me see if I can test and list a chandelier by Tuesday.
This past weekend was my last trip for the summer; it was another family event make-up due to the pandemic last year. All should be quiet now on that front. I am still busy at my part time job, but I should be able to list more. My plan is to list a few larger items to make some room.
Hey Retro – I am so sorry to hear of your illness. You’ve been caught up in this horrible pandemic at the worse time possible. Sending healing vibes to you and your family. I hope you traverse this hill quickly.
Week of Aug 15 – 21
Total Items in Store: 1360 eBay, 40 Etsy
Items Sold: 10 eBay
Cost of Items Sold: $1 + $24.75 Commission
Total Sales: $181.46 eBay
Highest Price Sold: $32 vintage brass menorah (on commission)
Average price: $18.15
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 2I listed two items this week. I continue to be busy with my part time job and the planning/organizing of the many trips I’ve taken this summer.
I did actually do some work for a vintage stereo system that will meet the challenge, but decided to break out the speakers into a separate listing. So, I have a few more photos to take, but at least I’ll have something to show for myself this month considering this challenge was my idea. LOL
Actually, I have some silver plate to polish and list if I can get to it …
I had another short trip coming back on Tuesday, so I’m posting rather late.
Like Jay & Ryanne, I also sell a variety of items not really focusing on a niche, but I do find that I will focus or bid higher in a few categories:
Liquor advertising – signs, whiskey pitchers, bottle openers, and so forth, just because I’m interested
Judaica – I am Jewish, so I can recognize and understand those items and sometimes figure out the Hebrew
Vintage radios – just because they are so cool looking, and even the nonworking ones sell
Then there are categories where I can buy in large quantity real cheap and filter out the higher value stuff: Books, household (ceramic, porcelain, glass), art (prints, paintings)
Week of Aug 8 – 14
Total Items in Store: 1360 eBay, 41 Etsy
Items Sold: 12 eBay + 1 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $23 + $27 Commission
Total Sales: $282.83 eBay + $20 Etsy
Highest Price Sold: $70.51 Artist signed glass vase (on commission)
Average price: $23.29
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 0@Temudgin – You are correct! But, if I remember correctly, I said that it “wasn’t bad” 🙂 . $90 tells me that I was right!
Steve – Looks like you had an awesome week with so many high value stereos and one lucky duck VHS tape.
My summer continues to be mediocre, but I’m sure part of that is due to the several vacations and family trips I’ve been taking. I think I have’t posted for at least two weeks, so I do have a few that are worth mentioning.
I bought these vintage ceramic wall plaques for less than $1 in a rummage sale. I thought they’d sell somewhat quickly because of the medieval/soldier theme, but it has been three or four years. Sold for $29.50.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184688335313
I couldn’t figure out how to properly name this type of wine cooler, and neither did anyone else on the forum. I guess “ice bucket lid insert” was good enough. Paid about $1, sold for a bit under $29.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184970892141
I got this acrylic tray for free from a neighbor moving out during the pandemic. Sold for $30.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184612150332
This artist signed glass vase was sold on commission for $70.50. I think I’ve sold all of her vases from this artist, who she must have really liked.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184398116106
A number of years ago, I purchased an auction lot of new plastic and metal bangle bracelets. The quality wasn’t that great, and I really didn’t feel like selling them anymore. So, I lotted the remaining ones up in one listing. I received a $25 offer, and off she goes …
Organizing from vacation return plus busy at job plus packing for another (long weekend) trip equals zero listings.
Amatino, I’ve come to realize that you are a bit accident prone, and it’s been a while. You are due for something. I hope you recover quickly.
I’ve shipped a pendant by rolling it up and placing it in a box. The eBay 12x6x6 box has been good for larger ones, and it is still first class weight. It’s kind of a compromise between shipping flat and folding it up.
I just got back from vacation in New England. As Ryanne explained, the lull in sales is a combination of different things. People are vacationing in droves and prices for hotels & AirBnBs are higher. Unemployment and incentive checks are running out. People aren’t taking available jobs as fast as the stores need them, so they have less cash. Certain shortages are causing some items to increase in price.
I chatted with the manger of a New Hampshire ski resort that runs horse rides during the summer (which is what we were doing). He explained that everyone is rushing to go on vacation. He is having problems hiring people because he can’t get long term housing rentals. All the tourists are doing the AirBnBs (guilty as charged), and people who bought second homes during the pandemic aren’t set up yet for rentals during the time they aren’t using them. He has had to raise prices. Our AirBnB as well as our hotel in CT were definitely pricy. Thankfully, my husband had enough points to get us two nights free in MA.
Anyway, I did OK for the time I was away.
Week of Aug 1 – 7
Total Items in Store: 1377 eBay, 42 Etsy
Items Sold: 11 eBay + 0 Etsy
Cost of Items Sold: $1.50 + $27 Commission
Total Sales: $154.35 eBay
Highest Price Sold: $29 for 2 Kensington ware bowls (on commission); $24 for 1920 MacFaddens Encyclopedia Physical Culture Book set with one missing book
Average price: $14.03
Returns: 0
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $0
Number of items listed this week: 0
