Archive for the 'Personal Stuff' Category
Jan
8
Like most sellers, I did not start out as a seller on eBay…I was a buyer. Getting started as a seller came a bit by accident. Being the techno-illiterate person that I was once (and maybe still am) I was very intimidated by the prospect of selling.
Back in 2006, a co-worker was looking for “frog” gifts for someone in her family. I had seen a frog blanket at Wal-Mart and she was very excited about it and asked if I would pick one up for her the next time I visited. At that time, Wal-Mart was almost 50 miles from my home, so the visit did not come within the next few days. Anyhow, I did purchase the blanket the next time I was there and then brought it in to work. The co-worker said she no longer needed it, she had found something else. Hmmmm. What to do with this blanket? I have to admit that I am not very good about returning stuff to WM.
It was then, that a wild hair idea struck me. Why not try to sell this on eBay? It had what I thought was a good keyword appeal. Did I really know what keywords were back then? I think so, because I had purchased many, MANY items on eBay using the keyword search for zebra and giraffe…all for my two daughters for Christmas.
My biggest challenge was the digital photo and that challenge brought me to my first purchase of (an el cheapo) digital camera–or was that a gift for DD2? 
The blanket cost me only $8 plus tax and I thought, well if I don’t sell it, I could certainly keep it for that small amount. Off to post my first item I went. Well, the blanket sold for $16!!! Woohoo! Then I was hooked. You know I wanted to sell some more, but unfortunately, no more frog blankets were to be found.
I can think of two other instances that have motivated me to keep selling on eBay. Not too long after the frog blanket sell, I decided to list some zebra printed photo storage boxes I had purchase for less than $2. They ended up selling for anywhere between $6 and $10. I know, I know…not much profit margin…but geeez…I was just getting started and BOY was I excited!
For my second, most exciting eBay experience, I have to share a bit of background. When DH and I were planning our wedding, I purchased all sorts of ivory or matte white vintage pottery to help decorate the reception. I had purchased a lovely McCoy Heart and Roses planter for around $7 or $8 and had florist added an arrangement to it. I felt like the purchase was a steal at the time. Well, about a year and a half ago, I found the exact planter in our local thrift shop for only .99. Woohoo! You betcha’ I bought it. After the new wore off of my purchase, I decided to sell it on eBay. That li’l ol’ planter sold for over $60. I know you can imagine my excitement, but no-o-o-o I have not sold my original (sentimental) Heart and Roses.
Unfortunately, I have not had any sales with that kind of mark-up since then, but this is why I keep pluggin’ away on ol’ eBay.