1. Stuffed Animals
Once you look into this niche a little bit, you will be very surprised at the demand. Stuffed animals, like other items, can be sold used, new and the coveted ‘new with tags’.
As with other categories, stuffed animals become sought after items because many children’s items are manufactured in limited runs, and when they’re gone off store shelves, they’re gone.
There are collectors out there as well as individuals looking for a particular toy so you have a nice customer base that will be interested in your auctions.
Watch for popular movies for children that get released and begin making stuffed animals as part of their marketing. Stock up on stuffed animals that you find, keep the tags attached and pack the products away for safe keeping until you are ready to sell.
Stay away from selling stuffed animals that are not clean. If the stuffed animal is a retro piece and has signs of wear, make sure to describe clearly any defects that stuffed animal has. If you are clear to your buyers in your descriptions, they will be more apt to trust you for subsequent purchases.
226 Comments
this list is silly it may be what people are watching but buying??? I don’t sell but I watch lol and I see as DLB said these areas are saturated…they may not be copies or reproductions as they suggest but they are pretty much worthless even as originals…seriously, one Disney pin for 99 cents- 2$?, or get 25 for 12$, or 50 for 25$ (can you imagine the amount of $ that was spent on the Disney tickets to collect them to begin with save that instead and not go lol)will NOT make you big bucks as suggested it’s hardly paying the mailing price…
I used to sell on eBay, but as a casual seller. I would get rid of things I didn’t need and cover the original costs. Now, though, eBay charges the same percentage as Christie’s! True, my amount if less since I’m not selling $10,000 items, but when I am selling a small item, 10% + the 3% Pay Pal fees is more than I end up making. At this point, I am down to selling 1 or 2 items a year. The days of avoiding a garage sale with eBay are over.
Ironically, you can’t sell “hot cakes” on eBay.
EBAY IS DEAD at least the concept is down the toilet. Used to be fun to pick out items and bid. Even had bidding wars going on at the count down.. Thats just about all gone as no one sells with that spirit any more. Anything you look for now is for all the money they can get. 9 times out of 10 I find better deals on Amazon.
Are You Kidding Me?? Reading a simple email about ebay and beanie babies today turns into a massive political conversation about what’s “wrong” or “right” with our country? That my friends, is All I need to know that something is seriously wrong…with all of us. Instead of working together to build a better America, we resort to petty arguments and childish remarks towards each other. When people turn on each other, in any country, (everywhere you look), that is the BIG problem. I share many of the opinions here, on both sides, but…..”a house divided” is the first sign that we are in for trouble. History shows us that “splintering off” and picking sides is the first sign of unrest, then labels and buttons and flags (Oh My!), aggressive protests, violent behavior, and yes, finally….anarchy. It is imperative that we find common goals in order to turn this around. “History repeats itself” is much more than a cliche’ ….. it is happening, and it is happening to All of Us, and happening NOW. Wake up America, wake up (those with common sense), those who really care about living in a country that we can All be proud of. Where are my moderate friends who see that it takes working together, to find real solutions? And, at the very least, allow all of us to continue in our own “pursuit of happiness,” whatever form that takes for each one of us. Where to find folks like me, who want to save this country, but are frustrated and tired of all the useless rhetoric and arguing? Is it possible that we have a new, and more clueless return of the “Silent Majority?” Wake up Americans, wake up everyone, from Every walk of life…..or this dream will soon become a nightmare.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
~Edmund Burke
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
~Dr. Seuss
Good heavens, man! What are you talking about? This is an article about selling items on eBay, not the rise and fall of the American Empire!
I’m also a “Power Seller” on eBay and I too find this article really dated. People want stuff and the stuff they want changes almost daily. There is a huge Lemming Reflex when it comes to bidding and sometimes folks are more carried away with beating the bids of others so they keep bidding when prices no longer constitute a good buy.
People tend to spend way too much and sometimes Sellers get lucky with 2 or more Buyers who bid against each other for the same item; that’s where the real money is on eBay, if you have anything left over after the PayPal-eBay Conglomerate rips into your auction income to the tune of 20 to 25% of your Net; they put quite a bite on their Dealers’ profits.
I started dealing in Lionel model trains but found that Lionel is just as bad as eBay; Lionel continually jacks up their prices and all their modern train stuff is junk made in China. Lionel also continually re-introduces copies of train cars and locomotives from the past which can really confuse collectors, bidders and dealers alike.
Your best bet with Lionel and eBay auctions is to Do Your Homework and Know What You’re Bidding On before you bid; use Google to look up Lionel & Marx trains & toys online which will give you the current value on these items.
I have switched to Prewar (WWII) to 1960s Marx Tinplate and Plastic Model Trains & Toys because the interest in these American Made toys is really building and many of these little toy items can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
Good Luck and Good Bidding to you all!
John George
North Carolina
Ebay the name conjures up unpleasant feeling… I was twice taken advantage of buying things that didn’t work…never again. Lightning struck my house in 2011
all my appliances were fried. I set out my Technics Multi CD player along with the amplifer and low and below a few weeks later I saw the exact items appearing on Ebay…
I was really interested in helpful tips on selling online, not a host of political views. Anybody got a prediction on futures for Fostoria coin glass, McCoy and other pottery, vintage jewelry and clothes?
The best thing to do is research the sale history of items you might be interested in selling. The market is truly one of supply and demadnd and it fluctuates. Predictions for many items are really nothing more than guesses – sometimes good but sometimes bad. I’ve had items that in the past has literally flown out the door – I couldn’t get them fast enough. A couple of those items now are worth less than 1/10th of what I was selling them for less than 2 years ago. You also have to realize that many of the outlets that used to be good sources for resale (ebay/Amazon) items are now selling online themselves and are no longer offering prices low enough that someone else can afford to buy from the for resale. If you items are truly collectible (or unique) you should be able to market them at a nice profit. However, if they were mass produced (example: collectible plates) then unless you have something really really rare you won’t get back what you originally paid if you bought retail. If you have really valuable items then you might want to look at an auction house rather than online sales – an auction house offers many advantages over online sales for better quality collectibles.
I’ve been on ebay since 1998 and a selling coach for a local non-profit, The first thing I tell potential sellers is “Know what you sell and sell what you know”. You’d be amazed at the number of people who don’t know their merchandise well enough to provide a fair and accurate description and then they are angry when they get complaints, returns and negative feedback. Also, before you attempt to sell an item have some idea of what will be involved (materials, cost and proper packing) with shipping your item and set your price accordingly. I know there are many who disagree but I don’t advise ever listing an item for less than the absolute lowest price you are willing to accept should you only receive a single bid. Ebay has drastically changed the collectible marketplace – many items that once were in great demand and commanding good prices are now frequently (due to ebay and Amazon) readily available and in great supply and their resale value has dropped. As others have stated, it is wise to do some research before starting to sell, keep notes, track similar items and sellers offering them, and don’t be afraid to use the ebay seller forum if you have questions or just want information.
World commemorative coins from other countries will get you 10 fold your ROI. US is the melting pot and folks will bid 3 x the value to get a piece of the old country.
Years ago I decided to list my old Charmkins toys on eBay. I searched beforehand and found that hardly anyone was selling them. It touched off a bidding war and I wound up with over a hundred bucks which I then went on to use to buy textbooks, as I was going back to school.
My other really good listing was a Dukes of Hazzard board game dating from the 1980s. At the time I spotted it at Goodwill, all I was thinking was “wow, this is vintage now, hope it has all the pieces.” I was vaguely aware of the DoH movie coming out but didn’t think much about it. Paid less than $5 for the game, got over $17 back. Doesn’t sound like much but you don’t get that good of a return on the stock market most days.
I agree. I’m trying to figure out where to go to retire-that is, out of US.
My husband always said “it’s better to be the Joneses then try to keep up with them”……which meant “don’t try to live over your means”…great piece of advice..and great for peace of mind…..
eBay has been a great way for me to make money with very little effort!
I’ve been a seller since 1998 myself and “power seller” status for a time.
I’ve tried other sites over the years but even with the fee’s and the changes and volume of massive crap on sale … I’ve sold everything from pond plants to vintage cars it’s been a great run! I took a break and now I’m back selling designer bags , collectables and whatever I feel is worthy of posting !
I love the frizzy of the auction action watching my item raise in price is so exciting! Hit or miss you never know!
Fabulous Photo’s is a must and as many as you can! And knowledge is king!
know what you have and sell what you love, description is also crustal tell the truth! I have one had one negative feedback only because the buyer was a jerk even after I sent his $8 bucks back and told him to keep the item he ranted on my profile! You just cant please some people!
Sell what you have first ! Clean out your stuff perhaps help your mom clean her garage … treasure lurks every where!
Make it your passion and post fabulous ads!
Just keep posting…. something is going to sell!
I find if I post like things in groups this helps sales… or “lots” of like things if they have small value. People love a deal so start fair with pricing ….
Forget reserve option that stupid! Start you ad with the lowest price you willing to take and the rest is frosting baby! First bid its sold! then hope for some other bidder to jump in that’s when It gets fun! $$$$$
I know it works ! I Love eBay! It’s so easy now back in the beginning it was much harder to post ads now is simple user friendly! I’m setting up a local consignment shop with an eBay store and sell for others for a small percentage.
Now PayPal frustrates the you know what out of me…. holding my money for weeks esp. when I sell designer bags …rrrrr
But in the end I always get paid! but seriously PayPal gees oh!
eBay works if you work it!
Happy Selling & Bidding
For those asking where to sell besides eBay. I was an eBay seller for years. Often drop shipping from Amazon. Then I decided to sell on Amazon. Opened a store and amazing. So much better than eBay and fees are more reasonable. Seller central is better laid out. I drop ship from a lot of companies. Amazon also sets the shipping fees. If it cost you less then you made a little extra. I love Amazon. Last 2 years I had sales of $42,000 and $56,000. I’m just a mom at her computer. I do lots of research and spend about 3 to 4 hours a day at this.It has paid off and it’s fun.
I too find this life in the US exhausting. Let me out of here.
What irritates the e-life out of me is that if there is some disagreement about a sale, there is no way to defend yourself with eBay. I bought a “Pandora” bracelet ON eBAY and decided it wasn’t the right color. I relisted it as used and the Pandora people claimed it was a knock off. Well heck, I bought it on eBay so who knew? In spite of that, I got a ding from eBay. They wouldn’t accept any explanation from me. I had 1500 positive, glowing feedbacks…never anything negative…never a problem with a transaction.
If there is a problem with a transaction, they give the seller no opportunity to defend him/herself. I am done with eBay.
This is 100% my gripe with Ebay. I sold an old WORKING Sega CD with about 40 games for roughly $500. Provided the tracking, shipped quickly, and left positive feedback. About a month later, I get a dispute email from Ebay, saying that the buyer reported that it was not working, and that it had been sitting on their back porch for two weeks while they were away on vacation. How was that MY problem? I told them to send everything back, and I will refund the money. They wanted to keep the games, send me the system back, and get a full refund. After two months, I finally got my money. Ebay sides with the buyer far too often, so I only sell a few things when free listings are promoted….
One of the latest “hot” items on eBay is the vintage safety razor, but you have to know what you’re doing. If you can find a late 50s/early 60s Gillette “Fat Boy” with the adjustment dial on the top of the handle it might go for around $150. The rarer version, with the dial on the bottom of the handle, may bring ten times that amount or more. Others of similar vintage may not be collectible, and are just viewed as junk. People not only collect these things, but there is also a movement back to double-edge shaving that has people buying and using them. Who’da thunk it?
How come they can’t they just put the list on one page?
Interesting… I should check this out
Ebay in my opinion is a rip off and worse… that is right WORSE!
guitar guitars and more guitars guitar will always be a hot seller
I’ve sold on eBay since 1996 and I’m a Power Seller and Top Rated Seller with 100% positive feedback rating. Yes, there are fees, politics, and all kinds of issues that can get you down if you let them, but I’ve made so much money on eBay that it’s been worth everything. There is no way I could get the kind of money for items at a garage sale that I get for them on eBay. It’s saved me from having to get a part-time job when my business slowed due to the recession. At least it pays the bills. But the bottom line is to do your homework. Take good pics, provide a complete and honest description, set a reasonable price, and ship quickly.
Totally agree that its a seasonal thing that you have to hit just right or you miss out. For example: The newest Spiderman movie just came out a few weeks ago, at that same time Gamestop was releasing The Amazing Spiderman limited edition comics with a Gamestop exclusive cover, you could only “purchase” one from Gamestop using 6000 powerup reward points. At that time they were a week from being released and were spotted selling on eBay for upwards of $850. I had enough points to get 2 copies but by the time Gamestop actually released the comics and sent them out the demand had passed and suddenly that $850 was down to $100 or less…. I just sold one of the 2 copies I had for $67…
No one is buying stuffed animals! You can’t even give them away to thrift stores anymore, everyone already has tons that they don’t want! Bad info. Honesty does not happen often online!
Buck up Buddy!
Bought a Barbie Doll for $30 and it’s now worth $300.
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