How to Find Inventory to Sell on eBay

Selling on eBay is fun and profitable. But where do people find things to sell? Inventory is all around you if you know where to look.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. 

   The first place to look for items to sell on eBay is in your own home. Look around for items that you don't use, clothing that your kids have outgrown, toys that are longer played with, or gifts you received that you have never used. You will be suprised on what you can part with once you start making money selling on eBay.

2. 

   Next, visit garage sales in your community. You'll want to look for the same types of items that you've been selling from your own home. Items such as gently used clothing, toys, electronics (make sure they work), kitchen items, tools, baby items, and anyting new in a box or new with a tag.

3. 

   Visit your local thrift stores and consignment stores. You will find a lot of gently used, and sometimes brand new clothing. Look for items that hold their value such as cashmere sweaters, wool coats, leather designer shoes, and any clothing that is expensive to purchase new. Also look for gently used sporting goods, kitchen items, linens, and anything new in the box or new in the package.

4. 

   Shop at discount stores such as Big Lots, Freds, Target, and Walmart. Look for special clearance items on the end of the aisles and in the clearance section. You can find all kinds of deals on household items, kitchen items, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and much more. The key is to research what sells on eBay, visit the stores often, and get a feel for how much profit you can make.

5. 

   Shop clearance sales at the mall. Scope out stores like Bath and Body Works, The Gap, Macy's - all have clearance sales and marked down items. Look for discontinued items that are reduced for quick sale.

6. 

   Look on the internet for clearance sales. Frequently look at sites like Kohl's, Old Navy, Sierra Trading Post, JcPenny, and Sears. You will find an abundance of clearance items and many times if you buy enough, you will get free shipping. Again, do your homework and understand what to buy before you try to resell it.

7. 

   Check for salvage or surplus stores in your area. Salvage or surplus stores offer salvage merchandise, closeouts, discontinued items, department stores closeouts, department store returns, and pallets of perfectly good resellable merchandise.

8. 

   Become a trading assistant and sell items for other people. Plenty of people have items to sell on eBay, but either don't know how, don't have time, or just want to have someone else do it. You can charge a commission for selling items for other people, and the will bring the merchandise to you.

9. 

   Make your own inventory. Do you have a special skill and make a craft item? Make your own crafts or handmade goods to sell on eBay. Items such as personalized baby blankets, soaps, candles, sweaters - anything handmade, sell well on eBay.

10. See the resources section below for more information and tools for eBay selling.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your homework before selling anything on eBay. Check completed listings for items that have sold so that you can make educated decisions about what to sell and how much profit you can make.

• Don't be afraid to experiment with new items. Just be careful and don't purchase a truckload of inventory before testing it first.

Resources

• My Free eBay Selling Guide
• Popular Products to Sell on eBay
• eBay Podcasts