How to Make Money on eBay Without Using a Wholesaler

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By A. Suzanne Wells
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Many sellers make money on eBay without using a wholesaler.

A common misconception among new eBay sellers, or those who have never sold on eBay, is that the merchandise must be bought from a wholesaler. Absolutely not true! There are many local sources of inventory in your own community. Learn how to find inventory locally to resell on eBay.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Check thrift stores, second hand stores, and consignment stores. You can find all sorts of deals at these places and used clothing is a very good seller on eBay. You can often get the merchandise very inexpensively and make a nice profit.
Step 2

Go to garage sales and estate sales. Vintage items are excellent sellers on eBay. With many Baby Boomers downsizing or moving out of homes they have lived in for decades, profitable and collectible vintage items are coming out of storage and appearing at garage sales and estate sales.
Step 3

Check with your local dry cleaner. You may be able to strike up a deal where you can buy their unclaimed items. What kinds of items do customers take to the dry cleaners? Their best clothing that requires a gentle touch - fabrics that cannot be washed at home, such as silk, cashmere, wool, and delicate fabrics. Customers also take in fine linens, beaded evening gowns, draperies, and down comforters. In other words, the dry cleaner can end up with some pretty expensive stuff. And to top it off, the items will be cleaned and ready to resell in excellent used condition.
Step 4

Check off price stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, and Steinmart. You can find designer items on clearance very inexpensively. Save your receipt. If the items don't sell, you can return them.
Step 5

Storage unit auctions. When tenants at storage facilities don't pay their rent, the storage company auctions off the contents of the unit. You can get a large amount of inventory for a reasonable price. You can sell the larger items on Craigslist for local pickup.
Step 6

Start an automated eBook business. You can bundle and resell information on the internet such as free eBooks with resell rights or material in the public domain.
Step 7

See the resources section below for more information on all of these techniques for making money on eBay without using a wholesaler.