Turn Your Trash Into Cash: A Handy Guide to Making Money on eBay
Hey there!
You know, sometimes, it feels like I’m not very good at juggling my side jobs. But it wasn’t always this way. Back when I was a substitute teacher (scratch that, my real first side gig was taking care of my neighbor’s cat), eBay was the one consistent money-making gig I’ve had over the years.
Quick trip down memory lane: my first ever sale on eBay happened on June 12, 2003. Yep, it was a textbook. Over the years, my textbooks from college, filled with notes and all, made their way onto eBay. Turns out, people don’t mind used books, especially if you can prove you got an A in the course!
However, it wasn’t until I started working on cruise ships that I fell head over heels with eBay. The work-life balance on cruise ships is extreme: work nonstop for 4-6 months, then take a long break. These breaks were great for vacations but also burned a hole through my wallet. The high expenses drove me back to my old pal, eBay.
Despite all the socializing and traveling on my breaks, there were times when I found myself alone. That’s when I started prowling for stuff to sell on eBay, and from 2010 to 2012, I made close to $1,900 on the platform—enough to cover half the expenses during each vacation.
High-value items on eBay include DVD collections, full sets of popular book series, accessories, video games, and brand-name items. Bonus tip: it turns out you won’t really miss any item you sell after a while. So don’t hesitate to let go of things you don’t really need.
Now, let me share some tricks of the trade. Every month, you can list your first 50 items for free on eBay. They also have “free listing days”, so get on that ASAP! Good pictures will make your items sell faster. Also, always be truthful about the item’s condition. Your honesty will pay off in the form of positive reviews, which are quite important in the eBay community.
Surprisingly, even the weirdest things can find a buyer. From my eclectic pig collection (don’t ask) to plaid pants from my high school days, vintage clothes, an old TV, and even my baby blanket, all found new homes via eBay.
And the best part? Other people’s unused items can become your best-sellers. Unwanted Christmas gifts, clothes with tags still hanging, anything goes on eBay. Apparently, people in my family think I’m obsessed with Coach purses. Joke’s on them, their gifts starred on my top-selling eBay list! Another secret goldmine is discount coupons—yes, they sell too!
Setting up an eBay account is easy with a PayPal account and your bank details for connection. You can set the exact date you want to start an item’s listing, and if an item doesn’t sell, relisting is as easy as hitting a button.
However, keep in mind, you need to dedicate time to curate your items before listing. Provide as much detail as possible and take good pictures. If the item gets lost, unfortunately, you won’t get paid. Also, eBay and PayPal take a small percentage of your sale. Despite all this, the potential profits totally make it worthwhile.
So, there you have it! Time to get to work on this pile of “treasure” in my closet! Turn your hidden gems into a steady stream of income while decluttering your space and living a minimalistic life. Happy eBaying!