craft fairs

Recycled Items Will Sell on eBay

September 21st, 2007 |

Author: admin

Dear eBay Queen;

I’ve been traveling all over Missouri and Kansas selling hand painted items I have recycled to make new again. Some of my best sellers are old ceiling fans I have painted and added roses or sports themes, or painted them up in school colors. I’ve been doing very well with it, but I am tired of going from festival, to craft show, to church bizarre selling my items. I never thought about selling my items on eBay. It wasn’t until the other day, when I was passing through Ottawa, Kansas I saw your eBay article in the newspaper, and it hit me! I should try to go worldwide with my items.

I really don’t know the first thing about selling on eBay, but I thought it would be a good idea to open an eBay store. Is this the best way to publish my products on eBay? How much will this cost me?

Willy; Joplin, MO

Dear Willy;

eBay would be a great way for you to sell your hand painted, recycled items. Recycling has really come into fashion in the last few years, and I’m sure could be a boost to your sales.

eBay stores are a great way to sell your items, but I would suggest you sell your items at auction first. That way you can test out the market before diving into the monthly expense of an eBay store. If after 3 or 4 months you have successfully met your selling goals, then I would open a store.

eBay listings fees are anywhere from .20 cents up to $4.80. It all depends on your starting fee. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html. It’s a good idea to research your item before you list it on eBay. That way you’ll be sure to have good keywords to draw the buyers in to your handmade recyclables.

When your item does sells, eBay will charge you a FVF or Final Value Fee. FVF’s are the commission you pay eBay when the item sells. For more information on FVF fees go here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fvf.html

Good luck with selling your handmade items. If you find eBay is not the right place for you, there is another popular place to showcase your items, try www.etsy.com

Dear eBay Queen;

I am interested in selling e-Books and other digital products online or on eBay. Have you ever sold an e-Book? Do you have any idea where I can buy the copyright to these types of product so I can re-sell them?

I know with some e-books people write their own. I’m not sure I’m really interested doing that. I’m curious how to set this whole thing up, and where I need to find a service that will host my digital products.

Tony

Dear Tony;

I’ve never sold an e-Book but I do know they are gaining popularity on eBay. I did a search on e-Books on eBay and there were over 12,000 currently listed. I have an eBay friend in Colorado who was set up to sell e-Books, and she had nothing but problems with trying to gain the proper copyright information. I cannot stress enough to make sure you "own" the right to resell any e-Books. In my opinion, it is best to have written the e-book yourself. This way you will not be subject to any copyright infringement.

When I did a "Google" search of e-Books to sell, there were many outlets to purchase e-Books from. I would research e-Books and digital download products to make sure you will not get in trouble with eBay for not having all the information.

Good luck in your search for the perfect eBay item!

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 2500164328317 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). With all the talk about OJ Simpson in the news, his stuff is still selling on eBay! Perhaps if he would have waited and bought some of his collectibles on eBay, he wouldn’t be in trouble now. OJ Simpson signed USC Trojans Jersey SOLD $183.50 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2500164328317

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.