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You have permission to publish this article in its entirety as
long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication
would be appreciated. Please inform writer of your use.
mailto:joyce@emersonpublications.com
There are two versions of this article on this
page. Please scroll to the bottom to see both.
eBay vs. Garage Sales
by: Joyce Moseley Pierce
1070 words
I've never been much of a believer in getting
rich by having a garage sale. I've had a few of
them but the cash I made was never even
close to paying for my time and effort. There
are just too many disadvantages:
* deciding what to charge on each item
* making price tags for them
* spending two days in my garage
The longest time we've ever lived in one house
was 13 years. When we decided to move, I had a
gigantic garage sale and gathered things from
every corner of the house. I decided that whatever
didn't sell, I would haul off to an agency that
would help others. I didn't want it back in my
house and didn't want to move it to another state.
I sold an entire dining room and everything
I thought I could live without and don't think
I even made $500.
We have now lived in our present house for 12 years.
In the past 10 years I have contributed to the
annual church garage sale because all I had to do was
put things in boxes and let someone else do all
the work. It forced me to find things to get
rid of and helped the scouts, so I was happy to
do it.
Two years ago I participated in two garage sales
with my daughter, and loaded up my Yukon XL
about five times. I probably made a total of $200
from both sales and still hauled off one entire carload
to the women's shelter. The best thing about
all that was sharing the experience with my
daughter!
Then someone introduced me to eBay. I have
a pig cookie jar that was given to my parents
when I was born, so I decided to do a search
on "pig cookie jar." I couldn't believe it when my
own little pig showed up in an auction for about
$100. I printed off the information and tucked
it inside the pig so that my kids would not NOT
to throw it away after my funeral!
I recently reviewed a program to help people
reduce their debt and find "multiple income
streams," at home. The first thing they discussed
was selling on eBay. They recommend that
you start out by elminating unwanted things
you have at home and discovering your niche.
Maybe you're into computers or antique
glassware. Find out where your interests
lie and earn money on it from home.
Advantages to eBay include:
* listing your items 24/7
* ability to reach the world and
not just your neighborhood
* getting more than a quarter for each item
* not having to wrestle with your kids
* not having to haggle
* not having to make change!
Here's a list of just a few odd things I've sold:
* a kneeling chair that was bought for me by an
employer. When our office closed, they told
me to just take it home. I got $90 for it on
eBay and the buyer paid another $30 shipping.
* silver and leather belt I hadn't worn in
years. Shipped it to a buyer in Italy who paid
more for the shipping than the belt.
* a pair of new golf shoes that had to have
the dust wiped off the box before shipping.
* McDonalds collectibles that were just
pieces of sets. I was happy to help someone
else add to their collection.
* computer software that had become outdated
for me, but found a new home with someone
who was searching for it.
* jean jackets I couldn't fit into anymore!
* golf clubs and bags that weren't being used
* designer handbags that cost way too
much originally to just be given away.
* children's clothing that were gently
used and came from a smoke-free home.
* backpack luggage that never quite made
it to that trip to Germany (neither did I!)
* books, videos, DVDs that were no longer
being used but taking up space.
* cameras that didn't work but were
purchased by someone who either knew how
to repair them or used them for parts.
* exercise programs & equipment that I
had become boring brought almost the
original price.
It's true that one man's junk is another
man's treasure! You just never know
what someone else is looking for, and
eBay is the thread that connects the
seller with the buyer.
It's important to have a digital camera so
you can take pictures of your items, and
it's equally important to give an accurate
description. If it doesn't work, be honest
about it. Your reputation on eBay is what
is important. When you win an auction,
you pay for it and you expect to receive
what you bid on. When you sell, you expect
your buyer to pay. It's a system built on
trust among fellow eBayers!
If you've never used eBay before, what's holding
you back? It doesn't cost you anything to
set up an account. Go to www.ebay.com and find
the link to get started.
You'll also need to set up a PayPal account to
be able to collect money from your buyers, but
it's free, too! It couldn't be easier. Here's a
link I hope you'll use because it shows that I
referred you:
https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=3NRQRXCXRPP4G
Take the time to browse the eBay site and learn
all you can. See what's selling and what's
not. Look up some of your own things and see
if other people are selling anything comparable.
The search bar makes it very simple.
Look for my next article on the basics of
using eBay. In the short time I've been using it,
they've made a lot of improvements to the site
that help make it even easier for both buyers
and sellers.
I've been able to get rid of my credit card
and am now using a PayPal debit card that is
funded by these eBay sales. When I want extra
money for something, I look around and see
what I can sell. It's become a game with me
but it's a great way to put things in perspective.
What are you willing to part with to reach a
goal? I may like owning a particular item,
but if selling it is going to allow me to do
something else, I'm usually willing to make
the sacrifice.
Joyce Moseley Pierce
copyright 2005
Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications.
http://www.emersonpublications.com
She publishes the Family First newsletter weekly and
has opportunities for others to work at home. Visit
her website for more information.
SHORTER VERSION
You have permission to publish this article in
its entirety as long as the bylines are included.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be
appreciated. Please inform writer of your use.
mailto:joyce@emersonpublications.com
eBay vs. Garage Sales
by: Joyce Moseley Pierce
(450 words)
I've never been much of a believer in getting
rich by having a garage sale. I've had a few of
them but the cash I made was never even
close to paying for my time and effort. There
are just too many disadvantages:
* deciding what to charge on each item
* making price tags for them
* spending two days in my garage
Over the years I've participated in quite
a few garage sales, and every single time
I felt my time was worth more than the
few dollars I made off my stuff.
Then someone introduced me to eBay.
Advantages to eBay include:
* listing your items 24/7
* ability to reach the world and
not just your neighborhood
* getting more than a quarter for each item
* not having to wrestle with your kids
* not having to haggle
* not having to make change!
Here's a list of just a few things that
I couldn't live without at one time,
but had long since fulfilled their
purpose for me.
* silver and leather belt
* computer software
* jean jackets
* backpack luggage
* books, videos, DVDs
* cameras that were sold "as is."
* exercise programs & equipment
It's true that one man's junk is another
man's treasure! You just never know
what someone else is looking for, and
eBay is the thread that connects the
seller with the buyer.
With eBay it's important to be honest
in your description of your item. The
program is built on trust among those
who are buying and selling.
A few things you'll need are a digital
camera, an eBay account, and also a
PayPal account to collect the money
from your buyers. Use the link below
to open your PayPal account and it
will show them that I sent you.
https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=3NRQRXCXRPP4G
Take the time to browse the eBay site and learn
all you can. See what's selling and what's
not. Look up some of your own things and see
if other people are selling anything comparable.
The search bar makes it very simple.
In the short time I've been using eBay,
I've been able to get rid of my credit card
and am now using a PayPal debit card that is
funded by these eBay sales. When I want extra
money for something, I look around and see
what I can sell. It's become a game with me
but it's a great way to put things in perspective.
What are you willing to part with to reach a
goal? I may like owning a particular item,
but if selling it is going to allow me to do
something else, I'm usually willing to make
the sacrifice.
Joyce Moseley Pierce copyright 2005
Joyce is a freelance writer and owner of Emerson Publications.
http://www.emersonpublications.com
Visit her website for
information on uniting families
at all stages of life. To read an associated article
about making money on eBay, go to:
www.emersonpublication.com/articles.htm
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