Octopus Approach Job #5: eBay

So we all know what eBay is and what it can do but do you use it to its potential? I love thrift shops. I love shopping for great deals and fulfilling my clothing needs but not breaking the budget. About 3 years ago, I purchased a dress from a thrift shop that was too big but cute. I thought I would sell it on eBay to see what I could get. I bought the dress for $2 and I sold it for $44. That is when I opened my eyes to eBay. I was able to buy high end stylish clothes and resell at a premium.

Here are 5 ways to help you make a profit on eBay.

1 – Shop To Sell. Shop at thrift shops, consignment stores, and yard sales to find great deals. A friend of mine purchased  a box full of trinkets at a yard sale for $2. He was able to sell five of the items in the box for over $25 each. That is a $120 profit!

2 – Clear Out Your Bookshelves. The eBay smart phone app has a great UPC scanner feature. It allows you to scan books, CDs, and movies and instantly place them for sale.  I was able to scan over 100 books and movies in under one hour. It’s fast, easy, and fun to use.

3 – Scale It. An easy way to save money and time is to purchase an inexpensive scale to be able to weigh your items. That way, you can accurately price shipping costs.  I purchased my scale from Harbor Freight.

4 – Bag It Tag It. I purchase my shipping supplies right off eBay. I am able to buy inexpensive envelopes to ship my items first class. When shipping anything priority mail, use the post office priority envelopes and boxes. It will save you money on supply fees. You can also have priority shipping supplies sent to your house for free from the US Post Office.

5 – PayPal. Use PayPal shipping whenever possible. You will save serious money versus the post office teller fees.  You can also schedule package pick up at your home which means you never have to leave the house.

Check out my other Octopus Approaches to Earn Extra Money:

Octopus Approach #7: Consignment
Octopus Approach Job #6: Techie Skills
Octopus Approach Job #4: Referral Programs
Octopus Approach Job #3: Inbox Dollars
Octopus Approach Job #2: Transcribing
Octopus Approach Job #1: Cash Crate