The last couple weeks, every Monday, I have been writing about my experiences selling on ebay. If you missed them click here to catch up.
What I wanted to talk about today is the huge time commitment that selling on eBay takes. And the reason I thought this would be a good topic is because I have about 3 huge bins of clothes staring at me just begging to be listed. My goal was to have everything up and listed by February 1st. Well that did not happen.
I think selling on ebay is such a great way to make money of stuff you are no longer using. But I don't think people realize how large of a time commitment it is. And because it gets so time consuming a lot of people, including myself, just want to say screw it, and drop off everything at a consignment shop or good will. But I can guarentee that you will not make nearly as much money as you would selling everything on ebay.
So my goal now is to have every item listed on ebay by March 1st. In addition, to having everything listed I also want to have my e-book updated an ready for sale by March 1st. Think I can do it?
I do!
And here is how I am going to make the time to sell on eBay:
1. Make listing items a priority this week. Which means I will be using all of my extra time at night to list. That's it. So no blogging, facebook, twitter, internet surfing, etc. I know that may seem a little drastic but really the only way I am going to get this done is if I make it #1 priority.
2. Take inventory of what I have then set realistic goals for each night. Starting tonight I have a total of 6 nights to get everything up on eBay. After I get my inventory together I will divide that by 6 and that is how many items I will get listed each night. In addition, I will work an hour on my e-book.
3. Write out an eBay to-do list. Then check it off as I complete. Never underestimate the power of writing a to-do list.
4. Just do it! I will make completing my eBay to-do list my #1 priority this week. It must get done. No exceptions.
I know this is not going to be easy. Because all of my ebay work happens at night after everything else is done and the girls are in bed. And usually I am totally exhausted. But with working to pay down debt and reach finanicial fitness selling off our stuff on eBay means more to me now than ever.
I might post on my progress later in the week if I am ahead of the game. However, if I am in a selling groove then more than likely you won't hear from me until next week when it is all listed.
I am on an eBay selling challenge this week!!
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck to you!! My husband and I are also challenging ourselves to find ways to, as you said, “pay down debt and reach financial fitness”. My goal before yard sale season is to go through every plastic tote and box in our basement and closets and find things to sell. Like Dave Ramsey says, “Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else.” Let us know how you make out!!
[Reply]
@Vanessa that is my favorite saying “Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else.” Right now I am just going through my kids clothes but I plan to go through our basement and garage as well. We have so much crap that we need to get rid of. I will be in touch!
[Reply]
Over the past year I have been selling, donating and repurposing my daughters last 8 years of clothes. I kept them to pass down to a 2nd child, well of course we had a boy. I love the reward of eBay but you are right the time commitment is crazy! Good luck!
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@amy isn’t that always the way it goes! I am done having kids so I am just ready to move these clothes out of my house! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
[Reply]
Good post! Yes selling clothes on Ebay is VERY time consuming. Measurement need to be taken, 1-2 pictures, you need to search like a mad women for flaws…but I do believe it is worth it. I too struggle to find the time to list (I work full time) so I usually make Saturday my “ebay listing day”. Don’t give up. Just pick away at it as you can. I wrote this for eHow awhile back and it might have a few tips for you. Thanks! How to Make Money Selling Clothes on eBay : Current Version-The Basics | eHow.com: http://bit.ly/95eccn
[Reply]
Since you asked here are a few selling tips I use.
1) Always end auctions on a Friday, you get the weekend to package up.
2) Have auctions of similar size and types ending close together, and offer a shipping deal for people buying multiple auctions. It saves you time in the packaging and shipping process.
3) Throw in cheaper brand items with “hot” items to make a larger lot.
4) Make “outfits” in your lots. You can then get 2 pieces in 1 photo. Saves you time and money.
5) The most important is no matter how much you hate having stuff around sell current season stuff only. Otherwise you are wasting your time and potential income.
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
@amy I agree with all that you said except #1. I have found that I do not make as much money by ending auctions on friday. Most people are not on their computers friday nights. My best nights are tuesday – thursday. But you have to find what works for you and if you have luck with fridays then I say don’t fix something that is not blroken
[Reply]
Your post is so true – I tried selling stuff on ebay for awhile but the time commitment really is quite large. I still sell my old stuff I don’t want anymore but no longer do I try to make an actual business out of it.
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:39 am
@bigmovingstock I tried going the business route with eBay when I was on maternity leave but it was so time consuming. SO I am right with you. I sell off stuff I don’t need and that seems to take up enough of my time.
[Reply]
Ugh! We have a huge pile of stuff that we are “gonna sell on Ebay”! Hubby refuses to throw anything away cuz of it…but never actually lists it cuz it’s a PAIN!
…just stopping by for a visit from Connect Meme Monday! Cute blog you’ve got here, gonna hang out for a few! Hope to see you soon…
http://www.thehusaileybunch.com
Have a GREAT week!
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:45 am
@jill I hear ya. I have so much crap that needs to go. It is overwhelming. My hubby is probably ready to kill me!
[Reply]
I wish I could make some cash on ebay.
But every time I think about posting something I feel like no one will actually buy it so what’s the point! Maybe I will use this post as a motivator to list a few items myself!
Good luck with your ebay challenge!!!
[Reply]
Good luck. I know it’s so hard to get things accomplished at the end of the day when all you wanna do is flop on the couch with a glass of wine/book/chocolate/laptop/all of the above. But a good to-do list is really the secret to success.
[Reply]
Hey there Im a new follower from Friday Follow.
I have to say I find your article above very inspiring. I have alot of stuff Ive been meaning on selling on ebay too and I just never get around to it, so your blogging has sortof inspired me to get selling
I hope to see you around my blog too. Take Care.
[Reply]
Oh man…preachin’ to the choir over here! I tried selling stuff on Ebay…didn’t work out to well for me. We try EVERYTHING to cut down our spending, earn extra moola and reduce our debt…it’s a work in progress…I’ll let you know how it all worked out…when I’m 102.
http://thepursuitofmommyness.com/
[Reply]
I’ve been selling on eBay for years, many times well over a hundred items at a time. Here is the trick to deal with the time issue. First you have to be very, very organized. I have a shipping and packing area in my house all set up, also an area where I do all my photographing set up. If you can’t designate an area atleast have everything together. Spend one day with the goal of preping everything. Clean, iron, whatever it needs. Take the next day to photograph everything. Then the next day to list. Of course you can do this all in one day if you only have a few items. The trick is doing one task in bulk. Once you really get this system going you will be amazed at how much you can list. Then each morning see what you have sold and pack it to ship first thing. Do this each morning. Hope some of this advice helps. I also sell things for those who don’t want to bother.
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 9:22 am
@Jamie great advice!!! I use to have an ebay store with almost 1000 items listed and I agree if you don’t have a system it can get crazy quickly. I think ebay can get overwhelming so quickly. So thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and experiences. Would love to have you guest post in the future on this topic if your interested
[Reply]
I was inspired to sell by This Momma Works It before that was her screen name and I can tell you that you’ll be surprised what sells and for how much if it’s clean, in good shape and you take good pictures. It does take some time, but you can decide when to lsit and sell. My kids only wear name brand stuff now, because overall it costs me less than the clearance rack at Target due to resell value. I also buy a lot used and then resell again!
[Reply]
This Mama Works It! Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
@kimberlyht hey there girl!!!!!! Welcome to my blog! Thanks for following me over here. I just listed a bunch of my friends kids clothes last night and now I am working on my girls stuff. Hope you are doing well. Feel free to leave the link to your ebay store so all my followers can check you out. Actually maybe I will feature you on monday!! Stay in touch!
[Reply]
Thanks for the offer! My store’s name is Kimberlyht’s Attic and can be reached at stores.shop.ebay.com/kimberlyhts-attic
I have mostly Gymboree boys and girls clothing.
Love the blog! Glad you included your ebay selling experience.
[Reply]