The eBay Life Blog

The eBay Life Blog has moved. Click on the link below to check out the new and improved blog!

2011-12-01T19:02:00.001-08:00

Link to new eBay Life Blog

If you are a member of PETA, do not read this post....

2011-11-29T21:26:00.000-08:00

To read post, click on the following link: eBay selling / not for PETA members post.

Free listing day tomorrow!

2011-11-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

For more info., check out the new and improved eBay Life Blog!

The eBay Life Score of the Day is a Gianni Versace ladybug tie purchased for $1 and sold for...

2011-11-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

Check out the new and improved eBay Life Blog to find out!

Hey, eBayers! Home Run Guide is going up in price. I have it! Do you?

2011-11-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Click Here for more info about the awesome Home Run Guide. 70+ buying guides in one book. And it's written by real eBay sellers!

Attention eBayers: Don't forget to get _________ at Costco this holiday season!

2011-11-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

What should all eBayers buy at Costco this holiday season? Click Here to find out!

Have you heard of Aarikka Finland? New brand alert!!!

2011-11-17T10:46:00.001-08:00

Just sold a neat ornament from Aarikka Finland and found out that this brand is popular in Finland! Click here for more info!

Free listing day!!!

2011-11-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

5,000 auctions free! Click here for more info!

Have you seen the eBay On Location videos? They're awesome!

2011-11-12T16:27:00.001-08:00

If you weren't able to attend eBay On Location in Orlando, check out these awesome videos: click here

Free Amazon/eBay Holiday Selling Webinar Hosted by Suzanne Wells!

2011-11-07T11:59:00.001-08:00

Check out the free holiday selling webinar being hosted by Suzanne Wells. It takes place tomorrow. For more info.,click here.

John Deere signs are worth how much?

2011-11-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Check out the John Deere information I posted on the new eBay Life Blog!

Need money to buy inventory? Check out this Udderly Good blog post about Kabbage!

2011-11-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Check out Danni Ackerman's story about getting money from Kabbage to grow her business at the new eBay Life Blog!

Check out the new eBay commercials!

2011-11-02T17:21:00.001-07:00

More new eBay commercials. Check them out here!

Sourcing products on Craigslist this Halloween? It's not that scaaaaary....

2011-10-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

If you're out and about this Halloween Monday sourcing products on Craigslist to sell on eBay, you'd better read my latest post. I don't want the goblins to getcha! The eBay Life Blog

A Pan Am stewardess hat went for how much?

2011-10-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to decide where to go for my birthday. in the meantime, I'm watching the new show Pan Am. I can't believe how much Pan Am gear is going for on eBay! Check it out at the new eBay Life Blog!

A Pan Am hat went for how much? Enough to pay for my next vacation?

2011-10-29T14:04:00.001-07:00

Even if you don't watch the new Pan Am show, you got to check this out! The NEW eBay Life Blog

Post a "Score" to the new eBay Life blog and get 2 free "Top 10" lists!

2011-10-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check out the new and improved eBay Life Blog and post a score to get 2 free "Top 10" lists! Click Here

Don't miss the latest in eBay news at the new eBay Life Blog!

2011-10-26T19:54:00.001-07:00

I just posted some important eBay news on my new blog. Click Here to check it out!

Have you heard about the update to eBay's holiday selling promotion?

2011-10-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest in eBay news at the new The eBay Life Blog! You can't afford to miss it!

Post a Score to the new "eBay Life Blog" and get my "10 Items to Sell on eBay" free!

2011-10-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

Interested in getting my two "10 Items That Sell on eBay" lists for free? Just post a score to the new eBay Life Blog!

Skip's latest newsletter is out!

2011-10-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

If you're a serious eBayer, don't miss Skip McGrath's latest newsletter and take a look at the leopard print Saks Fifth Avenue shoes I got for a mere $1.75 on my way home from the grocery store! Link to info and picture of awesome shoes.

The eBay Life Blog Has Moved! Check out the NEW eBay Life Blog!

2011-10-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make my blog more interactive and cool, so I redesigned it! Submit "scores," read about eBay success stories, and keep up on all the latest in eBay happenings at the new eBay Life Blog!

I love sports teams that are no longer in existence. I scored again!

2011-09-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

I really don't know anything about sports....but I'm learning! Picked up this Vancouver Grizzlies shirt at a yard sale. The owner of the shirt mentioned that the team is no longer in existence, so I was pretty excited. I guess the team moved to a new city. The shirt only cost me a quarter.

According to Terapeak, I should be able to get about $20 or more. Only one other person has this product, and that seller's shirt is new with tags. It's listed at a fixed price for $49.99. I listed my shirt at auction for $19.99 ...just in case. The auction starts tonight!

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is two vintage coffee pots purchased for $1 each and sold for...

2011-09-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

I love vintage kitchen items. I don't actually cook (in fact, I dream of having a personal chef), but I like the idea of having a kitchen filled with funky finds. Frome orange bread warmers to Fire King mugs, some people definitely collect this stuff!

A few weeks ago I picked up two vintage coffee pots: an orange Poly Perk and a glass Pyrex.

I go to a lot of yard sales, and I'd never seen either of these at any of the sales I'd visited. So I figured they would be of interest to eBay buyers. These coffee pots cost me a buck a piece.

Here's the Poly Perk which sold for.....

$24.99!

And here's the Pyrex pot which sold for.......

$19.99!

(OK. Not the greatest picture, but you get the idea!)

For more awesome scores, don't forget to check out this blog each and every day. I try to provide you with eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

Important eBay Selling News: YouTube is now helping users edit their videos!

2011-09-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I was uploading a video to Youtube to use in one of my listings and noticed that YouTube is now offering users easy-to-use editing software. I definitely recommend embedding video in your listings if you are selling products that are expensive. I would also create videos for multi-quantity listings.

Today I was on Twitter and noticed that someone had posted a link to an article about the new YouTube video editing features.

Click here to read article

Need inspiration? Read about Sergio of Bueno Bargains!

2011-09-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

I first met Sergio Bueno at the end of April 2011 when he joined the Skip McGrath coaching program. He was very interested in becoming an entrepreneur. Since then, Sergio has been attending estate sales on the weekends and has quickly learned what to sell on eBay to make real money.

When Sergio started the program, he invested in a photo studio. I am always impressed by his pictures. The photo studio wasn't cheap, but I'm positive that his photos have helped him capture the attention of buyers.

Another reason Sergio is experiencing success is that he studies the completed listings of successful eBayers. It gives him ideas on what to sell. He pays an average of $5 per item. After only four months, Sergio is selling over $1,000 every 30 days. I love reporting on Sergio’s latest sales! Check out his eBay store, Bueno_Bargains!

Still wondering how to make your photos stand out? Try having someone model the products you are selling..

2011-09-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

If you are selling a piece of clothing, you might consider having someone model the product. When I shoot a picture of someone modeling clothing, I don't shoot the person's face. If hair is showing, I crop it out of the photo. When writing the description, I usually include the height of the person modeling the piece so that people get an idea of how it might look on them.

Check out this red leather jacket!

(I'm marketing this leather jacket as a Michael Jackson costume to get more interest. I had 3 watchers last week, but it didn't sell. I relisted it. It will sell eventually.)

If anyone else would like to submit a photo, send it to Bluefrogshoes@live.com. I'd love to get some new ideas!

Need money to grow your biz? Check out Kabbage in Businessweek!

2011-09-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

If you're in need of money to grow your business, don't forget about Kabbage! Kabbage provides online sellers with cash advances. For more information about this company, check out this awesome article that just came out in Businessweek!

Businessweek Article

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Take a picture that will get their attention!

2011-09-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start posting photos that I think make certain listings stand out from the crowd.

I'm selling a pair of Charter Club capris. My assistant photographed them, and the picture turned out so-so. It certainly didn't highlight the fact that the pants are made of a cool black and white fabric. I decided to have her take a close-up picture of the fabric. When buyers look at this listing, they see this picture first.

I think it gets people's attention, don't you?

And here's another photo I took that highlights the pattern on a sports-themed tie:

Sometimes closeups are the way to go!

Interested in learning how to take better photos? Check out this eBay video!

2011-09-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

I'm no expert when it comes to photography, but I do know that photos can make or break a sale. Check out this short video created by eBay that shows you how to set up an inexpensive photo studio at home. It's basic but still very informative!

Click here for eBay video

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is a Ralph Lauren sweater purchased for $2 and sold for..

2011-09-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

Ralph Lauren is always hot. But Ralph Lauren sweaters with American flags on them are really hot! I've sold quite a few patriotic Ralph Lauren sweaters and tops -- even ones that were popular 20 years ago!

Last week I sold an RL sweater that was purchased for $2. It was new with tags, and it sold to someone in Europe for ...

$49.99

Not bad!

(If you're interested in seeing more "Score of the Day" posts, click the appropriate link under "Labels.")

Have a great weekend!

Awesome Educational Teleseminar Featuring Thrifting With the Boys and Lynn Dralle!

2011-09-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

Interested in learning more about thrifting? You might want to join the Queen of Auctions and my friends Jason and Bryan of Thrifting With The Boys for a cool teleseminar that's taking place next Monday. It costs $29.95, but I'm guessing it will be worth every penny. You don't have to be available on Monday to attend this class. Just download it and listen to it in your car! They will be talking about a wide variety of products that can be purchased at thrift shops around the country.

I have purchased teleseminars from Lynn Dralle in the past and have made back every penny in no time flat. The last time I ordered one from her, I listened to it on a roadtrip to California's Gold Country. I made back the cost of the class at the first yard sale I attended! Great stuff!

Even if you're not interested in this teleseminar, be sure to sign up for the Thrifting With The Boys Facebook group where people post scores and ask each other questions about products they have purchased.

Here's the link if you're interested in the teleseminar:

eBay Selling Class

Have a great day!

Patagonia opens eBay store to encourage people to sell used Patagonia products.

2011-09-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Say it isn't so!

There's actually a company that wants to see its high-end goods sold on eBay?

Yup, that's right. Since I'm about the greenest person on the planet (well, at least the greenest in my neighborhood) I was happy to hear about the Patagonia Common Threads initiative which encourages people to resell their used Patagonia gear. For those of you not familiar with this brand, Patagonia is a maker of high-end outdoor gear. By the way, this brand has always been hot on eBay. When I find a Patagonia item at a yard sale, I jump for joy.

Patagonia has started its Common Threads Initiative and is hosting an eBay store in which people can sell their used goods. People who decide to take the Common Thread pledge will also have their items featured in the used clothing section on Patagonia.com. Pretty cool!

Check out the "used clothing" link on the lower left-hand corner of the Click Here to take a look!

New eBay Commercials -- Check them out!

2011-09-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

eBay Ink just posted some new eBay commercials. Hmmmm. I don't know. If I had created an eBay marketing campaign, it wouldn't have looked anything like this.

I'd love to know what everyone else thinks.

Here's a sample:

For more ads, see the latest eBay Ink post here

And don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!
M

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Always check for sales! Salvation had a $1 sale!

2011-09-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

I walked into Salvation Army today, and they were having a fabulous sale on shorts and capris. After shooting this video, I headed off to the second Salvation in town (the swanky one) and picked up about 30 more items including 3 pairs of Tommy Bahama shorts -- one of them was new!

Don't forget to check out my store, Bluefrogshoes.com and for eBay selling tips and tricks, sign up to receive emails!

Check out this cool eBay success story on the Auctiva website!

2011-09-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading about a woman who is selling craft supplies and home decor full-time on eBay. I love reading stories about eBayers who quit their days jobs to become full-time entrepreneurs!

Auctiva Story

Hey, eBayers! The Bling My Bra breast cancer fundraiser is going on now!

2011-09-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

Interested in supporting breast cancer research? You might want to participate in Bling My Bra, a fundraising campaign benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Members of the eBay community create bras that are sold by the Bling My Bra store on eBay. The blinged bras will be auctioned on eBay throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All proceeds are donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, via eBay's Giving Works charitable program.

Here's a bra that's already posted that features one of my favorite eBayable characters: Pac-Man!

For more information, check out Blingmybra.com

Important eBay News: List up to 150 auction items for free on Tuesday, September 13th!

2011-09-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

eBay just announced that tomorrow, September 13, 2011, sellers will be able to list up to 150 items auction-style and pay no insertion fees! According to eBay, this offer applies to both eBay store subscribers and those who do not have a store.

Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow. Hmmmmm.... I think I might be coming down with a cold.

M

Attention all serious eBay sellers: Skip McGrath's newest newsletter is out!

2011-09-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Skip's latest newsletter is, once again, filled with great information for eBay and Amazon sellers.

Check out Skip's Newsletter Here

Important eBay News: Save your messages by today, September 12th!

2011-09-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Here's the announcement from the eBay "Announcements" board. (I'm sorry I didn't post it earlier! I'll be on it next time!)

"Over the next couple of months, we’ll be making changes to improve the Messages system within My eBay. Once complete, you’ll enjoy enhanced search functionality, a new auto-archive function for easy email organization and more.

Take action: Because most users don’t look at emails older than six months, and the additional capacity gained by removing older messages will help the Messages system run faster, we will be reducing the length of time emails can be stored in your Messages folders from one year to six months.

On September 12, we will begin the process of removing emails older than six months from your inbox and folders. This includes messages that you have saved in an Archive folder. You will not be able to retrieve these emails once they are deleted. If you want to save messages older than six months, you can either:

Forward the message to your personal email inbox
Save the message (or a folder of messages) to your computer

Be sure to save or forward your messages before September 12. Once implemented, we hope you find these improvements to the Messages system make member-to-member communications on eBay even better."

Alrighty then. Take action today if you have messages you want to keep!

eBay Selling Tip of the day: Got Gaudy? Take advantage of the Halloween season!

2011-09-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have a few gaudy items listed in my store. One of these items is a 1980's Dolly Parton-esque rhinestone jumpsuit. A few years back, Paris Hilton and friends were wearing this type of thing to parties, but I think the fad has passed.

Halloween, however, is still around. Since we now get 25 more characters in our titles, I changed the title of the listing to try and attract Halloween shoppers. It is currently listed as a Dolly Parton Halloween costume for $49.99 or best offer. Check it out:

Let you know how it goes!

Important eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Sometimes apostrophes matter!

2011-09-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Last spring, I purchased three vintage ashtrays at Salvation Army for a total of $4.00. These ashtrays were from a San Francisco restaurant that's no longer in existence. I didn't want to make competition for myself, so I only listed one.

The first ashtray went for $50. Last week I sold the second one for $24.99. A few days ago, I listed the third one.

After the second one sold, I searched for this product on eBay. I noticed that two other sellers were offering it for only $9.99. Why did mine sell?

Well, I think I figured it out. The title of my listing included the name of the restaurant with and without an apostrophe. Someone searching for the ashtray without the apostrophe would only have seen mine.

Sometimes apostrophes don't matter. For example, if you search for "mens shoes" and then search for "men's shoes" the search results are almost the same.

Obviously, this is not always the case! Good to know!

Hey, eBay Sellers! New Auction Hunters episodes are here!

2011-09-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

Finally! Spike has posted some new Auction Hunters episodes on their website. Watch them on your second monitor while you list! (What? You don't have one? You need one. Go to a yard sale and get a second screen, quick!)

Auction Hunters Link

What sells on eBay? How about used baseball mitts and golf clubs!

2011-09-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Don't miss these two great segments on the Ask Janelle show that covered what to watch out for when purchasing used baseball gloves and golf clubs at yard sales!

Ask Janelle covers baseball and golf link

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" Reader Edition is a pair of hearing aids purchased for $10 and sold for...

2011-09-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sergio strikes again!

One of my star students, Sergio, just emailed me with a ridiculous score. (His eBay store is Bueno_Bargains.) He has been diligently studying what others are selling, and it's really paying off.

He was out and about at yard sales and found a pair of hearing aids. He purchased them for $10 and started the bidding at around $44. They sold for the unbelieveable price of..........

$445

Excellent job, Sergio!

Interested in attending a wholesale trade show? Check out my latest Auctiva article!

2011-09-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I attended the San Francisco International Gift Show. It was great! If you decide to attend a trade show, it's important to plan ahead.

To help you plan, check out my latest Auctiva article!

Trade Show Article

Today's the day! eBay sellers get 50% more space in their titles!

2011-09-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

Starting today, eBay sellers get 25 extra characters in their titles. I have a whole closet full of items to list that I've been saving!

Some people fear that this change will clutter up search results. We will see what happens. For now, I'm happy!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Shopping at yard sales? Pay with PayPal!

2011-09-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

I did it again! I went to a yard sale and paid for my purchases with PayPal!

Today we were out and about and ended up spending a whole lot more than we thought we would at the last sale of the day. We had two options -- drive into town and find a supermarket with an ATM or ask to pay with PayPal. Well, the seller let us send her money using PayPal. I whipped out the old iPhone and completed the transaction. What a time saver!

Attention Sellers: The new eBay Seller Protection rules are now in effect!

2011-09-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday eBay announced the start of its new eBay Seller Protection rules. Here's the blurb from the Announcements section of the eBay website:

"We know you want to do right by your customers—that’s why eBay always encourages buyers to contact the seller before filing a Buyer Protection case. Starting today, if a buyer doesn’t contact you before opening an eBay Buyer Protection case, and you act quickly to resolve it, the case won’t be included in your performance rating.

As always, any case that is escalated and found in your favor will not affect your performance rating." - Todd Lutwak, Vice President, Seller Experience

Good to know!

Attention eBay Store Owners: Best Match Comes to Stores!

2011-08-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

This just in from the eBay Announcements board:

"Now when buyers visit your eBay Store, they can sort their search results by Best Match to see the items that are most relevant to them. By the end of September, Best Match will be the default sort order within eBay Stores. If you’ve previously set a preferred sort order for your store, it won’t be changed to Best Match automatically, but we highly recommend that you change it yourself before the busy holiday season. To choose a different default sort order, go to Manage My Store, click on Display Settings and change your Item Display Settings."

Very interesting!

What sells on eBay? I think this will! Check out this super funky Swiss Langenthal vase..

2011-08-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

Vase Video Link

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is a Kate Spade purse purchased for $5 and sold for ...

2011-08-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to a yard sale and picked up a Kate Spade purse for $5. (It was featured in my yard sale roundup.) I made sure to ask the lady where she bought it. I told her I sell on eBay and could get in big trouble if it wasn't real. She claimed that she had purchased it for her daughter at an authentic Kate Spade store while on vacation. Her daughter didn't like it. I was satisfied with that. What reason did she have to lie?

When I got home, I had Tasha search the Internet for verification that we had an authentic Kate Spade on our hands. We found several websites that helped us out.

It smelled just a tad like perfume, so I listed it as used once. It looked new, but I wasn't absolutely sure that it was new, so I decided to be very cautious.

Today it sold to someone in Canada for....

$89.99

And that's a score...for sure!

Remember: It's OK to sell brand name purses, just be very careful. Make sure you ask the person from whom you are purchasing the purse whether or not it's authentic or not. Thereafter, verify that it is authentic by looking up the "signs" of an authentic purse on the Internet.

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is a MUZZY BBC language program purchased for $20 and sold for..

2011-08-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

One of my former night school students, Tasha, has been working for me lately. Originally, I hired her to list inexpensive items, but she's now listing just about anything. It's amazing. She just turned 18, and she's very computer savvy.

I just seem to get more done when I'm paying someone to help me list. When they're at my house, I feel like I'm wasting money if I don't have my act in gear, and I make the most of every minute.

Last Sunday Tasha decided to go to yard sales with me and thank goodness she did! There were only a handful of sales, but we still scored. At one of the better sales, we bought MUZZY, the BBC language program for children which features a bear of the same name. The program came with DVD's and CD's + 2 bears. I had never heard of MUZZY and was not about to fork over $40 for something about which I knew absolutely nothing. But Tasha kept insisting that the MUZZY character was very popular on BBC, and she was convinced the language DVD's would sell for quite a bit.

After thinking about it, I told the seller that I had an eBay store and would only be willing to pay $20. She wouldn't budge on the price.

A few minutes later, another man offered her $30, but she still wouldn't lower the price.

The seller insisted I use her laptop to see how much I could get for the program on eBay. (I didn't have my iPhone with me.) She was confident I would make money by buying it for $40. I did a simple completed listing search which showed that the highest price anyone had paid for the program was $66.00. I explained to her that if I were to purchase it for $40, I wouldn't be making very much if it ended up selling.

I could tell she was starting to cave. It was the second day of the sale, and she was ready close shop. As I was walking away, she changed her mind. But I still wasn't sure if I'd scored.

When I got home, I noticed that there weren't many Spanish MUZZY language courses for sale on eBay, and my set was the only one that included two stuffed MUZZY bears.

I decided to list everything at a fixed price of $99.99 -- no free shipping since I really didn't have any competition. Well, guess what. It sold in less than 48 hours to someone in California. Wow! Thanks, Tasha! I think it's time for a raise....

For more awesome scores, don't forget to check out this blog each and every day. I try to provide you with eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And don't forget to "like" The eBay Life Blog Facebook Page!

The eBay Life Blog Selling Tip of the Day: Remember Alf? Well, Alf is Back!

2011-08-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

What sells on eBay? Alf sells on eBay!

A few weeks ago, I went to a yard sale and found a plastic Alf desk plaque. It was a bit cracked, but I never see Alf items at yard sales, so I figured it was worth at least $10. When I got home, I found out that Alf is a popular dude....uh, creature. According to Terapeak, the 60-day sell-through rate for the words "Alf Doll" is 50%. That's good!

No one else was selling it on eBay, so I figured it would eventually be snapped up by an Alf fan.....and it was! (For $9.99)

Check it out:

Kim Kardashian forgot to invite me to her wedding...so I went to yard sales instead.

2011-08-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

Today is reality star Kim Kardashian's wedding, and I actually think my invite got lost in the mail. That happens sometimes. She's a super busy gal, and I didn't want to bug her about it.

I'd already found her a cute gift at a yard sale (brand new in box). It was a Cookie Cop. You know, those cookie jars that scream "Step away from the cookies" when you try to open them.

Oh well. Not having to attend the wedding meant more time for yard sales!

Last month was busy, and I didn't get to film any yard sale roundups. But a few people have been bugging me about making another one, so I did! Lots of eBay selling tips and tricks!

Hope you liked it, and don't forget to 'like" my eBay Life Blog Facebook page. I created one a long time ago and did nothing with it....so I'm a little behind. I think I only have 12 likes! Here's the link eBay Life Blog Facebook Page.

For more awesome scores, don't forget to check out this blog each and every day. I try to provide you with eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Become an Iron Maiden Fan

2011-08-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Just saw this posted on the Thrifting with the Boys Facebook group. An Iron Maiden shirt went for how much!!!????

$400

Gotta go! I'm off to Salvation Army.

Looking for capital to expand your business? Don't forget about Kabbage!

2011-08-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Kabbage is a company that specializes in helping online sellers grow their businesses. And the company just announced that it has secured $17 million in Series B funding!!!

"Thousands of online merchants have obtained working capital and grown their businesses since our push into the market in April 2011,” said Rob Frohwein, Kabbage Founder and CEO. “Although small business fuels the majority of growth in the U.S., it is extremely difficult and time consuming for these businesses to apply for and actually receive financing from a traditional bank. Kabbage fills this need by providing money to these businesses in a quick,easy and painless way, helping them to further grow their businesses and boost the economy.”

Kabbage currently supports merchants operating on eBay^®, Amazon^® and Yahoo!^® platforms and over the next six months will add support for merchants operating on or through a variety of other channels including Facebook^®, Etsy^®, Shopify^® and Marketplace at Sears.com™. Kabbage uses automated data sources to analyze the health of an online merchant’s business including transaction history, customer traffic and reviews, and products to deliver working capital within seconds of the merchant’s completed application. With Kabbage’s release of profile building in May, merchants can now proactively add information to their Kabbage account to immediately increase their access to capital.

I've heard great things about this company, so if you're an eBay seller ready to take your business to the next level, you might want to call Kabbage today!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Learn to Love QVC and HSN

2011-08-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

I love multitasking, and my newest multitasking routine involves folding laundry while watching QVC and / or HSN -- the home shopping channels. QVC and HSN products can be hot sellers on eBay, and professional eBay sellers should be familiar with the products sold on these networks.

A while back, I was at the annual Elks Club yard sale, and a lady was selling a box full of Joan Rivers watches in excellent condition. Joan is a QVC star, and I knew that ....but I didn't buy them.

When I got home, I looked them up. I was quite disappointed to discover that they were definitely worth some cash.

Watching HSN and QVC has also made me aware of the fact some high-end designers have sold out and regularly hawk their fashions on television. When I see clothing by these fashion icons at thrift shops and yard sales, I know not to spend too much since these designers have gone mainstream with some of their lines and are no longer selling their fashions exclusively at Niemans.

If you list in the clothing, shoes, and accessories category, watching a bit of QVC and HSN can definitely be good for business!

The eBay Life Blog Selling tip of the Day: Beware of Beanies!

2011-08-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend we listed about 100+ items. Among the items I was planning to list was a small bucket of Beanie Babies given to me by a friend. I'd heard that they were worthless, but the ones I had in my possession were so cute! I mean...there was even an Alabama one!

Well, I was wrong. Beanie babies are a dime a dozen.

Lesson learned.

Note: If any of you out there have had luck with any specific beanies that are still collectible, please leave a comment. But in general, do not buy them! (I'm so glad the ones I had were given to me for free.) I will never be sucked in by their cuteness again!

The eBay Life Blog "Score of the Day" is a pair of Frye boots purchased for $2 and sold for..

2011-08-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

A while back we purchased a pair of Frye boots for $2 at a yard sale. Boots are hot, and I know Fryes are expensive, but I wasn't sure if these relatively unattractive boots would sell for much. If nothing else, I figured a farmer could buy them and wear them out to the barn.

Well, I got home and did some research. Wow! What a score!

Recently, I've noticed a lot of hipsters wearing them. A similar pair was even featured on the eBay homepage.

Anyhoo, I purchased these for $2 and sold them at a fixed price for .......

$150!!!

(Now that's what I'm talking about!)

So be on the lookout for beat down boots with the word "Frye" on them. You won't regret it!

For more awesome scores, don't forget to check out this blog each and every day. I try to provide you with eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

The eBay Life Blog "Score of the Day" is a vintage Western Electric phone purchased for $10 and sold for ...

2011-08-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Another awesome sale! My student Sergio (eBay store Bueno_Bargains) sent me this score. He purchased a Western Electric pay phone for a mere $10 and sold it for....

$110!!!!!!

This is the coolest phone, don't you think? He listed it at auction, but only received one bid. You just never know what is going to happen with auctions, so be careful when using this listing format. If you're going to start an auction low, be sure the product you are selling is hot, hot, hot!

Great job, Sergio!

The eBay Life Blog "Score of the Day" is a Texas water meter cover purchased for $0 and sold for..

2011-08-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

I just had a student email me about a major score. He found a water meter cover in his yard (four acres) when he was digging a new water main line and ran into a buried pile of construction rubble. He listed it at auction starting at $34.99. It ended up selling for ...........

$81.88!!!

According to my student, he thinks it sold because he "researched the product pretty thoroughly and included information about the foundry that made the cover, the address, and the original patent for the cover."

Awesome job!

Hey, eBay Sellers! Don't miss Skip's McGrath's newest newsletter!

2011-08-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading Skip's August newsletter. It's filled with all sorts of good information. To read it, just click on the link below. Then go to the "Newsletter" section of his website and click on "Current Newsletter." Don't miss it!

Click here to go to Skip's site!

Attention eBay Sellers: Auction Hunters has a new online episode.

2011-08-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

Just got home from the San Francisco Gift Show (more about that later...), and I noticed that Auction Hunters has a new episode -- great for eBay sellers! Check it out! It's called "Diesel Digs."

Auction Hunters Website!

Attention eBay Sellers: eBay Accounting Made Simple!

2011-08-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Outright allows you to track your eBay sales and expenses. You might want to check it out!

Here's some new information I just received about Outright:

Outright users are about to be positively affected by a big change. We're pleased to announce today that, beginning later this week, Outright sellers will be able to automatically integrate transactions from PayPal AND eBay, meaning that Outright will import your eBay transaction details AND shipping costs automatically for the first time ever.

A survey we conducted in April showed that Outright users were saving an average of 5 hours per month on bookkeeping. We predict this change will help our eCommerce selling Outright users save even more time as now they don't have to manually enter shipping costs!

Sounds like an interesting option for eBay sellers!

A Job That Allows You to Shop While You Work? eBay Selling Is Awesome!

2011-07-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Check out my newest Auctiva article. Being an efficient eBay seller part 2....

Miriam's eBay Article

eBay Selling While on Vacation! The eBay Life Score of the Day is a pair of women's shoes in the shape of cars purchased for $6 and sold for...

2011-07-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

While we were in Portland, we visited some incredibly awesome thrift shops. They were pricey, but they also had high-end products.

A few days after getting back from Portland, I listed these awesome car shoes. I looked them up, and they are going for about $160 retail. $160!!!! They have leather bottoms and are made in Spain. They sold almost immediately. I almost didn't buy them. I'm so glad I did.

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is a pair of women's designer car shoes by Zalo purchased for $6.00 and sold for ......

$93!!!

Definitely a score!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Research products for free!

2011-07-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

Selling a new product? Increase your sales by following this tip....

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Vote Morris for President!

2011-07-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

OK. So this is a great story. Right before summer school ended, I went to lunch a local Mexican restaurant with my buddies from the adult school. My friend Lisa and I decided to walk there to get some exercise. On the way to the restaurant, we came across a yard sale. It was a Thursday, and I was very surprised to find one.

Lisa is interested in selling on eBay, so she decided to watch me at work to see what I bought. Well, the only thing of interest I found was a Morris for President pin. "Why would anyone want that?" she asked. Well, I go to A LOT of yard sales, and I'd never seen one, so I figured it was somewhat collectible. It only cost a quarter.

This morning it sold for $10. So lunch that day didn't cost me anything! (FYI: It took me 5 minutes to list and package the pin.)

And that's what eBay's about. I just wish the execs at eBay would focus on making eBay the world's biggest and best yard sale in the world..not another Amazon. I've started to sell on Amazon, too, but for the most part, I can't sell the type of items on Amazon that I can on eBay. People go to eBay to find Morris the Cat memorabilia, vintage board shorts, and used shoes - they don't go to Amazon to purchase these products. And that's what makes eBay special!

Gotta go now! For more eBay selling tips and tricks, sign up for email updates in the upper lefthand corner of this blog. For eBay tutoring and such, send me an email at Bluefrogshoes@live.com!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day! Use video to promote expensive products!

2011-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am selling an iPhone. There are a million iPhones on eBay. How do I prove to buyers that my iPhone listing is legit? I don't know much about this product, but I do know how to create a short video!

Check out my video listing for the iPhone 3GS! Someone is already watching it!

iPhone Listing

Everything old is new again.... Calgon, take me away!

2011-07-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sold another box of memories! Purchased 5 boxes of Calgon at a yard sale for a buck. Sold another box today for $9.99!

Kate Middleton has started a new trend? Potential hot eBay product alert!

2011-07-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hey, according to Internet news sources, pantyhose are in again! Kate Middleton's been wearing them, and she's starting a new / old trend! Just saw some at a yard sale and passed them up. Hmmmm. I think I need to run over to Terapeak to check this out!

Here's the link to one of the news stories! Kate M. pantyhose story

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Pick up packs of new shoe laces at the 99 cent store!

2011-07-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Portland, and our car is packed. We picked up a ton of high-end merchandise including a pair of Donald Pliner shoes. The laces were a bit worn. They looked dirty and old. When I got home, I got out the Saddle Soap and a package of brand new laces I had purchased at the 99 cent store -- a big pack of laces in different lengths for 99 cents!

Thanks to a new pair of 15 cent shoe laces, the Pliners look almost new!

I'm in Portland, Oregon! Anyone want to go thrifting?

2011-07-05T15:14:00.001-07:00

Anyone out there live in Portland? Contact me by tonight @ bluefrogshoes@live.com. Let's meet at the best thrift shop in Portland! I need some advice!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Use the "Save Search" feature on eBay!

2011-07-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

Interested in keeping tabs on the competition? Looking for a hard-to-find item? Use eBay's saved search feature! After completing a search, eBay gives you the opportunity to save the search. Click on this option, and you will be notified if an item you are looking for with the same keywords pops up on eBay.

I have used this feature to keep tabs on the competition as well. Let's say you list a rare Starbucks coffee mug that no other seller is offering. After listing it, search for the item. Then save the search. If someone else lists a similar mug, eBay will notify you.

I also use saved searches to snatch up merchandise for resale. I currently have a saved search related to an item I regularly offer in my store. Most people list it for under $10 at auction not realizing it's worth quite a bit of money if listed at a fixed price for an extended amount of time.

And that's my tip for the day!!!!

And don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

M

Interested in being more efficient? Check out my latest Auctiva Article!

2011-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Miriam's Auctiva Article

eBay / Craigslist Selling Tip of the Day: Children's books are hot!

2011-06-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

Are you finding a lot of children's books at yard sales? I used to teach fifth grade, and I can identify a fifth-grade novel in no time flat. Instead of selling children's books on eBay, I often sell them in lots on Craigslist right before school starts. That's when teachers are looking for books to fill up their classroom libraries.

Accelerated Reader books are especially hot. Some schools use a program called Accelerated Reader or AR. Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, Judy Blume novels...these are the types of books that are part of the AR program. If you want to make sure the books you have are AR friendly, go to the company's website. Try not to pay more than 25 cents per book.

If you decide to list children's books on eBay, list them in lots and be sure to include the words AR and Accelerated Reader in the titles of your listings. You might also want to list AR books according to grade level. Another technique is to put two to three grade levels in one lot since students in the same class might be at different reading levels. Be sure to send books using Media Mail.

The eBay Life "Score of the Day" is an old-school GE phone purchased for $5 and sold for...

2011-06-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

eBay selling at its best! Check out this GE cradle phone.

This phone was purchased for only $5 by one of my students. She included a ton of pictures in the listing.

It sold for over $600 at auction!

Here's the listing (this link will eventually expire, but for now, here it is!)

eBay Selling Storage Unit Info: A video with Dave Hester of Storage Wars!

2011-06-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

Storage Wars is a little too fake for my taste, but it can still be fun to watch. Check out this informative video with Dave Hester, one of the stars of the show. Lots of very interesting tips and tricks for those wanting to go out and buy a storage unit. If you do it right, it's easy to find inventory to sell on eBay at storage unit auctions. You also get to see how he runs his store. What does he do when inventory comes in? What is the process he goes through? (You will notice that Dave has quite a few employees.)

This is good stuff!!

Link to You Tube Video

(If for some reason this link doesn't work, please let me know!)

Are you going on vacation this summer? eBay Selling Tip of the Day!

2011-06-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

When I go on vacation, I don't shut down my store. I go to the vacation settings in My eBay and instruct eBay to display a message in my listings letting buyers know that the items they order will not be shipped until I return from my trip.

If someone buys from me while I'm on vacation, I email them to let them know that I am out of town. Many people do not read the vacation banners eBay displays, and it's important to remind buyers that you will not be able to process their orders immediately. Most people are very understanding.

Interested in receiving an email each time I update my blog? Type your email address into the box in the upper right-hand corner of this page! Have a great day!

Attention eBay and Amazon sellers! Skip's newest newsletter is out!

2011-06-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Skip McGrath's newsletter. Skip will keep you up-to-date on the newest selling tools. He also provides readers with the names of wholesalers he comes across. eBay selling tips and tricks! Don't miss it!

Skip McGrath's newsletter.

Don't miss the eBay Radio Party in Vegas this week! There's still time!

2011-06-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

If you live in Vegas or can swing a last-minute flight to Vegas, don't miss this week's bash! The eBay Radio Party is a conference and networking event not to be missed. This event is put on by sellers, and the speakers are top notch. I've attend twice, and I highly recommend it!

Click Here for more info.

What Sells on eBay? Vintage Generra shirts.... Wasn't that 8th grade?

2011-06-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

Check out this shirt I just sold. I think I knew a guy who owned this exact shirt. So 8th grade, and I only paid a quarter.

Super stylish Generra shirt link

Don't miss this cool episode of Auction Hunters - A "how to" for those interested in storage unit auctions!

2011-06-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

Cool episode of Auction Hunters!

I was watching Auction Hunters, and I discovered a new product.....

2011-06-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching Auction Hunters online and discovered a new product. They were talking about vintage axes and ax heads. Well, check out the completed listings for the term "vintage ax head." Wow!!! I so want to go to an estate sale tomorrow!

Here's a link, but if it ends up expiring before you check it out, just go to eBay or Terapeak and do a completed listing search for this product....

Ax Head Completed Listings

Need money to grow your business? Check out Kabbage today!

2011-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Are you an established seller? Do you dream of growing your business but lack the funds to make your dream a reality? Kabbage is here to help!

Kabbage is an Atlanta-based company that provides working capital to assist online sellers in growing their businesses. In a time when credit is tight, Kabbage is helping eBay sellers every day.

It’s easy to see if you qualify for an advance through Kabbage. You can apply through the Kabbage site to receive credit lines of $7,500 to $15,000. The amount you qualify for depends on factors such as transaction and sales volume, selling and credit history, and seller rating. Believe it or not, you can go from eBay ID to cash in your PayPal account in as few as 10 minutes!

The company charges a flat rate per $100 advanced for the first 30 days and an additional flat rate for each month thereafter. There are no application, startup or monthly/annual fees.

eBay Top-Rated Seller Bryan Goodman, better known as mr.bigfoot, recently qualified for an advance through Kabbage. This is what he had to say: “I used it to pay for some business expenses. I’ve already paid it back, but I may take out another one to pay for a future project. It took a split second to get qualified -- a very easy process.”

In the future, Kabbage hopes to offer funding to Amazon and Etsy sellers as well. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this company. So if you’re interested in taking your business to the next level, let Kabbage know!

Important eBay Selling Information about Canadian Postal Strike

2011-06-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Canadian postal workers are on strike. Here's the announcement from eBay:

Link to eBay Announcement About Canadian Postal Strike

Need eBay selling ideas? Check out the Yard Sale Roundup for 6.14.11

2011-06-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

Boris, David....the gang's all here! Check out what we purchased at the first yard sale of the day!

And don't forget.....if you're interested in learning how to sell on eBay, email me at Bluefrogshoes@live.com. Need shoes? Check out my shoe store, Bluefrogshoes.com.

And for more eBay selling ideas, don't forget to read Skip McGrath's newsletter. I've been reading it for years! Check out his newsletter by clicking here.

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Write the style name in the title of shoe listings!

2011-06-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

If you're listing a pair of expensive shoes, do some research. If possible, list the style name in the title of all shoes -- especially if they're pricey.

Mephisto shoes run about $400 in the stores. I listed a pair last night. I couldn't find the name of the style on the Mephisto website, so I went to the Zappos site. Sure enough, they run $400, and they're called the "Marlon." I purchased them for $8. Here's a pic:

This morning I took an offer of......

$120!!!

Don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers. Have a great day!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Don't Miss This NPR Pawn Stars Radio Interview!

2011-06-10T18:29:00.001-07:00

Just found this cool NPR radio interview. Listen to it while you list!

Pawn Stars Interview Link

eBay selling "Score of the Day": The expired Polaroid film went for....

2011-06-10T08:29:00.001-07:00

Expired Polaroid film update: Remember the Polaroid film I bought for 50 cents? It went for over $50!!!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Sell Clinique "Free Gift with Purchase" Products

2011-06-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

My aunt loves shopping at Macy's. She often brings me her leftover "gift with purchase" Clinique products. I cherry pick the pieces I want and sell the rest. People often go on eBay to search for their favorite lipsticks and eye shadow colors. I like "Heather Moon" lipstick, and those are the two words I write into the search box when I'm ready to buy a new tube. Lipsticks usually go for around $8-$10!

What sells on eBay? Check out my yard sale roundup for 6.6.11

2011-06-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

eBay selling made easy! Check out my yard sale roundup to find out what to sell on eBay!

What sells on eBay? Check out the Score of the Day! I bought these shoes for $2.75 yesterday and they sold....

2011-06-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

I discovered this brand last year. They are called Gentle Souls, and they are from Kenneth Cole. These shoes run upwards of $200 and feel like they are made of calf. They sold for.........

$69.99!!!

And that's why I love eBay!

Don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers. Have a great day!

What Sells on eBay? Merry Mushroom Sells! Check out these napkins!

2011-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

A friend just posted a link to a set of vintage Merry Mushroom napkins. I have no idea why they went for so much. It appears this "Merry Mushroom" pattern sells relatively well, but MM products usually don't go for this much. I think I remember seeing this pattern at a few yard sales. Hmmmm. The power of auctions.....

Here's the link

Merry Mushroom Napkins

Wow!!

An antique piano scarf sold for how much? Check out the "Score of the Day."

2011-06-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

What sells on eBay? Wow! This is incredible! One of my readers recently purchased a piano scarf at auction for $25. Check out the final price. This is some serious cash!

Here's the link to the auction.......

Piano Scarf Score!

or if the link expired......it sold for over $600!!

Handmade items on Etsy made by Kelli Denton of Dentfam. Awesome!

2011-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

You know that I'm a big fan of eBay, but if you have vintage or handmade items, you might want to try Etsy. I haven't tried it out myself, but I have a friend back home who has some really cool jewelry she sells under the name Dentfam. Everyone should check out her goods. I love her earrings! They are fab!

Jewelry by Miriam's friend Kelli!

eBay Selling Tips and Tricks for the Summer -- Keep Your Sales Hot!

2011-05-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in keeping sales hot during the summer season, don't miss out on my latest Auctiva article.

Miriam's Auctiva Article

And for information about the hottest selling items on eBay, don't forget to sign up for my blog in the upper right-hand corner of this page!

What Sells on eBay? eBay Selling Tip Memorial Day Edition!

2011-05-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm the only one home this weekend, but I've been having tons of fun anyway. Like this morning....

This morning I went to a church rummage sale. This church has had a number of sales this year, and I've been to all of them. I think they're almost out of good stuff because I only found a few things to purchase this time around.

I think I may have made at least $50 after fees on this expired Polaroid 600 film. It sells like hotcakes!!!

If you're interested in learning how to sell on eBay, email me at Bluefrogshoes@live.com. Need shoes? Check out my shoe store, Bluefrogshoes.com.

And for more eBay selling ideas, don't forget to read Skip McGrath's newsletter. I've been reading it for years! Check out his newsletter by clicking here.

Have a great night!

What sells on eBay? Need eBay selling ideas? Check out my friend's video!

2011-05-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

An eBay friend made a video about her recent purchases. I learned a few things from watching it. Did you know that fake fruit sells? You're kidding, right? Love it!

If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers. Have a great day!