Yankee Thrifter Mission Statement: to continue to live a lifestyle directed by me without stress or altercations and to do so by actively hunting and seeking for “lost treasures.” To offer these lost treasures to others actively searching for particular items to care for. To revive, repurpose, recycle and reuse items that seem to be disposable in the American lifestyle.
“Lost Treasures”
Lost treasures are simply items that are overlooked and often thrown away. Items that are thrown away in haste are often items that seem to have no intrinsic value. The value lies in something less obvious; it may be an item that was treasured in childhood or once belonged to a relative and is sought to be replaced. It is original, rare, high quality, one of a kind or handmade yet looks simple, dirty or plain therefore valueless. It could be part of a collection or sought out to be added to complete a collection. Lost treasures look simple to the naked eye and it takes a bit of practice and research to know the obscure from the ordinary.
How to Run a Successful eBay Store
There is no overnight get rich scheme. Selling on eBay takes hard work and resourcefulness. Fortunately, we have the internet. All questions and answers regarding what it takes to be a successful eBay seller can be found online. EBay’s help section answers many questions from technical aspects, financial, sales, listing how to’s, shipping to marketing and more. If you are looking for the secret formula, I will tell you that there isn’t one. Every successful eBay seller has a formula that works specifically for them and while every eBay seller operates differently, there are common traits among the successful sellers.
Common Traits of Successful Ebay Sellers
- List, list, list. Having 100 items in your store is okay if you are part time. Full timers should shoot for 1,000 listing as quickly as they possibly can. Once you hit 1,000 don’t stop listing.
- Listing constantly and consistently keep the sales coming. New listings are featured at the top of the page which brings you traffic and sales, however, the new listing tag that eBay gives your item only lasts for 24 hours so you have to list constantly.
- List everything as “Buy It Now” - the auction feature works for an extremely rare item or a heavily publicized item. Use “Buy It Now” for the majority of your items.
- Aim for a high dollar per item sale average. For example would you rather sell ten items that are $50 each or ten items that are $10 each? To make $500 you would need fifty items at $10 or ten items at $50. You will work 5 times harder to make your money by selling $10 items vs. $50 items.
- Keep learning. You are never too old to learn. Study various categories and look at top sellers and high priced selling items and then study the items so you recognize them if you ever come across them. My page “The Scoop” can help you with this.
- Watch others and copy successful results. I am not talking about plagiarism here. Many successful eBay sellers produce videos filled with tricks and tips designed to help you succeed. Some of my favorites are on Youtube. Check out Scavenger Life and Raiken Profit.
- Never stop sourcing. Stop in the little "Mom and Pop" thrift shop and see what they have, find auctions to attend, garage sales to visit and frequent estate sales. You can't sell it if you don't source it. See my page titled "The Stash" for resources and directories pointing you to shopping haunts.
- LIST, LIST, LIST!!!
Questions, compliments or comments? Contact me via email or voice messaging. The phone number goes directly to voicemail and is not answered by a live person. Leave me an email or voice message and I will respond as quickly as I can.
Email: Yankeethrifter@gmail.com
Phone: 413-829-4446
