Finding Antiques And Collectibles To Sell On eBay
Many people who decide to make a living selling collectibles on eBay soon fail. I meet them in the line at the post office. They tell me they just quit their job in order to sell things full time on eBay.
I ask them, "What are you doing to find more items to sell?"
Only the people who can answer this question last more than a few weeks. The others soon run out of things to sell and just give up.
I got started buying trains and toys when I was in grade school.
My dad and I collected toy trains and we built up quite a collection over the years. We didn't have a lot of money so we ran ads, put signs up, handed out cards, networked and tried all kinds of methods to get people to sell us their trains to us.
We bought lots of trains and kept what we wanted then sold the rest in order to keep the cash moving.
Over the past 23 years we have refined a system that constantly generates calls. Here's a short list of ways to find and buy antiques and collectibles. These 10 strategies will get you thinking about ways to get sellers to call you.
Remember, you are always better off making someone call you rather than competing with everyone else to call a seller. My system is all about getting your phone to ring with sellers on the line.
When you go to yard sales, auctions and antique malls, you are in a race against all the other collectors and dealers. When people call you it is because you have made them think about converting their unwanted items into cash by selling them to you. You are in control.
Sure, you can go to yard sales and rely on luck. But if you are serious about selling on eBay you need to have a steady stream of collectibles coming in. You can't rely on blind luck or getting there before the other dealers.
You need a system to get a constant stream of new items coming to you to sell.
Here are 10 quick ways to get people to sell you their antiques and collectibles. These will get you thinking about ways to make your phone ring. I buy and sell toy trains, but so you can better focus on what you specialize in, I have substituted the word widget for toy trains.
1. Develop a marketing plan outlining exactly how you are going to make your phone ring.
2. Have a strategy that will make the seller want to take your offer. This is the psychology of buying and creating a win-win situations. Nobody wants to lose. Make every seller feel like they are getting a good deal and they'll bring you more business.
3. Ask the person in line behind you at the post office, bank, and supermarket if they have any widgets for sale. Being shy doesn't make you money!
4. Show off the widgets you have. There are MANY ways to do this. Let people enjoy the widgets you have and your phone will ring with others wanting to sell widgets to you.
5. Run ads that say "Top Dollar Paid For Widgets."
6. Send a letter to local real estate agents telling them you pay cash for unwanted widgets. They often encounter people anxious to sell.
7. Tell other widget dealers you will buy any widgets they don't want.
8. Pay others to find widgets for you by offering a finders fee to anyone that helps you buy widgets.
9. Send Thank You letters to everyone you've bought widgets from in the past, and remind them you pay cash when they get their friends and neighbors to sell you widgets.
10. Network, network, network. It's not as hard as you might think it is to spread the word in a community that you are the person to call when someone has a widget to sell.
Terry Gibbs is a collector/dealer of old toys and trains, and teaches others how to buy and sell antiques and collectibles. Gibbs is the author of two best selling eBay books "The Auction Revolution," and "The Complete Guide To eBay Consignment Sales." He has also written numerous other books about buying and selling antiques and collectibles. Learn more at his website: http://www.news.iwantcollectibles.com
Copyright 2005 IWantCollectibles LLC used with permission.
Hobby Articles:
Upper Class Collectibles & Artist Brian Fox Invited to Paint Live at the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby® & MLB® All-Star Game®
Major League Baseball & Major League Baseball Players Association Licensee, Upper Class Collectibles & Artist Brian Fox invited to paint live at the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby® & MLB® All-Star Game® in The House That Ruth Built? (YANKEE STADIUM®) on July 14th & 15th.
Insuring Your Collectible Investment
Stamps, baseball cards and rare books are just a few items that people collect, but there are thousands of items some people never think of as collectables. In fact, you?ve probably seen people who collect hub caps, shot glasses and buttons just to name a few. Collections are as varied as the personalities of the people doing the collecting. No matter what your collection consists of, it goes without saying it?s valuable to you, and because you value it, insuring your collection is important.
Tiffany Style And Stained Glass Lamps Are Collectible
Considered one of the great contributions to the Art Nouveau movement, stained glass lamps have remained very popular. With a characteristic stained glass shade, Tiffany lamps became the standard for these beautiful light fixtures. Taking full advantage of the widening availability electricity, stained glass lamps are a great example of form following function.
Holy Science Fiction Comic Books - The Cosmic Comics Continuum! Launches Online Site and Forum for Comic Book Fans
Fans of Science Fiction or "Cosmic" Comic Books now have a new online home for discussion of Cosmic Comic Characters, Books and Stories! The new Cosmic Comics Continuum! at www.cosmiccomicscontinuum.com is a free site founded by writer and artist Mike Luoma.
A Collectible Vinyl Doll's Future?
How long a collectible vinyl doll will be around is anyone?s guess as the long-term life of vinyl has yet to be established. Since vinyl play dolls didn?t begin appearing until the 1950s, and therefore establishing criteria for a collectible vinyl doll is still in its infancy.
Dsm Home Decor Exhibits Collectible Line Of Decor Products Online
By showcasing unique home decor items that can also be categorized as collectibles, DSM Home Decor adds a new twist to the online home decor marketplace.
Gimmie Golf Marketing Launches E-Commerce Web Site ForeGolfGifts.com - Golf Accessories, Collectibles, Corporate Gifts, Fashion Jewelry, Novelties
ForeGolfGifts.com is an e-commerce web site owned and operated by Gimmie Golf Marketing, a golf marketing and promotional services company, offering unique golf accessories, golf gifts (both personal and corporate), golf collectibles, golf fashion jewelry, golf novelties, and the popular Gripper Golf Glove? (made from 100% opossum leather for durability and flexibility).
Antiques and Reproductions: Can You Tell the Difference?
Can you tell the difference between an antique and a reproduction? Does it really even matter?There's nothing wrong with good quality reproductions. You just want to make sure that you know that's what you are getting.
Nelson & Nelson Antiques has Just Acquired a Fine Selection of Art Moderne Style Sterling Silver Pieces
Nelson & Nelson Antiques has just acquired a fine selection of Art Moderne style sterling silver pieces. Influenced by the Art Deco Movement, these pieces are timeless treasures that have grown in value and prestige over the years. From elegant silver-overlay perfume bottles to cheerful silver and colored enamel dresser sets, these are distinctive and modern pieces with a touch of Modern Art history.
Antiques - What You Need to Know to Get Started
Do you think that provenance is a region in France?
Do you think that patina is an antipasto?
Do you ever wonder what the difference is between original finish and original condition?
If so, then please read on. The subject of antiques can be confusing; it has its own language.
Buying Collectibles On Ebay For Profit
eBay is a great source of collectibles There are so many unique objects that you cannot find anywhere else, making collecting these items one of the most enjoyable things to do on eBay
Pass the Salt – Its a Hot Collectible
Part of the attraction of any collectible is the story that surrounds it, and salt-cellars have a tale to tell. Here's what you need to know about this condiment collectible.
Company Announces Way to Put Stars Autographs on Sports Collectibles
Hypedupsports.com announces Upper Deck authenticated customer send-in program featuring Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.
Sterling Silver Baby Rattle? $10,000 Wine Caddies? At Nelson & Nelson Antiques, Afficionados and Collectors Can Explore The Wonderful World of Sil
"Silver has surged 57% in 2006. At $11 an ounce it is the highest price since 1983" PHam-Duy Nguyen said of Bloomberg News.
Can investors still make a mint? Steve Nelson thinks so. He has operated Nelson & Nelson Antiques for the past twenty five years and bring hisr passion and knowleage for antique silver to investors and afficionados around the world. For investors interested in learning how to bring antique silver into a balanced investment portfolio, he is a rare breed of expert who can guide investors in this business.
An Easy Way to Understand Your Collectibles
What kind of gifts you often receive? Is it toy dolls, animal figurine, antique, pottery, game, memorabilia or something you consider as a collectables? Well, what ever it is, as long as it pleases you, those entire gifts are full with memory which you then consider as a collectibles. Gifts and collectibles are not contradicting each other; instead they are supplementing each other.