How We Got Started Selling Online
Some people really love to play golf (that would be Raymond) and some people really love to cook. Or hike. Or paint.
I love to organize and to dial it down a little deeper. I really love getting rid of stuff. Ever since I was a kid, I can remember getting so excited about throwing things away or re-arranging and organizing to make things look and feel better.
After I graduated college and started to work full time in corporate America, my calendar seemed very light. All that planning and studying and writing papers and getting together with groups for projects was over and when I wasnβt at work, I was a little bored.
One day I decided to sort through my small apartment and identify things I no longer wanted, needed, used, or liked. I started with my closet and moved through the kitchen.
By the end of the weekend, I had a small pile. Iβm really not sure what prompted the decision to photograph and list some of these items on eBay but nevertheless I decided to give it a try.
I tried to stage my items in favorable light with backgrounds that werenβt too busy. I grabbed my Sony digital camera and started to snap away. I opened up an account on eBay and began listing each item.
Most of my listings started at $0.99 and I would guesstimate how much it would cost to ship.
That was 2006. I sure have learned a lot since then but one thing remained, I was hooked on selling online.
Many things broke in shipment because I had no idea how to pack them properly. Some buyers left negative feedback saying I didnβt disclose the wear on the sweater/shoes/pants.
I did not make a lot of money but I was making more than I would if I just donated it so I kept at it. I lost more than Iβd like to admit on poor calculated shipping charges.
Looking back, I am so grateful for those lessons and that I kept at it.
Lessons like that seem so scary when you look forward, but the best way to learn is to just try and do it.
If you have ever thought about selling online, then I highly recommend starting!
Start small
List 5-10 things you have around the house that you no longer want/need/use/like
Treat the first few as your training period. Some things will go great and some things will not
Do not start out with your most valuable item - start small with everyday items
Pick one or two platforms and just give it a try
We have a small collection of blog posts for reselling >> READ HERE.
Pin for later
Is my Pyrex worth anything?