There are no doubts about it – eBay is one of the most popular marketplaces over the Internet and brings access to sellers and buyers from all over the world. It is not difficult to tell why – list something on eBay, and it will be instantly accessible to around 200 million buyers.
Now, making money on this platform is an entirely different thing, though. Getting rid of occasional items on eBay is not that difficult, but figuring out the best things to sell on eBay for profit is an entirely different story, especially if you want a career out of it.
How to find the best things to sell on eBay for profit?
There are a few things you have to ask yourself to find the best things to sell on eBay for profit. Some things obviously sell better than others, but there are other aspects to consider too – location, fees, imports, etc.
How popular is an item? If you plan to sell something for a very tight niche, it may actually go faster than something that everyone wants. On the same note, something popular is also likely to sell faster. It is up to you here, but a little research will point you in the right direction.
You can also check the offline market. For instance, ImportDoor hosts the largest supplier database in the world, so you can see sea imports to the USA. You can search by more criteria like dates, amounts, suppliers, ports, and so on – a bit of research will give you a good idea about what is in demand.
Is the market saturated? This helps you determine whether you should go with the flow or find something for a specific niche. If hundreds of similar products are available, chances are someone else sells the same thing for less money. Your product will get lost in a sea of similarities.
What kind of profit can you get? If the profit is too low, it may not be worth it. But if the competition is also low, you might focus on selling high quantities for a low profit – just as good. Of course, additional research on potential sales will also give you some hints.
Finally, think about the shipping costs too, as well as the possibility of sourcing the item for a reasonable price regularly. Finding the best things to sell on eBay for profit is not all about finding the actual things but also about doing it for a reasonable price.
How to tell what sells the most on eBay?
There are lots of tools that will tell you what sells the most on eBay – you do not necessarily need any premium software to figure it out, though. Go to categories in eBay and look at the new section, as well as the free shipping section and buy-it-now items – no auctions.
You should get a glimpse of top sellers – explore categories and sellers and your competition.
You can also outsource such things externally – not necessarily about eBay, but the American market. With ImportDoor, browse shipments and see what the hottest imports are, where they come from, what kind of suppliers to think about, and many more details.
Figuring out the best things to sell on eBay for profit is not about a single one-off shot but consistency. It takes research, getting used to the platform, considering the competition, and analyzing their products.
Best-selling things on eBay
Electronics dominate the market everywhere. It is an age of technology, so it makes sense. Health and beauty products are just as common – people are more aware than ever that they need healthy foods and supplements, as well as organic beauty products. It is a niche that keeps growing.
Home and garden stuff on eBay tends to be cheaper than in major DIY stores, and such things only take a few days to get to you. Clothing, shoes, and accessories are not to be overlooked either, especially vintage stuff.
Keep an eye on automotive parts, too – you need quality here. Jewelry, watches, collectibles, toys, baby stuff, and books are just as attractive. Some of these categories make sense – others can be surprising.
No matter what category you go for, you must dig deeper and find subcategories and specific niches.
Where to find things to sell on eBay?
The best things to sell on eBay for profit require a consistent source. In other words, you should find a reliable supplier, whether you go for a dropshipping business model or plan to buy stock and store everything yourself.
Believe it or not, you can even find free stuff to sell on eBay. However, such things are not consistent. Your niche would be in an unusual category – garage sale category, random finds, and so on. It is quite appealing to some people, though. All in all, here are some good options for cheap or free things.
- Yard and garage sales
- Flea markets
- Online or social media marketplaces
- Auctions
- Thrift stores
- Friends and family
The best things to sell on eBay for profit for a dropshipping business require a consistent supplier.
While not always a general rule, many suppliers can be found in Asian markets.
Bottom Line
The best things to sell on eBay for profit go in more directions, and you obviously have more options. Generally speaking, you have to choose between going with the wave (blending in) and finding a rare niche with little to no competition.
There is also the opportunity to make money with random stuff, but no consistency is involved. By far, the best choice implies finding reliable suppliers who can provide quality and consistency over long periods.
Of course, browsing the best things to sell online will help, but you need an authentic passion for those things, too. You need to enjoy them and find passion in dealing with them – chasing money will not always give you the best results.
