Susan and I have been trying to build an eBay business for some time now, and while it's been a slow process, we've done all right so far. Given that we both work 45-50 hours a week, it's tough to devote much time and energy to a side project. Susan loves garage sales and thrift stores. I'm a bit more practical, in that I enjoy them when we can actually re-sell the things we purchase. Of course, she's much better at the buying part of the enterprise. My "practicality" sometimes means that I'll miss some obvious and some not-so-obvious opportunities. She did, after all, find the $2.00 quilt that we turned around and sold for $102.50. (Yeah, I guess that WOULD make her the brains of the outfit, eh??)
Ultimately, I would like to be able to quit my job and run our eBay business full-time. That may happen eventually, or it may not. That remains to be seen. For now, though, I thought I'd pass along a few of the lessons I've learned along the way:
- Sometimes, one man's trash really is...well, trash. People discard an items for any number of reasons- usually because that item is no longer of any value. There's a lesson there. Pay attention.
- If you're looking for garage sales in your local newspaper, here's a word of caution. Anytime the word "HUGE" (especially in all caps) is used in conjuction with the words "garage sale", that garage sale is automatically suspect. More often than not, all you will find is an old toaster, four Nancy Drew novels, two 1960's creamic butter dishes, and an old Betamax VCR.
- Thrift stores are cutthroat, dog-eat-dog, kill-or-be-killed environments, particularly if said thrift store is having a sale. People will literally snatch items right out of your hand- "Excuse me, but that's MINE!" Be prepared for mortal combat.
- Garage sales bring out the the cheap, the maladjusted, and the outright too-f*****g-wierd-for-words. People will assume that EVERYTHING is for sale ("How much for your daughter?? No? Your lawnmower, then??"), and will be legitimately offended when you tell them to get the hell out of your kitchen.
- Over time, I have become convinced that there are people whose raison d'etre is to frequent garage sales on weekends. They spend their weekdays in hibernation, hanging from the wooden roof beams in their garages by their ankles. At sunrise on Friday mornings, they spring to life, looking to feed on the unsuspecting and the vulnerable. Do NOT turn your back on these folks- driving a stake through their heart will only encourage them.
- It's often easier to get good deals if you look the part. If you can't spend your weeks hanging upside down in your garage, try these simple tips: Don't shower. Change your underwear no more than twice a month. Wear a trench coat- no matter how warm and humid it might be. Mumble incomprehensibly to yourself, while staring straight ahead at all times. Never acknowledge your fellow human beings- this is a sign of weakness and will be interpreted as such. Drive an '81 Buick LeSabre, and make sure that it hasn't been washed or the interior cleaned since the (first) Reagan Administration. Be sure there are some empty "Billy Beer" cans strewn liberally about the interior.
- To prove that you are not just some poseur, try this simple trick: plead poverty and then negotiate someone down to a ridiculously low price, like 20 cents for some completely innocuous and inconsequential item. When the seller agrees, pull out a $50 bill and ask them if they can make change. Remember, it's not about making friends; it's about getting the best deal possible, no matter what tactics you have to resort to.
If I can offer one important piece of advice, remember that trolling for bargains at garage sales and thrift stores is NOT for the faint of heart. I came close to walking out of a thrift store yesterday because someone smelled so badly that I almost threw up on the spot. I don't know the woman, but she was GOOD. No doubt about it...the lady was on top of her game.
Good luck, y'all; you've been warned.
