Lynn’s eBay e-zine Volume II, issue number 6

1. Is this item a part of something bigger? For example, I sold five Kewpie doll arms for more than I could get for an entire doll. Sometimes the parts sell for more than the whole item.
2. Is this item Vintage? Vintage has gotten closer and closer to current. If you can believe it — a Casio Calculator watch from 1985 Model CA 951 still in the original box sold for $300 recently on eBay. I consider anything from about 1940 to 1990 to be vintage.
3. Does this item remind me of my childhood? If the answer is yes — absolutely do not throw it away. I believe that eBayers are trying to buy back their childhoods and if the item reminds you of your childhood — it is a safe bet it will remind someone else of theirs.
4. Could this item be Antique? While an antique may have no value to you — it may have sentimental value to a bidder on eBay. I consider antiques to be anything from about 1940 and on back.
5. Is this a piece of ephemera? Ephemera is a term used for collectible paper goods. There are a lot of paper collectors and some of the items that they look for are postcards, old letters, magazines, and advertising trading cards.
6. Does this item have a good story behind it? It is amazing to me that just because an item has a great story behind it — it can sell for big bucks on eBay. Think of the guy in the Wedding Dress or the Virgin Mary on the piece of toast. Need I say more?
7. Was this item owned by or used by someone famous? Guilt by association you might say. If you can prove that someone famous came in contact with your item — you may just have a winner.
8. Is there any chance that someone might collect this? There are collectors for almost any item imaginable. That is why eBay works. It really is uniting collectors with sellers. If you can believe it empty cereal boxes from the 1970’s and 1980’s are collectible. A Fruity Freakies Cereal box from the 1970’s (Ralston) just sold on eBay for $263.11.

If you answer yes to any of these questions, more research should be done before you toss your item. To learn how to research on eBay, I recommend my Wiley book that came out in February. Click here to order.

Once again, I am honored to have been chosen to be interviewed by Griff (eBay’s official spokesperson) live from the convention floor at eBay Live. We are going to talk about my new book, More 100 Best Things and an interview with Griff is always worth listening to.

We will send out an email announcement next week telling you when it will be airing. Please watch for it!

Next eCourse starts June 19th — The Monday after eBay Live