Lynn Answers Questions About What Sells Best on eBay

Dear Beth,

Thanks for the question. It always amazes me what sells and what doesn't sell. I tell people in my classes and in my radio interviews that it is a numbers game. The more listings you have and the more unusual things you try, the better your sales will be. In general, I have found that:

• Good Condition Sells
• Original Boxes Help
• Name Brands Sell Best
• Identifiable or Signed Pieces Do Well
•  Obscure Sells
• Unique & One-Of-A-Kind Go For the Most $

As an example, I couldn't get $99 for a signed Baccarat perfume from the 1890's that came from my Grandmother's personal cabinet. I even relisted it 5 times! But I did get $217.50 for a little tiny mouse ceramic figure that I paid $2 for at a garage sale, because it had a desirable brand name (that I had never heard of !)--"Wee Folks" (See #6 in "The 100 Best Things I've Sold on eBay" . Who knew?

Recently, we listed a pile of stereoview cards on eBay. Several sold for over $50 each and one even went for $92! Stereoview cards are similar to postcards, but you had to have a special viewer to see them in 3D. I had always known that they were worth more than postcards, but never in my wildest dreams thought one would have sold for close to $100! My Grandmother would have been so excited!

This stereoview shows a large cedar stump in Sedro Woolley, Washington, in the 1890's. Oddly enough, the buyer lived in Minnesota.

As far as what doesn't sell, it really depends. We usually sell about 70% or our items the first time we list. We will relist an item 1 or 2 times because the majority of the work is done after the first listing, and it doesn't hurt to try again. In the second & third listing, if we lower the price enough, the items usually sell.

Still, about 10% of what we list will never sell and I end up putting these items in my eBay store. If you don't have a store you could have a garage sale every few months to get rid of these items.

Some specific categories in which I haven't had much luck are pottery and jewelry. Rare pottery and good brands like Roseville, Weller, and some California potteries do well. It is the more common pieces that are harder to sell. Remember, it is all supply and demand.

Jewelry (mostly gold and gemstones) is hard to sell for a different reason. My brother is a gemologist and he believes that people really need to touch it and feel it. Jewelry is an incredibly personal item. Again, there are no absolute rules, because bakelite jewelry and some costume brands go for incredible amounts. Just try everything and have a great time!

Happy Selling, Beth!