Finding Stuff to Sell
If I had a dollar for each time I was asked the question, "where do I find stuff to sell at on-line auctions?" I would not have to worry about running websites and posting at auctions :-))
I have always had the best luck with used items, "collectibles" if you will. I like them as it is very difficult to put a retail value on an item that is unique and hard to find. If you sell new items, the buyer can find a thousand places on the web to buy it and most times cheaper than you can buy it for to start with.
If you do come up with an item that you feel will sell, some good sources are probably within a 100 mile radius of where you live. Think about how many local shop owners are buying new replacement stock for their stores every week. Hit the yellow pages. Check the listings for wholesale distributors. Another good source is direct to the factory.
Many, many factories are looking for new dealers. Don't be put off because they have a big name , they need to sell too.
Its amazing how many of them are willing to dropship, you just need to ask.
I recently tied up a distributorship for a new insulation product that you add to paint, because.... I asked.
They did not have a distributor in my county and I was the only one to ask them.
When I called, at first I asked about wholesale pricing which they gave me then I got to thinking why not ask for an exclusive sales territory so I did. Sales are exploding and I am well protected simply because I asked!
In our town we have about a dozen thrift stores that are run by Salvation Army, Goodwill, local churches etc. I hit them all every day. Normally the 2 hour "shopping spree" ends with an average of $50 spent that will return between $400-$500. Local auctions and garage sales are good sources for used merchandise too. I am on the mailing list for all the local auctioneers. They are called on to hold estate sales and I am one of the first to find out about it. I have been to some with only 20-30 bidders present because of bad advertising on their part.
You can really clean up once in a while.
I have a student of mine (he is in our members only club) who drives across the state, about a 2 hour trip, once a week for Freight claims auctions. You have to buy large quantities but the prices he pays are unbelievable. Check with all the local freight companies, and Insurance companies and get the lowdown on freight damaged merchandise.
One word of caution, don't fall for those so called "Super discs" that you see advertised all over the web that are supposed to be filled with "Millions of Wholesale leads" Few of them have any up to date information, half the companies do not have web sites so you must call long distance, the ones where a web site is listed... well they are no longer there. Save your money, hit the yellow pages and plan you thrift store route.
Happy Hunting,
AL
