I saw the "Auctions for Income" infomercial the other night. It looked interesting, but I am always skeptical about infomercials. I did a quick search via Google and the majority of the sites that popped up on the first page of results basically yelled "SCAM!" in just as many words.
As mentioned there is a way to make money via eBay, but you need a product people want that everyone else isn't selling. My advise to anyone interested in doing something like this is to consider items that can be used on multiple sites.
For example, I go to yard sales, flea markets, Goodwill, and pawn shops and buy DVDs. Usually the more I buy, the cheaper I can get the product. I verify every disc is in like new condition before I make my offer.
I list my items first on Amazon. Items that either don't have a listing or are selling for pennies on Amazon, I try to list on another site.
On this other site, you trade DVDs (you pay for shipping when someone asks for one of your DVDs). As you mail DVDs you get to request DVDs. About once a week I go through the recently posted DVDs and see if any are going for big bucks on Amazon. If they are I request them and when they show up I list them on Amazon.
For the DVDs that I can't put on Amazon or aren't listable on the trading site, I post them on eBay. If they sell, great. If they don't, I can always have my own yard sale when the summer comes back around.
It takes a bit of organization and attention to detail, but it works.
For example, last month I was at a pawn shop in a town I only get to on occasion. I stopped there as an after thought. They were packed with DVDs. I bought 180 DVDs at .70 cents each - roughly $125. In the first week I sold 10 and made $73, more than half of what I paid.
You won't be a millionaire anytime soon, but it will keep you busy and you make some money. The added benefit is if this is something you enjoy - I love it :)
And just as another note for success: when I start listing DVDs on Amazon, I double check their condition. I only post DVDs in "Like New or Very Good" condition (usually I only post "Very Good" DVDs when there are few of them for sale and they appear hard to get). I also check the DVDs when I have an order and pack them for shipment.
If this sounds like something you are interested in you can do the same thing with paperback books and CDs. I am sure there are other things as well, but I'm having fun with what I am doing so I haven't looked for anything else
Second note to success: the lowest price I sell something covers my costs and makes me a dollar. Costs include the packing materials, postage, and the gas to get to and from the post office. So these three things plus one dollar is my minimum price for a product. That's just good business.
Have fun, meet people and make some money. Or as they say in the races "Ready, Set, GO!"
By Suntydt from Tazewell, TN
Your essay is really worthy. Thank you for all the useful ideas. Super! Now more than ever, we need these boosts to thrust us over the top. Some of us are surviving; we must thrive! Thank you.
I like to do sewing type crafts and since I get to stay indoors with or without money, I can be more casual about making things. I don't like to scarf all the available customers and money.
This question didn't fit in any category, but here goes: Does anyone here participate in online surveys to earn cash/rewards/gift cards? I'm interested in doing this, but I don't know of many sites that are reliable and safe and I thought some of you here would. Right now I'm on surveymonkey and I like it. Also which survey sites should I avoid?
This is a page about selling items online. In more recent years selling our unwanted items, crafts, and more online has become a popular practice.
This page is about earning income for online surveys. It is important to be careful when considering earning extra money with this kind of activity.
This is a page to selling crafts online. Selling crafts online can be an excellent way to earn some extra income. However, navigating the plethora of ways there are to sell your wares is a difficult task.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
What is the best way to make money online without a credit card? I've looked everywhere.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to legitimately make money on the internet?
