Toys are always popular sellers on eBay, not just in the run up to Christmas. What most people don't know is that just a few sneaky tricks and techniques can sky rocket your profits, cut your overheads, and turn your toys into phenomenal money-makers on eBay. Here's how it's done:
* Second-hand toys are always popular sellers on eBay, not just for buyers on a budget, but also because some second hand toys are no longer available new or they are rare collectables. So keep a close eye open for yesterday's toys at car boot sales and flea markets, at jumble sales and in charity shops. Haggle when buying toys at boot sales and flea markets and negotiate big discounts on items you can resell on eBay. Spend those discounts on paint and cleaning materials and neat new packaging to improve appearance and perceived value of your items. Once done, toys might look like new, but they are not new and you must make this very clear in your eBay listing.
* When you buy second-hand, look for multiple identical items, some broken, some missing spare parts, remove all the good parts and use them to create one perfect version of a popular toy. But remember, it's still second-hand and you must say so in your listing.
* Here's a good idea to lift the perceived value of used toys: rather than call them second-hand, call them 'previously loved' or 'previously owned' or 'cherished oldies'.
* Vintage toys and games are popular sellers on eBay and you'll often find them lurking alongside modern toys and games at boot sales and flea markets. This is especially so on stalls manned by families, not traders, making it more important than ever to arrive early and grab the best deals for yourself. Once traders selling or visiting the event start raking about your chance is gone. But, let me be honest here, let me ask you a special favour. I hate watching television shows where items are valued in thousands of pounds which the new owner picked up for pennies from unsuspecting traders at boot sales and flea markets. Once the deal is done for an item you suspect is valuable, based on sneaky tips mentioned in the haggling article about not letting the seller know he's just sold a gem for a pittance, at least buy something else from the seller! Make that person's day, just as s/he has just done for you!
* At boot sales, you'll find knowledgeable sellers displaying their best toys and games (and other items) prominently on top of the table. Non-specialist sellers, usually families and private individuals, are more likely to pack everything into boxes, some boxes on the table, some beneath. Spend time searching these boxes, you may find the best stuff hidden at the bottom of the pile.
* Instead of listing toys you know are popular sellers and facing heavy competition, look for unusual items and toys you haven't been able to find on eBay. But don't risk money buying items that might not actually sell; instead ask permission to use the sellers' graphics in your eBay listings. Or buy just one item, photograph it, create your own description, sell it, see how many Second Chance Offers ensue, then rush in fast to replenish your stock. These toys, no matter how unusual, might actually be tomorrow's hottest sellers on eBay, only people don't know it yet, because no-one's ever seen them before!
* Top toy sourcing tip from a U.S. eBay PowerSeller - visit shops and suppliers in less affluent areas, try corner shops and tiny market traders, they often have toys priced way below their eBay equivalent and some have frequent sales where toys are priced way below their original wholesale value. These are great items to buy and sell as stocking fillers or, better still, use them to create your own ready-filled Christmas stockings and children's Christmas gift baskets for reselling on eBay.
* From the last tip, make your own unique Christmas gift baskets, make your own unique Christmas stockings. You might even offer to create baskets and stockings to order based on the recipient's favourite toys, cartoon characters, hobbies, and so on. But you must offer this bespoke service well before the Christmas rush or you risk people getting concerned about delivery times.
* Be careful cleaning, repairing and repainting toys. Some paints and adhesives contain lead and other toxic substances and toys containing them are banned from sale in our country. Jutting nails, spelks in wood, tiny buttons and beads, can all death or serious injury and will get you in hot water with the police and consumer trading authorities and could get you expelled from eBay.
* Do not auction your hot sellers all at once or even in close proximity. Wait to see what Second Chance Offers ensue from one listing and always wait for one auction to end before relisting the item. Listing two similar items concurrently will spread your bidders across your listings and reduce your likely finishing prices.
* Put your product listing inside fulfilment packages and invite customers to visit your eBay store. For multiple sale customers add a gift voucher which they can redeem on their next purchase. You could also join an affiliate program selling other items for children and highlight the web site link on your compliments slip or thank you letters sent out with current orders. People who buy toys, also buy children's clothing, school uniforms, children's holidays, and more , so join an affiliate for any or all of these additional products and enjoy a back-end source of income from your eBay sales.
* Study eBay (.com , .co.uk, and other) in the run up to Christmas, see what others are selling successfully, make notes, print out or save other people's listings, put it all to one side until this year's big spend season comes to an end. Next year, on January 2nd - well you deserve one day off to get over the celebrations!! - take all of this information, study it again, use it to plan your campaign for selling toys next Christmas, and the Christmas after that, and the Christmas...
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