Question
I recently met someone who buys tractor trailer sized lots of store-returned items.
I'm considering buying from him in smaller quantities to sell on ebay.
I already know from surveying prices that I can do this profitably.
Aside from checking the items to make sure they are complete and working, can anyone suggest other hints or cautions?
I mostly sell books and garage sale treasures so this is a new area for me.
I will be doing it on a small scale, just a few items a week to supplement my other listings.
Answer
We received in one large batch (close to a semi load) of items which were store returns. We did very well with it HOWEVER (always a catch http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif)
I would recomend items which you can verify all parts are there, and working. Possibly multiple items of the same thing so you get to know them better. Ours were all different, so it took a lot of research to verify all parts were there, and what the applications were.
We spent alot more time on these items than I would have ever guessed. Time to verify condition, application, completeness, and photograph.
Watch to make sure enough items are sellable. I found that some items seem to have the customer loose interest in them. Color style, brand, application etc. What sold a year ago, I can't even get anyone to look at the auction today.
Good luck http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_cool.gif
Answer
WE don't buy anthing by the trailer load except the raw materials that we use to make our Ebay items. WE do occasionally get a return and if it is still in great condition and being returned because of wrong color or something like that, we will offer it again as a regular item. However a couple of times each year, we Close out inventory of old designs, or discontinued items. Those things we put out there with starting bids of $1.99 and a very accurate description of what and why it is being cleared out. Often we will get as much and in some cases more than what it originally would sell for. Odd, but one can never second guess that people will do I guess.
PD
Answer
I sold a few return items earlier this year. Aside from what has been said about working order, parts, etc., the only thing that I had an issue with was the owner's manual. I failed to check to see if each one had an owner's manual and when I got down to my next-to-last one, I sent it out without a manual. Thankfully I still had one left that had the manual in it and was able to copy to send on to the customer.
It was a very basic thing, one that you think you would remember, but it got past us somehow.
Good luck!