What do you buy when you go garage sale shopping?

I get asked all the time, "How do you know what to buy?". Well... that is sort of a long story, but what really sped up my Ebay success is this ebook. It's not long, so print if off and keep it in your car.

Excellent resource!

Garage Sale Strategy Ebook

DR. SEUSS STRIKES "GOLD" AGAIN

For those of you who read my last post, I decided to put out a bigger Dr. Seuss lot (Bright and Early Beginner Readers) to see if it would result in more money. You know, sometimes, bigger is not necessarily better. I have observed that some book lots, regardless of size, do well because there is a particular rare or highly popular book in the lot that buyers are seeking. This can throw off one's research, if you're just looking at numbers.

Anyway... just the other day I sold 32 Dr. Seuss books in a lot and made $81.00! Yippee! However, please know that this particular lot cost me the most I had ever invested - $28.60. Why did I spend so much collecting? This being my fourth time to sell these types of children's books, I knew I should get at least $2 - 3 per book in the end. My research and past experience gave me the confidence to take this risk.

So, next time you see "Green Eggs and Ham" or "The Foot Book", you might stop and consider starting a collection. It could really pay off big in the future. I've already started my next collection.

Happy hunting!

Dr. Suess

How many times have you seen The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss at a garage sale? I don't think a weekend garage sale shopping or trip to the thrift store goes by without me seeing at least one of them. Did you ever think how much a lot of Dr. Seuss books would sell for on Ebay?

What I mean is a lot of those Beginner Books or Bright & Early Books with the Cat in the Hat Logo on the spine. If you have at least 25 of them, you can do well on Ebay. Based on my research 25+ books in a lot sell the best.

So here are my tips regarding this type of listing:

1) You need at least 25 books to get a good return on your time and investment.

2) Take a picture of them showing the spine, so the Ebayer can easily see what titles you are selling.

3) Make sure you quote a media mail postal rate. This will help your listing stand out from others quoting the more expensive parcel post or priority mail rates. You can get an idea of how much it will cost to mail your books by using the USPS website's "calculate postage" page.

I have done this type of listing a few times. The first time, I listed 22 books and made $27.08. My investment cost for that particular auction was $1.00! Sorry, but I can't remember how I got them all so cheaply. It may have been when one of my favorite thrift stores had "bag of books for $1.00". You can cram a lot of books in a bag.

The second time I listed 25 books and made $35.03. My investment cost was $3.00.

The third time I listed 30 books and made $55.00. My investment cost was $5.00.

So, pick them up when you see them. Be patient and wait till you have at least 25 of them. In the meantime, if your kids are gentle with books they will enjoy reading or looking at them.

UNDER $5

Wow! I haven't written in a long time! My Ebay world has been very busy. So... I'm going to cut to the chase and have you check out some of my recently sales. The dollar amount you see on the left is what I paid. Next, you'll see where I found it (GS - garage sale or TS - thrift store). And finally, the link to see the actual Ebay listing and selling price (Sorry, the Ebay listing has expired). Enjoy!

.50 cents - GS - Gusher Game - $57.00
$4.00 - GS - Vase - $35.00
$1.00 - GS - Creamer - $28.57
.25 cents - TS - A First Little Golden Book - $16.49
$5.00 - GS - Longberger Notepad Basket - $27.55
$5.00 - GS - Longberger Christmas Basket - $24.00
$5.00 - GS - Suede Coat - $39.99
$1.00 - TS - Richard Scarry Book - $41.00
$2.00 - TS - 4 Richard Scarry Books - $27.05
$3.00 - GS - Vintage Scuba Diving Weights - $28.51
$1.00 - TS - Chemistry Text Book - $40.00
$3.00 - GS/TS - 25 Dr. Seuss Books - $35.03
$2.00 - GS - 17 Saddle Club Books - $27.95
$3.00 - GS - 15 Harvard Classic Books - $48.00
$5.00 - GS - Star Wars Lego Set - $28.09
.10 cents - GS - Stellarscope - $25.00
$3.50 - GS/TS - 33 American Girl Books - $27.00

SELLING LP's ON EBAY

As I last wrote, the lot of seven Jimmy Buffett albums brought in a good chunk of change. Awesome! However, I promised to write again and tell you how all of the LP's did in the world of Ebay auctions. Instead of me describing each one, you can view them by clicking on the link.

19 Vintage Rock LP Collection - $51.00

12 Classic Rock LP Collection - $12.50

15 Classic Rock LP Collection - $20.50

10 Reggae LP Collection - $31.50

16 Classic Folk Rock LP Collection - $2.47

So, there you have it! Those old albums (NOT including Jimmy Buffett) brought in $117.97! Ka-Ching! If you add the Jimmy Buffett ablums, then it's a grand total of $200.50! Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching!

Unfortunately, I have no idea why some of the groups sold for so much. If you know, please tell me.

Rock on!