Go with your gut. No really, it is your second brain after all they say. This is something that 99.9% of the time proves to work out for me when sourcing. Let’s take the last week or two for example. There have been three distinct instances in which I can recall literally standing there staring at an item, thinking, “Should I try it, or should I leave it?” If there is ever a tinge of doubt, I leave it. These are often the items that get stranded in the bottom of your inventory bins for months or dare I say it, years on end. Let’s look at how to decide what to pick up when sourcing for ebay.
However, if I stand there staring at it long enough, it’s usually a fair sign that it’s got something good about it. Anyways, so those three items? I got them. Along with the cart (or buggy as some of us call it), that was overflowing with the rest of the items I had picked up. I’m gonna ask a silly question now, let’s all take a wild guess on which of that cart full of items sold first?
That’s right, those particular three items. Wouldn’t you know it? Sometimes I wonder how that works. The universe is weird like that. Anyways, moral of the story, if something is making you stop and wonder, maybe someone else would feel the same! Just get it!
Do I Have a “Sourcing Route?”
No, actually. I’m sure this is surprising, as I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of others talk about the particular route they take every week or every day or every month even. This just isn’t how I roll. I like to source not only to stock up but also to make a drive that’s further away from home, all that more exciting. Therefore, I usually try to plan a sourcing trip around what I’ve already got planned for the day. It may not work for everybody, but that’s what works for me.
I’ve thought about it in the past, but I think I would truly get bored of sourcing if I did things that way. Always the same places, on the same days, with most likely the same people. I would just rather pop into places here and there if I’m passing, or if I’m spontaneously feeling a thrift trip! Next, let’s look at what particular items when as I determine how to decide what to pick up when sourcing for ebay.
Do I Have Particular Items I Search for First?
Yes, usually. Lately, I’ve been trying to pay attention to what is selling best for me or selling the quickest. You could even keep track of that on an excel or google sheet, but ain’t nobody got time for that. (Well, at least I don’t prefer to, again, this is just my opinion!)
So, in recent weeks, I’ve noticed that men’s jeans and shoes (of all sorts) have really been flying off the shelves. These items are most often times pretty heavy to ship, so be sure to take that into consideration with your cost of goods, and shipping. They also take up significantly more room than say jewelry or shirts, so keep that in mind as well with your inventory space scenario.
Related: Why You Don’t Always Need a Niche to Be a Reseller
Do I Go On Sales Days?
I definitely try to! Wednesday’s are usually more open for me, so I tend to mosey on over to a Salvation Army or two those days since they have half off most items.
A lot of times you can find bag sales at smaller thrift shops, so I love these especially. Be sure to keep an eye out for those!
As most of you know, Goodwill has their 99 cent sale on Sundays, that pertains to the color of the week. Sundays I usually spend with my husband, so we usually don’t get out much on that day.
Do I Shop in Season?
Yes and no. I didn’t really do so in the past, but this year I’m trying to actively source more in season. (It’s been going well so far). I usually like to hit up the shorts and tees or swimwear in the late winter or early spring, but I’ll still browse over the coats and jeans, of course, just briefly in case there’s any winners hiding in there.
One of the reasons I wanted to try this out this year, was also because I’m slowly running out of space to store inventory. As my store grows, (which is awesome!), I’m trying to steer clear of bigger, bulkier items unless I know for a fact they will move fast and be back out of my little space.
Pro Tip: Keep a mini measuring tape with you. Items that are under 18″ (inches) can ship pretty cheap on pirateship.com in a polybag. Anything over that you’ll have to use a box, which can run you a lot more when it comes to shipping costs.
Related: How to Score Some Free Shipping Supplies
Especially if you sell on eBay, shipping could be international if you so choose. This means that you open the window to ship all over the world, at any time of year, which also means that selling a parka in your summer, could mean winter for someone else. The same could go with swimsuits. So if you find any hot items, don’t sleep on them!
Thank You for reading “How to Decide What to Pick Up When Sourcing for ebay”!
A giant thanks to everyone that has supported me this far into my journey including today’s How to Decide What to Pick Up When Sourcing for ebay! I greatly appreciate you returning to read my posts hope that you will continue to drop by in the future.
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-Shelby
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