Need to Expand Ebay Business

Hi D.,
I am an avid Red Hat Lady...in fact a Queen. I have had a hard time finding reasonably priced red hat items. I also do a lot of counted cross-stitching and am always looking for unusual items to stitch.
Thanks for letting us in on the ground floor of your business. My sister, in Alaska is getting her store up and ready...AkTreasures or something like that. Her and her husband are close to retirement age and this was an idea to keep money coming in.
I'm an avid ebayer...maybe I'll stumble across you sometime.
Blessings,
W. Q

D.,
Hello. I think the money is actually in hot children's toys around Christmas time. I happened to hear in Oct last year (while at a Toys R Us) a lady talking with an employee about Zhu Zhu Pets, he said they were selling out as fast as they came in and it was going to be the hot item of the Christmas season. I came home and researched that name and saw the same thing. I then went to Walmart & Toys R Us every few days and did find lots of them. Toys R Us had a limit, but originally Walmart didn't, I bought 10 in one purchase. I was buying them to give to family & friends as gifts, but this was such a hot item, it's amazing I was able to find them. But, I heard early and checked often. Just general items, I'm not sure about, but around Oct try to figure out what the hot toy lists are before the come out and stock up. That's my suggestion. Good luck.
~ J.

I am not sure I understand this business? If it is an item that it "hard to find", how are you then finding the item in a cost effective manner? This is a new concept to me and I just can't see how you are going to make any money at this. I am curious...

I would have to agree that children items are best because a lot of parents will go out of the way for them. - I think this works also for pets, people spend an outrageous amount of money for them also and this attracks all ages. Hever I do not think this would go on ebay. As another person said they prefer Craigslist. If you know how to sew I would advertise D. S. originals. You would make original clothing, or other items for children and pets!
Good Luck - God Bless

The only time I've ever made money on ebay is when I latched on to a fad of the moment. My best selling experience was when I made checkbook covers with photos of Clay Aiken when all that American Idol craziness was going on. I was selling them faster than I could make them! AI is now so mainstream that they wouldn't have the same result if I tried it again.

It's like pillow pets. They were on tv constantly, drilling into the minds of children that they needed on and they were sold out. The smart folks stocked up and then sold them on ebay when they were sold out online. They were selling for more than double the original price, sometimes as much as 4 times! Now you hear absolutely nothing about pillow pets.

Seems to me that cashing in on fads is the way to go, and for things related to kids because sometimes parents are willing to pay more to make their kids happy, especially around Christmas time.

As for hard to find items, this may be a dumb question, but if it's hard for others to find, isn't it going to be hard for you to find?

I've talked with several friends about ebay and they all say they don't even go there anymore because they can find better deals on Craigslist and they don't have to pay ebay or paypal fees.

Can I ask what your ebay store is? I'm curious to know what you sell :)

I know I wasn't any help, but I'm inclined to say that rare toys or old school toys that invoke memories in adults might be something to look at.

Is there a way to do some sort of search to find out exactly what people are searching for on ebay? That might also help.

Best of luck though. It's a tough world right now and I think many of us are looking for a cushion to help us get by.