What's your favourite task relating to selling on eBay?

[sin-n-dex]

Now for a more fun topic... what's your favourite task in regards to selling on eBay? I realize everyone likes the ka-ching receiving money part, but if you didn't have sales to attend to on a particular day, what would you most like to be doing?

My favourite part is the treasure hunt to find things to list. On my most recent two trips I got some items to list and I have to say that day of sourcing was the most fun on the entire trip. It's kind of like having a psychological high searching through treasure, I feel like a kid at Christmas when I find something.

I was at the B&M store this past week doing some "looking around" as we call it when I go there to source. I found a box in a corner that had some stamp albums and I felt very excited digging through the box to see if there was anything good in there. I similarly like buckets of coins or tokens to fish around and see what I can find. I often focus on things I know are popular (especially if I know what it is, and the B&M store has no clue, I get my best stuff that way). I often get Arabic coins that they couldn't be bothered with identifying. As long as it's clear enough to take a good picture, I'm all for taking them for eBay.

I try to have at least one sourcing day each month at the store, and whatever I get to look at tends to be whatever's lying around that they haven't gotten to yet. (Or sometimes I get a text to come in and see if a collection interests me or not, that's pretty exciting, but only lasts for 30 minutes at lunch time). In the case when I'm offered, I usually take it home and have a good look there... it's so tempting to look through it when I'm supposed to be working, but I resist the urge until my shift is over (if I got it at lunch that is).

C.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@allthingssurplus I started a new thread on that topic, so feel free to discuss there. 

@sin-n-dex sourcing/researching what I sourced if necessary. Definitely my favorite part. 

[fbusoni]

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@allthingssurplus wrote:

Are we in high school or business.  How about talking about how to increase sales and how we can get eBay to repair all the poor working programs.  

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@allthingssurplus 

You?  In high school.

For taking yourself SO seriously.  😅

[jg.mason]

I'll go with high school here. I like the treasure hunt and then playing with my vintage stereo equipment.

[fbusoni]

I love packing boxes.  There is something wonderfully indescribable to me about carefully wrapping up something special that someone has ordered.   Not sure I can explain why... possibly because when I was a child such gifts were few and far between as we were not well off.

Otherwise, my favorite eBay-related thing to do is to visit one or two charity shops in my area.  I am retired and am thus able to drive around whilst the rest of the world is at the office.   I would discuss some of the goodies that I have found recently, but I do not want anyone to feel envious.  😁

[fern*wood]

Definitely experiencing the rush of adrenaline I get when I stumble on to a great rummage sale in my spare time and fill my suv with boxes---then going through them at home. 

[sin-n-dex]

I read all the replies, thanks so much for sharing!

Seems like sourcing is a number one favourite here, I think liking to source is what got us selling in the first place. I was always interested in coins and stamps, but when I learnt I could make money selling them instead of spending money on collecting, it seemed like a perfect fit. So now I get to do my hobby and find loving homes for my items at the same time.

C.

[fern*wood]

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@allthingssurplus wrote:

Are we in high school or business.  How about talking about how to increase sales and how we can get eBay to repair all the poor working programs.  

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I can't imagine what your least favorite tasks must be.

[tarotfindsandmore]

Thank you for starting this thread. It's been a great reprieve from all the pissing and moaning we usually see.

You're a 100% correct in my case.  When I hit 1k tarot decks in my own collection I knew it was time to pare down and come back here to do it.  The rest of the things in my store are things that catch my eye that I would have collected or purchased to wear as a young woman.  I don't like clutter  and I do enjoy shopping for beautiful, often pointless, things.  Selling on eBay allows me to cover both bases.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

I read all the replies, thanks so much for sharing!

Seems like sourcing is a number one favourite here, I think liking to source is what got us selling in the first place. I was always interested in coins and stamps, but when I learnt I could make money selling them instead of spending money on collecting, it seemed like a perfect fit. So now I get to do my hobby and find loving homes for my items at the same time.

C.

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@sin-n-dex 

I also like finding home for the instruments i purchase. Finding someone that appreciates the historical and playability is rewarding. Another thing i find rewarding is educating those who have no idea of what they have that they want to sell. I built my reputation as someone who will help those get a fair price for their heirlooms/instruments where others (dealers) will take advantage of them. It's not always about the purchase/sale. Relationships (which some i have lasted for decades) is the key to success in what i do but the hunt for the grail is the most exciting. 

[dhbookds]

Hunting is a close 2nd........but the research is more fun to me.  Finding out how things were made, when, what the companies produced.......always interesting.  Popcorn wall hangings are an example, lol.....

https://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20080407/NEWS/304079956/kage-s-colorful-glitter-plaques-fade-to...

[candd205]

Sourcing is my favorite too. But I also really enjoy getting feedback from the buyer that describes a personal connection they have with the item and why they really wanted it. For instance I once sold doll magazines from the 80's.  A doll artist featured in the magazine bought that issue. She told me she originally had a big box of the issue, but gave them all away over the years and was so glad to get the issue again. I thought that was sweet. Also sold an apron to a lady who had the same apron and it finally wore out, and the apron was produced by her uncle who was long gone. I also had postcards from an attache to another country purchased by the great nephew of the attache. I like these meaningful exchanges.

[chapeau-noir]

1. Research on interesting items.

2. Putting photos 📸 📷 through post.

[chapeau-noir]

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@allthingssurplus wrote:

Are we in high school or business.  How about talking about how to increase sales and how we can get eBay to repair all the poor working programs.  

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Oh, don't be a grinch! Those two topics are endlessly regurgitated here. Why not have a fun topic?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@fern*wood wrote:

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@allthingssurplus wrote:

Are we in high school or business.  How about talking about how to increase sales and how we can get eBay to repair all the poor working programs.  

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I can't imagine what your least favorite tasks must be.

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@allthingssurplus 

@fern*wood 

@sin-n-dex 

Re: Least favourite

If i had to choose one it would be attempting to get a hold of eBay to fix known issues in a timely manner. Apologies for that. I slipped on my optimistic side getting out of bed this morning!!!! 

[monroe67]

"@allthingssurplus wrote:

Are we in high school or business.  How about talking about how to increase sales and how we can get eBay to repair all the poor working programs."  

"Oh, don't be a grinch!"

Grinch ?   Scrooge !!