posted on September 3, 2002 01:19:25 PM new
I hate to admit it,but most of what I sell at the Flea Market such as knives,leather goods and T-Shirts sell for three times the money these items are selling for on E-Bay.These powersellers have to be nuts for selling this stuff for the prices they do. I guess I'll keep doing the happy dance at the old flea at least I'm making good money and E-Bay isn't getting a cut of it.
posted on September 3, 2002 01:24:41 PM new
That's great if it works for you.
We used to sell at flea markets, too. But I got tired of getting up at 4 am, arriving in the dark and cold, having to watch my stuff constantly in the two hours it took to unload and set up, dealing with limited food choices like doughnuts and coffee, and filthy portapotties (and nowhere to wash my hands). At the end of the day I felt and looked like a homeless person. On a good day I might have $200 to show for it.
I miss the face to face interaction, but I don't miss the long hours, the clueless who start rooting through my boxes before I have a chance to set up (with the inevitable consequence that something gets broken), the chiselers who offer 50 cents for a $20 item....
posted on September 3, 2002 02:10:05 PM new
TRUE, HOW TRUE. TO FLUFFIES STATEMENT. BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS AN E BAY ITEM, I HAVE A WAREHOUSE FULL OF PROOF. (MOSTLY BEFORE E BAY SWAP MEET STUFF).
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 3, 2002 02:21 PM ]
posted on September 3, 2002 02:17:53 PM new
Hey dude, when is the last time you sold a board game from 1986 for $230 at the 'OL flea market? How bout a 1970's skateboard for a cool $150. There isnt enough room in this forum for me to continue. My ebay profit margin cant be measured with a modern calculator! It is nearly impossible to fail at ebay, but it sounds as if you have...
[ edited by micmic66 on Sep 3, 2002 02:35 PM ]
posted on September 3, 2002 02:33:26 PM new
Jack: That's true; not everything is an eBay item.
I think what MAH645 sells are mostly impulse purchases, or items you want to examine before you buy (like knives). I can see where they would sell better at the flea market than eBay.
posted on September 3, 2002 03:12:15 PM new
Unique or very hard-to-find items always will do much better on ebay but the common items might do much better at a swap meet, especially when you factor in shipping costs.
posted on September 3, 2002 03:14:50 PM new
Alot of what I sell at the flea is impulse items,I just can't figure why someone would waste their time posting them on E-Bay.Yes your right collectables do well,and that seems to be what sells.I pick up the collectables at the flea for E-Bay and doing well with them.
posted on September 3, 2002 03:26:46 PM new
AND,,,,,,ALOT OF SUPPOSID,,,E BAY BAY GOLD MINE STUFF GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE SWAP TOO.
I HAVE TONS OF MOTORCYCLE JACKETS. I SOLD THEM FOR $70.00 80 90 AT CAR SWAP MEETS. I GOT ON E BAY AND SAID HEY! HERE THEY COME. THIS WAS BACK WHEN YOU COULD LITTERALLY FLOOD E BAY WITH ON E THING. MOTORCYCLE JACKETS HAPPENED TO BE ONE. THIS SELLER MUST HAVE HAD 100 AUCTIONS OF EXACTLTY THE SAME JACKET, $49.99. IT STILL MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHAT HE WAS DOING BUT. IT CERTAINLY KILLED MY MARKET. NOW AS WE KNOW 10 ITEM MAX. Hmmm, I THINK I WILL WALK OVER THERE RIGHT NOW AND JUST SEE WHAT IT DOES LOOK LIKE. THANKS FOR THE MIND OPENING THOUGHT.
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 3, 2002 03:32 PM ]
