January 30th, 2012 — antiques, Collectibles, ebay collectibles
To make a living with ebay collectibles, you need to have a good way to find a stream of products to sell.
Ebay can be a great marketing tool, but an ebay collectibles business will fail if you don’t constantly find more items.
The best advice is to get sellers to call you with items they have that you might be able to sell.
If you are running around to flea markets, garage sales and estate sales trying to find items that will work well for sale as ebay collectibles, you’re leaving yourself very little time to market products. You’re also likely wasting lots of time with items that aren’t relevant to your business so you end up wasting your time.
Additionally, when sellers call you, you have the advantage. If you’re at a garage sale, you’re competing with all the other buyers and collectors for the same items. You’re in a race with lots of others for the same prize.
If the sellers call you, however, you’ve made them think that they may be able to raise some cash by selling their unwanted items to you.
You don’t want to rely on simple luck if you are trying to create an income with ebay collectibles. Trying garage sales is simply relying on luck – if you’re lucky, you’ll get there before other dealers, and you might get a good buy.
On the other hand, if you have a system you can get a consistent stream of new items to post on your ebay pages and create steady income and interest.
Instead of focusing on visiting the flea market, focus your time and energy on getting your phone to ring with people wanting you to buy their collectibles.
First, invest some time into reading up and practicing marketing, salesmanship, and closing the deal. A little time invested in understanding the nature of humans and understanding how sales works can pay off big.
Even though you are technically the buyer, you need to sell the person on the idea that you are a better buyer than anyone else, and that they should accept your offer.
Make up business cards and hand them out to anyone you meet or bump into. Hand them out to the people near you in the line at the post office or grocery store, and find places where you can post fliers.
Let your friends and neighbors know what you want, and they’ll become some of your best advertisers. Give them cards to hand out.
Put some of your antiques or ebay collectibles on display at the local library or town center and make sure to put your name and phone number in the case.
Run small ads in the local paper saying that you pay cash for collectibles or antiques, and you can buy an advertising sign in the outfield of a local baseball park, basketball gym or soccer field.
Run ads in company newsletters that say you buy ebay collectibles or antiques, or put up a sign in the local pawn shop.
Soon you’ll have people calling you!
Photo Credits: **tWo pInK pOSsuMs**
Originally posted 2009-06-03 05:51:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Cat Collectibles Collectibles -> Animals -> Cat-Domestic The history of cat collectibles goes back much farther than you probably realize. Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt where citizens did more than collect cat-related items, they collected the cats themselves. So far, over 300,000 mummified cats have been found buried in ancient tombs....... -
Buy Collectibles from the Civil War If you are interested in learning what it takes to buy collectibles, one of the types of collectibles that you may consider purchasing is Civil War collectibles. There are plenty of places that you can turn to that will allow you to buy collectibles relating to the Civil war, and...... -
Gramophones Collectibles -> Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles Gramophones are a truly unique collectible and when they are in good condition, they offer not only enhanced value, but you may actually be able to use it. When you are shopping for a gramophone, there are a few things that you need...... -
Beginning the Art of Collecting Wine The purpose of this article is simply to provide you with some tips for the art of collecting wine. If you are thinking about beginning your own wine cellar or simply putting together a hobby of collecting wine, then the following tips should prove useful to you. Keep in mind...... -
Harley Davidson Collectibles Collectibles -> Transportation -> Motorcycles-> Harley Davidson The Harley Davidson motorcycle has become an integral part of Americana and the pop culture of this country. Once the favorite bike of outlaws and renegades, Harley Davidson collectibles have gone mainstream and they are more popular than ever. There are literally hundreds......
Related Websites -
Antique Singer Sewing Machine Antiques -> Sewing -> Machines and Machine Parts If you love sewing collectibles and are trying to build up your collection, one of the best additions you can find is an antique Singer sewing machine. These machines can enhance any personal collection and may even be the focal point in...... -
Curio Cabinet Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A curio cabinet is a piece of furniture that encompasses so many different varieties that it's hard to sum up in a short space. The thing each one has in common is that it allows for “curios” to be displayed. Knick-knacks, trinkets, collectibles and other...... -
Information about Coin and Currency Collecting One of the most fun collections to have and maintain is that of a coin and currency collection. The reason collecting these items is so fun is that there are so many specialized versions a person can collect. It is really easy for someone to find a specific type of...... -
Guide to Buying and Selling Antiques If you're looking for something unique to adorn the rooms of your home, then a hobby that you may want to delve into is buying and selling antiques. There are a couple of different things that you are going to need to consider when it comes to buying and selling...... -
Collection Coins Collecting antique gold coins is an excellent buy, and if you are trying to combine a hobby with an investment, then collection coins are a much needed asset for any portfolio. If you are unfamiliar with what buying an antique gold coin can do for you, then you are going......
Online Stores Online Stores
January 24th, 2012 — Antique Crucifixes
Antique crucifixes are an interesting collector hobby, with collections that can range from very rough, early wooden carvings that barely resemble a modern crucifix, to brass or ivory depictions done more recently. While some people collect rather ornate crosses in all materials, a crucifix bears the likeness of Jesus Christ hanging upon the cross. Some churches display only this figure as the cross the figure was once fastened to has been lost through the years.
Whether an empty cross or a crucifix, few symbols stir such emotion in people today. Even those who don’t hold Christianity as a belief immediately recognized the symbol of the cross, whether it’s a cross or a crucifix that bears Jesus’ likeness. Antique crucifixes are often collected by people for their variety of designs and materials, and because it surrounds them items that help represent their faith. Some collect these along with other religious symbols like the menorah, old copies of the Bible, the Talmud or the Qu’ran, while some collect only Christian symbols of religion and faith.
When you’re looking for antique crucifixes, whether while strolling through shops or on eBay, an excellent place to find antiques, you’re faced with the problem of accurately dating a piece. You can be told it’s an antique and it may even look very old, but how do you determine the true age and worth of a piece? It can be difficult, but there are some notable distinctions among the earliest pieces, if you’re lucky enough to find any of this age.
The first crucifixes were created in the 7th century, and are easily distinguishable from older pieces. On these early crucifixes, Jesus word a shroud tunic, or a colbium, and his arms don’t seem to bend under his weight as he hangs from them. The arm are typically straight and show no signs of fatigue. This held until about the 10th century, when Jesus was no longer depicted as wearing a tunic but only a loincloth instead, and the figure of Christ on the cross was made to look more sympathetic and less triumphant, to evoke more pathos.
Antique crucifixes created during the 12th century show his arms stretched and bending under his weight, and the wound that was inflicted into Christ’s side by a soldier is clearly visible. A few crucifixes were created that bore the earlier depiction of a more strong and triumphant Jesus on one side, with the wounded and tired figure on the other.
Antique crucifixes created later emphasize Jesus’ pain and suffering, with detailed wounds and bruising. This trend continued and is still common in Latin folk art today. While Christian writers of the time wrote of a small ledge beneath the crucified person’s feet to keep the hands from pulling free of the nails, few crucifixes show little more than a sloped area beneath the feet, with early crucifixes rarely showing even a slope. Shopping for antique crucifixes will require some research on your part so that you find an authentic crucifix from the time period you’re looking for, and not a reproduction.
Photo Credits: Vintage Collective
Originally posted 2008-10-27 05:00:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Crystal Chandelier Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross...... -
Doll and Barbie Collectibles There is a great deal of variety out there when it comes to collecting dolls, such as Barbie collectibles for example. There are dolls that are designed to be toys, and here are dolls that are designed to be collectibles, and Barbie dolls are no exception to the rule because...... -
Japanese Art Collectibles -> Cultures-Ethnicities -> Asian Japanese art is a type of art that has a very distinctive look. If a painting, a vase, a sculpture or some other type of art is Japanese, particularly if it’s antique art, it usually only takes a quick look for you to recognize the...... -
Faberge Egg Collectables -> Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles Almost everyone has heard some reference to a Faberge egg, though many people simply think it's some sort of fancy, jeweled egg, without realizing the history behind it or its true value. Carl Faberge designed the first of these eggs in 1885, for...... -
Wine Collecting Hobby As long ago as in the 1700s, it was recognized that wine had a powerful hold on people, and that great friendships could spring from good wine. The art of wine and wine collecting has a truly long and interesting history dating as far back as 4000 years BC. There......
Related Websites -
French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples...... -
How to Make Deer Hunting Videos If you've ever thought of making your own deer hunting videos but wondered who would want to watch them, you should consider the enjoyment you'll get from making them. You may be surprised at who would enjoy watching your videos. But even if no one did, you would have the...... -
Finding Antiques and Collectibles If you are interested in the art of antiquing, then you should know that there are antiques and collectibles that you can find in all shapes, all sizes and all kinds of locations. All of these antiques and collectibles have history, a past, a story to them. People can find...... -
Metal Instruments 101 There are a range of different metal percussion instruments that can be found in the modern western orchestra, even though many of them have origins that are not only ancient in nature, but also global as well. The Anvil - The Anvil is a specific type of sound effect that...... -
How to Find the Best Antique Coins at Estate There are many different coins which are available for you to purchase so that you can add them to your collection. These coins can be found in a variety of different places. Many times it just takes some ingenuity to find the coins that you want to buy. One of......
Online Stores Online Stores
January 18th, 2012 — Boyds Bears, Collectibles, Decorative Collectibles, Dolls, Figurines
Boyds Bears are the creation of Gary Lowenthal and his wife, Justina Unger. Before they were married, they owned an antique shop together in 1979, and found that they couldn’t afford the types of antiques they wanted to carry. So in 1982 they started making and selling antique reproductions, beginning with their line of duck decoys. They began making miniature reproduction houses out of resin which they called Gnomes Homes. Business was good—they even sold wholesale to other retailers.
Then in 1984, they designed a 12” jointed bear, inspired by a line of Merino wool bears from China, and named it Matthew after their infant son. Boyds Bears were born. In 1993, they began making resign bear statues, as well as other items. Their catalogue of products is large with a variety of different things to choose from. But the soft bears are still one of their most popular items, with collectors clamoring to get them all.
Many of their products, including Boyds Bears, have won doll and toy industry awards, and their line is highly popular with teddy bear collectors. The bears can be found in chain and independent stores like Hallmark and other shops, and through many online stores, as well as eBay. They have a party plan that allows a party hostess to earn free merchandise by hosting a bear party to sell the plush bears, as well as a collector and fan club called the Loyal Order of Friends of Boyds, whose fee entitles you to special members-only versions of some items, as well as other perks.
As with most collector lines like Boyds Bears, the older and retired bears are more valuable and more difficult to find. When a bear is retired that means it’s no longer being manufactured, so the number is limited to how many have already been produced. These are hot items for collectors, so if you’re looking for a retired bear, you might have a lot of searching to do before you’re lucky enough to find it at a price you find acceptable.
Unless you just want every one of the Boyds Bears you can possibly find (and some people do!) then it’s best if you narrow down your idea of what your collection should be about. You can choose between plush bears and resin, or you can have a mixture. Even if you choose one or the other, you’ll want to further plan your collection, because there are so many, with new ones being produced all the time.
You can narrow your collection theme by holiday—there are several both plush and resin designs for every holiday you can think of. Just Christmas bears alone in both plush and resin could have you happily searching for new items for quite some time, but the other holidays are well-represented, too. You can choose ornaments, bears wearing different hats, bears made to represent the seasons, Boyds Bears themed Victorian or country, or almost any other kind of classification you can think of.
Originally posted 2008-12-29 14:00:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Coca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought...... -
Precious Moments Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Precious Moments -> Figurines With their distinctive designs and inspirational quips, Precious Moments collectibles are one of the most sought after decorative arts. Originally designed in 1975 by Eugene Freedman, it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that the company hit full stride. Since then, these cute...... -
Woodwind Instruments Collectibles -> Cultures, Ethnicities -> Musical Instruments Collecting woodwind instruments is a great way to collect not only some of the finest art ever created but to infuse music into your collection as well. Instruments are fascinating and beautiful bits of artwork in themselves, but they represent our history of...... -
Ebay Collectibles To make a living with ebay collectibles, you need to have a good way to find a stream of products to sell. Ebay can be a great marketing tool, but an ebay collectibles business will fail if you don't constantly find more items. The best advice is to get sellers...... - Cat Collectibles Collectibles -> Animals -> Cat-Domestic The history of cat collectibles goes back much farther than you probably realize. Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt where citizens did more than collect cat-related items, they collected the cats themselves. So far, over 300,000 mummified cats have been found buried in ancient tombs.......
Related Websites -
Golf Wedding Themes The traditional white wedding theme is out, in favor of unique and unusual wedding themes. One such example of a popular wedding theme for modern weddings is a golf wedding theme. If you are planning on a golf wedding theme, then you should know that there are a myriad of...... -
Collecting Antique Teddy Bears Are you wondering why you might want to go into collecting antique teddy bears? It really is a matter of taste when it comes to collecting antique teddy bears. It is quite possible for you to collect these bears on a wide variety of different levels. You can collect all...... -
3 Ways to Get Started Collecting Foreign Coins There are many different options which are available to you when you get started collecting coins. You can collect coins as an avid collector that has a collection which is worth hundreds of thousands. You can also be a passive collector who is in it more for the fun than...... -
Choosing the Best Coin Collecting Books If you are into coin collecting, then it should be true that you are also into coin collecting books. If you are a coin collector, then having the right coin collecting books is going to be a basic requirement, because you need to have basic data on the coins that...... -
What is the Best Sports Memorabilia? Millions of people are shopping online looking for the best sports memorabilia. The best sports memorabilia can easily span a number of different sports while including a wide range of different items including high demand items, rare items and cool items, funny items and even some more bizarre items as......
Online Stores Online Stores
January 10th, 2012 — Collectibles, Military
Collecting military helmets is an interesting hobby, and one usually enjoyed by military history or war history buffs. The huge variety of helmets available makes it a colorful hobby and one that’s difficult to get bored with. And the affordability of many antique military helmets makes it a hobby that almost any military aficionado can enjoy.
If you’re interested in military helmets, a common mistake is to purchase whatever helmets you can just because the price is right. Just like a collection theme of cats or some other very common theme, it’s impossible to collect everything related to your interest or hobby. The best way to start is to decide exactly what it is you’re looking for. Then you can search in flea markets, vintage and antique shops, and online auctions like eBay for the pieces you want to find.
You have a variety of choices when it comes to your collection, too. You can choose to collect United States military helmets or just those worn by the German, British or other armies. Modern helmets across different countries offer a great deal of variety as there are helmets for different situations, like attack, riots and others. Or you can choose to collect helmets from a certain era, regardless of the country of origin. Helmets worn during a certain war like WWII for instance can be the theme of your collection, or only helmets worn before a certain year could be your focus. Some helmets were worn purely for dress occasions rather than day to day military activities or combat. These were usually flashier and more striking. Your collection could include only helmets of that type.
There’s almost no limit to the way you can theme your collection of military helmets. It doesn’t even have to have a country or era theme, but can include helmets that are large and flashy, or any type of combat helmet, for instance. Some helmets are going to be much harder to find, and much more expensive than others. A British cavalry dress helmet could cost a thousand dollars, for example, as opposed to a German combat helmet from WWI you might find for less than $200.
For antique helmets that are difficult or impossible to find outside of a museum setting, reproduction military helmets can add great character to your collection. An antique Roman helmet, for instance, like one worn over 2000 years ago, is probably priceless. But you may be able to find a reproduction for a few hundred dollars or less if you look in places like eBay and military shops and swaps online.
Some common military helmets like the British Brodie from WWII, a flat helmet with a lip all the way around, will usually cost less than $100, while other helmets from that era should cost only a little more. To determine if the price is right for a particular helmet, compare online to other sellers and shops that offer similar products. You’ll find that collecting military helmets isn’t just fun, but surprisingly affordable.
Originally posted 2008-12-30 14:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Collectible Mugs Collecting a wide variety of collectible mugs can really be perceived as being a popular hobby. If you are just getting started in the world of collectible mugs, then it is essential that you learn as much as you can about this interesting hobby. Acquiring your own collectible mugs can...... - Coca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought......
-
Collecting Rare Collectibles 101 There are all kinds of different collectibles out there, including rare collectibles and more common collectibles for example. If you are interested in collecting rare collectibles, then knowing how to identify them, find them, price them, display them and sell them are all very important considerations to make. Here is...... -
Perfume Bottles Collectibles -> Vanity-Perfume-and-Shaving -> Perfumes Perfume bottles are a highly collectible item, not just because of their uniqueness and beauty, but because they’re easy to store and display. They’re small, smaller than many other types of collectible items, so even those with limited space can enjoy collecting at least a...... -
Guide to Collecting Promotional Glasses There are a wide variety of different promotional glasses out there, both modern and retro in nature, that feature sports figures, colorful advertising and a plethora of different characters from television shows, cartoons, movies, comic books and comic strips. These promotional glasses are excellent for bringing back fond memories of......
Related Websites -
4 Tips for Starting Off a Coin Collection For many, the hardest part of a hobby is actually getting that hobby started. This couldn’t be more true than it is for those who are looking to start a coin collection. With thousands of different coins available to collect, it can be hard to understand where to start or...... -
How to Buy the Best Rare Paper Money Collecting paper money is something that a lot of people take very seriously. Of course, it is hard to take anything more serious than collecting rare paper money. This is a type of currency which has been made rare for a few different reasons. The most common reason for it...... -
How to Avoid Problems When You Collect Paper Money There are all different kinds of hobbies that you can get involved with. Even within the different kinds of hobbies, there are different ways that you will be able to get everything that you want to out of what you are doing. Among the different ways that you can enjoy...... -
All About Collectible Postage Stamps The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes...... -
Top 3 Reasons for Collecting Money Money is something which has been collected almost as soon as it was first brought into existence. While the only people who could afford to collect money in the past were the wealthy, these days it seems that there are more people collecting money than ever before. The reasons for......
Online Stores Online Stores
January 2nd, 2012 — Barbie Dream House, Collectibles, Dolls
The first Barbie Dream House was introduced in 1960, and could fold up into a small box that was easily carried around by a little girl. Ponytail Barbie, the Barbie whose hair was pulled back into a ponytail with short bangs in front, wanted nothing more than to live in her dream house and hang out with her friends. These Dream Houses have been a popular Barbie item since their introduction, and are still being created today in various forms.
A vintage Barbie Dream House, though, is something many collectors clamor for. Whether it’s that original house with a plaid couch and a television console that was just as long as the couch, or a more modern 80s dream house, collectors love to purchase these items. For many, it takes them back to their childhood spent playing with Barbies and the Dream House they had (or wanted but never got) as a child. For others, it’s part of the lure of collecting dolls and their accessories.
An online auction site like eBay is a wonderful place to look for the Barbie Dream House you want. Because they’re not small items, you might decide you just want one. Maybe you want one that would have been the one you had as a child. Or maybe you want one from your favorite era of toys and Barbie dolls. Some collect all they can afford.
If you plan on collecting more than one Barbie Dream House, then you should decide what criteria you’ll go by when purchasing them. You might decide that you’ll set a price limit—you won’t purchase a Dream House that costs more than your limit. Some mint condition Barbie Dream Houses cost $1000 or more. It might not be that important for you to have a mint condition toy.
If you want a Barbie Dream House that’s still in decent shape, you should be able to find one for less. It won’t be mint condition, but good condition. Often these will have some wear. Considering the earliest Dream Houses were often made of cardboard, in and out, that they’re in good condition at all is amazing, especially given how played with some of these toys were. Few little girls got a Barbie Dream House for Christmas and then set it on a shelf. Barbie lived there, and invited all her friends over regularly! So while a cardboard house will show some wear, particularly on the outside and the corners, you might find that an acceptable compromise and just consider your collectible Dream House a well-loved toy, instead of one that’s mint.
Later versions contained plastic and vinyl, and eventually they became all plastic and grew to 2 stories and then 3, with things like an elevator that moved up and down and other moving parts. The décor changed to match the times, ensuring that each generation could purchase a modern home. The Barbie Dream House is one of the best loved toys every created, and that should make any toy collector want at least a few.
Originally posted 2008-12-24 05:00:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts - Military Helmets Collectibles -> Militaria Collecting military helmets is an interesting hobby, and one usually enjoyed by military history or war history buffs. The huge variety of helmets available makes it a colorful hobby and one that’s difficult to get bored with. And the affordability of many antique military helmets makes it......
- Doll and Barbie Collectibles There is a great deal of variety out there when it comes to collecting dolls, such as Barbie collectibles for example. There are dolls that are designed to be toys, and here are dolls that are designed to be collectibles, and Barbie dolls are no exception to the rule because......
-
Personalized Shot Glasses Collectibles -> Barware -> Shot Glasses For the person who has everything, personalized gifts can be some of the most thoughtful, so why not choose personalized shot glasses? There are many advantages to this type of collectible item, both as a gift, and as something you collect yourself. Personalized shot...... - Woodwind Instruments Collectibles -> Cultures, Ethnicities -> Musical Instruments Collecting woodwind instruments is a great way to collect not only some of the finest art ever created but to infuse music into your collection as well. Instruments are fascinating and beautiful bits of artwork in themselves, but they represent our history of......
-
Collectible Pez Dispensers 101 There are a number of collectible Pez dispensers out there, including modern collectible Pez dispensers and vintage collectible Pez dispensers alike. Most of the Pez dispensers that were made after the year 1987 have small plastic lips on the bottom of the stem that act as feet, and these were......
Related Websites -
Get to Know the Collectability of Coins from the National Collectors Mint There are all different manner of coin numismatists collect. These include the currencies of the United States and all of the other countries which happen to be in a coin form. Along the way there have been coins which have been produced which were intended to be legal tender which...... -
3 of the Many Collectable American Coins There are several rare and collectable coins from all over the world. If you are looking to get into collecting coins and you have a special interest in specifically American coins then there are plenty of options for you to choose from. You can find collectable American coins which range...... -
Antique Dolls Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Figurines One of the most popular forms of antique collectibles are antique dolls and there are some that can bring in an astonishing amount of money. Whether you have an old collection of vintage dolls, or you are trying to find one to complete your...... -
The Three Most Valuable Morgan Dollars There are few types of coins which vary in value more than the Morgan Dollar. The Morgan Dollars were created in 1878 and was minted until 1904. It was minted for one additional year in 1921. While there are other silver dollars which have been minted since, this is one...... -
World Coins Money -> Coins: World Collecting world coins is a rewarding and fascinating hobby. The first official coins were struck around the 6th century BC in Lydia, though metals used as a type of currency far pre-dates that, to Mesopotamia somewhere between 1500 and 2000 BC. Ancient coinage is fascinating, with......
Online Stores Online Stores
