CRAIGS LIST IS BUYING CENTRAL FOR EBAY SELLING!

Craigslist can be a great avenue for selling off unwanted, hard to ship, and regional pick up items.  It is much easier to set-up and use than eBay, and the "computer weary" population finds it to be less intimidating.  But, it is not just for the large and hard to ship!  Often there are many sellers wanting to hand off their items to someone in one transaction, rather than dealing with the hassle of parting them out. 

Start by searching all the cities within a few hours drive from you for items you are already familiar with.  Looking for estate sales and inventory liquidations are great.  But go a bit further.  Place a wanted ad or contact someone selling one collectible, car part, electronic, etc., and ask if they have any other items they are wanting to sell.  There are people who will take the time to list all they have in the craig's list ad, but many people just list a few things at a time.  It never hurts to ask.

Be sure to mention you will pay cash and come to get the items.  NEVER mention eBay unless directly asked - this offends people that you will make more than they will on their items.  Tell them, that you are, "filling in the holes in your collection, or your purchasing some of them for a friend.  The rest you are reselling to help cover the expense of the one's that you are keeping." 

Any collections or lot of items will be quick to research.  Subscribe to eBay Market Research.  Use MS Excel to make a quick spreadsheet of the list of items they are offering.  Type in the list to the research tool, or eBay completed listings, as you go and find the average dollar amount.  Now, you can determine what the purchase is worth to you.  I usually offer a few hundred less, and work my way up to my very maximum bid.

If you are rejected, now mention eBay.  Tell them that you are hoping to resell these items on eBay to, stay home with your children, or take your spouse on a trip, or something noble.  (Try to be honest right!!)  People are usually happy to sell off everything in one easy, cash based transaction, and it makes people happy that they feel good about where the items and profit are going.

Don't be scared to say no.  Occassionally you will find a seller, who is having a hard time letting go and they are asking too much for the items.  These are usually the people that still have old antique dealership prices in mind, instead of market driven eBay prices.  Anyhow, just politely pass, don't force the transaction.  If you are sincerely searching your area and being diligent with wanted ads, you will find the right seller.  The wait will be worth it.  It is much better to wait for the right one, then to lose hundreds of dollars on the wrong one.

There is an increasing amount of competition, so remind yourself to look at least a few times a week for new postings.  Good luck - happy buying!