Hot eBay Inventory Tip - DSW Shoe Clearance

DSW is a retail shoe seller, with a huge inventory for "the passionate shoe enthusiast." Yep, I love shoes - but not as much as my boyfriend, who has been shopping at this store religiously for over a decade. You all have him to thank for this hot tip. (I was sucked into his shoe world a few years ago!)

DSW has a large section in the back of the store with clearance items. The pricing system is color coded, so each color sticker means a different percentage discount. In my area, purple means 65% off. So, I am on the hunt for purple tag items.

DSW carries brands like Merrell, Uggs, Ralph Lauren, Doc Martens, Nike, Adidas, Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, and many more well-known name brands. So here is what you do. Visit your local DSW and sign up for their rewards plan. Then, start checking the store frequently, say once a week, for new markdowns. I have found Doc Martens for $16 (retail price $60), Merrells for $10 (retail price $80), and Ugg slippers for $20 (retail price $70).

Clearance items can be discontinued styles or colors, so you can get good money for them on eBay - since the styles or colors are no longer available. Case in point - I sold these pink Ugg slippers for $65 on BIN in about 2 days.



The color is not available anymore, not even on the UGG website. Not a bad profit or turnaround time.

After you have made a few purchases, your rewards points will start adding up and you'll receive coupons for $10 off your next purchase, so you can save even more on your cost of inventory.

eBay Coach Disclaimer - you will not become a millionaire selling shoes on eBay. But this is another source for your inventory. The more you look, the more you find. Visit DSW's website to find a store near you.

"Comes from a smoke free and pet free home..."

I personally don't like this comment on eBay listings. The first think I think of when I read "comes from a smoke free pet free home" is a long-haired sheepdog and a dirty ashtray. It is the power of suggestion at work here, and I don't want to put those types of images in my customers' heads. (Editor's note, I love animals, but mentioning them on an eBay listing about clothing won't help your business.)

Here is another example. Say you go to a fine, upscale steakhouse. The menu will say something like, "8 oz Filet. Thick, succulent cut of USDA prime beef, seasoned to perfection, sure to melt in your mouth." They don't say, "Worm-free, doesn't have a hair on it, and was not sneezed on. Hasn't been dropped on the kitchen floor."

See what I mean about the power of suggestion? Don't even go there. Same concept with "free of rips, tears, or stains." What is the image in your head RIGHT now after reading that? Rips and stains, right?

Words are very powerful. And when that is all you have between you and your customer's mind, you have to be careful.

Just food for thought.

Children's Book to Sell on eBay - Christian Mother Goose

eBay Coach Disclaimer: This is not a collectible book that you will make hundreds of dollars selling on eBay. But, I have found this item consistently in thrift stores for around $1, and it sells consistently for $12.50. (Click here to view my latest sale of this book.) The publish date is 1978 and it is just a good, wholesome story book for children.

Add this item to your "what to look for" list. The good thing about this type of item is that you can take the photos once, create the listing, save it, and just use it over and over again each time you find the item. I used my scanner to scan the pages and the cover.

NOTE: Please do not copy my photos or my text. I've been catching people left and right copying my photos (and entire listings). And I do not hesitate to report these sellers for text or image theft. Maybe I should be so public with giving examples, but I never expected so many people to take advantage of my willingness to help.

eBay offers so many opportunities for you to be creative with photos, auction templates, and text. When I approached another seller this week about copying my listings, she replied with, "You should be flattered." Unfortunately, I don't see it this way - it is insulting. Flattery is complimenting or praising someone for their work. Copying another's work is a sign of sheer laziness. I've done the work, they copy the listing, and they make money. What is wrong with this picture?

If someone is that lazy, that they can't even write up their own listing, I doubt they will be industrious enough to ship items on time or be attentive to their customers, so I probably shouldn't worry about it anyway! Sorry, I digress....

For more items to sell on eBay for profit, check out my eBooks available on my website. My eBooks start at $2.49 and are instant downloads.

Happy selling!

Suzanne Wells