Friday Freebies - L'Oreal Mascara

L'Oreal has a new mascara out called "Bare Naturalle." Retail price is around $10. Kroger has it on sale this week for $6.99. Use the $5 off coupon from last Sunday's paper for a total cost of $1.99. Great for a stocking stuffer or to put in your pile of "practically free" stuff to sell on eBay in a lot.



Another freebie I have done this week is Preparation H wipes. Walmart has a pack of 10 portable individually wrapped wipes for $2.97. Go here to print a $3 off coupon for an overage of 3 cents.

Waiting in Long Lines to Vote?

I voted yesterday. The wait was only about 45 minutes, which was not bad. A lot of people around me were complaining. And I thought to myself…..

We live in a country where we can choose our leaders. For over 230 years, Americans have been fighting and dying for this right, among many others we take for granted. There are millions of people around the world who would gladly change places with those “complainers.” Here are some things to think about, especially if you are a woman:

In China, the government dictates how many children you can have and when you can have them. You must adhere to the Family Planning Policy (1970) which states that couples can only have one child. Government restricts religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship and to control the growth and scope of the activity of religious groups. Forget voting here – the country is communist.

In Saudi Arabia, women must follow the dress code set forth by the government. Women cannot vote or run for office. They can only attend college with their husband’s permission. The law requires that all Saudi citizens be Muslims. Women can’t even walk down a public street unless escorted by a man.

In Kuwait, women only won the right to vote 3 years ago.

In Cuba, citizens cannot leave or return to Cuba without first obtaining official permission, which is often denied. Unauthorized travel can result in criminal prosecution. No voting here, Cuba is a communist country.

Many countries in Africa are extremely poor and serious human rights violations are a problem due to the volatile political situations. Violence against women is a huge problem - the rape of women by militia is commonplace, and there are no laws against spousal rape. Forget voting – these people are just trying to survive.

As Americans, we are very fortunate. We can have as many children as we like, choose our religion and worship as we like, travel abroad, dress the way we choose, and our personal security is protected. If you encounter a long line at the polls, stand proud and be grateful that you are an American and you have the right to vote. And if you run into a veteran or someone who is serving in our armed forces, take the time to thank them for their service. They are the reason you can even go to the poll and cast your vote in the first place.

eBay Coach Holiday Hotlist is Here!

In 2008, we’ve seen some pretty tough economic times. But, people will still shop for the holidays and they will be coming to eBay for deals and to make their money stretch further. This hot list contains information about the 20 hottest toy and gift items for the 2008 holiday season - where to find them, retail cost, along with predictions from sellers, consumers, and the news media.

The information in this report was obtained from various forums, online selling groups, ecommerce discussion boards, websites, national news reports, talk shows, satellite radio broadcasts, newspapers, and magazines. This report also contains tips about holiday selling, how to increase your holiday sales, and how to survive this busy time selling on eBay.

Get the Holiday Hot List!

Stats on One eBay Coach Hot Item

Remember the Hot Tip about the discontinued "feminine item?" Apparently, sellers are finding them and they are bringing some good money on eBay. Here are some stats from Terapeak about this product:

The average selling price over the last 30 days was $57.70 and there were a total of 54 listings. The average sell-through rate was just over 90%. Not bad for a $10 item you may be able to find at your local drug store.

Regardless of listing duration, sales were great. Even 1 day listings had a sell through rate of just under 92%. Obviously buyers are looking for this product on eBay - as eBay is one of the only places buyers can find it.

Some info from other sellers:

Amanda: "I found 9 boxes yesterday at Rite-Aid and already sold my first lot this morning on eBay!"

Sandy: "I listed a couple of boxes of 3 individually. The first auction ended already for $33.00!!"

Amanda returned a few days later to say: "I was lucky to find about 50 boxes total, and I have already sold them all."

John: "I got very lucky and found 2 boxes of 6 at a Rite Aid in the clearance bin for $7.99 each. Found 4 more boxes of 3 at regular price, put everything together and someone purchased the lot for over $200. Not bad and easily the best profit deal to date for me."

Read these and more comments by other sellers on the discussion board, and learn about more hot items you can sell on eBay for big profit. They might be around the corner at your neighborhood drug store.

My New Gig at Sisterly Savings

I am thrilled and delighted to be part of the team on one of the best money-saving blogs on the internet! (You already know how much I love a great deal.) I'll be posting household money savings tips weekly on Sisterly Savings. Be sure to check out the site which offers frugal living tips, printable coupons, a huge list of freebies and samples, and weekly giveaways from all around the blogosphere. It is a great place for moms, or anyone who wants to be "in the know" about frugal living.

This week's post: Buying Coupons on eBay - A Huge Time Saver. (You knew eBay would be involved!)

Another Discontinued Item - Hot Seller on eBay

Health and beauty item, recently discontinued. Retail price = $4. Selling price on eBay = $30 and up. Visit the SAHMs eBay Seller Group on Facebook for the details. (Look under the Discussion board for the post dated 10/20/08.) Be sure to join the Facebook group so that these alerts can be sent directly to you via Facebook.

Have a great day on eBay!

$300 Profit on $18 Investment - True eBay Story

It is true. These things really happen. Read how one seller made $300 profit on her $18 investment on a discontinued drug store item. Click here for the story.

Have a Great Weekend - Enjoy a ~F*R*E*E~ Starbucks Cappuccino!

Take a break from this crazy world and head over to your favorite Barnes & Noble and enjoy a free Starbucks Cappuccino. Click here to print the coupon, good for up to $3.20. Expires October 31.

What is your favorite Starbucks beverage? Mine is hands down the Brownie Frappacino!

Enjoy your weekend!

Suzanne Wells
The eBay Coach

How to Work Smart Not Hard

Running a household, managing a family, and operating a home business is like a balancing act. Some people have the "organizational" gene - they are natural organizers and can juggle many things at once with out missing a beat. Others may need some insight.

“Working smart not hard” means that your efforts should to go high-priority tasks that contribute to accomplishing your goals. If you run a home business, you may feel that you work all day but get very little accomplished. Learn how to work smart, not hard, to achieve your goals.

Click here for tips on How to Work Smart Not Hard.

How to Maximize Your Profits on eBay UK

Selling on eBay UK has been the latest trend with eBay sellers who are seeking new ways to make money on eBay. The US dollar is weak against the British Pound, and the British Pound can buy more of our goods than ever.

My new 26-page eBook will help you understand how to sell to Europeans, what they want, and how to stand out among the competition on eBay UK.

Here is an excerpt from the chapter,

"Why Following the Herd of US Sellers is a Bad Idea."



Be prepared for some brutal competition on eBay UK. This is the number one problem on eBay UK – too many sellers offering the exact same items. Don’t offer the same products as everyone else, offer something different! If you browse through eBay UK and look at products offered by US sellers, you will see the same items over and over again. Some of the most common items are: (list of 20 popular items sold on eBay UK)

Here is what happens. US sellers want to give eBay UK a try. They take a look at what other sellers are selling, and list those same products at the exact same or slightly lower price. New sellers figure, “Hey, everyone else is selling this, it must be a good idea, I'll just offer it for less.” Wrong approach. Eventually, all the other sellers lower their prices to be the low price leader, and everyone’s profit margins decrease. This is simply the law of supply and demand. The larger the supply, the lower the price will be. The smaller the supply, the higher the price. If you undercut someone else’s price, be prepared for them to do the same to you. Expect this to happen on a regular basis.

Now, think about how many new products are introduced into the American market every year. According to a 2007 report by All Business (a D&B Company), “182,000 products were introduced globally in 2006.” That equals 498 products a day! Just about every TV commercial is about something “new and improved.” A new size, flavor, scent, color, or version of a product is released. Focus on newly released products. UK customers can’t buy an item if they don’t know it exists. It may take years for our new American products to reach the UK through traditional distribution methods. They won’t even know the product exists until you put it in front of them. If you list it on eBay, the UK customers can learn about it and get it now.

One seller could not possibly offer every single American product on the market in their eBay store at one time. Products change too quickly. Some US sellers have been selling on UK for years and never update their product line. You have virtually unlimited opportunities to be the only seller offering a product. You may discover something that sells exceptionally well, and other sellers will have no idea what you have discovered. You can corner the market on a particular product if you continue to experiment.

If you live in a test market city, this strategy can work particularly well. A test market city is a geographic location selected for the introduction of a new product or marketing campaign, or both. The top 10 test market cities in the US include: (list of test market cities)

Test market cities will have access to products long before other cities. If you live in or near a test market city, observe your store shelves carefully and watch for new items. Granted, the new items may not pass the test and may not be introduced into the major market, but, you have a unique opportunity to offer items on eBay UK that other sellers may not have access to.

With this in mind, you have to ask yourself why there are only a few American products on eBay UK, when we have millions available to us. If something isn’t listed, don’t assume it won’t sell. Chances are, no one has tried it yet. You can be the first.

If you are still convinced that you should offer the same items as everyone else, at least present them in a different way. If a seller offers a product in a 2-pack, offer it in a 1 or 3 pack. Offer a different size. Offer free shipping. Offer £1 shipping. You don’t have to offer the item on eBay the same way it is presented on store shelves. Create a set or kit with items that naturally go together – such as shampoo and conditioner, razors and shaving cream, or toothpaste and dental floss. Be unique so that you can stand out. Don’t just blend in with everyone else.

Bottom Line: List items other sellers are not listing. Be unique.

Other chapters include:

Why US Sellers are Turning to eBay UK

How to Start Selling on eBay UK

Why Europeans buy From US Sellers

Key Words Europeans Use When Searching for American Products

Using the Right Jargon when Selling to UK Customers

Tips for Appearing Higher in Best Match
(Simple coding instructions)

How to Convert Foreign Currency

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Get your copy of "How to Maximize Your Profits on eBay UK" and start making money selling to UK customers. They are ready and waiting to spend their money on our products.

Hot eBay Tip - Discontinued Mascara to Sell for Big Profit

Welcome to Hot Tip Friday! Check this out. Maybelline Ultra Big Ultra Lash Mascara. Sells for around $8. Completeds on eBay are going for between $80 and $65.





It is out of stock on Buy Me Beauty.com, Drugstore.com doesn't have it, neither does Amazon.

Check dollar stores, Big Lots, Walmart, Target, drug and grocery stores. I can't tell you exactly where to find it because I have not personally found any.Apparently they are out there. Click here to see current listings on eBay. Get in on this one before the price drops! If you find any, be sure to check completed listings to compare price points.

Click here to see my FREE list of discontinued items to sell on eBay.

Selling on eBay UK

You asked. You got it.

Many of you are interested in learning how to sell on eBay UK. I've learned a lot by trial and error! The most important point I can stress is that you verify that the item is allowed. Don't assume that other sellers know what they are doing! If you aren't sure if an item is allowed, email customer service and ask.

How to Sell on the eBay UK Site.

You may also want to check out this article regarding selling toys on eBay UK for Christmas, and this article that explains more about selling toys from Walmart on eBay UK.


(While you are there, can you rate the article using the little stars under the title? Thanks!)

Reader Question: Why So Many Links?

I received this question from a reader yesterday:

"Why do you always link to other articles, rather than just put the information right on your blog. It gets annoying to have to keep clicking all over the place."

Well, welcome to blogging. There is a reason for everything. First of all (and the main reason), I was a writer for eHow before I started my own blog. I work for them -eHow is my "bread and butter" - so I usually write new material there first. Secondly, reposting the same material here is a little time consuming, and according to eHow rules, writers are not permitted to repost the exact same material on another site. Third, linking to other sites increases your SEO, helping your blog to rank higher on Google. I really like the eHow set up - the articles are short, direct, to the point, and all the steps are easily outlined. So, I just send readers over to eHow to read the material there.

There are several benefits to writing for eHow, including the fact that their articles are indexed with Google. In other words, they do all the work in sending traffic to the articles. If you are looking for other ways to earn money from home, you might want to check out their Writer's Compensation Program. Many authors make several hundred dollars a month writing articles for eHow. Plus, it is fun, and you can write about whatever you want.

Thanks to all my loyal readers!

8 Year Old's Guide to Doing Homework

This has nothing to do with eBay. It is more of a Mom thing. I was cleaning out my computer files today, and found this thing that I wrote a few years back when my daughter was 8 years old. Do you agree with this observation?

8-Year-Old’s Guide To Doing Homework

1. Ignore parent when he/she says, “OK, time to do your homework!”

2. When you hear parent say, “Come on, time to do homework!” continue playing Barbies. Act deaf.

3. When parent yells, “Get down here and do your homework!!!” walk downstairs very, very slowly.

4. Ask parent where your backpack is.

5. Roll eyes when parent says, “I guess it is where ever you left it.”

6. Retrieve backpack from kitchen floor and dump contents onto kitchen table.

7. When parent asks, “OK, what is your homework tonight?” Reply with, “I don’t know” while shrugging shoulders and looking at the ceiling.

8. Watch as parent looks through folders. Become nervous that parent might discover ALL of the homework you have to do.

9. Find pencil.

10. Decide you don’t like that pencil and choose another one.

11. Announce that you need to sharpen pencil. Disappear to office and sharpen pencil for 5 minutes.

12. Slowly walk back to kitchen. Examine family pictures along the way.

13. Play with cat.

14. Sit down at table. Notice that parent has spread homework out on table.

15. Announce that chair is uncomfortable.

16. Take off shoes.

17. Take off socks.

18. Look at math problems.

19. Act very thirsty. Announce that you need a drink of water and you are gonna die if you don't get one.

20. Get up and get drink of water. Drink very slowly.

21. Sit down and re-examine math problems.

22. Play with cat.

23. Decide you need to use the bathroom.

24. Sit in bathroom for 5 minutes. Observe the wallpaper pattern.

25. Return to table. Complete several math problems. Repeatedly ask if you have to do them all.

26. Sigh heavily and say “UGH!!!” when parent says, “Yes.”

27. Finish math problems. Be glad you are done.

28. Retrieve list of spelling words.

29. Ask if you can have something to eat.

30. Sigh heavily when parent says, “When you are finished with your homework.”

31. Begin writing spelling words 10 times each.

32. Sharpen pencil.

33. Act tired.

34. Pretend you have a headache.

35. Say you are cold.

36. Continue writing spelling words.

37. Ask if you can take your bath now.

38. Be disappointed when parent says, “When you are finished with your homework.”

39. Tell parent that you think you have something stuck in your teeth and ask if you can floss.

40. Finally, finish homework.

41. Run upstairs and resume playing with Barbies.

42. Forget to take homework to school the next day.

eBay Coach Hot List Item at CVS!

For those of you who purchased the eBay Coach Hot List (Sept 08 Edition), take a look a the second item on page 4. This is an item that has been discontinued and sells for around $25 on eBay. Retail price is approx $3.

Then, checkout the October CVS Extra Value Book. The item is not only advertised as available at CVS, but on sale! The Extra Value Book is available in CVS stores at the front on the media stand. (See example above.) I was shocked to see the item advertised in the flyer - and I haven't seen this item anywhere else.

Want to know what the item is? Purchase your copy of the eBay Coach Hot List today.

Taking the Plunge to eBay Full Time

I recently received this question from a fellow eBay seller who is debating leaving her job and focusing on earning her living full time selling on eBay:

"The problem is, all the talk about the economy and how bad it is is really getting under my skin(and in my mind) I am getting cold feet. I got to thinking about your story and I reminded myself that you started you Ebay business under trying circumstances so I thought I'd ask your opinion. Did you get cold feet once you knew what you were going to do? If the economy had been then what it is now would you still have started on Ebay?"

You may know that in 2003, I began selling on eBay after going through a divorce and losing my job in the same month. I started listing items from around my home to pay bills while I looked for another job.

My response:

Sellers who have an eBay business for their livelihood approach their business completely differently than those who just do it for a hobby or some extra cash. Keep in mind, there will be slow months. That is just the nature of the business. As long as you realize that and are prepared, you can make it. You might try doing some other things on the side, as a back up, for a few months to see how it goes.

My sales have not suffered at all with the economy. Success is an attitude. As the picture above says, "Success doesn't come to you, you go get it." I see eBay as an opportunity to reach people who are struggling - a way for me to help people to buy things they need at a lower cost than conventional means. Maybe people are willing to buy used clothing because it is cheaper, rather than buy new. The holidays are coming, and people will still buy gifts, and they will be turning to eBay for deals. You can see obstacles, or you can see opportunities.

You can look at it this way - eBay is where many people will turn during a recession, and I want to be there to sell to them. eBay continues to grow. If you read the quarterly reports, the number of users, number of eBay stores, and number of listings, continues to grow from quarter to quarter and from year to year. No one will convince me that eBay is NOT the place to be.

Yes, I was nervous when I started this. I would breathe a sigh of relief each month when I paid my mortgage payment. "Whew, I made it another month." I really believe success is based on attitude and who we surround ourselves with. Stay away from people who tell you it won't work and you can't do it. Stay off the discussion boards with eBay haters and negative energy. Don't listen to the whiners and complainers - and don't get involved in their pity parties. Just because they are failing does not mean you will. Negative people are energy vampires who distract you from your goals. Surround yourself with positive people who are successful role models and have accomplished what you want to accomplish.

Focus on what you want and roll up your sleeves, get busy, and go get it. Believe you can do it. Many, many, other people earn their living selling on eBay. It will be alot of work and you will put in long hours. But at least you can do it at home on your terms while spending time with your kids. To me, that alone makes it worthwhile.

Have you considered making the switch to eBay full time? Share your thoughts. It might help someone else trying to make the same decision.

New eBay How-Tos for September

Here are my new eBay How To articles for September. Just click on the link to read the article that interests you. (Like it, hate it? Can you please rate it?)

How to Write a Good Description for eBay Listings

How to Remove Mothball Odor from Clothing

How to Make Money on eBay Selling Halloween Costumes

How to Make Money on eBay Selling Walmart Items

How to Identify a Counterfeit Handbag or Purse

How to Create a Private Listing on eBay

How to Find Walgreens Deals and Get Free Items

How to Learn Free eBay Secrets

How to Decide What to Sell on eBay

How to Determine the Best Time to End an eBay Auction Listing

How to Use a Blog to Drive Traffic to Your eBay Store


Some of my other eHow Articles that you might find helpful:

How to Make Money at Home Using Your Computer

How to Save Money at the Gas Pump

How to Make Money Reviewing Products

How to Relieve Pain from Migraine Headaches
(From my own experience.)

How to Burn More Calories When Exercising

Any suggestions for new articles? If I don't know, I will research it and find out!

Learn more about how you can make money writing for eHow!