Sourcing For EBay–The USEFUL Guide You Can Not Miss 2024

Hey Resellers, are you going to start a reselling business? OK! We got you. You are in search of sourcing for eBay to sell something. 

Obviously, you don’t want to sell JUNK. It is essential to find high-quality and reasonable price products that will SELL QUICKLY.

What you sell and buy matters!

Our experts have decades of experience sourcing items and finding products to sell. We aim to help sellers with eBay product sourcing. The RIGHT PRODUCTS increase the sales and revenue for a LONG-TERM. 

In this post, we will explain everything about the sourcing of products for eBay.

Let’s dig into it!

What is the Importance of Properly Sourcing Products for eBay?

Are you really excited to start your eBay business?

Don’t forget that excitement and jumping straight into it can cause difficulties. Do the proper RESEARCH about the best product fit. 

Strategic sourcing and product research helps to increase revenue, beat the competition, and optimize operations in the right direction. 

Look into the importance of proper Sourcing of Products:

1. Increasing the profit

Make the Business decision, not the emotional one.

The demand for Products does not guarantee sales and profit.

You should always do the proper product research rather than overstocking the warehouse. 

High shipping costs and low margins lead to EMPTY BANK ACCOUNTS. But highlights of PRODUCT RESEARCH increase sales and generate revenue. 

2. Manage the competition among eBay sellers

Proper product sourcing is also vital for understanding the COMPETITION for the items you want to sell.

Low or High Competition creates a gap in the market.

Low competition indicates difficulties in eBay’s selling of products in the market. At the same time, the high competition indicates massive demand for products. 

The latter one can be good or not because it is challenging to target the right audience or market. 

Manage the competition after researching and giving the potential buyers some extra PERKS. 

• Offer free shipping where possible
• Excellent customer services
• Lower the prices of the products by fewer pennies

3. Optimize the operations

Doing Early Research is essential for optimizing eCommerce operations. 

Always consider the following things:

• How easy is the product sourcing?
• How much storage space do you require?
• How easy is it to package the products?
• What will be the shipping fee to ship the products to customers?

Before DIVING IN, you take a look and test the water. Am I Right?

Like that, take a glance at the product sourcing before DIVE.

What are Some of the Best-Selling Products on eBay?

Excited to know about Best-Selling products on eBay? Here are some of the top-selling products in different categories.

Watches and Jewelry 

Do you know what the significant ADVANTAGE of this hot-selling category is? The items are LIGHTWEIGHT and SMALL.

Sellers save a lot of amounts when it comes to shipping. 

Do not sell COUNTERFEIT Products on eBay as it is against the policies. 

So far in 2022, the best-selling items under this product category are: 

1. Fine earrings
2. Men’s and women’s watches
3. Engagement rings

Home and Garden

Home Improvement products are always in demand. What’s the reason?

The Real Estate Industry is sharing the decor trends, and eBay is witnessing robust growth and demand for products worldwide.

Most-Popular Items are:

1. Vacuum Cleaner 
2. Light bulbs or small appliances
3. Lawn seeds and Mowers
4. Power tool or Air tool accessories

Collectibles

Collectibles of different brands, such as Disney, are always in high demand on eBay. 

Toys give high-profitable margins. The reason is that sellers also sell the parts and pieces of different toys. 

Inventory is abundant and cheap. 

According to reports, the toys and games market was valued at $305.57 billion in 2021. 

What are products under the collectibles category?

1. Traditional games and boards
2. RC Model kits and vehicles
3. Contemporary puzzles 
4. Building toys for kids

Sporting Products

Becoming physically fit and healthy is the dream and aim of every person. 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, people prefer Home-based workouts. That’s the reason fitness and health products are always in demand. 

HOT-SELLING Items are:

1. Fitness gear and equipment
2. Strength training 
3. Tourism and camping products
4. Bicycle parts and components 

Crafts

Staying free at home during COVID-19 made people more creative.

Most people seek out DIY (DO IT YOURSELF) crafts in their free time. 

Noticing the increase in the interest of consumers in DIY Art and Crafts, sellers prefer to sell in this category for CONSIDERABLE sales and profit. 

TOP-SELLING PRODUCTS are:

1. Finishes and embellishments
2. Jewelry Making 
3. Wires and cords
4. Fabrics and panting supplies
5. Cross stitch supplies

Video Games

Most millennials spend their free time playing games. 

That’s the reason Video Games are in high demand on eBay. 

The CHART-TOPPING items in category are:

1. Attachments and controllers
2. Prepaid gaming cards
3. Video games

Computers, Networking, or Tablets

In this Digital Era, Selling tablets, computers, and networking is always in high demand because people from different corners of the WORLD are constantly looking for the latest gadgets and devices. 

The HOT-SELLING products in the category are: 

1. Printers and printer ink
2. Webcams and readers
3. Toner and Paper 
4. Gadget accessories and cases & covers

Pet Supplies

Now, the time is for pets.

As per the research of CommonThread, the demand for pet supplies products is increasing daily. 

The Online Pet Industry is BLOOMING. 

Several store owners sell pet products on eBay and are earning a CONSIDERABLE PROFIT. 

The CHART-BUSTER items are:

1. Training and Obedience 
2. Poultry products and beds
3. Pet Grooming kits

Sell on eBay in any of these categories for more customers, sales, and PROFIT.

There is competition from other ebay sellers, but in the end, you will REAP BENEFITS of popularity with eBay sellers with proper product sourcing and research.

Do not STUMP what to sell. Start selling in the above categories RIGHT NOW.

Suggested reading: Top 50 Trending Products To Sell Online

How do I Source Products for eBay?

The Answer is SIMPLE!

Do the proper product research and find out what your Business FUTURE will look like with that product.

Steps to Source Inventory for eBay

1. Researching sourcing options

Looking for Product Sourcing options? There are 5 main options.

• Wholesale Supplier: Buy stock directly from the manufacturer at the resale price.

• Drop shipping: Listing of products of third-party suppliers.

• White label: Buying products from different manufacturers. But selling them with your brand labels.

• Retail Arbitrage: Buying items from other sellers and reselling them at a profit of your choice. 

• Self-produced: Making your products to sell. (Handcrafts or Upcycled products)

2. Calculating the Current Demands (KNOW THE INTEREST OF AUDIENCES)

Using the eBay product research tool assists you in knowing the current product demands. 

3. Predicting Future Demand

Isn’t it exciting to analyze the future of your ecommerce business? 

Using Google Trends and Terapeak tools, you can identify seasonal demands, flash in plans, and pricing trends. 

4. Analyzing the Competition

Undertake the eBay marketplace competitor research using the Terapeak (Store Inventory Research Tool).

With the help of the tool, identity:

• Amount of competition on eBay
• Pricing and shipping of competitors’ products
• Targeted keywords
• The market dominance of the top 10 sellers

5. Identify Suppliers

Are you searching for potential suppliers? 

Ask:

• What is the pricing of products?
• Are there any additional costs like SHIPPING?
• Do you have minimum or maximum order levels?
• Do you have the minimum or maximum contract length?
• What’s your onboarding process?

Suggested reading: Sourcing Agent 101: How to Find Best Sourcing Agent?

Where are the Best Places to Source Items for eBay?

The most PROFITABLE places to source items for eBay are:

1. Garage Sales

Finding the great places to find wholesale inventory? Garage Sales is one of them. 

It is easy to source, and most users have access to it.

Some positive points of Garage Sales are:

• Sellers can easily find and locate them. (NO HASSLE)
• Low Price Product (BUT HIGH-QUALITY)
• Different product categories 
• Bargaining for Products (Thinking the prices are HIGH? Do Bargaining for lower prices)

2. eBay/Mercari

Looking odd? Yes, because you heard of this for the VERY first time.

In reality, Mercari and eBay are great places to source products.

My favorite way: Looking for Auctions that end at different times during the week.

Sorting the eBay search from lowest to highest prices will give you lower prices of products. 

Searching for auctions when people are sleeping is the best time to source products. 

The positive points of Mercari/eBay are:

• You do not need to leave your home or comfort zone to source products. Save your time and Invest this time in Product Research.

3. OfferUp/ Letgo

Letgo and OfferUp are like the Facebook Marketplaces. 

Post your products for free on apps and websites. 

And search the products based on your location and keywords added. 

The positive things about both websites are:

• Searching for products from your home. No need to leave your Comfort and waste your time traveling.
• Do Bargaining of items because the lesser the price, the more money you can save.
• Chances of getting more leads, sales, and networking

Can I Make Money by Sourcing Products for eBay?

You can make a DECENT AMOUNT by sourcing products on eBay. But your success depends on your choices and the work you’re willing to put into your business.

If you just want to sell on eBay and dig deep into a niche such as comics or video games, YOU CAN.

But earning a somewhat-reliable amount takes a bit more CONSIDERATION.

Tips to Easily Source Products for eBay

 My Secret Tips to easily source products for eBay are: (SSHHH!!! Read in Silence)

• Learn to negotiate

My Tip # 1: Always negotiate the prices where you can.

Buying items in a bundle is a great way to save money and get a lower price. 

Sourcing doesn’t mean you just need to get your wholesale inventory; you also need to make money.

Buy the items for the least price possible. (Bargain. Negotiate. Bargain.)

• Search in Unlikely Places like Thrift stores

My Tip # 2 is never to throw out the number first while discussing the price. 

Always ask their number and see what you can do lower if the price is too high. 

Inventory is EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE. Taking the opportunity to check them out is essential. 

Find the inventory at pop thrift stores, pile it on the curb, or free stuff someone offers you.

• Come out of your comfort zone in the ecommerce and estate sales business

My Tip # 3 is not to be afraid to dig around.

Ask questions and get dirty. 

Work hard and build connections. Treat everyone with kindness and do Bargaining. 

If you learn how to be smart with hard work, then you will go a long way in the eBay ecommerce business. 

FAQs about Sourcing for eBay

What’s Next

Get Started eBay selling RIGHT NOW!

If you don’t know everything, then Don’t BEAT yourself up. It is a fun part, and you should be ADVENTUROUS. 

In conclusion, Increase eBay sales by doing proper sourcing and researching products. Always identify the right market and right products to capitalize on. 

Sourcing products for eBay is a never-ending journey to selling online. It is a step to generate more clicks, revenue in your BACK POCKET, and more customers. 

We hope this guide will assist you in starting selling products on eBay and making some money!

Experts at Leeline Sourcing are ready to help your eBay Business thrive. Get a free quote from Us by contacting us via email or message. We will get back to you with possible solutions ASAP.

Experienced online sellers? How do you source inventory? Drop shipping, Wholesaling, or Retail Arbitrage? Leave us a comment!