Money for old rope?
It is an old saying, but a very true one. Whatever you try to sell, no matter how useless it may be to you, someone, somewhere will buy it, as it has a use or value to them personally.
In the past I have scoffed at the bizarre things people try to sell on auction sites and in local newspaper’s, but they really do sell.
Why buy new when ‘used’ is perfectly good?
As a convert to auction sites such as Ebay and CQ, I feel I must share my auction purchase experiences with you, so that you too can make a huge saving on practical purchases.
Until I had my children I would never have considered purchasing second-hand goods, but having bought a large percentage of their baby and toddler things via this method, I would never purchase new again.
Why get robbed by ‘high street’ prices when you can get products in excellent condition for half the price?
Ebay is great, it really must be said. I spend hours browsing the site, and find myself looking at Ebay most days of the week.
It may be sad, but the bargains and fantastic purchases I have made whilst ‘surfing’ the Ebay auctions are truly enviable.
Having recently had a new baby, I have spent many an hour during ‘night feeds’ browsing Ebay, and making some very lucrative purchases, that I possibly wouldn’t have been so lucky to have made, during daylight hours.
It is a well known fact that Sunday early evening, and weekday lunchtimes are the busiest times to buy on Ebay, so avoid these times if you really want to be in with a chance of winning the auction.
My children are well kitted out, it must be said. When we have children we tend to stick to the essential purchases at first, as outlay can be huge.
By browsing the Ebay ‘baby’ pages you will come across some really great ideas, and things you’d never even heard of.
For example, my baby suffered terrible colic, and I was advised to purchase some special anti-colic feeding bottles by ‘Dr Brown’s’. When I looked in the high street shops for this item, I moved quickly on, as the cost to buy these bottles new was out of this world!
So, naturally I went to my trusty Ebay and purchased a few of the bottles, for a fraction of the price.
Another fantastic bargain, and the bottles really did help my son improve.
Top 5 baby purchases I have made on Ebay are:
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Doctor Brown’s anti-colic feeding bottles
- ‘Lindum’ door bouncer
- Tomy walkie-talkie device
- Hauck baby sling
- Avent steam steriliser and food warmer
I calculated that the prices I collectively paid for these items on Ebay, saved me £65 on the price I would have paid in the high street.
Now my baby is getting older, I find myself making money selling on the goods once again. It’s a real buzz to make money selling items that previously you would have thrown away.
I have made a lot of profit selling on items that otherwise would have been left rotting in my lot.
Another great source for buying and selling.
Unlike Ebay there is no auction facility, but purchases can be really cheap, especially when Amazon has one of it’s great sales.
The items arrive really quickly, usually within 48 hours of purchase, so you don’t have to wait long, and it’s great for that last minute purchase.
Amazon allows you to buy things new or used, and where books are concerned this is a great option.
Amazon sells just about anything, and better still it too now sells baby items, so I am in heaven browsing.
Amazon also provides fantastic reviews for many of it’s items, so this is great if you are looking for a new DVD or book as reviews really can help you decide on a purchase.
I am also a subscriber to the DVD rental scheme that Amazon runs. For a few pounds a month, I can rent a few DVD’s, and keep a wish list ready for when my next DVD is due to be sent, so Amazon does all the hard work.
The system is really great, the DVD’s arrive quickly by post (through the door), once you’ve watched them, seal them back up, and pop them back in the post box.
If you ever have any problems with the DVD you hire, Amazon are always very quick to rectify the problem.
Clothes shopping
Don’t always assume that high street shopping is the best way to purchase clothes.
I often find that by ordering online, I can often grab a sale item that in the high street store may have already been snapped up.
Next directory is particularly good for this, especially when they have their huge sales. I often shop late at night for sale items, to ensure I get there before anyone else.
I favour the following sites for quality of service, delivery times, availability of goods, great sales, and wide selection of goods (compared to in the shops):
Christmas shopping just got easier
For the past couple of years I have managed to complete my entire Christmas shopping task, entirely online. The reduction of stress alone is the reason why I will continue to do it year in, year out.
I also find myself buying what I need without being tempted by other offers, that the stores deliberately place in my path as I trawl the isles.
Online shopping is available 24 hours a day, so you are not governed by shop trading hours. You don’t have to pay for parking, purchase Mc Donald’s for the kids, or queue for ages in public toilets when the urge arises! What more could be gained I ask?
