What's the most popular item sold on eBay?

What are the most popular items sold on eBay? My wife wants to start selling on eBay but dont know what is a good starting point.

Dave's Answer:

Rather than guess, I called in an expert on the world of online auctions, Ina Steiner of AuctionBytes and asked her for help. Here's her response:

To start, I have to say that I think the question should be re-framed. Selling the most popular items on eBay sounds good, but that's also where you're going to have the most competition and downward pricing pressure. When people ask me what they should sell on eBay, I ask them what their interests and competencies are. This is particularly good for beginners who have to start selling items to see if they like it in the first place.

Many of our readers started out selling collectibles, books, clothing, things they knew something about and could research and describe easily, and didn't have to take a big risk in inventory acquisition. Once people have experience, they can look around their area and see if there are unique sources of inventory - outlet stores/factories or things that are hard to get in other parts of the country/world. Experienced sellers often become consignment sellers (eBay Trading Assistants).

I recommend Skip McGrath's publications at auction sellers resource.com, and he has one guide devoted to consignment selling with sample contracts, etc.

But, in terms of finding out what's popular on eBay, you can use the market-data tools profiled in my forthcoming book (The eBay Seller's Guide to Sales Research and Analysis), like Andale, Terapeak, Hammertap, and eBay Pulse.

I hope that helps you and your wife make a smart entry into the world of online auctions. there's risk, but it's also exciting and there's lots of potential upside.

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Categorized: Auctions and Online Shopping (Article 4073, Written by Dave Taylor)
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Reader Comments To Date: 22

Mike said, on September 20, 2006 11:46 AM:

You sure the most popular item on ebay isn't the various incarnations of the Virgin Mary on household items?

chas said, on July 28, 2007 2:53 PM:

Not helpful at all. Turns out to be a blatant plug for a book.

St said, on September 12, 2007 2:05 AM:

I agree with the previous post - ..."Not helpful at all. Turns out to be a blatant plug for a book."

angie said, on September 26, 2007 2:45 PM:

you know thats great you have a whole wedsite full of nothing all you scam people are horrible liars it looks like you should find a new profession the qustion that was asked is what is the most popular item sold on e bay not do you have a book for sale who cares about that i still need an answer to my qustion is that so hard to do

Dan Walter said, on October 7, 2007 10:29 PM:

To answer "angie's" question .. ipods. iPods are one of the most popular items currently being sold on eBay. And that is a fact.

Dietrich Brooks said, on October 14, 2007 7:53 AM:

Thanks for he book referral. I'm going to read it. I'm serious about advancing my e-commerce entrepreneurship and will do whatever it takes to succeed!

I don't think that this person received the title of "expert" because they sat around and thought up scams to sell you a book! There is probably way too much to explain within a post. I guarantee the most successful people in the world did not make the most out of their lives by staying ignorant! As Bill Hicks would say, "Whatcha readin' fo'"? If you want to find out what the most sold item is on ebay then do your research. Look around on ebay and compile a list. I would not want to compete with others who are already selling the most popular items. As the person stated you will have plenty of competition and will have to lower your prices. Offer something that no-one else has thought to sell. Or bundle what's "hot" with something that will give you the advantage over the other sellers... I guess people just like to have everything handed to them and remain ignorant. Good Luck.

YAAAY! said, on March 26, 2008 4:14 AM:

I am the most popular thing on Ebay because I suck at everything I do and I am in mint condition! There is only one of me and I am very unique! If you would like one of me then you better count on the only me! I just posted myself for $00.01 plus $300 shipping and handling (You should purchase my own insurance so I don’t arrive all mangled up, it's only cost $20). If you are interested in me, then please bid on me! I would feel like a useless human being if I only got 30 bids! But you can also buy me now for $10,000! (Definitely put more insurance on me at that price!) I will do nothing but look good! you can set me next to your fire place or hang my head on a wall... the list goes on but don't waste time! Go bid!

Daniel Hernandez said, on April 9, 2008 12:23 PM:

What of the mentioned software you do use?

Michelle Dundster said, on December 14, 2008 1:54 AM:

This article will help me very much because i want to sell stuff on ebay and did not knew what to sell.

Mei Ling said, on May 10, 2009 3:28 PM:

WatchedItem.com shows you the most popular items on eBay. There are some really unusual hot items like reborn dolls.

Most ladies start with clothing, shoes and accessories. You can either try selling out of your own closet to get started, or purchase items on clearance for resale. You can take the items back that don't sell.

Check out the best brands on www.WatchedItem.com to see which brands have the most watchers.

Mei Ling

doesitmatter said, on August 27, 2009 9:00 PM:

I cant believe i have spend my last 3 minutes reading the plug of a book, great way to get publicity, but highly inrritating for reads that just want the answer to the question. I appreciate that research is required, but everyone needs a starting point and quick ideas and answers, simple answers to questions. not sit there wasting time reading books,. if we wanted to read books we'd use a book shop or library duh!

A list is all one needs not pages of useless information that can be told in one paragraph, instead we get the slying description of how their lives began, what made them think about making money, and what turned them to ebay,. surely we all have the same story, so why read your poxy book to be reminded of it?

doesitmatter said, on August 27, 2009 9:04 PM:

what makes it worse is that this site even wants your rights to writing pieces on here. for goodness sake are you trying to rinse us all dry of creativity and make money out of our comments?

idiots

christina said, on November 8, 2009 8:13 PM:

Mostly iphones and clothes

Juan Garcia said, on March 28, 2010 5:33 PM:

Since you are all complaining about a book plug, why not get even by just reading the book at a book store without buying it. The author won't get rich that way and just in case he actually has some useful tidbits of information in his book, you will get it.

joe bloe said, on April 9, 2010 6:24 PM:

the most selling item is this book ( about the most seeling items) , this is very missleading ,

farrah said, on April 27, 2010 8:49 PM:

not helpful. i'm disappointed in ask.com

Pamuel said, on October 27, 2010 2:47 PM:

The most popular thing on ebay is the new Apple iphone 4
After that its ipods and cars clothes and shoes.
But if your interested in something really popular try selling what is on ipods and iphones like great music, entertainment and apps... If you have got talent that is... But, mind you most people will just steal it off p2p Lol

Bo said, on October 28, 2010 11:24 AM:

Pssst...

How to Find What's Selling On eBay
http://1800realitycheck.blogspot.com/

Use Google to discover what is really selling on ebay. It's fun, fast and totally free. Check it out.

Joel Fields said, on April 27, 2011 11:26 PM:

I love visiting your site so much that I am considering of creating my very own site. What platform would you recommend? I am not educated with coding so I think I could create it with wordpress, but I saw that your site is based on the BlogEngine code and I like the your blog a lot. Thank You!

Pat said, on April 29, 2011 9:37 AM:

if ya don't know just say so, gosh you people who try to sound smart really get me bugged. I think your just out too sell a book with more non answers

Luka said, on December 10, 2011 11:09 AM:

1-I pod
2-mattel's barbie dool
3-military jackets
4-hello kitty colectibles

list acording to e bay

steve said, on February 16, 2012 6:19 PM:

Lose the damn pop-ups. Annoying as hell and can't even read the article.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

What's the most popular item sold on eBay?

Reader Comments To Date: 22

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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