One way to make money on eBay is by selling broken items for parts. For example, I once purchased a handheld GPS from Goodwill for $3 with the intention of selling it on eBay for $35. However, when I got it home and opened the box, I realized that the GPS screen was burnt out. While I could have returned it for a refund, I didn’t want to bother with the hassle for just $3.
Instead, I decided to see if there were any valuable parts that I could salvage from the GPS. After examining it, I discovered a special type of memory card and charging/data cables that were still in good condition. I did some research on eBay and found that these items could be sold for $12 to $15 each. So, I listed both items on eBay for $12.99 each, plus $6 for shipping.
To my surprise, a buyer purchased both items. I was able to combine them into one shipment and make a profit of over $20. This experience taught me that broken items can still have value if they can be taken apart and sold for their parts. It also allowed me to help someone else who may have needed those parts to fix their own device or to complete a reselling project.
When selling on eBay, it’s important to think outside the box and consider all the possible ways an item can be profitable. Sometimes, the most unexpected parts or components can be worth a lot more than the complete, working unit.