The Ultimate Guide to Sourcing Sub-$1 Items for High-Profit eBay Reselling

Introduction

Reselling on eBay can be a lucrative venture, especially when you source items for under $1 and sell them for 200-500% profits. This guide will help you identify profitable items and where to find them.

Key Strategies

1. Focus on small, lightweight items to minimize shipping costs
2. Look for niche or collectible items with high demand
3. Bundle similar low-cost items for higher-value listings
4. Capitalize on seasonal trends and discontinued products

Top Sources for Sub-$1 Items

1. Thrift Stores
   • Look for clearance sections and bag sales
   • Check out Goodwill Outlet stores (aka "The Bins") where items are sold by the pound
   • Resource: Goodwill Store Locator
2. Dollar Stores
   • Focus on seasonal items, discontinued products, and unique finds
   • Check out Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and local dollar stores
   • Resource: Dollar Tree Store Locator
3. Garage Sales and Estate Sales
   • Look for bulk lots and end-of-day deals
   • Use apps to find sales in your area
   • Resource: EstateSales.net
4. Clearance Sections
   • Check big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, and CVS for clearance items
   • Look for seasonal items being phased out
   • Resource: BrickSeek for inventory checking
5. Online Liquidation
   • Buy pallets or lots of mixed merchandise
   • Look for "shelf pulls" and overstock items
   • Resource: BULQ
6. Aliexpress
   • Source small, lightweight items in bulk
   • Look for items with free shipping
   • Resource: Aliexpress

Research Tools

1. eBay Sold Listings
   • Check completed sales to gauge demand and pricing
   • Resource: eBay Advanced Search
2. Terapeak
   • Analyze eBay sales data and trends
   • Available free for eBay Store subscribers
   • Resource: Terapeak
3. ZIK Analytics
   • Identify profitable items and analyze competition
   • Resource: ZIK Analytics

Tips for Success

1. Always factor in eBay fees and shipping costs when calculating potential profits
2. Start small and reinvest profits to grow your inventory
3. Create detailed, keyword-rich listings with quality photos
4. Provide excellent customer service to build positive feedback
5. Stay organized with inventory management tools

Profitable Item Categories

Based on the search results, consider focusing on these categories:

1. Vintage and collectibles 
2. Auto parts 
3. Printer toner/ink 
4. Vintage music players 
5. Closeout merchandise 
6. Electronics accessories (cables, adapters, etc.)
7. Craft supplies
8. Discontinued beauty products

Case Study

From the search results we can see an example of bundling strategy: "I group/bundle in sets of 4. My cost is 4$ they retail for 20$. I usually sell them for 12-16$ a set. Buyer gets a deal and I make 8-12$ a sale. Now the key to this is doing this not once but 100s of times. that's where the money is made."This strategy can be applied to various low-cost items, allowing you to create higher-value listings while still maintaining significant profit margins.

Conclusion

Sourcing sub-$1 items for eBay reselling requires patience, research, and a keen eye for potential value. By utilizing the resources and strategies outlined in this guide, you can build a profitable eBay business with minimal upfront investment. Remember to always stay informed about market trends and adjust your sourcing strategy accordingly.