How to Make Money with WDW merchandise?

[leopardspot]

Can anyone suggest a way to make money by buying merchandise in WDW and then turning around and selling it for a profit?

 

[DMRick]

Not in WDW...they don't have many sales. I have bought at great sales at the Disney Stores, and the character shops and resold and made money. But if I buy something after a holiday, (not food, obviously) that is for a holiday, I have to hold onto it for almost a year to then sell it.
Doris
Upstate NY

 

[leopardspot]

That is a good idea about the holiday stuff...How much have you made doing this? Do you have a website or do you just sell to friends?

 

[disneysteve]

I've been a dealer of Disney memorabilia since 1986. I've sold through a mail-order catalog (pre-Internet days), online through my website and Ebay and at various collectible shows from New York to Virginia. Many of the items I sold for a profit were purchased new at WDW. We used to go down with one empty suitcase and pack it full for the trip home. Several times, we shipped our purchases home.

All of that said, the market has gotten much tougher in the past couple of years. Most of the collectibles shows have died out due to Ebay and the Internet.

If you still want to do this, I'd suggest focusing on certain types of items. Limited edition items with small edition sizes. For example, ignore something that is a ltd. ed. of 100,000. That isn't limited. But a pin that is limited to 2,500 has a reasonable chance of turning a profit.

Items made for special events are also good - Grad Nite, etc.

Steve

 

[ceecee]

I bought quite a lot of stuff when our DS closed and went to 75% off. Sold some on Ebay but not at any great profit.

 

[leopardspot]

Thanks everyone.

 

[DMRick]

But a pin that is limited to 2,500 has a reasonable chance of turning a profit.

They used to. But now Disney has way too many LE pins : (

I sell on eBay. I've made enough that I'm comfortable doing it, but it's not for anyone thinking to make a quick buck. It takes time. Some of the stuff ended up being gifts to friends. YOu never know what will go and what won't.

 

[HaleyB]

of course if you live in the area you could make some profit selling things like the guest of honor badges or hats with names on them. Those things are personalized and I can't find anywhere that sells the guest of honor badges for less than 100% mark up! Otherwise not really.
I have been able to take preorders for the WDW exclusive build a bear outfits and made enough profit to be worth my effort... not a huge amount or anything, but some.
I do make good money on Ebay, just not selling Disney stuff...

 

[leopardspot]

For those of you that sell on e-bay, how much do you typically make in a month? And, how many items do you typically sell in a month?

 

[HaleyB]

There are two ways to go- big items with larger per item profit, or many many small items with small profits. I have done both (heck I will sell what ever I can get my hands on). Interestingly to me (I just looked over my books) I make more money over all with small items (but they end up being more work/time). I put in anywhere from 10-20 hours a week and make about $200 a week. I only list things every other week. For me this is just a small part time thing for extra money (which all goes to the Mouse). I have learned how to spot the ebay trends and am good at jumping in before there are 200 sellers with the same item. Also I know when to quit on a type of item. I have several friends who have lost a lot of money because they thought the could sell the same item forever.
One mistake new sellers make is to give up too soon. You really do need some feedback before most people will bid. You may lose money for a little while. And I think everyone knows by now that good images (scans or photos) are key. Have a clear policy about nonpayers. There are message boards on Ebay that are very helpful.
My brother sells full time, and has three employees working for him. He also sells off ebay (direct inside sales) and I am not sure what the split is. He makes a profit of from $5,000- $10,000 a month. He sells electronics and his biggest over head cost is warehouse space. He had about $35,000 as start up costs, mostly inventory.

 

[leopardspot]

HaleyB-What do you sell on e-bay?

 

[HaleyB]

Right now I am taking a much needed month off- but I sell the following regularly-

Craft supplies (I found a good wholesale source with low minimum orders), mostly scrapbooking which has a huge ebay market (not sure why). I work in the hobby and craft industry part time so I get to go to the trade shows and that is how I made all my vendor connections. I have also sold beads and hand made items. This is what I sell most often, however if I spend all the money going to WDW I need to build up cash to buy inventory... so I also sell:

Magic Cards (happens to be a hobby of mine anyway, so I know the cards and what they are worth). Plus I already have tons of them...

Childrens clothing- both new and used. Started with my kids outgrown clothing on ebay years ago. Still an old standby for me. My favorite way to make money to buy other things to sell.

Glass (I used to work in an antique shop so I have a good eye for collectable glass, I made over $100 on a bowl I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago). I also go to estate sales, but that is hit or miss.

Toys.

I have also sold computor stuff and other collectables. Sell items you know well is my advice. If you have a hobby that is a great place to start because you will be aware of the trends.

My husband also sells ancient coins from time to time. He collects them and every now and then a great deal turns up (most often when another collector dies).

I have several ebay accounts for various types of items, people seem to bid more when I list this way- don't know why. Also if I am selling something that tends to have female bidders I use female personal pronoun in write ups, and if male bidders than I try to sound like a man...