There are a lot of eBay experts who will tell you that going to garage sales or flea markets to find eBay inventory is a wast of time and a road map to failure.

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but it seems to me when they say that, in the next paragraph, they are trying to sell you something they guarantee will insure your success on eBay.

Here are a few examples of things I’ve purchased at local garage sales during the last 5-6 weeks and then successfully sold on eBay. Maybe they will help you decide if time spent at garage sales is worth your time.

A first edition, first printing of Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” with dust jacket. I purchased this book at a garage sale for $.25. With a high bid of $370, it didn’t reach it’s $400 reserve, but I sold it to the high bidder through a second chance offer for his bid of $370.

A box of 57 game cartridges for the Atari 2600 system. I paid $5 for the box at a garage sale. They sold on eBay for $71.

A Texas Instrument TI-82 graphing calculator. Purchased at a garage sale for $2. Sold on eBay for $24.26.

A second edition of Frances Holley’s “Once Their Home” - and 1892 history of the Dakota Sioux Indians. Purchased at a garage sale for $1. Sold on eBay for $79.99.

A Charles Scribner’s Sons 1926 two volume set of Theodore Roosevelt’s “African Game Trails” book. Purchased at a garage sale for $5.00. Sold on eBay for $86.00.

A program from the 1970 Sports Car Club Of America Can-Am races at Donnybrooke Raceway. Purchased at a garage sale for $.10. Sold on eBay for $61.01.

Three different volumes of D.M. Campana’s “Decorative Designs” books from the 1940s. I paid $1.00 each at a garage sale. They sold for $34.33, $32.87, and $18.37 respectively on eBay.

A Landstrom’s sterling silver/black hills gold hummingbird necklace. Purchased at a garage sale for $5. Sold on eBay for $34.33.

Four different issues of “Fine Cooking” magazine. Purchased at a garage sale for $.10 each. The sold on eBay for $5.83, $14.50, $6.05, and $5.00 each.

“The Stones Guide To Dog Grooming For All Breeds” from 1987 by Ben Stone. Purchased at a garage sale for $.25 and sold on eBay for $33.01.

Buddy Holly “That Will Be The Day” extended play 45 RPM record in a picture sleeve. Purchased at a garage sale for $10 and sold on eBay for $432.77.

A two volume history of Ramsey County, North Dakota. Purchased at a garage sale for $5 and sold on eBay for $76.83.

Dayton Hudson Miss Santa Bears from 1989, 1990, and 1991. Purchased for $1.50 each. They sold on eBay for $70.50, $66.00, and $20.50 each.

A first edition of Hancock’s “Jiu Jutsu Combat Tricks” book. Purchased for $.50 at a garage sale. Sold on eBay for $53.00.

A Sega Genesis Nomad with 10 games. I bought this at a garage sale for $15. Sold on eBay $77.19.

A Bushnell night vision scope. Purchased at a garage sale for $10. It sold on eBay for $83.

A Cuisinart food processor with accessories. It was purchased at a garage sale for $5 and sold on eBay for $86.72.

These are just a sample of the things I’ve bought at local garage sales in the last few weeks. If you know what to look for deals just like these are available in your area too.

Providing the information you need to find these types of items at garage sales and other sources in your area is what The Auction Rebel will be about.

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