The 2008 Garage Sale Challenge launches one week from today, with May 1 being the first day participants can begin buying qualifying inventory. If you had thought about participating, but don’t live in an area with a lot of garage sales, there have been some changes made regarding inventory sources, so you may want to reconsider taking part.

Several readers have already registered. Their personal goals for the Challenge range anywhere from $1000 to $12,000, so don’t miss the chance to take part just because you don’t think you can produce a huge amount of sales.

Last year my goal for the Challenge was a net profit of $10,000 from items purchased at garage sales and sold on eBay. Because of the changes made to qualifying inventory sources and the addition of Amazon and Half.com as sales venues, I’m going to increase my goal for this year.

I’d thought about increasing this years goal to $12,000 profit, but in the end decided on the figure $15,000. There are two reasons for choosing $15,000.

• First, by adding Amazon as a sales venue, and by allowing inventory sources other than garage sales, I feel it’s a figure that is achievable with some effort.
• Second, reaching $15,000 in net profits would insure that my PaperPleasures46 eBay account attained Silver Powerseller status.

So, my goal for this year’s Challenge is:

To generate a net profit of $15,000 and achieve Silver Powerseller status for my PaperPleasures46 eBay ID during the period May 1 to September 30, 2008.

I’ll be using inventory purchased from garage sales, thrift stores, book sales, and auction sales. Anything purchased at antique shops/malls or flea markets will not be included. All qualifying sales will be made on either eBay or Amazon.

One final note for everyone who has contacted me about participating. If you haven’t already registered with WordPress.com and provided me with the email address you used to register, please do so. I need it in order to set you up so you can post your updates to the 2008 Challenge blog.

Photograph by David Wilmot.

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