Hi there, lovely mums! If you’re like me, juggling family life while trying to bring in a bit of extra income, reselling on eBay might have crossed your radar. It’s flexible, you can do it from home, and let’s be honest—it’s pretty exciting to turn a small investment into a decent profit! But when you’re just starting out it can be a little daunting.
You head to youtube and watch a load of videos of people sat in their spare rooms, shed or even warehouses with BOXES and BOXES of stock, all SKU’d on shelves – lisiting stations and impressive set ups. I have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. This approach just left me swamped, behind on tasks and ultimately hating the whole thing!
As someone who’s been down this road, I’ve come to realize that focusing on high-ticket sales has clear advantages, especially for mums like us who are balancing a million other things. Let’s dive into the benefits of high-ticket sales, compare them to volume selling, and talk about how this approach works perfectly for eBay resellers.
What Are High-Ticket Sales and Volume Sales?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s clarify the two strategies:
- High-ticket sales: Selling fewer items at higher prices. Think designer handbags, high-end electronics, or rare collectibles.
- Volume sales: Selling a high number of low-cost items. This could be things like budget clothing, books, or common household items.
What Are High-Ticket Sales?
High-ticket sales involve selling fewer items at a higher price point. Instead of working hard to move hundreds of low-cost products for small profits (and believe me when I tell you, 100+ parcels a day is HARD WORK), you focus on selling more valuable items that generate significant profit per sale. On eBay, this could mean selling luxury handbags, rare collectibles, or high-end electronics rather than bulk items like cheap toys or low-cost clothing.
What Are Volume Sales?
Volume sales, on the other hand, rely on moving a lot of lower-cost items quickly. For example, you might sell everyday products like basic T-shirts, DVDs, shoes, clothing etc. While the profit per item is lower, the idea is that frequent sales add up over time and they do. Doing it this way can be very profitable if you have multiple hours a day to invest, and aren’t easily distracted because listing for 4 hours a day and packing hundreds of parcels a month gets tedious real fast! Not just that – it takes a long to go out and source these items as well.
The Benefits of High-Ticket Sales
1. Higher Profit Margins
When you sell a high-ticket item, the profit margin per sale is significantly larger. Instead of spending time processing dozens of £10 sales to make £50 in profit, you could sell one £500 item with a £150 profit margin. That’s a lot more bang for your buck—and your time.
For busy mums, this is a game-changer. If you only have an hour or two a day to dedicate to eBay, wouldn’t you rather spend that time making £150 instead of £15? High-ticket items make it possible to scale your income without burning out.
2. Less Time Spent Packing and Shipping
Selling in volume means more sales to pack, label, and ship. That adds up to a lot of time spent running back and forth to the post office. With high-ticket sales, you’re handling fewer items, which means less time consumed by logistics. This is a MASSIVE deal.
I remember one week when I sold 137 small items. My kitchen table was covered with packaging materials, and I spent hours wrapping everything up while my kids asked, “Mum, are you done yet?” I may have made a good £300/400 in Profit, but knowing what I know now, it wasn’t worth it! Now, with high-ticket items, I can focus on quality over quantity—and my evenings are free for family time as I can make that same profit in just 30 minutes and 2 packages to ship!
3. Better Use of Storage Space
If you’re selling from home, space can be a real issue. Volume sellers often need significant storage for all their inventory. By focusing on high-ticket items, you can reduce the clutter and keep things manageable. I ended up with 1500 square foot industrial unit – and yes I was able to sell far more
For example, I once flipped a designer mens tie set for £300 that took up as much space as one small shoebox. Compare that to a box loads Ps4 Games and Shoes I’d sold for £6 each, and the choice became clear. High-ticket sales mean less storage stress.
4. Easier to Identify Profitable Niches
High-ticket sales often focus on specialized niches, like designer clothing, collectibles, or premium electronics. Once you’ve found a niche that works for you, it’s easier to research and source products within that category.
For instance, I stumbled upon vintage kitchenware while browsing a local charity shop. After selling a few pieces for over £100 each, I realized this niche had great potential. Sticking to high-ticket items in this category meant I didn’t have to cast a wide net to make consistent sales.
The Challenges of Volume Selling
While there are some benefits to volume selling—such as frequent sales and a lower upfront investment—it comes with a unique set of challenges:
- More Work, Less Profit: Low-cost items require significant effort to make meaningful profits. Between sourcing, listing, and shipping, the work can feel endless.
- Competition Is Fierce: Volume sellers face stiff competition, often resulting in razor-thin profit margins. Larger retailers can afford to undercut prices, making it hard for smaller sellers to stand out.
- Time-Consuming: Managing dozens (or hundreds!) of listings takes a lot of time. For mums, this can quickly become overwhelming.
Why High-Ticket Sales Are Perfect for Mums
As mums, our time is precious. Between school runs, meal prep, and bedtime routines, it can feel impossible to fit anything else into the day. That’s why high-ticket sales are ideal—they let you maximize your earnings while working fewer hours.
Here’s why it works so well for mums:
- Flexibility: You can focus on sourcing one or two high-ticket items a week instead of dozens of low-cost ones.
- More Family Time: Less time spent listing and shipping means more time with your kids.
- Higher Returns on Investment: Even if you can only spend a few hours a week on eBay, those hours are more profitable with high-ticket items.
How to Start Selling High-Ticket Items on eBay
Ready to give it a go? Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Choose a High-Ticket Niche
Think about products you’re passionate about or knowledgeable in. Popular niches include:
- Designer handbags and shoes
- High-end electronics (smartphones, laptops, etc.)
- Vintage or antique items
- Rare collectibles (stamps, coins, sports memorabilia)
Do some research to find out what sells well and what buyers are willing to pay for.
2. Source Your Inventory
Finding high-ticket items doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some sourcing tips:
- Charity Shops: Keep an eye out for hidden gems like vintage clothing, branded accessories, or antique homeware.
- Car Boot Sales: Many sellers don’t know the true value of what they’re offering, giving you a chance to score high-value items at a low cost.
- Facebook Marketplace: Search for local deals on designer items or electronics.
- Auctions: Online and in-person auctions are great for finding rare collectibles or luxury items.
3. Learn How to Spot Value
The key to successful high-ticket sales is recognizing valuable items. Look for:
- Designer labels or reputable brands.
- Limited-edition or rare items.
- Items in excellent condition or with original packaging.
If you’re unsure about an item’s value, eBay’s completed listings feature is a lifesaver. It shows you what similar items have sold for recently.
4. Take Great Photos
High-ticket buyers expect quality, and your photos should reflect that. Use good lighting and take pictures from multiple angles. Include close-ups of tags, logos, or unique details.
5. Write Detailed Listings
Be honest and thorough in your descriptions. Mention any flaws and highlight what makes the item valuable. Buyers appreciate transparency, especially when they’re spending a lot of money.
6. Price Strategically
Research the market to set a competitive price. Don’t undervalue your items, but also don’t price them so high that they scare off potential buyers. My £10k Challenge guide covers this in really good detail!
My High-Ticket Success Story
I’ll never forget the day I sold my first high-ticket item. It was a still in the bag 1970’s action figure I’d picked up at a charity shop for £15. After some research, I discovered it was a rare item that collectors loved. I listed it for £100, and immediately had a message on my account from a very honest buyer stating it was priced too low and to relist at £400+. Not to rip anyone off I relisted ar £399.95 and guess what? It sold within the hour!
That single sale gave me more profit than an entire week of selling low-cost items. It was a lightbulb moment for me—high-ticket sales were the way forward.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a mum looking to make extra income without sacrificing precious time with your family, high-ticket sales on eBay could be the perfect solution. By focusing on fewer, more valuable items, you can earn more while working less.
It might take some time to find your niche and learn the ropes, but the effort is worth it. You could always buy my £10k Challenge guide and get a head start! Start small, do your research, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new. Before you know it, you could be turning your side hustle into a serious income stream.
Happy selling, mums! And if you have any questions or tips of your own, I’d love to hear them—let’s support each other on this journey.
With love,
Lucky Mamma!
