People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.
💰 The price is right: Want to sell something on eBay, Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp? Use your favorite AI bot to find out how much it’s worth. In ChatGPT, for example, type your item’s description with a prompt like this: “Find the most recent sold prices for [your product]. What price should I list it on [website or app]?”
How to find the best prices on eBay
Want what you want but for less? Here are some secrets to scoring the best deals on anything you’re looking for.
🚨 Check your Anker Power Banks: Over 1.1 million 535 Power Bank (PowerCore 20K) units are on the recall list after reports of overheating, fires and property damage. These were sold between 2022 and 2024 on Amazon, eBay and Anker’s site. More details here.
$20,000
What a guy from Wyoming is selling two giant boulders for on eBay. These aren’t just any rocks, by the way. They’re made of nephrite jade (he has no idea what their true value is). As for who’s buying? Apparently, serious collectors or people who really love stones. Oh, and shipping’s not included. You’ll need to organize a crane and a truck. Speaking of … What dinosaur used boulders as toilet paper? Megasoreass. 🦕
eBay’s new shopping friend: eBay’s new AI shopping “companion” wants to spiritually replace the friend who knew your vibe and your 3 a.m. niche obsessions. Its new generative AI guide is designed to guide you through the digital thrift store with next-generation ease. It’s slowly being rolled out to U.S. customers near the search bar.
📦 Thrifting apps are booming: They’re up 18% in the first quarter compared to last year (paywall link). Folks are using apps like Depop and eBay for cheaper secondhand clothes and furniture since Shein and Temu are getting pricier because of tariffs. But hey, with all that demand, don’t be shocked when thrift prices start acting ~boutique~.
What your profile pic says about you (like it or not)
Whether you’re on eBay, Etsy, or LinkedIn, your photo matters more than you think. Here’s how to make it work for you.
$1,000
How much you’re going to pay for a discontinued Trader Joe’s mini tote bag on eBay. The “Honey, I Shrunk the Tote Bag” version of its classic canvas tote was $3 in-store. Today, you’d need a small personal loan and a dream.
$600,000
That’s about how much a Michigan man made by selling counterfeit airbags on eBay. Authorities seized 1,600 of them, many missing inflators entirely. So basically, crash dummies were safer than some real drivers.
$1 million
Jerry Hall’s dress that inspired Princess Diana’s wedding gown is listed on eBay. Diana was in awe when she saw Jerry wear it at a royal birthday party. When Diana got engaged, she hit up its then-unknown designers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, to create her now iconic gown with a 25-foot train and 10,000 pearls. It was stunning!
eBay haggling 101: How to score the best deals
Lowball offer got ignored? Don’t give up yet. The longer a seller waits, the better your chances.
📦 Not bad for a side hustle: A California mom bought a few Amazon return pallets, listed the items on eBay and made $10,000 in the first month. Now, she runs a multimillion-dollar e-commerce business. Love American success stories like this. Do you have one? Let me know here.
🚀 Own a piece of SpaceX: Earlier this month, SpaceX tested its Starship for the seventh time, and the upper half of the rocket exploded over the Turks and Caicos. Folks there are finding pieces on the beach and selling them on eBay. Sellers are asking for anywhere from $200 to $5,000 for a chunk of the debris (paywall link).
👀 The IRS is watching: If you sold over $5,000 on sites like eBay, Etsy or StubHub last year, keep an eye out for a 1099-K form in the mail (paywall link). The reporting threshold used to be $20,000. Now, you need to report side hustle earnings over $5,000, even if you don’t get a form from a specific site.
December 14th, 2024
Merch celebrating the UnitedHealthcare CEO killer is for sale on eBay. Plus, an AI bot that surfs the web for you, Siri gets an OpenAI upgrade, and why people are gifting unclaimed mail this holiday season.
The state of our country: Scumbags are selling merch glorifying the UnitedHealthcare CEO killer. Amazon had the decency to pull “Deny Defend Depose” shirts, but they’re still on eBay, apparently because they don’t break any rules. Really? Trolls review-bombed the McDonald’s where the guy was caught, too, calling workers rats and snitches. What is wrong with people?
3 easy eBay tips for beginners
Got stuff you don’t need? Turn it into cash by selling it online. Here’s how to make your listing stand out!
How to earn $25 million a year on eBay
Linda Lightman started by selling her kids’ video games on eBay in the ’90s. Today, she operates a 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse with a dedicated team, all thanks to her eBay success. Plus, updates on Apple’s AI developments and tax credits for EVs.