Home
>
Small Business
>
New Habits, Rebounding Economy Help To Sell Giftware and Collectibles

New Habits, Rebounding Economy Help To Sell Giftware and Collectibles

Just a few years ago, when one thought of a home-based sales business, Tupperware, Avon and a host of multi-level marketing schemes might have come to mind. Today, however, changing market conditions and evolving consumer habits have converged to make home-based selling businesses a realistic opportunity with real profit potential.

This is especially true in the world of collectibles and giftware. In years past, collectors-who are among the most discerning shoppers-had few avenues for conveniently finding and then purchasing the items they were seeking. They would have to visit specialty shops and expensive boutiques. They often waited for the right specialty event or show, and then would drive many miles to attend so they could look for that exceptional piece. With Internet retail sites, online auctions, and a growing body of home-based entrepreneurs, these shoppers now are able to take advantage of many new resources.

For those considering home-based businesses, there are many avenues. There are franchises, partnerships and other business relationships that involve other people. Many of these require an investment in someone else's business, and unfortunately, many of them turn out to be scams. For those looking to sell collectibles and giftware from home, the only investment that is made is in that person's own business. The start-up costs depend on how much inventory the entrepreneur can afford to have at first.

With our economy poised for what some economists are calling a potentially unprecedented recovery, those searching for high-quality collectibles and giftware will have more money to spend on those items they cherish, and they will be looking for convenient and inexpensive ways to collect them. Selection, price and superior customer service will differentiate the successful entrepreneurs in this area.

Collectibles and giftware are sold by home-based entrepreneurs using several marketing programs: retail sites on the Internet, online auctions such as eBay and others, swaps and flea markets, mail-order, catalogs and in-home parties. Some people sell collectibles and giftware for supplemental income, and some make a business of it. Either way, selling collectibles and giftware is a proven way to immediately improve cash flow. Collectibles and giftware are also often sold or auctioned to raise funds for nonprofit organizations.

Entrepreneurs often get into the business of selling collectibles and giftware in stages by setting up a small Internet retail site, or attending flea markets on the weekend, or putting a few items up occasionally at an online auction site. Because the profit margin in selling these items can be great, in many cases these people soon "quit their day jobs" to sell collectibles and giftware full time.

As we stated before, collectibles and giftware shoppers generally know what they're looking for and they now have many more options for finding what they want.

Entrepreneurs who want to succeed need to do four things:

Stand out from the crowd by selling the types of collectibles giftware that people are buying.
Offer some exclusive items that cannot be found anywhere else or that cannot be found easily.
Be a resource for your customers.
Keep prices low.

Home-based sellers of collectibles and giftware need to keep on top of what their customers are buying so they can stand out by selling popular items. Tastes and trends in collectibles change over time, so these entrepreneurs need to do their homework, using research tools such as the Internet and keeping a close eye on the competition.

Offering exclusive or hard-to-find items is another way to stand out in the collectibles and giftware world.

Entrepreneurs should keep in mind that collectibles encompass a mind-boggling number of items, since the term refers to anything that people might collect. Often, specializing in a certain type of item can be profitable if there is a large enough demand and there are few sources for the item.

Even with all of the technological tools at their disposal today, collectors still have trouble finding an item that they desire. Some collectors may not be Internet-savvy, or may not be familiar with sources in their areas. The more adept that home-based sellers of collectibles and giftware become at finding specific items for customers, the more they will be relied on as a resource, and the more customer loyalty they will develop.

Even if an entrepreneur does provide all of this added value to the customer, prices should be kept low. Customer loyalty can quickly turn if they realize that the items of a certain seller are obviously overpriced. The profit margin for collectibles and giftware is generally high, so prices can be kept low while the profit margin can remain relatively high for the seller. Keeping prices low will help the collectibles and giftware seller attract many more customers.

One of the best aspects of selling collectibles and giftware is that it is a year-round business, unlike the huge seasonal highs and lows seen in other retail areas. At the same time, the Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day shopping seasons always bring a big boost to the collectibles and giftware business.

Selling collectibles and giftware can be a rewarding home-based business in which the entrepreneurs are truly their own bosses. Because of the changing habits of collectors and the impending economic upturn, selling collectibles and giftware is perhaps one of the brightest opportunities in the world of home-based businesses today.

About The Author

Opal R. Gilbert is the President of O.R. Gilbert Enterprises. She operates Global Specialty Gifts, which is her own online and catalog retail and wholesale business, specializing in gift items and collectibles. Global Specialty Gifts may be found online at www.globalspecialtygifts.net. Sub-wholesalers may purchase items there at below-wholesale prices. For more information, contact Opal R. Gilbert directly at (212) 685-1729. Email: www.globalspecialtygifts.net.

best cleaning company Highland Park ..

In The News:

Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.

MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.

The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University designed a 21-foot dome that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining urban food system.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

ChatGPT data breach exposes personal info of users through partner Mixpanel. OpenAI confirms names, emails compromised in security incident.

Android rolls out Emergency Live Video for 911 calls, letting dispatchers see real-time scenes during emergencies. Great for holiday travel safety.

Malicious Chrome and Edge extensions collected browsing history, keystrokes and personal data from millions of users before Google and Microsoft removed them.

Google's new Call Reason feature lets Android users mark calls as urgent before dialing, displaying an urgent label to recipients using Phone by Google app.

Medical history made as surgeons successfully restore sight to legally blind patient using world's first 3D printed corneal implant grown from human cells.

Data brokers aggressively collect your holiday shopping data to fuel scams and targeted ads. Learn how to delete your digital profile before 2025 starts.

Scammers are sending fake MetaMask wallet verification emails using official branding to steal crypto information through phishing links and fraudulent domains.

Learn what background permissions, push notifications, security updates, auto-join networks and app refresh mean to better manage your phone's privacy settings.

Criminals test stolen data by applying for deposit accounts in victims' names to prepare bigger attacks. Learn why banks won't share fraud details.

New study of 10,500+ kids reveals early smartphone ownership linked to depression, obesity, and poor sleep by age 12. Earlier phones mean higher risks.

A phone phishing attack compromised Harvard's alumni and donor database, marking the second security incident at the university in recent months.

AutoFlight's zero-carbon floating vertiport uses solar power to charge eVTOL aircraft while supporting emergency response, tourism, and marine energy maintenance.

A new phone return scam targets recent buyers with fake carrier calls. Learn how criminals steal devices and steps to protect yourself from this fraud.

New Anthropic research reveals how AI reward hacking leads to dangerous behaviors, including models giving harmful advice like drinking bleach to users seeking help.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

Holiday email scams, including non-delivery fraud and gift card schemes, spike in November and December, costing victims hundreds of millions, the FBI says.

Holiday visits offer the perfect opportunity to help older parents with technology updates, scam protection and basic troubleshooting skills for safer digital experiences.

Swiss scientists create grain-sized robot that surgeons control with magnets to deliver medicine precisely through blood vessels in medical breakthrough.

Researchers exploited WhatsApp's API vulnerability to scrape 3.5 billion phone numbers. Learn how this massive data breach happened and protect yourself.

Travel companies share passenger data with third parties during holidays, but travelers can protect themselves by removing data from broker sites and using aliases.

New Habits, Rebounding Economy Help To Sell Giftware and Collectibles

Small Business