The Early Bird Gets the Niche Product on eBay

One common question I receive each day from readers and clients is, "I need a niche product. How do I find one?"

First of all, I want to state that the term "niche product" is overused and over rated. What does it mean anyway, and does everyone REALLY need one? Many new and seasoned sellers are convinced that they can't be successful on eBay without a niche product. This simply is NOT true.

The definition of a niche product is, "a small, well-defined portion of a market where there is demand for a product but not much competition." Some examples of niche products that were once good sellers include Red Bull soda, Crocs shoes, The Snuggie, and Silly Bandz. These products were unique. Red Bull was the first carbonated energy drink, aggressively marketed to extreme sport enthusiasts. Now, there are at least 25 brands of carbonated energy drinks in the grocery store, and if you try to sell Red Bull today you will fail miserably because there is just too much competition.

The same with Crocs shoes - a foam resin clog shoe with ventilation holes designed for comfort and easy cleaning. If you got in on the Crocs craze back in 2004 (which I did) and sold them on eBay, you made good money. I bought Crocs at regular retail and sold them for a nice markup to both domestic and international customers.

The point I am making here is that finding a so-called niche product is all about keeping your eyes and ears open, and paying attention to what is going on around you. There really isn't a sophisticated research tool that's going to help you identify these products. Terapeak can help you see trends, the most successful sellers are those who are paying attention to what they buy as a consumer, what their kids want, what is being advertised in mass media, and what is new on the market.

Don't assume you have to find a magical wholesaler or supplier for these products. The biggest point sellers miss about selling online:

Making a profit on eBay is about supply and demand. You may have access to something that others don't. Do not assume that because you walk by a product in a Walmart or grocery store every day that everyone else in the world sees that product every day, too. My successful clients (and myself) source products at places like Costco, Sam's, Walmart, Big Lots, TJ Maxx, grocery stores, drug stores, and other retail stores.

And don't expect to find a product that you sell sell from now on, for the rest of your life. It won't happen. Successful niche products have a short life span. Either the market is going to become saturated, too many imitations will be made, the product will be discontinued, or eBay will prohibit it (all of these things have happened to me).

Researching products for sale on or offline is an ongoing process - FOREVER. Most of my clients spend 5-8 hours a week searching for product ideas. Because if you've got a good one going now, rest assured, it won't last forever. You must constantly be mining for product ideas.

I am reading a great book about this topic right now called "Different, Escaping the Competitive Herd." This book is described as a book for people who don't read business books. The author explains that what you want to look for as a seller is a "unique product category." For example, the TV dinner was a unique product. It changed the course of history. The TV dinner was a new way to serve food that saved time and money. That's how you've got to think - what is out there that's new and different, that is not represented on eBay? Granted, truly innovative products like TV dinners and sliced bread are rare these days, but you get the point. eBay does not need more designer handbags, cell phones, or Wii games. Those categories are completely over saturated.

A niche product may not be an innovation, but the manner in which a current product is presented - like dishwasher tablets, yogurt in tubes, coffee that comes in small single servings for individual brewing, or breath freshener strips. Innovation is what people want. Don't follow the herd - you can't even be sure the herd knows what it is doing! Don't assume you have to be competitive - in fact, trying to beat the competition just makes you more like them. Aspire to be different. It's pretty easy to make money when you don't have any competitors.

(Oh, and if you are reading about niche products online, remember that thousands of other people are reading about them too, so you are aleady too late. Pay attention to what is going on around you and think for yourself.)

Related articles:

Finding Niche Products to Sell on eBay

The Ideal Niche Product to Sell on eBay

Online Selling Coach

Niche Product to Sell on eBay - Flight Socks

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a condition that is caused by blood clot partially or fully blocking a blood vessel. Thousands of people are affected by DVT each year. When blood flow is slowed (this can be caused by something like sitting still for a long period of time), clots are more likely to form in the deep veins in your legs. Dry air and dehydration can encourage DVT as well. The symptoms of DVT are pain or swelling in part of your leg. There is a risk of fatality because the clot could make its way to your brain or lungs.

DVT has a hypothetical link to flying because people are forced to sit for such long periods of time. It has even been nicknamed “economy class syndrome.”

One way to reduce the risk of DVT is through compression. Flight socks have been shown to reduce a person’s risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis by 90%. A side benefit of flight socks is that they also improve edema (unusual water retention).

Researchers believe that flight socks work because they apply pressure to a person’s calf, which in turn applies pressure to veins that are deep inside the leg. That causes blood to pump more rapidly and helps prevent clots.

Compression bandages can have the same affect. They are best applied around your ankles and encourage blood flow in the same way the flight socks do.

Flight socks and compression bandages could be a wonderful niche product for eBay, especially if you sell travel or health care items.

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Niche Product: Geocaching Supplies

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List of 395 eBay Friendly Wholesale Suppliers

Get Ideas for eBay Niche Products from Teen Magazines

A challenge for eBay sellers is deciding what to sell or what the next hot item will be for a particular demographic group. This can take time to figure out and sometimes you might miss a selling opportunity but with a little research the information is literally, at your fingertips.

One particular group is our teenage population. They have money to spend from their parents, part time jobs and allowance. Without the financial responsibilities of most people such as health care payments, utilities, and a mortgage, they can use their funds buy “things”.

Are you an empty-nester with no teenagers around? The easiest way to find out what kids these days want is to pick up the magazines they are reading. Billions of dollars are spent by corporate America in selecting advertising for magazines. Put their money to use for your business.

Pick up an issue of CosmoGirl, Seventeen, or Teen People and see what is being advertised. If you find out what teens like for TV shows, movies, music and celebrities you will know where to focus your buying and selling energy. Also, don’t forget about their clothing, cosmetics and electronic needs. Many teens have these items in excess but still want more. You don’t even need to buy the magazines. You can look through them in the store, at the Drs. office or find them at your local library and check them out for a couple of weeks.

I have used this technique and it works. I got the idea for DuWop Lip Venom by flipping through a magazine at a grocery checkout. (Read the post about this product.) Niche product ideas are all around you. You just have to pay attention.

Click here for a list of 395 eBay friendly wholesalers along with 5 important facts for choosing profitable wholesale products to sell on eBay.

eBay Niche Product Finder

A cool way to discover niche products to sell on eBay:




1. Go to Terapeak.
2. Select CATEGORY
3. Drill down to subcategories to find niche products
4. Look locally for these products - you may have access to something other people don't

Click here to get Terapeak

Click here to get "10 Niche Markets on eBay"

Click here for a list of 395 eBay friendly wholesalers along with 5 important facts for choosing profitable wholesale products to sell on eBay.

Niche Products to Sell on eBay During Spring and Summer

Online sellers are always interested in learning what products to sell for the summer. This isn't really as complicated as it seems. Pay attention to what is going on around you and watch what the major retailers are doing, then follow suit.

One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of spring and summer is bugs! Insect control products are great sellers on eBay during the spring and summer months. Products like bug zappers, citronella candles, and insect repellent towelettes will be popular. Smaller items like citronella bracelets and candles can be sold in large lots for outdoor events like family reunions, vacation bible school, and summer day camps. I recently sold a case of 24 citronella bracelets on eBay - they are a product offered though Doba. (Check out my actual listing here.)

Another popular niche is outdoor cooking, barbecues, and grilling. Research products like grill utensil sets, grill covers, personalized aprons for men (Father's Day), thermometers, and lighters. Think about your own "grill master" and what that person uses.

Summer also means water sports. Items like life jackets (even for pets), boating accessories, swimwear, baby floats, goggles, and sunscreen. Think about consumable products (like sunscreen and insect repellent towelettes) that get used up and must be replenished. Consumables are one of the most profitable and sustainable niches on eBay. (Read more about consumables here.)

More ideas on products to look for at thrift stores during the warm months:

Birkenstock Sandals

Burma & Bibas Silk Shirts

Cycling Jerseys

Jeff Rose Golf Shirts

Click here to learn more about identifying and selling niche products on eBay.

Happy Selling!