I've been attending local auctions lately and coming across a lot of "early" (older) glass items for inexpensive prices. I think it would be neat to be able to find some bargains here locally and sell them on Ebay for profit. The problem is, Ebay is such a random place... how do I know what types/styles of glass would sell well? Are there any books or resources written on the subject of selling early glass on Ebay? If anyone sells older glass items on Ebay, please let me know what you look for when buying and what works for you. Any other general advice would also be grealy appreciated. Thanks!

I have bought and sold on Ebay. Are you talking about depression glass or another kind? Do you know the difference? (I don't) I think you really need to know your glass if you are going to sell it on Ebay. There are so many reproductions of glass. It is hard to tell one from another unless you are an expert.

I suggest you do a search on glass and see what glass items are listed and selling for. (See where the bidding is at) There are over 9000 glass items which include:

* Art Glass
o - Bohemian/Czech
o - British
o - French
o - Italian
o - North American
o - Scandinavian
o - Other Countries
o - Paperweights
o - Stained Glass
o - Other
* Glassware
o - 40s, 50s, 60s
o - Amethyst
o - Carnival Glass
o - Childrens Glass
o - Cobalt
o - Contemporary Glass
o - Crackle Glass
o - Cut Glass
o - Depression
o - Early American Pattern Glass
o - Elegant
o - Kitchen Glassware
o - Opalescent
o - Opaque
o - Pressed Glass
o - Pyrex
o - Ruby
o - Stretch Glass
o - Vaseline
o - Waterford
o - Other Glassware

There are other things to consider. Do you have a safe place to store the glass when you are selling it? Do you have proper shipping materials? You have to store and ship VERY carefully. I also suggest you make insurance mandatory- just in case.

The Ebay glass buying guide gives tips which can help you identify the types of glass which can help you buy or sell.

Good Luck to You.

Thanks so much clarebear! Some things from the auction I go to are depression glass... others aren't. The link that you provided from Ebay looks great and will definitely help me out a lot. I'll probably end up making a list of the different types of glass and the average amounts they sell for on Ebay. That way when I go to the auction I'll know exactly what to look for when finding "bargains."

I do have a safe place to store the glass, and I have access to all the shipping materials I'll need. Is wrapping the glass items tightly in lots of bubble wrap sufficient, and maybe including some "peanuts", or do I need to do more? I'm thinking about making insurance optional because I know some people don't like to pay extra for it. If an item gets broken and they pay through PayPal, which I require, I'm 99% sure their purchase is covered. If I'm wrong, please let me know. Thanks so much for everything!

You need to pay the USPS for insurance. Its $2.30 for $100.00 of insurance. Bubble wrap and peanuts would be fine. I would include the insurance in the price. I feel confident if someone makes me pay insurance. I feel like I'm getting something valuable.

I never thought about insurance from that perspective. Thanks! I think I will go ahead and make it mandatory just to be on the safe side.