just wondering what kind of stuff I can find on ebay?

-- Lisa (magpie@fsi.net), December 09, 2001

Answers

Go there, and search! But be warned.......it's addicting!

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), December 09, 2001.

Anything and everything! Just type in a word or description (and check the box to search titles and descriptions) and see what happens. I've seen people mention here getting milking pails, grain mills, and asparagus plants, to name a few.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), December 09, 2001.

I just bought a book about Raising your own Turkeys for $2.50 from www.half.com which I guess is somehow related to ebay. I liked half.com because I could use my credit card and the seller never gets to see the number, plus I can buy it instantly instead of having to bid and wait.

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), December 09, 2001.

I'm typing on a notebook PC from Ebay. I'm shopping for a tractor there. I even bought fencing there... and tools... and a great Mag Lite flashlight... and... and... Yeah, it IS addicting. Go search.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 09, 2001.

We have bought an electric pasteurizer ($25), stainless steel milk pail ($10), tons and tons of homesteading books (even ones I never heard of before - and I thought I knew them all), cast iron skillets ($5 for 2 big ones), cast iron cornstick pan ($1), livestock waters and feeders, mega big buckets, horse and goat halters, garden seeder, and misc. kitchen items/tools. You name it...it's there - or will be any day now!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), December 09, 2001.

I bought a pair of like new Liberty bib overalls for half the price they would have been ordinarily! I have been trying to stay away..since it IS addicting. Just lost out on a Shepherd's crook/cane that I really wanted..but I am sure there will be another. I set a top price and never waver. I bet you could find just about anything there! I have bought alot of dishes for my set which were from the 50's but have a colonial/early american primative scene on them. And I have sold some stuff too!

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), December 09, 2001.

Now I see who's been bidding against me on all this stuff. We should sign up and take turns on things so that we can all get better prices! :-P

I bought an incubator recently. I wish I could get livestock this way, too. Eggbayis the only place I've found to do that, however.

How about selling? I sold my bulldozer on ebay. To a collector. He drove all the way down from Michigan to pick it up. What kind of people collect bulldozers?

My wife makes a very simple product that we sell on ebay to help support her hobby.

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 09, 2001.

Yes ebay can be addicting (big time waster just browsing). Also have to be real meticulous of getting a firm quote on shipping if not clearly listed as many on ebay really pad the shipping costs. I always figure shipping as part of total price I have to pay. I've always had good luck at auctions both local and on ebay since I set top limit, and thats it. If its worth more to somebody else then I'm happy for them. Last few things I've bought include a new hydraulic pump for my backhoe attachment(half price of comparable one from Burdens Surplus Center catalog), a barely used 1960's mid size Craftsman chainsaw (the condition is just incredible for the age), a factory rebuilt automotive carb (half price of just the rebuild kit locally) and an older HP printer that works with Linux operating system. All these things very cheap (total price including shipping) compared to discount mail order or local unless I just got super lucky and hit right garage sale or auction. (Gasoline to go to local yardsales/auction costs too)

-- HermitJohn (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), December 10, 2001.

Agreed ... it is very addicting and you do have to check the shipping costs. I've bought more books than anything else ... books are my major addiction (other than horses) and I have my favorites that I read and re-read like some people watch old, favorite movies again and again.

But have also bought other things ... an older color printer that I prefer to the newer types as I know how it works and how best to use it ... and a replacement camera body for my cherished Canon T-50 that fits my zoom lens. Takes wonderful sharp action photos of the horses without which I could not market my horses adequately ... and nobody in this area would even look at the "original" camera and attempt repair. Repair estimates were in the $100 range ... replacement body was $85 ... and I sold the "broken" one for parts on eBay for $30 ...

SFM

-- SFM in KY (timberln@hyperaction.net), December 10, 2001.

We have bought a milking machinge, milk strainer, machinery parts, hog ring pliers, books, etc. It is very addicting, sometimes I have to tell myself "No ebay this week" Polly

-- (jserg45@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

Bee smoker and Bee hive (cost more to ship it than it did to buy it! ha!) Electric milk pasturizer from the 50's. Tons of homesteading type books, washboard, butter churn, grain grinder, electric coffee grinder (for grinding flax seed for my goats and horses in the barn), yogotherm (non-electric yogurt maker) for $5, wool for spinning, oodles of horse tack (sold some too for good prices), wall paper borders (cheap cheap!!), emergency candles, 1 qt. aluminum milk can with lid, and my best "buy": A full length, like new, ladies down coat with hood for $9!!!!!!!!!!

Ebay is a treasure trove for the frugal homesteader! Good thread! -- Cheers, Renee

-- Renee Martin (icehorse@altelco.net), December 10, 2001.

I hate you guys. I went and visited the site and just bought $60 worth of cast iron pots. Dammit. I was doing so well too. Crud. Books are cheaper at ABE books or Alibris - especially for Arabian horse books...

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), December 10, 2001.

Have bought books too. Pasta maker, ravoli maker, horse stuff, and too much to mention. I have Arabians too!

-- PJC (zpjc5_@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

One thing I would suggest for the "addicts" ... check on or be aware of the "usual" prices for second-hand (or even new) merchandise you are bidding on through eBay. Several times I've checked through some of the used-book sites and found that a book I was interested in on eBay was available much cheaper through one of the on-line used book sellers. Other times ... I've found it more reasonable on eBay ... there isn't any particular logic to it, but if you double check on prices and shipping costs, you can avoid some of the "if only I had ...". With both sources, be sure and check shipping costs as there is a wide variation.

Horse books for some reason seem to go a lot higher on eBay than some other places ... also some kinds of tack ...

Clothing is often reasonably priced ... though stay aware of the local "Goodwill" prices. One odd thing, here in Kentucky the Levi jackets and Levi jeans are very expensive at the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores ... in Montana and Wyoming they were both plentiful and cheap. And you CANNOT buy the old-fashioned button-fly heavy 501 men's work Levis here in Kentucky ... not anywhere. I've work them for years and have to have a friend get them in Montana and send them to me, as they are about the only item of clothing I do buy new.

-- SFM in KY (timberln@hyperaction.net), December 10, 2001.

Hello Lisa,

I buy my garden seeds on Ebay! I also have bought a few hard- to-find tools there also.

Good Luck,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

Lisa, I bought all my kids name brand sweatshirts (Tommy, Addidas, Nike etc) all for less than 10$. I just purchased my husband a Whirley Pop Corn Popper, the new ones with the wand you crank in the handle to pop all the kernels, gave up trying to find an old one that could still be used. Bought several milk pails for friends, and the gal putting together my milk machine is buying off there also. The book section is great also. I found my Dr. Guss book on there!

Another great site is http://cometothefarm.com/cometothefarmcgi/auction.cgi

ran by goat gals, though they have regular auctions on there most of the time they are to benefit someone or something. Really great buys on there also. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

I have sold many Homestead related items on eBay. Chicken waterers, band casterator, hog rings and pliers, balling guns. pig tooth nippers. Most of the stuff I buy from Jeffers and sell on eBay at a profit. It always amazes me that people buy this stuff from me when they could buy it from Jeffers cheaper, but I'll never tell them.

-- Mark in N.C. Fla. (deadgoatman@webtv.net), December 10, 2001.

I got a three year subscription to Mother Earth News on Ebay for 18.99. Thought maybe this was a scam but I just got the first issue in the mail last week. Sorry, no Countryside last I checked.

-- Scott McAlpine (scottmcalpine@juno.com), December 10, 2001.

I forgot...also got an elastrator and a tattoo kit for animals there.......really cheap!!

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), December 11, 2001.