First, a word about eBay.
The largest online auction and/or "buy-it-now" website in the world, eBay started 15 years ago when a broken laser pointer was sold by the owner for about $14 USD to a collector.
On that note eBay stayed its reputation for being a place where people can make money offering anything they might want to sell to the entire world; where they can either put their things up for bids or make money directly with a fixed selling price.
Soon after that first sale, people who wanted to make money on their things started setting up their own e-stores at eBay selling stuff to people who might want to buy anything.
eBay has made its mark as being the market place to go for necessities, small and big luxuries, fads or just plain curios.
As you can see, although you don't need much to make money at eBay, with the proper technique, you can have it big there.
One of the first things you read when you log in to their web site is "Registration is fast and free!" And that is exactly what it will take for you to set up your store there, no hassle, no expense! And regarding technique...
If you do decide to making money on eBay, start out selling things you don't need to buy, things you already have but don't really need, don't want to store in the house or want other people to make use of so before they spoil in storage.
An important resource for great ideas for products to make money on is the advanced search module of eBay which provides ratings about the top-selling products.
Look for products that sell cheap and fast because there will be less cash out for you and less mark-up competition for them.
The supply may just match or even be less than the demand.
If you opt for expensive but slower moving products, you have to stand competition.
And because when you sell an item, the speed and the price at which you making money gives you a fair idea of the possibilities in one niche, you should make your first offerings come from different niches.
Maybe combine books with electronics, cosmetics and home décor.
After you make money on them, rate each item according to the speed of sale and the price.
Then you should stock up your store with the items which come in top 3 or 4 of your list.
By the time you run out of your own stocks, it will be time to start as an honest-to-mom trader at E-bay; get things from suppliers and making money with them.
By the way suppliers may be wholesalers or occasionally retailers or drop shippers.
Drop shippers are actually agents for manufacturers or wholesalers.
They don't possess stocks.
Before getting items from them try and apply to become a drop shipper yourself.
You can catch good suppliers by proper research or joining communities of people who trade at eBay.
At this moment, you should be just about ready to visit eBay and set up your store.
You need to start somewhere, sometime to make money and become an eBay Power Seller!