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Easy Things to Sell on eBay: Make Money Tearing Up Old Magazines and Books
Want easy things to sell on eBay? You can’t get any easier than tearing up old magazines and books! I know because I’ve done it, and it works.
If you’re into thrifting, flipping vintage finds, or love the thrill of turning something overlooked into profit, then How to Make Money Tearing Up Old Books and Magazines and Selling Them on eBay by Avril Harper might just become your next favorite resource.
Yes, the title is bold (and maybe even a little alarming if you’re a book lover), but what’s inside is packed with clever strategies that show you how to make money from things you can pick up for next to nothing—sometimes even free.
🧠 What’s This Book Really About?
At its core, this book about easy things to sell on eBay teaches you how to take old books, magazines, and newspapers—things most people donate or toss—and sell them page by page on eBay.
It’s not random. It’s not destructive in a careless way. It’s about carefully finding high-demand pages—vintage ads, beautiful illustrations, old recipes, unusual articles, pet features, nostalgic images—and reselling them to collectors, decorators, and enthusiasts.
Avril Harper walks you through exactly how to do it, and includes a bunch of step-by-step guides, illustrations, and real examples that make it easy to follow—even if you’ve never sold anything online before. And don’t let the publication date of this book discourage you. This technique will continue to work, year after year!
I’ve followed Avril for some time now and have used her techniques to tear up old books and magazines for money on eBay, and let me say — it works! For instance, I found a 1912 Princeton Yearbook at a thrift store. Inside were great, old pictures of Princeton’s sports teams. I was able to make money by dissecting that yearbook and selling the individual images on eBay. I was able to do this because the date of the yearbook put it in the public domain.
💡 What Makes It So Unique?
There are plenty of guides available on easy things to sell on eBay, but this one stands out because it focuses on a niche that is rarely discussed. Harper’s strategies are ideal for people looking for:
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A super low-cost way to start selling easy things on eBay
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Something that doesn’t require storing or shipping bulky items
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Creative work that’s surprisingly satisfying
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A business that doesn’t require technical skills, experience, or a big budget
🔎 What You’ll Learn Inside
Here are some of the most valuable things I picked up from the book:
✅ How to spot hidden gold in old paper
You’ll learn exactly what kinds of publications to look for, what to avoid, and how to tell if something has value. Spoiler: It’s not always the obvious stuff.
✅ Easy things to sell on eBay that others ignore
Harper shows you how to find items no one else wants—and flip them into products people will fight to buy. Think: obscure ads, retro decor, pet illustrations, historical events… the list goes on.
✅ Secrets to writing killer listings
She offers tips on how to make your eBay listings shine—including how to write descriptions that encourage bidding wars and how to price items for maximum profit.
✅ Tricks that boost profits with zero extra cost
There’s a strategy involving a super simple, nearly-free add-on that turns a so-so listing into a must-have item. It’s something I’d never thought about before reading this.
✅ How to create bidding wars
You’ll discover how to set up your listings in a way that encourages multiple bidders to go head-to-head. It’s clever, and it really works.
✅ What pet lovers (and other niche buyers) want
If you find anything related to cats, dogs, or other popular niches, you’ll know exactly how to market those pages to a hungry crowd.
✅ Where to find inventory for cheap—or free
You’ll also get tips on sourcing these old books and magazines at places like estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, and even online marketplaces where people just want to get rid of them.
🌎 Works No Matter Where You Live
One thing I loved about this book is that it’s not location-specific. Whether you live in the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland—or anywhere else—you can use these easy things to sell on eBay strategies. Vintage print media is everywhere, and Harper shows how to tap into the global eBay marketplace no matter where you’re starting from.
🤔 Is It Worth Reading?
If you’re even a little curious about easy things to sell on eBay, this book is absolutely worth it. The writing is simple and straightforward, the instructions are clear, and the examples are genuinely inspiring.
What stood out most to me is that the author isn’t just teaching theory—she’s done this herself, many times, and shares real results along with proof. She even assures you that what you sell will likely be totally different from her niche, so you’re not stepping on anyone’s toes.
📦 Final Thoughts
How to Make Money Tearing Up Old Books and Magazines and Selling Them on eBay is like a treasure map for anyone who enjoys hunting for unique items and wants to turn that passion into real income. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle, something fun to do on weekends, or even a full-blown eBay business, this book is a fantastic place to start.
How to Make Money Tearing Up Old Books and Magazines and Selling Them on eBay is an ebook and available only for Kindle.
No Kindle? No problem! You don’t need a Kindle device to read How to Make Money Tearing Up Old Books and Magazines and Selling Them on eBay. Just download the free Kindle app—it works on pretty much anything: your phone, tablet, or even your laptop. Once you’ve got the app, just sign in with your Amazon account, grab the book, and start flipping through those pages (digitally, of course!).
It’s clever. It’s doable. And most importantly, it works!
❓FAQ: What You Might Be Wondering
Is this legal? Can I really tear up books and magazines and sell the pages?
Yes! As long as the books or magazines are yours to resell, you’re free to repurpose and sell individual pages. Think of it like selling parts of a vintage car, rather than the whole thing.
What kinds of pages actually sell?
Vintage ads, quirky or nostalgic content, pet illustrations, retro fashion spreads, historical news stories, recipes, and even old maps. Harper provides detailed insights into what buyers are looking for.
Do I need fancy tools or equipment?
Nope! All you really need is access to old publications, a decent pair of scissors or a paper trimmer, a scanner or camera for images, and an eBay account.
Is this a full-time income or a side hustle?
It can be either. Many readers start small and scale up once they see results. The cool part is you’re in complete control—sell a few items a month, or turn it into a steady business.
What if I live outside the U.S.?
No problem. The book’s strategies are universal. You can find vintage publications anywhere, and buyers from around the world shop on eBay.
📚 Have you read this book or tried selling old paper on eBay? I’d love to hear about your experience—please drop a comment below!
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