Cindy Shebley

Tip Of The Week:

A few weeks ago I came across a CPAP machine and CPAP humidifier at a local thrift store. It was priced great and I snapped it up.

If you aren't familiar with CPAP machines they are prescribed for patients diagnosed with the breathing disorder called Sleep Apnea. Because the machines are designed for use as a treatment they are available only by prescription. We all know what that means. CPAP are expensive machines. A new one can run from $750 to $1000 or more.

I found this older machine - took it home, cleaned it up, tested its working condition and started doing my research.

It turns out CPAP machines are one of the growing number of items that are not allowed to be sold on eBay. If you put one up it will be removed instantly. Don't risk the damage to your seller account.

Because of the eBay prohibition on selling them I started digging and found a few places you can sell a used CPAP machine.

Of course there's your local Craigslist. I saw a few for sale on the Seattle site.

Because there were several for sale on Craigslist currently - and I wanted a faster turn over I decided to do a little more checking.

If you have a newer machine there is a site that will buy them from you outright and cover the shipping (I was all ready to go - but the model I had was older and they weren't buying).

If you have a newer machine check them out at: www.secondwindcpap.com

Finally, I came across this gem of a site! It's a small CPAP auction site. It's called: cpap auction at http://www.cpapauction.com/

CPAP buyers can upload their prescriptions (or fax it to the site administrators) to register. Sellers simply register as they would any other selling venue - put up a credit card and you're in. If you already have a machine you can sell it. It's free to list - if the item sells you pay a commission. It comes to about ten percent of the final value.

I split my machine and stand alone humidifier up and created separate lots. They both sold - within 14 days.

I doubled my investment and the buyers who might not have been able to afford a brand new machine got a great deal on an older machine. If you have been diagnosed with the disorder it's also nice to know you can get a backup or travel machine on the cheap as well.

What a wonderful little niche market the cpapauction site has captured!

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. With one in eight women affected by the disease chances are you don't need a month become 'aware' of breast cancer. We've all been touched by it.

A group of eBayers have gotten together to create bra art. The bras are hand crafted, made with love - and best yet; up for bid! On eBay, of course. Bling My Bra is a 100% charity that is raising money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

All month long the Bling My Bra group will offer new, fun, Bra Art for sale. So, please bookmark the site. 100% goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I encourage you to bid. I also ask that you look around your home town and get others involved. Do you know a restaurant, art gallery or other business who might want a funky or unusual piece of art to display for their business? Do you have a bikini barista in your town? Give them a call! Tell them about the Bling My Bra auctions.

Please get involved. This group of eBay sellers have given their heart, soul, time and effort to make this happen. I would love to have your support.
 

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There's still time to get in on the create your own information product series at the Web Sellers' Circle.

If you wonder what the material covers - we've decided this week that we'll tweet out the highlights of the class as we teach it - so feel free to watch us at #wscinfo on Twitter on Tuesday night 5:30 pm pacific time.

You'll see what sets us apart from the rest.

See you there!

Cindy