Local sells on eBay and turns junk into cash

What started as a volunteer service, helping friends and family sell their old items on eBay, has become an upstart business for Incline resident Nicholaus Harris.

"I had a friend who had bought a new computer. She was just going to throw away her old computer because it had a non-functional hard-drive," Harris said. "The old computer just needed someone who was willing to put the time into it, so I posted it on eBay in its exact condition and sold it for $315."

Harris explained there are plenty of buyers on eBay who are looking for items and are willing to put work into them. One person's junk is another man's treasure. he said.

"It can be daunting for people to get started on eBay," Harris explained. "There are many steps to selling an item and the overall process can be complicated to some. There are also frauds out there and people can get scammed."

Harris will do all the work and you get paid - his defacto motto.

Harris does all the tedious steps of posting an item for auction, including taking high-quality photos to display on a custom-design eBay listing, researching the history and best value for the product and even safely packaging and sending the item.

"The whole process can be very time consuming, especially if people don't know what they are doing," Harris said. "eBay is a perfect place to sell your items and get some money for the items taking up space in your home."

Harris has sold skis, electronics, old cell phones, laptops, guitars, designer clothing and jewelry, collectibles, vehicles and his latest, fine art.

Harris has come to learn what days are better to sell certain products, and how to filter for Internet fraud.

"eBay can be a fluctuating market," he said. "If I think there is a better market for my client, I will research classifieds or other Web listings, whatever is good for the customer and will get the best value for their products.

"There are many phony buyers and sellers out there. I am set up through Pay Pal, an online payment system, allowing buyers to have secure transfers. Never will the sell not be legit."

Although Harris can do all the dirty work for you, he also offers his experience through consultations, "helping others do it on their own, since the process can be daunting, I can show people simple tricks to help them get started."

Harris earns his share by taking a percentage cut from the sale.

"Since I started (last) December we have sold hundreds of items and had 100 percent positive feedback," Harris said.

Nicholaus Harris can be reached at (775) 303-4858 or e-mail him at nick@nickbid.com. Also visit his Web site at www.nickbid.com.