Used parts of the type you described are probably not going to be worth the trouble. Most folks would prefer to purchase new parts of they are going to have to pay for shipping. And if you tried to offer free shipping you would likely loose in the transaction due to the small amount you could get for these pop-corn type parts.

For the eBay thing to be a possible source of revenue you are going to have to locate more unique components or subassemblies that can meet either one of two objectives. First off the parts are going to have to look interesting enough to the buyer if they are going to be willing to pay for shipping. On the other hand if you intend to offer free shipping you have to make sure that you'll be able to set the minimum sale price at a level that still leaves you with some profit after the shipping and packaging materials are paid for.

You should research on eBay to see just that folks are trying to sell and if the materials actually sell. This would give you a lot better idea of what may be possible over my ideas about it. About a year ago I gave to a friend a huge assortment of 1/4 W leaded resistors in quite a number of sizes. These were left over parts from a small company I was a partner in a long time ago. There were enough resistors to about fill up a gallon can!! He sorted them all out and then put them on eBay to sell them. I think he got about $4 for the lot and the buyer had to pay shipping for a box that must have weighed about 4 pounds or so.

It strikes me that more likely interesting components could be motors, displays, mag card readers and so forth. If any of the stuff is old enough to include 8" floppy drives those may be interesting to collectors. You'll just have to try this whole idea out. It may be fruitful and on the other hand it may be a total waste of time.

BTW. You will have to ask your parents about their account. eBay has simpler accounts that are buyer oriented and then there are the more complex type that are also setup for being as seller.

Michael Karas

PS. There is a market for certain used electronics. For example look at the various things this seller has recently sold. Note they sell and offer free shipping so take that into account when you observe the selling prices folks have paid.
http://completed.shop.ebay.com/repc_auct...=1&guest=1