In my last newsletter post I introduced a rather unusual but potentially lucrative niche “are there skeletons in your closet?”
In the course of my eBay completed listings research I discovered that there is a very strong demand for human x-rays and I purchased an old medical textbook containing lots of images of x-rays of different parts of the body ($22 including shipping).
Since then I have run a couple of dozen test auctions with some interesting results:
My initial auction was for an image of a skull x-ray which I started at a price of 99 pence ($1.59)
I list on ebay.co.uk so the prices are in sterling.
this sold for £4.05 ($6.44)
NOTE: Click on ALL images to enlarge!
This auction received 4 bids from 4 different bidders which indicates a reasonable demand so I decided to test a higher start price.
I listed 11 x-ray images each starting at £4.97 ($8.01)
3 of these listings sold:
and the remaining 8 went unsold.
I relisted these unsold prints and reverted to the original start price of 99 pence ($1.59)
6 sold and 2 remained unsold:
Conclusions
So far I have taken $55.77 for 10 pages taken from an old medical text book that cost me $22.
I charged cost price plus an extra $2 for shipping to cover my costs (rigid mailers, PayPal and eBay fees).
There are 207 x-ray image plates in the book although many of them are printed several to a page and back to back so there are maybe 50 pages that could be listed.
The purpose of this post, however is not to recommend this particular book as a source of profitable prints but rather to demonstrate the popularity of this particular niche.
It is clear from my test listings that the skull images are the most popular and if you carry out a completed listings search for the key words “human skull” and “human skull print” you’ll see just how popular this subject is.
Now that we have identified a popular niche with hungry buyers it is up to us resourceful eBay sellers to use our imagination to come up with items to present to these eager buyers!
My Thought Process
Human skull images are the most popular so I ran this search on addall.com
this led me to this book
the description sounds very interesting with lots of skull images!
My next step was to run a search for this particular book title
This search yielded 90 results ranging in price from $1 up to $40 for a brand new copy
a good tip when you are researching books in this way is to look out for any Amazon listings like this one
although this copy appeared more expensive if you click on the book title you’ll be taken to the Amazon site, in this case I got a very pleasant surprise!
Yes! this book is being sold on Amazon for the princely sum of 1 penny!
I ignored the top seller whose copy was described as “water damaged” but still managed to secure a ridiculous bargain!
a couple of additional Amazon features also help with our research.
The “look inside” feature
this lets us see exactly what we are buying – I’m thinking these skull images will look amazing matted in a charcoal black mat!
and my order confirmation email includes recommendations
these books may also contain prints that will appeal to this niche.
Want to work with me personally to build your own vintage print business on eBay?
Recently we have received several emails asking when we will be accepting new students into the Prints Make Profits Workshop.
The Prints Make Profits Workshop is our unique “business in a box” concept and includes everything that you need to kickstart your very own vintage/antique print business.
And when I say “everything” that is exactly what I mean!
Each Workshop Kit includes an antique book carefully researched by me containing valuable prints that are hot sellers on eBay.
Archive quality mat kits custom cut to match your antique prints and rigid mailers to dispatch them safely are also included.
Workshop Kits also include printed and bound reference guides and a tutorial DVD showing every step of the process from safely removing the plates from the book to trimming and matting them for a professional quality product and then how to pack them to arrive in pristine condition.
We even provide ALL of the tools required – from craft knives to artists tape!
But that’s not all!
Personal one to one coaching is provided to get your new business up and running as quickly as possible plus a lifetime promise that we will be there whenever any support, advice or encouragement is needed.
Because of the level of coaching and support provided it is essential that we strictly limit the number of students we accept onto the Workshop so we will be opening the doors to 5 new students only.
These new places will be offered to the pre-launch notification list subscribers first so it is vital that you register your interest now!
THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED, TO BE KEPT IN THE LOOP WITH MORE GREAT MONEY MAKING IDEAS SIGN UP TO MY BLOG USING THE OPT-IN FORM BELOW!
Talk soon!
 | Want 5 easy side hustles? Get your FREE guide: "5 Easy Etsy Product Lines You Can Do Right Now!" |
.jpg)
This is a great idea.. since my daughter seems to be into psychology at the moment 🙂
You never are at a loss for ideas are you? When Deb first mentioned X-ray images to me last week – I was just amazed.
Who would think that these would be such quick sellers? Seems like I need to think of a product to sell along these lines.
As always – great info and tips.
Debra
Hi Stuart – Obviously – if we had an x-ray of your skull – we would see an over-flow of brains coming through! Why is it – when we read your 15 minute blog – we feel like we learned more than when we sat in on some of our 15 week manditory courses. Just a few quick questions – what catagory do you list these under? Is there any interest in CAT scans and MRI’s? I recently purchased this book for $1.00-Incredible Voyage – Exploring the Human Body – it has some fabulous pictures – but being fairly new 1998 – many of the xrays are color enhanced – have you seen anything like this in your searches?
Your advice and research is always appreciated – and a fun topic of discussion – with friends and family.
Susan
Thanks for your questions, Susan!
I listed them in the collectables>scientific>medical category
I haven’t researched CAT scans/MRI’s so I suggest you run some completed listings searches to check it out.
There seems to be a broad interest in medical images so it is definitely worth a look.
Do these xray prints have to be matted. How do you usually ship the items.
My test listings were for un-matted plates, Melissa
I simply used a sharp craft knife to remove the pages from the medical text book then popped them into rigid mailers – simple! (and quick)
I cover shipping supplies in this post: https://stuart-turnbull.com/multipleincomestreams/print-sorcery-more-ebay-trade-secrets-revealed/
Stuart
I almost fell off my chair reading about this niche. Never in million years I have thought about this.
How did you come up with this niche? This is amazing.
BTW I did subscribe to Workshop alert but it is already full and hoping to get to next one.
Thanks
Hi Sukh
We will be opening the doors to 5 more Workshop students in the next couple of weeks so there is still time to register for priority at http://forms.aweber.com/form/95/51702595.htm
Thanks for the Amazon tip! I peruse Amazon quite frequently, but never thought to click through the Amazon listings when researching on AddAll. Using the additional recommendations provided on Amazon is another great way to get more information from your research.
Your post did make me think of my first book of prints I just purchased. What will be your plan when listing prints that are double-sided, with an image on each side? Will you show both sides, or pick one side to showcase and mention the other side? I don’t want to confuse buyers into thinking they’re getting two separate prints, so any suggestions you can offer would be helpful.
Thanks!
Thanks for your comment, Serena!
If you are matting the prints then simply choose what you consider to be the ‘best’ side to display.
When listing double sided prints un-matted I usually mention the image on the reverse so the buyer knows they are getting an extra image, you could also include a scan of both sides in your description.
So long as you cover the fact that you aren’t selling 2 separate prints in your description you should end up with a happy buyer!
Hi Stuart
Count me in for the business in a box as I want to set up my business and be up and running quickly!
Regards Karyn
Do be sure to sign up for the priority list, Karyn at http://forms.aweber.com/form/95/51702595.htm and be ready to take action as soon as you receive our email!
Stuart,
Can you clarify: these are pictures of x-rays, not an actual x-ray film right?
Intriguing idea.
That’s right, Ruth
The prints I tested were simply pages taken from a medical text book, they are photographs of x-rays not actual x-rays on film
Hi Stuart
Thanks for this new niche idea, I will definitely research it.
I need to find another popular book (like the one included in the Prints for Profits Workshop); unfortunately the ones I have sourced so far have not been so great with only managing to sell a couple of prints from each of them. As you told me, researching is the key, obviously my research skills need improving.
So human body it is. One question though, do these books need to be out of print?
Many thanks for this useful post.
Claude
Thanks for your question, Claude!
I can’t be sure until I have listed some of the images from the book I purchased on Amazon but I think that the buyers are more interested in the image than in the age of the plate.
If this is the case then the books don’t need to be old or out of print
Stuart —
I am so intrigued on where you went with this idea. When you first showed me the completed auction for the vintage/antique x-ray equipment, I NEVER made the connection between the actual EQUIPMENT and x-rays.
MY initial thinking went to all things Steampunk, scary Victorian ‘Medical Devices’ (implements of torture??) and general antique machinery.
As I have not personally explored my thought process, I have no idea if there is a niche worth pursuing or at least one that appears to be as active and popular as the niche you uncovered!
I am looking forward to your results with the modern 3-D Modeling book that you picked up so cheap!
Best ~Deb