Bond's 'Incredible Sweater Machine,' $5

Knitting and weaving can present you with some great opportunities, so you really should learn something about this area. Weaving looms cost a fortune, as to the Brother knitting machines. The Bond Incredible Sweater Machine is a great profile to know too, because plenty of people still enjoy making thier own sweaters, afghans and pillow covers!

As I was doing my usual research on the Incredible Sweater Machine, I discovered that it's so popular among the folks who are into knitting machines that there's actually an Internet "webring" that's dedicated specifically to these machines and the people who use them! Don't let the significance of this fact slip by you! Webrings signify interest, and an item's popularity with its users is one of the most powerful allies you can have when it comes to getting your bids popping!

Although I've sold several of these Sweater Machines, I admit that the very first time I saw one, I had no idea what I was looking at. But one thing you discover early on about this Auctionbandits business is that your buying decisions are often driven not by familiarity with the item itself, but by the comparisons you're able to make between an item's attributes and the people you think may be looking for it. Let's take a look at what I mean.

First of all, one thing I've learned from some of my previous auctions is that that crafts like macrame, weaving, needlepoint, knitting, etc., are huge sellers on the Bay. So when I saw this machine, I figured that with such an interest base already in place for this sort of thing, there just might be a strong interest in this particular machine.

Second, this machine is new in the box, which is always a very important consideration. As a matter of fact, I may not have bought this machine if it has been used, and I suggest you consider this approach when you're dealing with items you're not absolutely certain about. If I'd felt that this machine cost, let's say, a few hundred dollars, I'd likely have grabbed it even if it had been used. But when you're dealing with an item that you feel may be worth a hundred bucks or so brand new, keep in mind that used examples might not be worth bothering with.

Now, even when you're dealing with a machine that is new in the box, you should try to make sure that everything that's supposed to be in the box is still there. If there's ever any question, let your knowledgeable bidders figure it out for you. If you take your photos correctly, you can bet that they'll let you know if anything that's supposed to be there is missing!

The third factor of importance here is, as is so often the case, this machine's country of manufacture. Instead of being just another example of the Chinese trash that's sagging the shelves at your local Walmart, the Incredible Sweater Machine is a very well constructed machine that's made in England. An item's country of manufacture can often give you an idea of how much money was involved in producing it, which in turn can often go a long way toward helping you determine what it's worth to the people who may want it.

So there you have it. With these three factors going for it, the Bond Incredible Sweater Machine is something to keep an eye out for. But wait, there's more! A very interesting final note here is that as with many companies, the Bond folks make several different products, which you should naturally know to keep an eye out for. Their flagship machine is now called the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine, which is essentially a miniature weaving loom for making sweaters! But they also make the 'Wyr Knittr,' 'Embellish Knit,' 'Cool Corder' and 'Pocket Knitter'. These things are out there, so you may as well know what they look like when you see them.

Something interesting to note here is how this company was careful to ensure that the accessories between the 'Incredible' and the 'Ultimate' sweater machines are interchangeable. This is important, because by not rendering their Incredible model obsolete, Bond retains the customer loyalty from people who don't feel that the company has abandoned those who stick with the older model. This is good news for you because it means the Incredible model's continued popularity will likely have buyers after it for quite a while!

Finally... you must understand that, just like so many of the items you find here in the Gallery, the Bond Incredible Sweater Machine represents just the tiny tip of a huge iceberg involving millions of people who are searching the Bay for anything related to knitting, needlepoint, macrame, needlepoint, weaving looms (some weaving looms cost a fortune!) and more. By taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with some of the things that make up this huge world of opportunity, you greatly increase your chances of making a handy profit when you spot the stuff out in the field!

That's important enough to repeat! Do yourself a favor and take a little time to explore the world of weaving and knitting machines. Just about any weaving loom - from the big floor models, down to the little table top models, are very pricey and can fetch great money on eBay. And since Brother has been making their own line of knitting machines for a very long time, there are plenty of them are out there waiting for you to come and get them. There's huge interest for these machines on eBay, because there are so many people who are into them not only for the craft aspect, but from the practicality aspect, as well!