Ebay marketing question(s)

Hello All!!!
This is my 1st post on this board so… please be kind to the new kid :)

I finally dove in to developing an ebay biz, after some time & read a lot of what has been said here (nice site) BUT….. very little has been said about products, that I could find to sell so… I’d like to ask. Where are some of you going for the merchandise you sell? I went to a seminar held in my town a few years ago (by ebay) & the subject was mentioned but not really discussed. I have found a few sites that sell discounted truck loads and pallets but I'd like to know what others are using. If possible, I'd like to pass any unneeded pain in the process of growing this new venture.

I also understand that there are course (books) you can buy where the authors tout guaranteed success. I read almost all of the conversation(s) posted here about these programs and what they offer. The “only” thing guaranteed when you buy them is, your money goes into their pockets. Most of the people who write these books are not “doing” what they are telling others to do. If what they were telling me to do worked, why sell it and create competition when you can hire a few people and have them duplicate your time and you make even more from the duplicated efforts. They could "share" the process with family & frineds and all live large together from the success system they created. I'll pass on the paid for knowlege and go to the "currently" successfull sources, even if it takes a little longer to glean the info. (my-2-pennies-on-that)

What I’d like to know, from those here (that are doing something) is…….. do you have sources, that are reliable, that you use to obtain your merchandise? If so, are you willing to share some of those sources? I’ve sold on ebay (small time) with success and purchased a lot with success but it is clear to me that most of the serious sellers fall into 2 groups… (A) retailers who use ebay as a low overhead store and (B) folks who sell a lot of the same type items that are not retail outlets.

If you sell a lot of something, you either make it or have a source for it and I am looking to swim in the pool that calls on sources to sell.

I have “nothing” against the folks who sell “How-To” books as most provide a source of good start info but the hype used to sell the info is often excessive. I used Carlton Sheets material and it worked well (to get me stared) 10 yers ago but not like the hype says it should or would. Time changes so what most "how-to" books said I should do, 2+ years ago when it was written, will not apply today. Add to that, most of what they sell, can be found for free (very easily) as I did from 1 article posted on this board after 1 hour or reading.

I already understand what I need to understand, at this point in the game about the type of ebay biz I want and I’m ready for the next step. This leads me back to my question....... I would appreciate any & all info (good or bad) on sources where merchandise can be obtained at wholesale rates. Of most interest are sources where you don't have to buy large quantities.

Thank you for your time.