eBay

rick31797 · ‎10-14-2013

Between ebay and paypal they get you good , The bigger the sale the deeper they go in your pockets..I guess no one is forcing me to sell on ebay, but from all the fees, then the time packing the item, buying packing material and driving to the postal office, you have to wonder if its really worth it..

rose-dee · ‎10-26-2013

To be fair, there are categories of discretionary items for which there are tsunami-like waves of listings that are going to be much harder to make a profit on. If you're selling something practical, you'll have a ready market and a steady market, maybe even growing with time as those things become harder to find elsewhere.

I do think it's easy to be smug about profits if you're able to source and sell items people need, as opposed to simply wish for or want. If you're selling something that is more or less a luxury of life, you have to work extremely hard at creating and keep your market, be very careful about costs, maintain the highest possible standards on eBay and constantly watch what your competition is doing. It's a tougher row to hoe; not impossible, but harder.

Many posters here are right in saying that certain types of items, either because of cost difficulties, over-exposure on eBay or massive competition, simply aren't worth trying to sell here.

Maybe I should add "anymore" to that statement, since I think many of the things people made a lot of easy money on even 2 or 3 years ago are now non-starters and would be poor choices for beginners on eBay.

dipmicro · ‎10-26-2013

Over the years I have introduced several products on Ebay where I was originally only seller and these items were doing well. Some of them $1000-$2000 per month from single item. Then they started to decline. What happened? Other sellers always want piece of your meal. If you are doing well, someone is going to copy you. I have seen sellers literally copy my descriptions. There is a seller who watches some of my items and everytime my price changes, he adjusts his $0.50 lower within hours. It's not automated so poor guy must be spending quite some time watching my items 🙂

The problem is this - you advertise product on Ebay, people buy it like crazy, and tell their friends - I bought it on Ebay. Not I bought it from a XYZ shop, but from Ebay. So the friends come here and buy it also - on Ebay. Unfortunately, not from you, because someone just copied you.

This is how make money on Ebay - look for stuff that sells well and list it cheaper, the best if you can do it with minimal inventory and thus minimal risk, make some money and move onto something else, because your competition will eventually catch up. If you have a unique product, you will be much better selling it off Ebay where people cannot see how well you are doing.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-27-2013

Great Posts !

The information is helpful to both Newbies & Experienced Sellers.

I remember Inuk mentioning one time " You make your profit when you buy the Item." Paraphrasing of course.

I always remembered that statement. Examine the cost of the item, your fees, your shipping costs & the competitive price you can realisticly sell the item for.

I do that every time when I'm considering making a purchase of a bulk lot or an individual item.

mr.elmwood · ‎10-27-2013

BB, sigh, none of my quotes are original. I am as inventive as a sack of hammer handles, but, thanks anyway.

The way you say it: "I always remembered that statement. Examine the cost of the item, your fees, your shipping costs & the competitive price you can realisticly sell the item for." is far more useful.

I did all of that in about three seconds while bidding on the tail lights. Who knew they were not worth $40, but, $400.

I came home and said "Worst case scenario, I break even. Best case, I make $500". I knew where I was, financially, before I got home. I invested 7 hours and $113 and I knew where I was every minute and every dollar.

The break even includes Femme's 17¢ per minute.

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pierrelebel · ‎10-27-2013

"You make your profit when you buy the Item.""

The way I learned that line from Hyman Gisser in 1969 was "He who buys right.... sells right"

It has guided my business purchasing decisions for over forty years.

rose-dee · ‎10-27-2013

@dipmicro wrote:
The problem is this - you advertise product on Ebay, people buy it like crazy, and tell their friends - I bought it on Ebay. Not I bought it from a XYZ shop, but from Ebay. So the friends come here and buy it also - on Ebay. Unfortunately, not from you, because someone just copied you.

That's absolutely true. It's eBay's pool, and we're a bunch of merchants trying to keep our heads above the waterline, but new heads keep popping up. The more heads, the more buyer choice, but the less individual seller profit.

Good for buyers (more choice, better prices), good for eBay (more sales), but a constant challenge for sellers...

Keep up the dog-paddling!

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-27-2013

I have mentioned it the past, " Establish Relationships with Friendly Competitors & Suppliers. "

I have been amazed at all the back doors that have opened just by being friendly with people.

I was left a message Friday & was able to pick up a few New Vintage 3D Emblem Shirts yesterday before they offered them to someone else.

I had mentioned previously that I sought out Deacon one time inquiring about the reputation of a supplier in his area. Though he had done limited business with the supplier he assured me their reputation was Top Shelf. He was right, they were very easy to deal with, received the items at a great price & sold them all.

I always show my appreciation during the Holiday Season by dropping off boxes of chocolates.

Small gesture but " Take Care of the People Who Take Care of You. "

Trust me, it works gang.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎10-27-2013

You forgot " Sell What You Know, Know What You Sell & " Don't Sell The Steak, Sell The Sizzle."

Haven't seen you post the former in a long time Pierre.

rroader94 · ‎10-28-2013

In the real world of auctions who have buyer, s premiums and competitive bidding many Buy High and Sell Low.

You may have been one-time lucky. To buy at auction and re-sell at a profit on eBay is ALMOST impossible today.

mr.elmwood · ‎10-28-2013

Rroader, not so fast. In my previous locale, I was buying for 7¢ on my retail dollar. Had been for ten (10) years. My buddy in this neck of the woods has a bigger budget. He buys at 8¢ on his retail dollar. I was "one tiem lucky" twice in a week. Wait! Throw in the swap meet in Barrie last month and I have been "one time lucky" three times.

However, I am in retirement mode. I am no longer doing this to survive. I pick my spots.

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