You seem to only view eBay from your own perspective, when this place is the epitome of diversity.
As someone who is making and selling DIY products, and can buy my materials at relatively low cost and then sell high, could I possibly know how what it is like to buy and sell fine china and fragile collectibles, like gifts_of_elegance does? I can’t even image how tight the margins must be, but you seem to suggest that her sales numbers equal her profits, which we know is impossible. Plus the shipping, that alone would keep me up nights.
And rose-dee (who I would like to take the opportunity to thank for giving of her own value time to school myself and many other on this board on the inner workings of eBay policies), could I possibly know the dedication and commitment required to pursue a venture when the love for what you do sometimes outweighs the financial reward? Honestly, I can’t. But, unlike you, I sure can admire it.
You buy and sell vintage and collectibles – a noble trade, in my opinion, and something we have in common (I have sold vintage items, on eBay, with the user name stonehook, since 2000). And, I know it is a passion that you really have to possess to fully understand – the thrill of the hunt and the ever-present possibility that, at any moment, you could strike it “rich”. And, to be fair it takes a lot of work – from finding the darn thing, to getting it ready for resale – every item you sell needs a new description, and not just an ordinary description but a fine-tooth comb description: a new set of photos from every possible angle; and the endless search for packing materials to meet every unknown dimension.
But, I can also buy something at a garage sale for $5.00 and turn around the next day and sell it for $50.00, $100.00, or even… pretty good return on my investment, but I recognize that not all sellers have it that good. And, those items are unique which is undeniably an advantage, when it comes to eBay’s and even Google’s search engines, over people selling new product.
However, the one thing that I am certain that you are correct about, is that for a someone such as yourself, who is selling vintage, pop culture and sports’ collectibles, particularly aimed at men, eBay does (for the moment at least) remain the most viable venue.
I certainly hope that eBay doesn’t ever completely abandon its vintage roots and hang you out to dry, but I know that it could happen someday – and I would expect that, as a smart business owner, you have at least contemplated, if not planned, for that possibility.
Happy picking,
Lisa
