Everyday new users look into the possibility of establishing a home-based business centered around selling on eBay.
It is not as easy as it sounds.
To sell on eBay as a hobby is one thing. To organize it up as a full or part time business to generate income is something more serious and requires some prerequisites.
First you must prepare a business plan and a budget.
Like any mail order business, newcomers should have business (preferably retail) experience, with good marketing skills and adequate capital (money does not grow on trees).
They should be familiar with the basics of both consumption and income tax legislations affecting their business. GST and PST regulations can be tricky.
They should understand currency conversion, banking, international trade and methods of payment available to online buyers.
More importantly, they should sell what they know and know what they sell.
I am not a paid eBay employee and, as such, cannot offer direct business consultation and advice. For assistance, you should take a look at the many threads of the last few weeks on this Board dealing with a vast variety of subjects. Start with the Selling 101 thread:
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=13&thread=100007162&modified=1109682709634
Then take a look at other Canadian Boards such as:
New to eBay: http://forums.ebay.ca/forum.jsp?forum=41
User to User Help: http://forums.ebay.ca/forum.jsp?forum=9
Then, one should invest some time on the PayPal Discussion Board (on eBay.com):
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jspa?forumID=97
and the eBay Stores Discussion Board (also on eBay.com):
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jspa?forumID=21
While you are on eBay.com, take a look at other Discussion Boards which may offer you good free advice:
http://pages.ebay.com/community/boards/index.html
If you target primarily the American and overseas markets you should list on eBay.com in US dollars; if you target the Canadian market list on eBay.ca in Canadian dollars.
Finally, before setting up your business, invest a few dollars and get some professional help for business and tax (GST and PST) registrations and bookkeeping (unless you already have the necessary expertize).
Good Luck.
It is not as easy as it sounds.
To sell on eBay as a hobby is one thing. To organize it up as a full or part time business to generate income is something more serious and requires some prerequisites.
First you must prepare a business plan and a budget.
Like any mail order business, newcomers should have business (preferably retail) experience, with good marketing skills and adequate capital (money does not grow on trees).
They should be familiar with the basics of both consumption and income tax legislations affecting their business. GST and PST regulations can be tricky.
They should understand currency conversion, banking, international trade and methods of payment available to online buyers.
More importantly, they should sell what they know and know what they sell.
I am not a paid eBay employee and, as such, cannot offer direct business consultation and advice. For assistance, you should take a look at the many threads of the last few weeks on this Board dealing with a vast variety of subjects. Start with the Selling 101 thread:
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=13&thread=100007162&modified=1109682709634
Then take a look at other Canadian Boards such as:
New to eBay: http://forums.ebay.ca/forum.jsp?forum=41
User to User Help: http://forums.ebay.ca/forum.jsp?forum=9
Then, one should invest some time on the PayPal Discussion Board (on eBay.com):
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jspa?forumID=97
and the eBay Stores Discussion Board (also on eBay.com):
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum.jspa?forumID=21
While you are on eBay.com, take a look at other Discussion Boards which may offer you good free advice:
http://pages.ebay.com/community/boards/index.html
If you target primarily the American and overseas markets you should list on eBay.com in US dollars; if you target the Canadian market list on eBay.ca in Canadian dollars.
Finally, before setting up your business, invest a few dollars and get some professional help for business and tax (GST and PST) registrations and bookkeeping (unless you already have the necessary expertize).
Good Luck.
Thank you very much Pierre. This a great thread and an excellent reference. I have also asked Carly to anchor this.
Even though I am a hobby seller (and frequent buyer) I want to thank you for all the advice and direction you have given me int eh past 3 years. Things have always worked very well for me when I follow your advice:)
Deb 
Even though I am a hobby seller (and frequent buyer) I want to thank you for all the advice and direction you have given me int eh past 3 years. Things have always worked very well for me when I follow your advice:)
Deb
I don't think that the TD Waterhouse not opening new accounts for Canadians is because of the Patriot Act (although it might be, due to conflicts with that act and the Canadian privacy laws). I actually think it has more to do with TD's pending purchase of BankNorth. I imagine that once that completes, their account services for Canadians will be offered through BankNorth, rather than the brokerage side.
Now that it's moving ahead, hopefully this will be available again soon!
Now that it's moving ahead, hopefully this will be available again soon!
However, be careful not to have your buyer penalize by currency conversion!
Typically, if an American buyer pays with a credit card in Canadian dollars, he will be charged much more than expected. That's not the way to build a reputable business for the long term.
Always make it easy for the buyer to pay in the currency of his/her choice.
Typically, if an American buyer pays with a credit card in Canadian dollars, he will be charged much more than expected. That's not the way to build a reputable business for the long term.
Always make it easy for the buyer to pay in the currency of his/her choice.
Another free tip:
Before starting to sell on eBay, set up a "About Me" page.
It is free.
Take the time to tell your potential bidders a little bit about yourself. Folks like to know who they are dealing with.
For more details: http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/buyer_aboutme.html
Before starting to sell on eBay, set up a "About Me" page.
It is free.
Take the time to tell your potential bidders a little bit about yourself. Folks like to know who they are dealing with.
For more details: http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/buyer_aboutme.html
Pierre, I'm curious why you say..
"Sellers should also empty their PayPal account regularly (several times a week) by withdrawing to their bank account."
If there is not at least US $150.00 there is a charge to withdraw the funds. Should it still be done then, and if so, why?
"Sellers should also empty their PayPal account regularly (several times a week) by withdrawing to their bank account."
If there is not at least US $150.00 there is a charge to withdraw the funds. Should it still be done then, and if so, why?
Let me re-phrase that:
Sellers should empty their PayPal account regularly, every time it exceeds Cdn$150.00 (several times a week if needed), by withdrawing to their bank account.
Why?
To minimize problems with your account in case of fraudulent reversal or chargeback.
When a claim is made, PayPal automatically takes the money from your PayPal account and asks questions later.
If there is no (or little) money in te account, it puts the seller in a much better negotiating position with PayPal and forces them to really look into the situation since they do not have the money!
Sellers should empty their PayPal account regularly, every time it exceeds Cdn$150.00 (several times a week if needed), by withdrawing to their bank account.
Why?
To minimize problems with your account in case of fraudulent reversal or chargeback.
When a claim is made, PayPal automatically takes the money from your PayPal account and asks questions later.
If there is no (or little) money in te account, it puts the seller in a much better negotiating position with PayPal and forces them to really look into the situation since they do not have the money!
Another free tip:
Have an eBay question? Use the HELP link available on top of every page on eBay.
Want to know about fees? Enter fees in the box !
Want to know about Buy-it-Now? Enter Buy it Now in the box !
Want to know about insertion fee credit? Enter insertion fee credit in the box !
Etc... etc....
You will get in immediate answer to your question. You will also get more answers to questions you have not yet asked!
Give it a try.
Have an eBay question? Use the HELP link available on top of every page on eBay.
Want to know about fees? Enter fees in the box !
Want to know about Buy-it-Now? Enter Buy it Now in the box !
Want to know about insertion fee credit? Enter insertion fee credit in the box !
Etc... etc....
You will get in immediate answer to your question. You will also get more answers to questions you have not yet asked!
Give it a try.
djmixjon - Welsome to this Discussion Board.
If you have any specific question, do not be shy: ask! 😉
If you have any specific question, do not be shy: ask! 😉
Another tip:
Show your confidence in your products.
This can best be done by offering a liberal and generous return policy.
Show your confidence in your products.
This can best be done by offering a liberal and generous return policy.
Another tip:
Check what your eBay competitors are offering (price, terms, shipping, return policy) before listing your items.
Check what your eBay competitors are offering (price, terms, shipping, return policy) before listing your items.
Good afternoon gift_with_heart
Your listings are profesionally prepared. However, I would suggest you start your eBay "career" by buying several items from overseas sellers to learn the eBay experience and build up your feedback.
It is very difficult to sell with ZERO feedback.
Your listings are profesionally prepared. However, I would suggest you start your eBay "career" by buying several items from overseas sellers to learn the eBay experience and build up your feedback.
It is very difficult to sell with ZERO feedback.
gift_with_heart,
Since you are located in Hong Kong and you are selling items that will have to be shipped parcel post, I think it's essential for you to specify a flat international shipping rate on your listings. With zero feedback, a user id that has recently changed, and no shipping costs specified... mmmm... you're facing an uphill battle.
Since you are located in Hong Kong and you are selling items that will have to be shipped parcel post, I think it's essential for you to specify a flat international shipping rate on your listings. With zero feedback, a user id that has recently changed, and no shipping costs specified... mmmm... you're facing an uphill battle.
