posted on September 12, 2000 11:04:10 PM
I want to sell on ebay and understand all the technical aspects of it, and I have just a few questions.
1. What could I possibly expect to earn?
and the bigggie
2. Where can I get products.
Now I realize that that you all may not want to answer me or may not wish to post it on here. Well please don't bash me for asking and if you want to answer me without posting it on here my email is [email protected]. To be honest about this I am a father of 3 beautiful children and just lost my job thru no fault of my own. I have been home for a few weeks with my kids and it has made me realize how much I enjoy being home with them and would love to earn money from home.
If you answer me I will be forever greatful to you.
posted on September 12, 2000 11:18:11 PM
Here's a little example of the blind leading the blind...
Try doing an internet search for "wholesale supplier". You'll end up with a bunch of people selling catalogs and lists of suppliers that you can get catalogs from. You'll wind up with a lot of worthless crap and maybe one good source. The more money you invest, the more you will make back (obviously), so big ticket items seem the way to go as far as faster returns. You could also try what a lot of people seem to be doing and give the garage sales and thrift stores a try for some good stuff. I have a slightly older list of suppliers that I bought. You can email me if you want a copy ([email protected]), since I don't use any of them (I choose to stick with the small time stuff.)
posted on September 12, 2000 11:26:06 PM
Tim -- Start by selling a few household inexpensive household items to get a "feel" for how things work, and to get a little feedback built up.
You'll probably find yourself starting to specialize in a particular type of item; in fact, you may already have a hobby that you're knowledgeable about and feel comfortable selling items related to that hobby.
As far as the income possibilities, it really depends on how much you put into it. If you work hard, have good photos and a good description, and treat your customers right, the income potential is unlimited.
And as far as where to get products, many people shop yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores. If you can locate a wholesale source, that's even better (but can be difficult as an individual).
What you get out of it really depends on what you put into it. Selling is fun, but it's also hard work.
posted on September 12, 2000 11:47:10 PM
Just a little more info about me, I was in business about 2 years ago for 12 years, I was a locksmith unfortunately I do not think anyone want me selling what could be called "burglar tools" so, so much for using what I know too find something to sell. I do apreiciate the replies so far please keep em coming.
posted on September 13, 2000 12:03:16 AM
I can tell you that you DON'T want to sell any Disney collectibles. Since Disney and Ebay have decided to open their own auction site, my bids have been pretty bad.
If you are looking to do this full time my advise to you is keep you daytime job.
I wish I could tell you where to get "stuff" to sell but I don't have a clue. Some people sell what they have in their house - used clothing, CD's Books, etc.
Some people do garage sales to find stuff.
It takes research to find something, see if it's worth listing and then trial and error to see if it sells.
There are so many areas on ebay.
I would recommend staying away from purchasing retail items and then selling them online. Beanie Babies and toy collectibles are 2 examples. These are things that people may have in one area of the country and that may sell out in other parts of the country. It's to risky.
posted on September 13, 2000 12:20:05 AM
Sell stuff you know. Either from a hobby, or your work- an area that you have some depth of knowledge in, and have contacts in.
My teenage son started wearing dreadful punk clothing about a year ago. I hate it. But we let him wear it, for the most part, because it's just clothes, after all. He started modifying clothes he'd picked up at a thrift store for a few bucks- adding zippers and rings and spikes and whatnot...so this stuff really looked gawd awful.
Then one day, we told him we'd seen enough of his threadbear pants, with patches, and zippers, and rings and pyramids. Out to the trash, we said. He asked me to try selling them on eBay. I did, reluctantly, under another ID. I swear, these dreadful pants got over 1,000 page views (most of my stuff gets around 50 hits), and sold for over $100.
Then he started making cheap modifications to other thrift store clothing, and selling it as punk stuff. And generally quadrupling his money with each lot.
So my point is this: Start off selling what you know.
posted on September 13, 2000 06:54:05 AM
If you are really serious about selling for a living, the first thing you need to do is to obtain a resellers license, or tax ID #. They are very inexpensive (I think I paid around $5 for mine). There aren't many wholesalers out there that will do business with you without one. Next, start small. Don't invest your entire life savings in one type of inventory item. I started off selling clothes that my kids had outgrown and now have several wholesale sources that I order from regularly. I also make my weekly trips to the thrift stores, yard sales and department stores (shopping clearance racks of course).
Be patient and be prepared to work hard! This is very hard work, but the rewards are amazing. My oldest spent her first 6 years in daycare while hubby and I did the 9-5 weekly grind. We find it very rewarding that our youngest has had the opportunity to be raised by mom and dad, and our oldest kind of likes coming home after school, rather than going to daycare!
posted on September 13, 2000 07:03:59 AM
Lockpros -
DO NOT BELIEVE THE INFOMERCIALS about buying wholesale and selling on the web!
Start by checking out what local stuff is available ... do you have great thrift stores, good yard sales, or big library sales? What is the usual cost?
Then check out what the kind of used things you can get cheaply are selling for on eBay. Can you make a profit? (if you can't clear $5/sale, don't bother, or batch the items together).
Perennial best sellers ... 100% "shirt-weight" cotton fabric for quilters, car repair manuals (the rarer the better), designer clothing and "plus-size" clothing in excellent condition, etc.
Things to avoid: modern fiction!
Don't try to sell big heavy stuff, and if you are thinking of "collectibles" or antiques, you have to study them and the market first. You can get real lucky, but you have to have the knowledge first.
posted on September 13, 2000 08:03:34 AM
Don't try to sell widgets - I think they are copyrighted and if you try to sell them, your eBay career will end very quickly.
posted on September 13, 2000 08:33:19 AM
eadeals ... list one and I will get it canceled
fyi, eBay does not follow it's own rules, nor do they use any kind of logic when making judgements. If someone reports your 'widget' as an infringing item, eBay will cancel it.
posted on September 13, 2000 10:08:50 AM
Check around your house first...you'd be surprised how much "stuff" you'll have that will sell on eBay. I sold some videos that I had...some sold for a tidy sum! After "getting your feet wet" with that, try checking with friends and sell on consignment. Won't make as much money taking that route but could supplement income nicely. WWII stuff seems to be selling really well now what with Brokaw's book and the new memorial...My key advice to anyone is DON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY! Good luck and have fun!
posted on September 13, 2000 10:41:27 AM
Since I'm already in the bad dog box around here from an earlier post this week, I might as well go the whole 29 yards and say the obvious and get booted merrily on my way to flame heaven. Sell your underwear! (Just don't wash it first.)
Seriously, if you buy and sell stuff you enjoy, the money will usually follow if you are honest and upright about your offerings. Chances are, if you like something then at least one other person on planet earth will also like it and want to buy it from you.
posted on September 13, 2000 11:38:58 AM
AnnieJean, that box was filled last week and shipped to Slobbovia (with apologizes to the Slobs). I've heard that AW is beta-testing its "No More Bad Dogs" program, with positive reinforcement ("attaboys" ) instead of punishment. So it's okay, you can quit cringing and come out and play.
Seriously and back on topic, the strangest things do well on eBay. CDs I find so solidly second rate I'm embarrassed to list them go up, up, up. They're available IN THE STORE FOR LESS, yet the nebbish--er, good people keep bidding. If you're averse to selling your own intimate apparel, sell Great Aunt Flo's! I stumbled across a couple listings for frightening foundation garments (the kind with laces and "bone" stiffeners and dangling hardware) and they seemed to do improbably well. My advice: Don't buy anything for sale until you've cleaned your shelves and closets, and hit the friends and relations for their castoffs, too.
posted on September 13, 2000 06:15:11 PM
Thanks all your help is great, I do have a reseller nuber so i guess that might help.
umm i guess what i wanted to know is where everyone seems to get all these new and refurbished items such as refurbished digital cameras that seem to sell so well. Any thiughts?
