posted on December 24, 2000 08:43:59 PM
The eBay of today is quite a bit different than that of even a year ago. There are a lot more people selling, which by necessity makes it harder for individual sellers to stand out among the crowd. Featured Category auctions used to be one way to set yourself apart, but the fees jumped from $9.99 to $14.99, and just recently to $19.99, which cuts into your profit margin. And, to make it worse, eBay has joined forces with a number of professional retailers who are often in direct competition with the individual sellers.
So, is it still possible to be a successful seller on eBay? Well, the answer is yes, but only if you fall into one [or more] of the following categories:
1. You sell unusual items which are in demand but are not being offered by other eBay sellers [at least, not yet];
2. You can buy your merchandise at deep, deep discount, either directly from the manufacturer or by going to people's houses, garage sales, etc., and offering them a tiny fraction of what you expect to be able to sell the items for; or
3. You sell in vast quantities [hundreds or even thousands of auctions per month, maybe even per week] and can therefore absorb the losses that may come your way.
If, on the hand, you sell part-time, don't have a source for extreme bargain prices, and don't have anything unique to offer, well, then you're screwed. It wasn't always that way, of course, but everything I've seen and heard tells me that this is now the way things are.
If you're a part-time or "hobby" seller, expect to lose money trying to sell on eBay. It's a great place to get rid of junk you no longer want, as long as you don't expect to get much for it, but don't expect it to be a second income. In fact, you're probably better off donating it to Good Will or something and letting somebody else deal with the hassle of trying to sell it on eBay.
Then again, maybe I've just started getting a wee bit cynical, ya think?
posted on December 24, 2000 09:22:25 PM
Actually I think you are a bit behind the time at the moment as I under stand it auction have dropped below well below 4 million over the past few months.
There is less Item on ebay for sale right now then last year and more then likely more registered users that are not selling.
The more the numbers of Item on ebay has sank since november the more my sales have picked up I am still only getting 1 to 3 bids per item but more items are getting listed due to faster sell off of what I am listing.
The only time I lose on a sale is when I under state shipping costs and must eat the difference.
I dont sell any thing unusual and I dont have a endless low cost supply of items and I am competeing in a catagory with one or more of the largest volume sellers on ebay and makeing makeing money some money after costs which this year have included a new computer, digital camera, scanner, printer a postage scale, monthly ISP costs to name a few.
I cant say for sure But I think what you are feeling is the effect all the negitive talk on these boards in the last months from paypal fraud exchange path rip offs credit card fraud auction fraud to election fraud and all the rest.
once you hear enough negitive words it make you feel thing are worse then they are and make you feel unsure and doubtfull of what you your self are doing.
the more people here on these board that start talking the sky is falling and the more that listen to it the more that start to doubt what they been doing and falling out of the loop the better things are getting for others.
posted on December 24, 2000 11:26:41 PMIf, on the hand, you sell part-time, don't have a source for extreme bargain prices, and don't have anything unique to offer, well, then you're screwed
I'll try to remeber that next time I auction a $75 buy for $900!!!....yes indeedy eBay sucks...LMAO!!!!!
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on December 25, 2000 03:59:05 AM
Hi Barry,long time no see. Merry Christmas and a Happy Hannukah(sp?)to you. I think you got it about right as usual. Same as always but just more so.
Keith denied it, but to make that kind of profit, he had to fall into one or more of the categories you described.
It's too bad our memories are good enough to remember "the good old days", which is not to say things are so bad now, just that you have to change and adapt as you go along.
Lots of ebayers have started their own websites and a good percentage don't rely on ebay anymore as their only venue. Of course,the loyalty and "community" left long ago,about the time of the IPO and when Meg came aboard. The old cheerleaders finally wised up to this corporation and profit for the stockholders thing and if you see a cheerleader now, it's probably a newbie.
Some things don't change, ebay is still figuring out how to give sellers the shaft,we'e still grumbling and we're still here but sometimes to a much lesser degree as we explore other internet options.
posted on December 25, 2000 05:41:50 AM
eBay is still learning to walk; unfortunately, we may falter with it at times.
The original venue of antiques and collectibles is quite viable.
However, now the business of running a business comes out to play. Many, many people have not done their homework and are being toasted.
Please hang in there...this is a flexible time, things come to pass - not to stay.
posted on December 25, 2000 06:30:30 AM
It is still possible to make money on ebaY you just have to be selective in what you sell and not sell in an area that is saturared.
I am not doing this full time anymore as I felt I was getting to be a slave of this computer and getting somewhat bored doing it.
I also thought that I was not making as much money as I did in previous years.
My sales have dropped by almost 80,000 dollars over last year,yet my profit per item is much higher and my income stayed the same.
My profit runs about 30% after expenses which is good.
Most items I get before expenses sell for double what I pay for them on average.
People will always make money on ebaY question is will you or I be one of them.
I still intend to do this part time and feel that without too much difficulty I can make 20,000 plus even part time.
posted on December 25, 2000 07:41:04 AM
I find that as long as eBay isn't busy listening to competitors trying to end my auctions and then suspending me (see other threads by me), that I make an ENORMOUS profit on eBay selling bulk items dutch. In fact after all costs are done and paid for (aside from my time) I make on avg $7 of every $10 income (including shipping fees) profit
posted on December 25, 2000 07:46:16 AMIf, on the hand, you sell part-time, don't have a source for extreme bargain prices, and don't have anything unique to offer, well, then you're screwed
If this is the case, then why are you selling??? Selling is fun when you make money, which are the only two motivations I can think of for all the blood, sweat and tears involved in being a successful Ebay seller. Other than that, it's just one more reason to spend a LOT of time on the computer.
posted on December 25, 2000 08:58:33 AMpickersangel: Who said I am still selling?
---
The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
If you are no longer selling, isn't it a tad presumptuous of you to offer the definitive "secret" to selling on eBay?
SilkMoth
not by any means a BarryBasher, just a little put off by the tone of the original post in this thread.
--------
not SilkMoth anywhere but here
posted on December 25, 2000 10:31:26 AM
Okay, here's my two cents worth. I'm a very successful businessman who sells on eBay just for the fun of it. I sell more on eBay than what most people earn on their jobs. Yes, eBay is not what it was a year ago but the same basic rules apply.
1. Provide the best image possible.
2. Provide an informative and concise description.
3. Offer a good value.
If you want repeat business, always provide
service after the sale.
These are the simple but proven techniques in every successful business endeavor.
posted on December 25, 2000 11:18:36 AM
Repeat business is nice, and important, but just about any seller will tell you that repeat customers are not the largest part of his/her sales. It's new customers, and by new I mean "new to you". They could have zero feedback or 600 or whatever.
But the most important thing is to attract new users to the site continually. If the number of new users coming in slows, sellers will begin to drop out quickly.
posted on December 25, 2000 05:22:46 PMSilkMoth: Actually, I was being ironic. My point was that there really is no way for a casual or "hobby" seller to be successful on eBay anymore. That's the only "secret".
Barry
---
The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on December 25, 2000 05:40:53 PMdman3, I under stand it auction have dropped below well below 4 million over the past few months.
The number of auctions on eBay since the first part of October has hovered around 5 million (sometimes almost 6 million), until just before Free Listing Day, when it had gone down to about 3.5 million.
posted on December 25, 2000 06:43:53 PM
Barry..
I think that the definition of "successful" for part-time and hobby sellers is probably different than it is for Full Timers who use eBay as their main source of income...
JMHO
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on December 26, 2000 04:41:58 AM
the reason ebays auctions have decreased is because they have antagonized many lomgtime sellers like myself by accentuating on thier profits, enhancing the website to accomodate big business and at the same time not paying attention to the stablilization problem. I have lost hundreds od dollars in the recent past because bidders could not bid, especially at the end of the auction. in addition, they ferreted off some of my ebay business into thier ot he company called half com. which I happen to like. other sellers have, because of ebays tech problems, gone to other venues such as amazon . com marketplace and stuff like abe books. Therefore that is your answer why the ebay traffic is down,. I am pefectly satisfied to return to sell when they fix thier stabilization problem. As I emailed them before I suggested that they stop making changes or enhancements for 3 months and get all thier techs to stabilze the site...instead of adding buy it now with a threat that they may charge for the service later, or getting alliances with disney and all these other auction houses etc. They need to re-allign themselves with thier previous core customers like myself before too many of us abandon them forever.
posted on December 26, 2000 08:33:56 AM
Anybody with more than two neurons firing can probably sell something and make a profit on it using eBay. Most people aren't willing to do the work to make it a viable business.
posted on December 26, 2000 12:58:25 PM
HI Barry -
I generally limit my ebay chatter to this board and a couple of friends who do it seriously. When I've mentioned what I do to others, I occasionally see the gleam in the eye, esp. since I sell books. What could be easier, right? Just go to Salvation Army, load up on books [hey, found a hardcover Grisham!] and sell on ebay! What they don't consider is the work it takes to learn what and how to sell on ebay or the other venues.
I don't know how you define "successful" for part-timers like me, since I have no interest in making a living on ebay. I do strive to meet the "unique" rule though frequently my sales are just fine on medium-unique books. I do follow the deep discount rule. Any time I've spent "real" money on my inventory books, I've regretted it. I"ve never made as much as I have, repeatedly, on $1 library sale books.
I hope lots of casual sellers continue to list on ebay, because I want to buy their kid's old legos and gently-worn toddler dresses. Presumably they are happy to make a few bucks, which you certainly can't anywhere else, even consignment shops.
Maybe I don't have the same perspective, though, since I wasn't around in the Glory Days many of you talk about. 2000 was still very good for me.
posted on December 26, 2000 02:42:49 PM
The two biggest problems I see now on eBay are HALF.COM and WATCH THIS ITEM. It is frustrating to have your customers driven to another site. BUT even a bigger problem is WATCH THIS ITEM. Bids used to be higher because bidders would bid on an item when they saw it. Now, they merely hit the "watch this item" button and forget about it. I have received emails from people who "forgot" to bid, asking if the item was still available.
eBay is still an excellent marketplace - and one where I no longer need employees!! Sure, there are problems, but there are opportunities, too. Instead of trying to sell a game for $10 locally I can get much more on eBay. PLUS the added benefit of working in my jammies. Where else but the Playboy Mansion can you do that?
posted on December 26, 2000 02:47:49 PM
Let's face it. Anyone can sell on eBay. You just need access to a computer and the Internet, and something from your attic.
And if you are willing to sell your item cheaper than anyone else you will make a sale.
Those 'experienced' ebayers, with whom you now compete, must then lower their prices if that is the only method they use to attract bids.
Then somebody comes along willing to sell it even cheaper and so on it goes.
To be successful on eBay you must be the lowest price seller. Or you must have another competitve advantage.
Other competitive advantages include: product knowledge, market knowledge, ability to purchase products cheaply, high quality listings, sound pricing strategy, good reputation, thoughtful S+H policies and fees, excellent customer service. The list goes on.
I prefer using these types of competitive advantages. I let the others sell cheaply. How do you compete?
Bill
typo
[ edited by cdnbooks on Dec 26, 2000 03:08 PM ]
posted on December 26, 2000 04:14:52 PM
Like Keziak, I'm strictly a hobby seller - I sell stuff I no longer want, or stuff I find at local thrift stores/libraries/garage sales. I would never say I have gotten rich off ebay, but I consistently make a profit on my items, mostly books and Cd's that I have some expertise in. Would I miss the income if I stopped selling? Nah, but I do it because I still think it's fun.
posted on December 26, 2000 04:28:43 PM
HI Kyna - I am finding the whole distinction between casual, part-time, and "hobbyist" selling a conundrum. I know I'm part-time, and I used to think of it as a hobby. But since I started routinely buying to sell, and I read up on some of the tax implications, I've decided I am a "business." I will never been a full-time business, but I can tell that my family may get into trouble with the tax man if I don't fulfill all the license and tax rules. So a few weeks ago I got my business license and tax ID number, the works.
Having said that, I still mostly see this as a way to give myself satisfaction that I don't get at my cubicle job [thanks to an upsetting reengineering episode]. I am pleased when my efforts result in good sales, but I don't live or die by it.
posted on December 26, 2000 04:52:38 PM
Hey, Keziak!
Completely off topic, I can relate to how it feels to be reengineered - I went through that about five years ago. Good luck...it does get better.
And I'm sure you're right about the distinction between being a hobbyist and being a part time business blurring. For me the deciding factor to stopping will be when I stop having fun, whether it's a hobby or a business.
posted on December 26, 2000 05:45:47 PM
Hi Barry .. LTNS!
I agree with you. I only list 1)unusual high end items (wish I had more); and 2) items I inherited that I want out of the house for $10-30 (2 years ago would have brought $30-50!).
I'm at loose ends waiting for Goldsauction data to be uploaded to dutchbid so on ebay's free listing day I actually listed some items that normally would have gone up on Golds (and sold!) For the most part they're just sitting there .... it's a whole new ball game and not one I find particularly rewarding. Another week(?) and I'll be up and running on dutchbid and only at ebay with the occasional high demand/low supply or unusual item.
BTW .. the book you wrote has my hubby seeking watches at local auctions now .. coins are taking a 'vacation' I guess! Pocket watches are definately his new 'fascination.'
Hope things worked out well for you in your 'transition'!
In the highly unlikely case you don't remember me (LOL) I'm the 1896 blue guilloche/bluebird of friendship pendant watch pest!
_____
I have a memory like a steel trap .. unfortunately it's rusted shut!
[ edited by tuition44years on Dec 26, 2000 05:49 PM ]
