posted on January 16, 2001 10:26:10 PM new
Are there any businesses out there that are only into ebay to run auctions for people that don't know how and charge them a small fee?
posted on January 16, 2001 10:36:19 PM new
In another thread somewhere on here, I can't remember where, someone mentioned that a friend ran an ad in the local paper and does it! But I can't remember where I saw the post sorry!
I recently talked to a friend of mine who wants me to put up some auctions for her. She said she'd pay me a percentage of the final total of her sales...we are still discussing it, but I think I can make a couple bucks...why not?!
I think if ya did it right, you could make out ok, it's almost like a consignment shop...you'd just have to make sure you are compsated fairly for the time you spend taking the pics, writing the ads etc.
posted on January 16, 2001 11:27:47 PM new
Blackthorne's Auction Pro software allows for consignment sales. I wouldn't think about doing consignment without some type of software assistance. 25% is typical but I have heard of some deals going as high as 50%. All depends on the clue level of the consignor. I would be concerned about shipping...make sure you take control of the process as it will be your feedback rating at risk.
posted on January 16, 2001 11:58:10 PM new
So what you guys are saying is that you don't know of any businesses that are doing this consistantly already?
I don't know much about consignment. . . call me stupid. . . but that is where one business sells an item for an individual or business and takes a percentage?
Anyway, I figure instead of learning all about running an auction I could get services from a business that knows how to run successful auctions. That way I wouldn't have to go through the hassle.
Aren't there ways like escrow or something that you could do? I mean, a feedback rating is obviously essential, couldn't it be protected that way?
[ edited by trav1999 on Jan 17, 2001 12:10 AM ]
posted on January 17, 2001 12:24:24 AM new
But does anyone do it real uniformly and professionally? I never hear anything about it. . . If there are a few businesses maybe someone could point me to a websight.
posted on January 17, 2001 01:22:22 AM new
I've noticed a few sellers that do this, but I'm not sure it's such a good idea.
One such seller I saw was selling other people's used cars (all over the the U.S. and Canada), so I doubt he ever even saw the cars. This was a few months ago, and he had about 75 positives and 5 nasty negatives.
I'm not sure that's a good idea, used cars are a gamble at the best of times, but especially unknown used cars. He was selling everything. An overpriced 15 year old minivan (for which a buyer left a neg, said it had 175,000 miles and not 75,000). These junky vehicles clashed with the nice 2-5 year old luxury and sports cars.
I once saw another seller who had a negative, and the response said something like "sold it for a friend, never again."
I think those are words to live by.
A friend asked if I could sell her son's Game Boy or something. I told her I'd help them to set up their own eBay account instead, since it ws my feedback at risk.
posted on January 17, 2001 03:18:27 AM new
In the current issue of New York magazine on p. 125 under Professional Services is the ad for E-Bay Broker (as seen in the NY Times). I'll sell it for you. 215 593-XXXX.
posted on January 17, 2001 04:07:15 AM newtrav1999: e-mail me at [email protected] and I will tell you of a seller that I know on eBay who is doing this.
posted on January 17, 2001 12:17:40 PM new
I have been doing it for about two years now. Consignment was no big deal for me as I am a traditional auctioneer as well, and I was already doing that. However, with online sales that I do for people, I do all the work. I list, clean, ship and answer e-mails about the item that I am representing on behalf of a client. I charge 30-35 percent and do very well when I am listing. I am just getting ready to get back into it (feb.)
as the market usually picks up starting then. I have successfully sold for many clients. Got $11,000. for a guitar for one client. She was a little happy to say the least. I only took 10% from her. $1100. isn't a bad days work. He He. Instead of taking an actual cut of the sold price, after the sale is over, I BUY the item at 70% of the selling price and make out paper work that says I bought it and have them sign it. This has worked well for me, and I have had no complaints. God bless,
posted on January 17, 2001 12:47:58 PM new
evan11:
It sounds like you have a retail shop.
Do you take physical possession of the goods before starting the auction?
If one did not have a shop I wonder if people would trust someone to transport and store their treasures until the auction was completed. I could handle going onsite to do the photos and letting them hold on to it but it seems it would get labor intensive to make a second trip back to pick up the item for shipping.
posted on January 19, 2001 07:40:39 AM new
Something I recall from a message stream on Ebay - if you are EVER selling something on behalf of another person, get the item in YOUR possession before listing...
This person had agreed to sell a speaker or amp or something for a friend of her husbands - made the sale, got the $, went to get the amp, and the friend now refused to sell.
I like the idea of buying the item from the person for 70% of the closing price, so its like a consignment but NOT, because than you can say you bought the item for X and sold it for Y, very easy...
I'd still prefer to have the items in my possession before selling...
posted on January 19, 2001 07:49:55 AM new
I've thought about this...approaching a local antique seller or something..then I wondered how the tax angle would work. Records for taxes are hard enough to keep now.
posted on January 19, 2001 08:08:37 AM new
We are a company that specializes in listing auctions for clients of ours. Each client is required to be screened and sign a contract indicating that they will follow through with any transaction resulting from an eBay auction. We receive a substantial fee for listing the item, and then a moderate percentage if the item closes. This way, even if the item does not sell, we make money. Our customers are happy because of the exposure we give their items. They now have customers globaly as opposed to their once-limited local area. Our business is perfect for clients that either don't know how to create auctions effectively, or for businesses that do not have high enough feedback ratings to start selling their products. (try selling a $60,000 forklift with 10 feedback....it works MUCH better with 500+!) It is important to state that we clearly indicate our association with our client in our TOS. If you are considering starting a business like this, make sure you let the bidders know what you are doing.
In response to the Tax question posed by keziak, it is really quite simple. As you are providing a service, there is no sales tax for you. The sales tax is the responsibility of the client you are selling the product for. The taxes you are responsible for are strictly your business gains/losses. Of course, it is always best to consult your accountant first!
I hope that this helps to clear up any questions about these kinds of services. You might also be interested to know that eBay has several partner services that operate in this manner. This is a clear indication that eBay is supportive of this practice.
posted on January 19, 2001 01:20:22 PM new
year one I didn't do it
year two I started doing it but only sold a few things now and then, pretty good profit, nothing incredibly valuable
starting year three...I backed off to doing ebay part time and working part time...don't you know that NOW many people are approaching me to sell for them. It hasn't happened yet, but time saved hunting items works for me...minimal commission is still profit...only worry is lost or broken items in shipping
posted on January 19, 2001 10:31:14 PM new
I created a special Ebay account just for consignment sales. One of the benefits of doing it that way is that it prevents an accounting nightmare dow the road. I charge a nominal fee for photos and listing, and a percentage if it sells. This has the effect of discouraging small ticket items. If a person knows it's going to cost them something even if it doesn't sell, they tend to be more inclined to bring itms that have a good chance of selling. Terms and conditions vary slightly from client to client depending on their specific needs and the type of items they want me to list, but one rule that is written in stone: I will never list any item that I do not have in my physical possession. I also personally pack and ship every item I sale.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on January 20, 2001 03:23:51 AM new
I have sold over 200 items on ebay this way, and I have 2 rules, ! I must have the item in my hande before the auction, and 2 I get 30% of the net price. Ed
edhdsn
