posted on February 19, 2001 12:41:32 PM
This is a very delicate subject, please don't jump all over me about this.
I have been a seller on eBay for less than a year. After a friend had told me about it, I wanted to try it. I stumbled into an area that I find fulfilment. I'm a stay at home mom with much flexibility. I enjoy being with my kids and putting the time when I need to into my business.
At times, I feel as though I am jumping through flaming hoops to make my business successful. (have to beat the competition!) Other times, I can just watch the money coming in. There are times eBay makes more money than I do in profits, but I just look at the whole picture and figure that I am bringing a nice surplus to my family income. Also, it seems to balance out in my favor.
I just wanted to see what the consensus on the auctioneers here on the AW message board. For me, I find that out of 100% expenses, I am bringing in 40%. After talking to a friend, she thinks I should find something else to bring in a bigger profit margin. Just a thought. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.
avmom
(not avmom on eBay)
edited for typos
[ edited by avmom on Feb 19, 2001 01:01 PM ]
posted on February 19, 2001 02:09:46 PM
Just me and my position is different than yours. I don't have to sell for the income,
I have another job BUT I don't put anything
on that I don't think has a reasonable
chance at doubling what I paid for it.
It doesn;t always happen but then, you get
the $600.00 bid for the item you paid
$100.00 for Or the 145.00 bid for an item
you paid 20.00 for.
I saw you other question. IMO if you want
to do this to make money (you have to sell
an awful lot in my opinion on wholesale
items) becuase EVERYONE else is selling them
also, find the local auctions and go to them.
Not the ones selling the new ceramic angels
either, but the ones selling what other
people consider their junk. Learn what
is and what isn't junk. That's where the
money is, not in new items you can buy
wholesale.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I would love to make that kind of return! And no, I don't sell those wholesale junk with TONS of competition. I am a supplier to the hobbyist (sp) and find that I compete with 2 or 3 serious competitors. I don't necessarily need the extra income, but it's an icing on the cake so my family can do some of the extras.
Some of the items I sell, I find that profits aren't worth all that much, but then again, I do have other products which sells 200-400% of what I paid for. I guess I like to make myself appear more like a source or a small-time shop. Overall, still manage to bring in about 40%, which is not great, but like the freedom of being my own boss. I may need to look for a better supplier or look elsewhere. I just love doing this.
posted on February 20, 2001 02:22:53 PM
If your making a 40% profit after expenses, your actualy doing pretty darn good, do you know the average supermarket runs at a 1%-3% profit margin. Amazon.com is at a negative margin, and has bever made a profit. A lot of businesses would be happy to hit 10%. So what I'm saying is you must being doing something right!!
Thank you for your kind compliment. For a while there, I was feeling like such a fool for being transparent and no one even touching this subject. You hear all these big fish stories out there and wonder how much truth is really in there.
I guess the point is: I am making a profit, I enjoy it, I have the flexibility. Work is still work, but it helps if you like it.
Thanks, James. Wishing you success in your venture as well.
posted on February 20, 2001 04:22:05 PM
thepriest,
Thanks.
I know on such a forum such as eBay, the profit margin can slide easily in your favor. It's just knowing how to be a good shopper and looking for bargains and findings. For most, it's just not worth attempting to try unless you absolutely have to double your investment. I guess I haven't found that niche. Anyone else care to share?
posted on February 20, 2001 09:06:12 PM
everyone on e-bay has there own well kept sources for there inventory. Wholesalers, auctions, garage sales, clearance racks in Wal-mart, importers, thrift shops everybody knows these. Do some research on some completed auctions in some categories that interest you or items you know can buy at a good price. Find sources that work for you. I feel you always make your money when you buy it. Buy low and sell high or the real key is to buy low and sell low and still make a good profit and beat the competition. Try to keep your expenses low, operating out of your home does this.Depending on how much you pay for an item I like to average $20.00 an item sold. If however you paid $1.00 for an item and sold it for $15.00 your gross profit than is far better if you paid $10.00 for an item and sold it for $20.00. Time spent listing is also an expense to some people. Try to sell higher dollar products. Most important is to have fun doing this and being able to spend time with family.
I just read your thread about the $4K in gross sales. I also thank you for your feedback in regard to my topic. Your approach was very facinating ... something I will need to delve into further.
My gross sales are approximately $1K-$1.2K per month. I usually run 30-35 auctions per week, and most of my items average around $12 an item. I would estimate I put in 1-3 hrs. daily. I usually sell items that are the same things, therefore listing them is a snap. I would think bringing in $4K gross in sales would be pretty simple. Just have a system to abide by and work as a team. At least you've got plenty of inventory to work with. I think you'll be quite successful on eBay!
