posted on November 11, 2007 03:40:41 PM new
What do good trading assistants cost for say a large seller in Houston with roughly $1500-2000 each week to sell. These are maybe 10 items worth $150-$200 apiece each week. He is very busy and wants to find someone to do the listings for him on a continual basis. Not myself but a relative.
I just updated my new website - give me your feedback on it. http://gotflag.com
posted on November 11, 2007 04:03:56 PM new
You can look up trading assistants in Houston.
The last time I looked,there are 8 of them ,some will come and pick up the item,most charge 20 -25% and pay the listing fee??
But when I looked at what they sell,they are selling mostly low end items.
There are also stores which will list them for you.
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Lets all stop whining !
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posted on November 11, 2007 08:53:40 PM new
When I sell for people, I have the item in my possession, do all the photographing and listing, follow up, etc.
I take 25% (for items in the price range you've quoted) off the top and keep what the buyer has paid (item $$ + shipping and insurance, etc.)
All fees, including listing and FVF and PayPal, are taken out of the remainder.
The consignor gets what's left.
Otherwise, you're out a lot of time and effort, for very little. Don't sell yourself and your expertise short! They're paying you for your experience and category and listing know-how, as well.
(If items will sell under $100, I take 35% off the top.)
I don't sell low-end items for people unless I'm in a slow period.
posted on November 11, 2007 09:10:47 PM new
I like your website! My only problem with Trading Assistants are the one who start an item very low, then add an unholy s&h charge. Have your relative understand the handling charges that will be added.
posted on November 12, 2007 03:40:04 AM new
I have done a few sales for others and charged 20$ plus expenses it was for a couple of friends and family. Not a huge money maker.
Your site... well it took forever for it to load, there were a lot of red X's where photos shouid be. And the biggie for me is it wouldn't let me back out.
posted on November 12, 2007 06:25:57 AM new
selling for others is a thankless job,it is better to just focus on selling your own merchandise.
No matter how hard you try and how meticulous you keep records,the customer always suspect you are skimming,you are not trying hard enough or you just plain dont know how to sell her items.
Many of them need money and have unrealistic expectations,a woman who has been supporting her son and his family (he lost his job 2 years ago),wanted to sell enough on Ebay to pay his mortage,his living expense,his car payments,it is just not possible !
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Lets all stop whining !
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posted on November 12, 2007 09:46:12 AM new
Most of the time it IS thankless to sell for others! I've had to steel myself to observe the disappointment friends try to conceal when I tell them what their item sold for. It's ALWAYS less than they thought the item was worth. Never has one of them jumped up and down and said, "It sold for THAT MUCH!? WOW."
Whereas, I frequently have that feeling about little ratty collectibles I list and sell. Go figure.
My expectations are always lowered. People have been watching too much Antiques Roadshow. And no matter how I warn them, they're invariably surprised by how little their World Treasure is worth, even though they've assured me at the start that they just want "something" for the item and won't care how it does. Hope springs eternal.
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posted on November 12, 2007 11:06:02 AM new
We charge 35% of the first $500 of each auction, 25% of the next $500, 20% of anything over $1000. FVF are paid by consigor, we eat everything else. Since this commission amortizes the time we spend with everyone who thinks they might want to do consignment, you can go lower if you have a sure thing. If they're going to require a lot of hand-holding, don't lower it.
Duplicate items have a negotiated reduction.
B2B consignment usually has a reasonable minimum for the seller, and a 50/50 split of the proceeds higher than an agreed number.
For an ongoing customer like this, I'd look at how much description will be required, how many photos, and how difficult to ship.
Beware of anyone who charges jacked-up shipping on their consignment auctions. The shipping might be higher than normal (they actually have to pay rent on the packing area, pay employees to pack, etc.), but it should not be extortionate. Since they don't share the shipping with the consignor, it is unethical to jack up shipping at the expense of the nominal selling price.
Good luck!
Claude
PS All this and much more will be explained more fully in my book, soon to be released!
"childrens do learn"