posted on February 25, 2013 06:21:14 PM new
So, you've been selling on eBay for years. You know how to properly set up lighting, photograph product, edit photos, write product descriptions, launch items, manage your sales and listings, properly pack and ship products, manage shipments, perform bookkeeping, problem solve, answer questions, use a computer including listing software, photo editing, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
So... realistically, how much is that worth in the job market?
Out of curiosity I started browsing Craigslist to see what these skills pay.
Goodwill in our area is hiring a collectibles photographer. Starting pay $9.50 an hour.
An auto parts dealer is hiring all of the above, starting pay $10.75.
An eBay Specialist for a Cycling company lists a job description that asks this question... "Also, please tell us on a scale of 1 to 10 "how lucky are you?" Provide a sample of a success that you've had in marketing on the web."
Internet Sales Rep doing most of the above selling electronics... $12.50 an hour.
eBay Listing Specialist... no salary, but Health Insurance after 90 days, plus bonuses.
My personal favorite: http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ret/3629038622.html
posted on February 26, 2013 03:23:27 AM new
I think you forgot the most important skill - knowing what to buy and sell.
If you do it correctly - that's priceless.
posted on February 26, 2013 07:20:33 AM new
yes,if a person is a whiz in buying low and selling high,he can hire all the other skills .
Soceity awards those with exceptional skills,does Henry Ford have to join a union to get what he wants?
[ edited by lostmymojo on Feb 26, 2013 07:24 AM ]
posted on March 1, 2013 12:05:55 PM new
The problem in our business (AKA selling on internet) is that if you hire a person to take photos,or list or pack or ship,sooner or later he/she would want to sell for himself/herself,unless you make that person a partner.
Partnership often ends badly.
Are we stuck to be solo operator for the rest of our career?
posted on March 3, 2013 07:16:26 AM new
The Oregon ad which is Shag's favorite does not require much computer skills,anyone who can sell on Ebay knows how to print shipping labels,it is more like a warehouse clerk finding the item ,pack it and take it to the post office and ship it.
I would say the most important skills are to know where to find the product on the shelf and being able to lift up to 50 lbs and BE ON TIME FOR WORK.
He did not say who is paying for gas to go to the post office and whose vehicle would be used to drive to the post office?
But he said the applicant would be working from his home?
So facts to consider are-
With gas at $4/gallon and wear and tear of the car and how far does the applicant live from employer home,would 9 dollars an hour be enough?
how safe is it to work from someone's home,where are the inventory stocked,shelves?where are the shelves and how organised are they,in the garage,in the basement,in living room,in the backyard?
What happens if the worker is injured on the job?
Also the employer may be doing well now,but these internet sales ,once a new product sells well,competition will pile in and he may not need another worker to pack and ship.
At $9 an hour,an ideal person would be a healthy retiree or high school kid living near by who has their own health insurance and just looking for pocket money.
