posted on March 4, 2001 05:58:34 PM new
Hi all! I'm fairly new to the world of online auctions, I've been browsing and buying for a short time and since I have some stuff to get rid of I thought I'd jump into the fray of selling. But before I do I have a few questions and since I've been lurking here and everyone seems so knowledgable and helpful, I just thought I'd ask!
1. Since I know Uncle Sam wants his cut of any meager profits I may scrape up-do I need a license before I list anything, or does that only apply if I'm buying wholesale and reselling? What if I find something later on at a garage sale-can I sell it or do I need a license first?
2. How do I go about listing something? Do I need auction software of some kind or can I do it without? I'm not looking at listing a high volume of stuff.
3. I like to research everything before I get involved-There are many books out there regarding online auctions. Does anyone know if any of them are decent or are they all "get rich quick" junk?
Please let me know anything I should know before I jump into this. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
posted on March 4, 2001 06:29:49 PM new
Hello CityGirl1 ~~ Welcome to the world of online auctions. I think that you will find it thrilling and a lot of work as well. There are a number of auction management packages available including one here at AW.
At the present time a license isn't needed but that is being debated by the various states. But if you are a business you may be required to collect tax if you sell within your own state, and it is debatable if you have to collect within your own state even if you aren't a business. There is a progam being conducted by several states that will require all sellers to collect taxes if an item is sold in their state but I don't remember which ones.
The best way to find out about the how and why of auctions online is to read the boards here at aw and there are a few other boards as well. Your best source of information would be the users of a particular site, they can be very helpful, as well as the support folks of that particular site.
If you choose to read the boards here then it would be in your best interest to have your armour on and be ready to take a deep breath before posting a reply, it can get abit rasty at times, but most of the folks here will be more than happy to help.
There are a number of books available, but again your best source is the folks that do it on a daily basis and the support folks.
A good source of information about some of the different sites with an interest in their users is on the following thread. (cut and paste the addr.)
posted on March 4, 2001 06:47:55 PM new
Thanks Bill! I've been lurking here for a while so I know what you mean! I'm pretty thick-skinned though, I think I can handle it-
Citygirl
