Post by honor on Oct 12, 2015 8:00:57 GMT
So you've been seeing all the eBay threads and wondered, is it all a sham? Are these kids really making that much money from home?
The answer is: MAYBE
eBay is fairly simple to use, an easy platform for first timers who want to create a small biz.
Firstly, eBay is not for everyone. eBay is fickle, at anytime they can suspend you for absolutely no reason. Please have an exit strategy if all hell breaks loose.
Maintaining a good standing will insure you stay for long, don't expect to be on eBay forever.
So you plan on getting started, these are what you'll need to get:
1. A Computer
2. A Printer
3. A Bank Account
4. L99 Woodcutting
5. About $300USD
6. Paypal account
7. And most of all, Patience.
Seeing you're in this thread and have read all the way to this sentence that you are still reading because it has not yet ended, you must be interested in starting a biz on eBay.
eBay isn't the only outlet to getting a small biz going, eBay isn't for everyone, but it is the most simple platform to use to begin, if you know what you're doing.
Now as you know, there are different types of sellers, Wholesalers, Retailers , Drop Shippers, or the Casual Flippers, etc. Some people confuse Wholesale with Retail, for eBay we are Retailers who buy from Wholesalers/Manufactures (makers) and sell to "regular people". We will focus on three of these as they are the main types of sellers.
Now here is what you need to know depending on what you plan on doing.
For Retailers/Wholesalers: Selling merchandise in lots or selling in pieces directly to the customer.
1. Sell sell sell, this is your main goal no matter what. If you're not selling, you're not a Wholesaler/Retailer.
2. You will have a hard time finding a product that sells well, when you finally find it, someone else will copy you only moments later.
3. You will need to invest a lot of time and patience in your biz if you ever want it to get somewhere in the future.
4. Do not, I repeat DO NOT play with counterfeit goods. This is not going to turn out well, as you will not last very long.
(eBay has a select list of people they allow to sell counterfeits, YOU WILL NEVER BE ONE OF THEM so stop trying.)
5. There are tons of you out there, so make sure you gain history so new buyers will know you mean business.
6. Things are going to get rough, but if eBay hasn't banned you yet, just know you're doing fine.
Summarize: This category is for people that want to go all in, they know what they're up against and have a plan to succeed.
As a Retailer, you need trust. You will either end up with a new friend, or someone you will never speak with again.
So make sure whoever it is you choose to do business with is someone you can trust. Purchasing test samples is what most people do.
Tip: Alibaba isn't all there is, try DHgate, AliExpress, and many more. When you're settled, you won't even need them anymore.
For Drop Shippers: Typically the same as a Wholesaler/Retailer, except you never have the product on hand.
1. I have nothing to say other than get ready to enter a cesspool of drama.
2. You will not have an easy time setting up this type of biz.
3. What you plan on doing has been done many times, if you have no idea what you're doing, don't do it. This is not the place to gamble.
Summarize: This category is not for everybody, if you didn't enter early, it's going to be hard getting started now.
Tip: Best of luck
For Flippers: Easy money if you can get to it in time
1. This is the most easiest category, simply buy something for a fraction of the price, then sell it what it's really worth.
2. You will have to be on top of your game to snag items at a decent price, for there are many others like yourself.
3. Expect to be investing $50-$300 per item, and avoid buying things that aren't working if you do not know how to fix them.
4. If you're only making $10, don't waste your time.
5. Don't be one of those Redditors that buys all the Frozen dolls from Wall-Mart, then returns the ones they couldn't sell online.
Summarize: This category is for anyone, it's as if you're selling your old phone but now multiple times.
Tip: There is an app called Mercari where people don't know the value of things, instead of constantly refreshing eBay where millions of others like you are, go elsewhere.
Do not sell on this app, the owners are known to freeze accounts after you sell something of value. So it's best you buy only and sell on CL/eBay/etc.
So you now know who you are and what you're up against.
There's still a lot more to learn, who are you selling to? How should you market your product? I'll continue to update this post.
Shipping: USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, Etc
1. USPS, United States Postal Service is what everyone uses. It's usually the cheapest and easiest way to get a package from A-B.
eBay offers discounts for those who print with their online label program, but you can also use programs such as Stamps.com/Ship-station, Shiprush, etc.
Once you have sold 5k items, you will be eligible for an even bigger discount called "Commercial Plus Price".
Most of you will be shipping with First Class (Under 13Oz) which will cost you $3.63.
The lower the weight, the lower the price. Anything over 13Oz will be normal post or Priority.
2. UPS, United Parcel Service is a private shipping company. Mainly used for shipping large packages.
3. DHL, is a great company that always delivers on time. This service is mainly for big time sellers/international wholesalers.
4. FedEx, is an okay company. They have a service called "Smart Post" where packages are shipped cheaper for you. This option is only available for big time sellers.
Dealing With Customers: How to deal with bad customers
If a customer:
1. Threaten to leave you a negative feedback -> Stop responding, wait for it and contact eBay.
2. Leave you a negative feedback out of the blue -> Contact the buyer asking the reason, if no response -> Contact eBay till you get a representative that understands how hard you've tried.
3. Left you a negative feedback for a legitimate reason (i.e. you shipped three days late because you were in line for the new iPhone) suck up the bad feedback.
Other tips:
1. Negative/Neutral feed backs are easy to have removed, don't suck up to buyers that are clearly at fault. There is also a thing called Seller Protection for a reason.
Make sure you ask your buyers what the problem is:
Having your listings remain up is crucial if you're a Wholesaler/Drop Shipper, not much for a Casual Flipper as your item would have already sold before the time ran out.
Head over to My eBay -> Account -> Site Preferences > Seller Preferences -> "Use the out-of-stock-option"
This will insure that when you sell out, your listing will not end. Therefore you keep the "100 Sold", "200 Sold" on your item so buyers will know you've already sold before. This also means that you will still be charged every time the listing renews itself, so keep a close watch if you no longer wish to sell that item. Also by doing this, your listing remains where it was "out of stock" since it's not a new listing .
2. Buyer left you a positive feedback but with a bad comment?
Some buyers try to be clever and leave you a false positive, do not respond to it. For if you do, then it will stand out.
Most buyers don't even look at the comments of the positive feedback, so just let it fade away (EVEN IF IT'S IN ALL CAPS).
Other Topics: eBay General, How To Make Your Own Storefront Website for under $60
NEVER SELL WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE YET
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This information is coming from a 20yo who has sold over 4,000 items through eBay in a one year period. Take it as you will but I think I've said what was needed.
Whatever was said in this thread was intended for USA sellers, I do not know much for other countries as most things are different elsewhere.