Ebay: good or bad?

Hello, I'm planning to sell some decorations on Ebay. Someone told me that it is really hard to sell things on Ebay, but also someone told me that is rather easy. So how does Ebay work? Really? Can someone who has the experience with Ebay help me out? Thank you very much.

FOR ALL IT'S FAULTS, EBAY IS THE LEADER. According to the Wall Street Journal, if Ebay were a Nation, it would be the 5th Largest Nation in the World. Think what that means in terms of if you take the time to learn a few sure-fire techniques, you will make it.

Well, I'm like you, I started almost 8 months ago, - new - however, in my first month, and ever since - I more than doubled my fees, and made profit. If you want to know how I learned....
http://cgi.ebay.com/SELL-ON-EBAY-Super-Simple-8-PROFESSIONAL-E-PROGRAMS_W0QQitemZ220109205060QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46685QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Alot depends on how many different items you will be selling. If you just have a few items, and aren't planning on doing a business, AUCTION, the more expensive listing costs, is the way to go, and just do some research so you know what to price so it will sell, and some of the ins/outs of FIXED and RESERVE auctions if you will require that for these couple items. Auctions are on a sliding scale, but suffice it to say - up to $9.99 (item cost only, shipping doesn't count except in Paypal money receipt)....it's about 65 -85 cents to list.

If you have 20-30 items laying around, - and plan on finding popular selling types of items that you can get wholesale or otherwise to keep the store "moving on" after whatever it is you are starting with is dwindling (though if you have a garage, it never has to!)...

...you open an EBAY STORE for $15/mo and then you AUCTION the popular, trendy or seasonal items once per week or so (now this is just a generic comment)... which brings buyers to your store. You would then just be auctioning a couple things a week. TIP: General Rule of Thumb, try to list your Auctions on Mondays or Sunday afternoons latest, to get the full benefit of the weekend crowd. If you list on a Saturday, you won't be at the top for "ending soonest", which is where most people default, and you've cut .5-.75 days of prime time. Doing Auctions on Mondays, the cut-off is Sunday, and you will have run straight through so that the time ending soonest in any given search for your key-terms, will land on page one during the highest traffic times (generally speaking, again).

(auctions cost more to list, I have a formula somewhere - it's auction and pay 8% + $1.00 (I'm including Paypal), or inventory, and it's 10% +, well nevermind, I can't find my piece of paper right now! email me!)

The cost to list each inventory item (in the $15.00/mo Store), is only $0.06 cents each, and includes a gallery picture. ($0.05 cents without). However, when it sells you do pay approx. 3% more closing costs, but that is really nothing.

Yes, I've always made a profit, and I'm a small store at this time, with plans to expand very large this year. It's a bit tricky with a small store like mine in getting started, so knowing some of the ropes, tricks and tips really helps.

I auction popular items once per week, and offer discounted shipping, - people tend to look at what else you have in a store setting, lured there by the GREAT item on Auction at Great price...., and many purchase more than just the auction item.

TIP: Pictures sell ... make your ad better than the average, no matter how tiny your sales price: To have as many pictures as you want in your ad, and only pay for the gallery (little picture that shows up in auctions and in your store)....get a web-host, ($3.99/mo at Peaceful Sites.com), and upload your pictures there. If you "host" your own images, Ebay doesn't charge.

For a COMPLETE run-down, I have a bundled package which is very popular that gives people all the information, plus programs to use- it's what I use -and sell in my Ebay store ....
http://cgi.ebay.com/SELL-ON-EBAY-Super-Simple-8-PROFESSIONAL-E-PROGRAMS_W0QQitemZ220109205060QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46685QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
...and then you know enough to start...then be sure to read all the Ebay tutorials on various subjects to keep you learning as you go.

Best wishes for your success. Email me if you have any specific questions once you get on your way, I'm happy to help.
http://stores.ebay.com/the-virtual-office

It really depends on the market. Do people want the decorations? Are they of quality? Are you charging a reasonable amount of money for them? Is it in season (i.e are they Christmas decorations), if not then wait until people want to buy it?

You could also try craigslist, which I'm pretty sure you can post classified ads on there for free. However you won't have a broader market, and you may need to bring the decorations to the buyer, however it works very well. Just remember, you are going to have people purchase the items in your area, and I would advise you of making them come to your place, instead of going to there place.

In response to your question . . .

Hello, Philip here;

There several things to take in consideration when working eBay and other auction sites. You must familiarize yourself with eBay's, selling goods and understand the how things work.

Now if you are planning making this only a hobbie, then go to www.ebay.com and start learning. However, if your are serious and planning to make this into a business, must have system if you are to be successful.

Lets define a system. On the internet, it means proven successful method which has procedures that one follows to complete an assignment, task or goal. So how you develope a system. You learn from ebay gurus--find biggest out there to be mentor. Read everything on his website and download and all free ebooks to learn about selling on eBay.

Now your other choices are:

1. You need a predesign, fully automated income generating ecommerse store. I don't recommend using eBay to build your store. Reason there internet marketers that have design websites and ecommerse stores to give the upper hand on eBay, sort of speak. These websites and ecommerce stores do not require any technical now how. And you get plenty information and helpful from these vendors. So the website is your first step. I say this because you want to build a business and this is the plan.

Otherwise, if you thinking of this as a hobby--just go to eBay to learn and use the tools they have.

What approach to take selling products on auctions sites?

Here's some ideas . . .

1. Sell own products or affiliate products
Here you could sell your own products and have an inventory of products at home, or some place. However, you much consider the cost for your time packing, the cost for shipping and handling. And you must deal with customers direct. You also have to establish a high customer rating with eBay. So learn eBay is a good idea. On the hand, you can join eBay's affiliate program. eBay has a marketplace of over 25,000,000 products. You get up to 65% in commissions each time customers buy the products your selling. This in turn knock out any packing, shipping and handling.

2. Manufacturers or Dropshippers (Distributors)
Most manufacturers only deal with dropshippers which is ok considering what's easier. Go with the dropshippers and let them help you deal with customers, They do all the handling of the product you want to sell. When a customer buys a product from you, you notify the dropshipper and they simply shipp the item directly to the customer with your address. However, your must have a terrific customer service. This will also be your key to success. eBay is watching you. Understand the dropshippers policies including returns. Dropshippers will tell you the profit margin you can ask for when selling a product. For example: The droppshipper tells you the product price is $100.00 and the profit is 35%. Therefore, you can sell the product for $135.00. Your profit is $35.00. Beware, your cost should not come out of the $35.00. This is where critical mistakes begin.

3. Dropshipping or Inventory
It is easier to use credible dropshippers, since they will do all the work. You have no inventory, they handle credit card processing so you are not required to this. However, you can become a merchant and do your own credit card processing.
Inventory takes great work. I would not do too much of this. Actually, try to avoid it. Remember, you are looking at cost here. The cost for shipping paper, boxes, labor, shipping and handling. You need a digital camera. So there some technical work required. If you take the lazy way, sort of speak just deal with credible dropshippers and let them do all the work.

My reccommendations:

1. Find and research an eBay internet marketing guru. Learn all you can. Buy his ebooks, videos, etc. Learn a system and internet marketing, keywords, niche marketing, etc. This is all vital to your success.

2. Buy a predesign automated income generating e-commerce store and make making money easier.

3. Join with eBay's affiliate program--no inventory, no digital camera, etc. You save time and cost here.

4. Find several credible dropshippers, not just one. You never want a dropshipper to out of stock when you are selling products. Using a dropshipper saves time and money.

Of course there is more information, perhaps you may consider contacting me. I understand from yahoo! that I can not give you my website address to help you further. And don't know if I'm allowed to give you my email as well.

PS - I did not check the wording nor spelling so beware.

Take Care!

Listing your items for sale is fairly easy. Getting bids is another story. If you have something unique that people actually want, then you'll do fine. If you have something that people can buy locally for a lesser price, don't waste your time.

Do your research first. Type in what item you would like to sell in the search box. Then use the advanced search controls on the side and choose Completed Auctions. This will show you want items identical to yours have recently sold for and if there were many that didn't get any bids. That will tell you if what you have to sell is worth your effort or not.

Be sure to take good pictures and make your listing professional with correct grammar and a detailed description.

Oh and don't forget to be fair on shipping and charge as close to actual shipping as possible or offer a shipping calculator option. Buyers get really ticked about paying way more for shipping than what it actually cost.

Good luck!

Hi - I am a Powerseller and sell 300+ items a month. Have been selling on eBay since 2003 and have sold 12,000 items worldwide.

First of all, start small. Set up an eBay account and buy a few things to learn the process and get a feel for how eBay works. Take the eBay Selling Audio Tour:

http://pages.ebay.com/education/howtosell/index.html

eBay and working at home is not for everyone. And it is ok if it isnâ€™t right for you. Sell some of your own things before you invest any money in other products to sell. Understand that eBay is more than taking pictures and working on the computer â€“ you need to be familiar with how to edit photos, shipping, customer service, and Paypal. Take your time and learn about these things before you jump in and go for it full-time.

Once you are comfortable with the whole process, donâ€™t be afraid to take a risk every now and then. I am often asked, â€œBut what if you buy an item and it doesnâ€™t sell?â€ Well, thatâ€™s ok. I can always relist it. I can mark it down and sell it for what I paid for it and move on. You donâ€™t want to buy a truckload of 1,000 items without having tested them out first, but you do want to experiment with different products â€“ you may find something profitable to sell on a regular basis.

Make small investments and try new products to test them out and see what kind of results youâ€™ll get. Donâ€™t be afraid to experiment with new products and try new things. eBay is constantly evolving and no trend will last forever. Experience is the best teacher.

Good luck-

S. Wells, Author
The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling
http://www.amazon.com/stay-at-home-moms-...

Read my eBay Blog
http://ebaysellingcoach.blogspot.com/

Visit my eBay store
http://stores.ebay.com/atlanta-golf-shop...

It is pretty easy and fun. However, just look for the hidden fees, like posting a picture, relisting and item and other things. The listing fees might run you more than the item is worth. Try a local ebay shop that can sell your item for you so that you can gain the experience in what goes on. My husband used to sell comic books and didnt realize all the hidden fees involved. It can be tedious, but it can also be fun.

you should go to officialebayguru.com They are the best for eBay Training or if you just want to learn eBay

for buying its about average. the price of the items are cheap but then they add up in shipping. for selling it is rather easy as long as you know how to ship and label boxes. its really easy. they even have a page that you can order free boxes that you can print out labels and they will come in for you and its as simple as that. all you need to do is take it to the post office and get it shipped. the rest is yours. its kind of fun to see peoples offers. hope i helped!

good
only accept pay pal tho just in case

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