Question
A couple of new acquaintences of ours has just started selling on ebay
they are a husband a wife team with some time to kill and an ambitious nature...both have jobs and they own a house they are renovating and another business which is fairly demanding
I have told them what we find doesn't sell well
Jewelery....
books are a no-no for canadians
....
other than that we have advised them on the technical issues and avoided all the doom and gloom talk we hear.
we personally are fine with ebay but do see some really low sell throughs.
Anyway, they listed their first items this week
All 39 of them right out of the gate http://community.here.com/infopop/em...s/icon_eek.gif
I am praying they don't get too many bids,....but part of me is applauding their effort, I love the enthusiasm.
They have one item bid at 50.00
and they listed some VHS tapes at .99 and got a few bids on those
they are cranked
what advice do you have for them, I can't think of everything they need to know.
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Answer
A few that I think are really helpful:
1. Never let emotions into a communication with customer. Ready a stock email for every situation that will arise. Or the common ones anyway.
2. Always have shipping supplies on hand. Have a steady supply source, be it Scrounge or Buy.
3. Make a schedule and keep to it. Pictures, Listings, Packing, Shipping, Emailing, etc.
4. Learn to navigate ebay. The help section, auction management pages (add to description, cancel auction, etc), Advanced Search, etc.
5. Browse the auctions in your "niche"... Set up saved searches to be emailed to you automatically.
6. Create a separate buying ID or two, and get the feedback above 10. Good for emergencies!
7. If you depend on the money you make to buy new stock, then set up a separate bank account for ebay money. Move money from it as needed for life expenses. Set a minimum balance so you will always have stock buying cash.
8. Hang out here or somewhere similar so you have a talent pool to draw on. http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
9. Kiss your spare bedroom and open floor space goodbye. Try to create in advance a place for stock.
10. Consider ebay a business and always try to approach it as such.
Answer
gabs
I am sure you are all they need http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
I think the most important thing is pace. Otherwise, burnout when the initial excitement runs out.
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I am praying they don't get too many bids,.... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Huh? So you don't like these people but you're helping them? I'm confused.
Answer
NO, I really like them http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
but when you have not got a clue how the emails and everything work after the auciton 39 closed auctions with bidders could be a nightmare to a newcomer to the point of overwhelming,....that is what I was thinking, not that I didn't want the items to sell, I think they listed too many to start with and in too many different categories.
Last night they emailed me, they had 50+ emails with questions in them.....they are having so much fun, I am sure they will be fine....but we shall see.
I gave them all my email templates, that will save them a few minutes.
I sent them to sparedollar, vendio and andale to read up, if they are going to do this many on an evening, they are gonna need some help.
They want to do half as many as we do in a month, and be at that goal in the next month, and hold it for a year.....that is a pretty hefty goal for newbies.
I said they were ambitious....what I really like is they say they are gonna do it and they get at it and do it. That is half the battle over right there.
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Answer
#1 rule is keep good records in some useable format. I've been helping a lot of eBay sellers lately who have NO system for auction management or bookkeeping and its been a nightmare for them.
How some of them manage to run the # of listings they do without SOMETHING is beyond me. Getting it done right to start with will make it so much easier then they need to see who has paid and who hasn't, when they paid, when it shipped, etc.
**********
I list at many different sites : My Ebay Storefront and My Ioffer Storefront
Or perhaps you'd prefer to visit SYI Listings and finally My Website
Answer
I envy them.
The wonder that this whole process works is amazing and I completely lose touch with that pleasure, much too much of the time.
They sound hardworking and capable.
They, like everyone, will stumble and have to learn why and how to overcome the problems.
For example, even the best RL retailers found it difficult to find their place with online selling and major Internet businesses like Amazon have had problems.
"Now I understand" moments will happens and when they are ready to hear, your help can be invaluable.
Until then, when they are ready, all you can be is available and supportive.
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> 9. Kiss your spare bedroom and open floor space goodbye. Try to create in advance a place for stock. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
9A. Be aware that no matter how much space you dedicate it won't be enough. Be prepared for guests to look at your home office with horror should they happen upon it.
Answer
Buy on eBay and learn how other sellers operate.
Bill
Answer
A second the bookkeeping ~ you need a system for keeping up ~ I use Ebud ~ not that I am endorsing it ~ just used it for years and it is just easier to stick with it.