posted on February 16, 2004 10:55:26 AM new
I've read all the comments here and I think there's a bit of eBay blindness going on.
toben doesn't say how many different cars will be in his lot and unless each one is unique, he runs (as pointed out) a real danger of flooding the market early on.
There are a couple of ways to deal with that problem. One is to really merchandise. Have a half-dozen different ads for the item, with lots of different pictures, different text, etc. No cookie-cutter auctions, that just turns people off.
But another, possibly better way is to do some of your sales off eBay. The weather is getting better for flea markets. Or have a heavily-advertised one day sale at the local American Legion/Elks hall (and be sure to have a couple of kids out front playing with the RC cars).
Put ads in local newspapers.
Put an ad on craigslist.
Stand on a street corner showing off an RC car with a stack of them in boxes next to you.
I would do all these things and move this inventory as quickly as possible. Because that's the name of the game...and every day you sit on those cars you lose money.
Good luck. It sounds like a lot of fun. I wouldn't have a problem plunging $10,000 on something like that IF I had a comprehensive sales plan that made sense.
posted on February 16, 2004 01:09:26 PM new
I would be concerned with name recognition, availability of repair parts, and state of consumables. To you this is just a flash in the pan to make money with, but the ultimate consumer is, or should be, concerned with these issues. This effects the actual price the market will bear, and, ultimately, your cash flow per unit.
Why don't you buy a duplicate RC car retail and evaluate it? See what the lowest price is you can get it at, see how fast it breaks, and see how good the batteries are?
If your wholesaler wants to hustle faster than that (what's a couple of days?) you have a major red flag. Most importantly, you will have interactions with people more knowledgeable than yourself that are willing to point out problems no one here is aware of.
Also, consider a marketing stance larger than an eBay presence.
posted on February 16, 2004 03:44:47 PM newIf your wholesaler wants to hustle faster than that (what's a couple of days?) you have a major red flag.
Can't say I agree with that. The next business upstream on the supply channel from you is trying to do the same thing you want to be doing: flip the goods as quickly as possible.
At that level of investment, the buyer is expected to act decisively.
the ultimate consumer is, or should be, concerned with these issues.
Consumers clearly don't agree with you. They buy purely on price, which is why WalMart was able to drive KB Toys and other retailers out of business this past Christmas.
posted on February 16, 2004 03:53:00 PM new
I read the thread at Otwa and I'd be hesitant about spending $12K if Walmart is selling them. Most people assume Walmart has lower prices, especially on toys and many of these will be impulse buys where the kid sees it and has to have it or is there to choose his own gift.
I'm not sure how many will take time to compare the same item on ebay and then pay shipping costs. Walmart will also take back a defective one with no questions asked, will an ebay seller do the same?
BTW, I just now checked on ebay and it looks like there are quite a few of the same model R/C Hummer that you linked to, toben. I think you've already made up your mind though so good luck with them.
posted on February 16, 2004 03:55:29 PM new
Best advise I can give...
If you can afford to at least break even or possibly take a small loss, take the plunge. A little work never killed anyone. The risk is probably lower than the stock market right now.
If you can't afford it, or its gonna put a strain on your wallet, DON'T DO IT.
As for your question about putting them up on ebay during the summer, I would recommend putting one per weekday, and three up per weekend day. Once October hits, you will still have some left, and you should see your sales climb. That way, the hit up front will be absorbed by drizzling ebay with your product instead of flooding. Flooding is good after mid-October, not during the summer. You'll shoot yourself in the foot if you flood in the summer. You'll give less lookers too many options and your sales will suffer, particularly the final price for each item.
