posted on February 25, 2003 01:39:17 AM new
Hello fellow ebayers,
I am new to E-Bay and online sells in general. I thought E-Bay could be an excellent opporntunity to make some extra money. However, I am finding that selling my products is much more difficult than I had anticipated. I would appreciate some much-needed pointers on getting started. For example, is drop-shipping the way to go?, Is it best to start the price high w/ no reserve or low w/o a reserve. Thanks in advance for any help and perhaps after I become 'seasoned' I could contribute
posted on February 25, 2003 03:24:34 AM new
Welcome to Ebay
You probably could have picked a better time as buying is now right now. But hopefully it will be back.
I sell antiques and collectibles so I can't help with the drop shipping.
As far as starting high vs reserve, I found what works one week doesn't necessary work the next. Reserve listing cost more and some buyers don't want to mess with it unless they MUST have the item. Starting high doesn't generate bids at the opening - so you may only get one bid if you are lucky.
If you have the nerve, I have found it best to start lower (not rock bottom - too low gets overlooked sometimes) with no reserve. Or you can start low with a low reserve - maybe the lowest you would consider selling for.
It really depend on what's going on and it keeps changing all the time - so good luck.
Ladyjewels2000
posted on February 25, 2003 04:08:35 AM new
Hey, welcome aboard! I have to agree with LadyJewels, sales are slow right now so this probably wasn't the best time to start. Hopefully there will be loads of people getting good size tax returns and not a lot paying a good size tax! LOL. It's hard to say when to sell and what to sell it at. One week you'll sell something for more than you expected and the next. . .perhaps nothing. I sell jewelry and personally would not drop-ship anything. I like to see the items prior to even listing them. Ultimately, you are to blame if the customer is unhappy and we all know that what looks good in a photo may not look so good in person. It's better to have control over the item. Stick to shipping it yourself if you can. If you use Priority mail, your mailing supplies are free! You can print your labels with postage on the USPS web site (only for Priority & Express mail) and get free Delivery Confirmation. (Geez, I sound like a commercial).
posted on February 25, 2003 04:10:47 AM new
I've found that buyers in general don't like reserves at all...Instead start your item at the lowest you'll accept for the item, then the prospective bidders will at least know that the highest bid will win the item...
posted on February 25, 2003 07:55:36 AM new
Welcome. How much extra do you want to make? You have to decide that and then decide what items you can sell to make that money. Lots of pros and cons to drop shipping. You really have to trust the drop shipper and make sure they are honest.
eBay like someone said you can sell one week and not the next. Take for instance I had items on last week that never got a bid. I relisted the items this week at a lower price and half of them are now over the price I had on last week. Go Figure.
This is a grea place to come and ask questions, get help and just visit. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this board and I am thankful that they are here because they have helped me a lot.
posted on February 25, 2003 08:15:52 AM new
About drop shipping. Some of my products are drop shipped BUT they are shipped directly from the manufacturer, who is very well known with an excellent reputation, I have some of the products myself, so I know the quality, and I didn't go through some "wholesaling club." I chose a product I liked, contacted the manufacturer of the product, and found out that they had a drop shipping program. They handle all the order fulfillment, which saves me a lot of money in gas, postage, and box hunting, then they send me a receipt letting me know the item shipped. I would not consider drop shipping from a company that I didn't already know and like.
But all that said, the margins for this product on eBay are very slim (much better margins on my website), and the only reason I sell this product on eBay is so I can stick my website URL in my post-auction emails. Otherwise, it just wouldn't be worth my time.
The real long term problem with eBay for sellers of commodity items, and even non-commodity items, is that the main competition is on price. When lots of people selling the same item or types of item compete on price, the value quickly falls, and it's not long before the bottom falls out for the product. We're seeing that in all sorts of categories. Unless you are selling something really low priced, with practically no margins, or something in electronics, or something that is high end or really unique, it's hard to get a good return, unless your ebay sales are just a piece of an overall marketing strategy. With low margin products, you will have to cut all other expenses to the bone.
Good luck in your sales, and may you find one of those products that will bring you many happy returns!
posted on February 25, 2003 08:30:31 AM new
I have agree & disagree with all who have posted before me. I deal primarily in china, silver (tea service & flatware) & collectibles. My market is relatively stable. I have products that are: 1, rare, or 2, very collectible. So you see, the buying trend is pretty much tied to the product. I would suggest that you research the market or markets that you want to do business in on eBay & see what is selling & for how much. I do this all of the time, even in the categories that am familiar with. After 5 years & am still learning about selling on eBay.
[ edited by sanmar on Feb 25, 2003 08:31 AM ]
posted on February 25, 2003 08:39:26 AM new
Welcome! I see you found it's not as easy as the hype makes it look.
I'm like Lady and Sanmar. Our stuff is usually stable although the last week for me stinks. If you are going in the collectible area the best sdvice I can give is get really knowledgeable. You'll make the most profit on stuff you scarf up because the other dealer doesn't know what they have. And take good pictures with complete descriptions. Too many auctions have dark and out of focus pictures and sloppy descriptions.
You've done the first, best thing by coming here and asking questions.
posted on February 25, 2003 11:35:46 AM new
one issue on dropshipping-if you accept paypal,paypal seller protection said ship within 7 days,and if for some reason your drop shipper drags his heels,you could lose when your buyer files complaint with paypal.
posted on February 25, 2003 04:44:13 PM new
Finding a Niche is the key! I sell Celtic, Irish, Scottish ,and Welsh Items, I do so so on ebay, but leave it to the Irish to come up with holidays and if not them the Scottish and Welsh so items are always selling of some type shape or form.
posted on February 25, 2003 05:02:14 PM new
::I've found that buyers in general don't like reserves at all...Instead start your item at the lowest you'll accept for the item, then the prospective bidders will at least know that the highest bid will win the item...::
On the otherhand, I my experience is exactly the opposite. People will bid on an item if they want it. They will figure out what they re willing to pay and plac their bid whether there is a reserve or not. IF their bid does not meet reserve they will just move on to another item.
