posted on August 13, 2003 04:24:33 AM new
I would think experience is the best teacher. That and reading this board on a daily basis. Good sellers are not going to give away all their secrets. The best advise I can give is write clear and detailed descriptions (including dimensions if it applies), take clear photographs (all sides and bottom, if applicable), research Ebay for the current market trends so that you can start your auction at a reasonable price, and treat your customers like you would want to be treated. I don't think these are things you can learn in a book.
Cheryl
Power to the people. Power to the people, right on. - John Lennon
posted on August 13, 2003 04:31:28 AM new
Two key components to program: buying right and selling right. The first is very, if not most important, and probably can't be learned from a book.
As for selling, have you bought on eBay? If so, look at your experiences as a customer and don't do things you didn't like your sellers doing.
Information presented is the only way an item can be sold, since there is no personal contact - think about listings for items you were interested in, but didn't bid on them. Could the seller have added something that would have made you bid?
Some friends of mine opened a wonderful restaurant - they kept notes when dining out over the years about things they liked/disliked in restaurants and used this information when starting their own.
posted on August 13, 2003 05:20:51 AM new
The book of hard knocks is the best. I have scanned "eBay for Dummies." which has some good general info. ( I don't buy books I go to B & N and read them) If you have very little business or selling experience, I would suggest signing up for a small business class at your local Community college. There is no instant success in business, its lots of hard work and long hours.
Try this for starters. Estimate how much you would like to make per week then multiply that number by 20. That will give you an idea of how much money you need to start the business. Keep your regular job for a a while because you might not make a profit for several months!
