posted on November 27, 2004 08:04:26 AM new
I have a question. Based on your sales, how much do you all reinvest into your ebay businesses? I'm at the point where I have enough items to list for quite a while, but want to keep the number up. How much should I be reinvesting back into my ebay business?
posted on November 27, 2004 09:00:21 AM new
Diane: I don't think in those terms (probably should but too lazy). The trap I get into, selling books and collectibles, is that I can't seem to get enough even if I'm being much more selective these days. If I see something cheap that I'm pretty sure I can sell, I get it. As a low- to middle-range seller, acquiring "product" doesn't break our bank.
I'm sure there are people here who are actually businesslike about all this--and maybe you and I can learn something from them!
posted on November 27, 2004 09:18:39 AM new
Hi all,
I reinvest probably less than 5% of my profits. In most cases my packing supplies cost more than the thing I'm selling.
Like Diane, I have so much inventory I don't think I'll ever get done. I've reached the point where it's hard to know what to list next.
Example: Probably 200 vintage linen pieces, tablecloths, doilies, all that kind of stuff. Many similar items. Should be grouped appropriately but there's just too much and I don't know where to start.
A whole lot of stuff is lurking, I don't even remember it's there unless I happen to see it.
Does that stop me from buying? Well, yes and no. I don't actively look for things to sell. If I happen across something I get it but only if it's practically free.
posted on November 27, 2004 09:39:09 AM new
20-40% after tax profit is not unreasonable,for those who have adequate capital equipments such as camera,scanner,edit software,office machines,PC etc.all you may need is upkeep and replacement on one or two in the near future.
other capital spending to consider would be taking courses ,buying books to hone your skills,travelling to trade shows.
building up your inventory is not really capital spending.
neither is taking yourself to fancy lunch or a cruise around the world.
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
posted on November 27, 2004 01:10:39 PM new
I've been investing a little over 50% lately but that is because I am working on taking my business to the next level. OK, truth be told, I'm always doing that the only difference now is that I am investing in one focused direction rather than my previous habit of 25% on the main area and then not being able to pass up something I think will undoubtably be a great deal Of course the Bush reelection, as much s I despised it politically, has helped me out business wise. The dollar has dropped more against the british pound since the election so I am making more on each sale.
Seriously Bizzy - you really should try marketing some of your stuff directly to the UK site. Even with the PayPal commission they are paying $1.85 = £1.00 and delivery time is running about 7 days.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on November 27, 2004 02:30:23 PM new
Fenix -- I did market a few items about a month or so ago. Most sold for a tidy profit. I just have to do it more. I have been selling well in the US market and I find it hard to keep up with everything! I have hired help though (my dad) to run errands and take my daughter to school to free up more time. Hopefully, it will work out well and I'll open up more to the UK market.
posted on November 27, 2004 02:45:28 PM new
As far as percentage goes, I don't think in those terms either. I would if I sold a product I could buy wholesale and resell perhaps, but for me, if I run into a good purchase, I want to make sure I have the cash to spend thousands at a time.
As far as overseas, I defintely have noticed a HUGE increase in international sales. Those that don't want to bother with international sales should reconsider. The Canadian dollar is at its highest point in recent memory, same with Australia Dollar, pound and Euro - Heck, they are all very strong against the dollar. This makes the product a lot cheaper for those outside the USA. With the ease of paypal, it translates into a lot of sales.
posted on November 27, 2004 07:36:11 PM new
I could STOP buying right now,,,,and just SELL for a year,,,,,But! the FUN is in BUYING! MORE!!!! MORE! MORE!!!! See something for a 20 spot,,,,easy resell for,,,,,,60,70,80,,,,Wham! it's MINE! Have to say, I am drifting AWAY from e bay sellables to the LIVE show swapmeet stuff again,,No e mail questions about what was ALREADY Stated,,,,it feels good,BUY IT! it Fits! Buy it! UNLESS! I KNOW it will sell WWWWWaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond the swapmeeters prices. Then it's e bayed. I tested, took e bay stuff to swaps,,no or LOW interest,,LOW offers........As far as %'s. i never gave it a thought,Buy when the buyin's GOOD. We are Merchants of the 7 Seas.
the GOOD.
The GOOD,the BAD and the UGLY. The so so and the Oh well,,,,,,,
posted on November 28, 2004 04:26:07 PM new
We have a small country auction nearby on Friday nights that does box lots for first two hours in the back room, then 'regular auction' starts up front. I just can't stay away. Get most of my boxes for $2-5.00, then take back stuff for reauctioning after I sort out what I want. About once a month I take a car load back. Get credit against what I spend the following week. Have never spent more then about $40.00 one time and have actually had to stop buying because the car too full. Mostly small collectibles. But also the aforementioned linens. Gotta get going on them. I seem to be only one in the area that buys sewing related stuff and I do alright with it. Patterns, old needlework kits and books. Yarn. Like that. The occasional vintage christening gown thrown in with who knows what. They look like old limp dish rags until starched. I forget now. What was the question? Oh, how much do I put back. Not much, I can tell you that. Ruthie
posted on November 28, 2004 07:01:51 PM new
my friend and i went to a family steak buffet with 124 items and we have mongolian grill with beansprout and onion and beef and we asked the chef to grill for us.
Then we chewed on some rubbery steak and undercook/overcooked shrimp and some strange meat.Then for desert we have awful looking bread pudding,rice pudding and peach cobbler.
We both lamented how hard it is to make money ,money is just not going to drop right into our lap just because we LUST after money.
So back to another helping of that rubber steak and more helping of awful looking bread pudding.
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
Of course the Bush reelection, as much s I despised it politically, has helped me out business wise. The dollar has dropped more against the british pound since the election so I am making more on each sale.