Our eBay store
My seller's profile at eBay (with all customer feedback)
To connect to the chat room, go to www.samizdat.com/chat-intro.html
Since the chat itself happens at a rapid pace, it's often difficult to note interesting facts and URLs as they appear live. Here's a place to take a more leisurely look. I've rearranged some of the pieces to try to capture the various threads of discussion (which sometimes get lost in the rush of live chat).
Please send email with your follow-on questions and comments, and suggestions for topics we should focus on in future sessions. So long as the volume of email responses is manageable, I'll post the most pertinent ones here for all to see.
These sessions are hosted by Richard Seltzer. If you would like to receive email reminders of our chat sessions, simply send a blank email message to businessonthewebchats-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/businessonthewebchats and sign up there.
This is one of the longest-running chat programs on the Web. (Please let us know if you know of ones that are older.) We've been doing this since June 1996.
How can we help you? Richard Seltzer is an independent Internet writer/speaker/consultant. Click here for details.
For transcripts of previous sessions and a list of future topics, www.samizdat.com/chat.html.
For an article on how to make "business chat" work (based on this experience), www.samizdat.com/events.html.
For articles on topics related to this one, check our newsletter, Internet-on-a-Disk www.samizdat.com/ioad.html
Our online store at Yahoo
Our eBay
store
My seller's
profile at eBay (with all customer feedback)
11:45 - Evette Eleese
I have made a full-time income
selling used and collectible items on eBay, and have written an Ebook on
all my successful methods, and have written several articles about selling
with online auctions available in my newsletter at www.makemoneywithonlineauctions.com
11:50 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome, Evette. Glad you were
able to make it today. We'll be starting in about 8 minutes.
11:59 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome, Gina and Heidi. It's
just about time to start. Please introduce yourselves and let us know your
interests.
12:00 - Heidi
Heidi Perry here. My partner (husband)
and I have been self-employed for 10 years. Have sold about a great variety
of products, services and intangibles. Would like to share ideas on how
and where to find things to sell today.
12:01 - gina
Hi everyone. I want to start a
business selling books, Cds, and Dvds at eBay. I began 2 months ago and
have already made a few hundred dollars.
12:01 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome PeteVH. Please introduce
yourself and let us know your interests.
12:03 - PeteVH
Hi Richard -- and group. I'm just
interested in the topic -- don't have a specific thing in mind but looking
at ebay type things for opportunities. Much of what I've heard is not encouraging
about ebay so looking for those with more success.
12:05 - Bob Zwick
Hello everyone
12:11 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome, Bob Zwick. Glad you could
make it again. Are you looking to resell at online auctions? What kinds
of goods are you interested in reselling? And how do you operate now?
12:12 - Bob Zwick (Re: 12:11 - Richard Seltzer
'Welcome, Bob Zwick. Glad you could make it again. Are...')
I don't sell at eBay yet. I would
like to find a niche of products or services that would sell on eBay.
12:09 - Eric
Hello. Sorry I'm a bit late. I'm
Eric Snyder located in Ottawa, Canada. I'm an infrequent eBay user who
would like to do a bit more selling.
12:10 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome, Eric. What kinds of goods
would you like to sell at online auctions?
12:12 - Eric
Richard: I don't know what kind
of goods I want to sell... I'm searching for ideas. Hoping that I get some
today.
2:42 - Richard Seltzer
Welcome, KiDz. Please introduce
yourself and let us know your interests. (We've got about 15 minutes left
in this session, so please speak up quickly.)
12:00 - Richard Seltzer
Today, we want to talk about how/where
to buy things that you can then resell at online auctions. I believe that
their are two pieces to that topic: buying new merchandise from wholesalers,
and acquiring used/collectible items. I believe that Evette is more into
collectibles and Heidi into new items from wholesellers. Is that accurate?
12:01 - Heidi
My weakest point is collectibles.
Can help in just about any area. Over the years we've gravitated
toward intangibles, i.e. digital info and software.
12:03 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:02 - Heidi 'Over
the years we've gravitated toward intangibles, i.e. digital info...')
When you sell digital info and
software through online auctions, do you provide it in tangible form (CD,
diskette)? Or do you allow downloads? And how do you acquire it in a way
that gives you the right to resell?
12:08 - Heidi
If you want to get into books
and CD's in a big way, you'll need to become a distributor or a wholesaler.
12:10 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:08 - Heidi 'If
you want to get into books and CD's in...')
How does one go about becoming
a distributor or wholesaler for books/CDs etc. ? If I wanted to do that,
what companies should I contact? Would I have to pay some money up front?
What kind of volumes would I have to order in get a reasonable discount?
12:20 - Evette Eleese
Heidi, it is my opinion that buying
new items wholesale - all the same item is not something that anyone can
start out doing. It takes some upfront cash. Selling used stuff, anyone
can start off doing. Your opinion?
12:21 - Richard Seltzer
Heidi and others, what manufacturers/suppliers
do you deal with on a wholesale basis? And what ones would you recommend
that folks interested in reselling at auctions get in contact with?
12:22 - Heidi
Re: wholesale... There are ways
around this the problem of outfront cash. Drop-shipping is one. I'll expound
on this in a few minutes as there are in's and out's to this.
12:23 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:22 - Heidi 'Re:
wholesale... There are ways around this the problem of...')
Please explain drop shipping,and
point to some companies we can deal with. Thanks.
12:23 - Evette Eleese
I would like to know how that
drop-shipping deal works...
12:23 - PeteVH
Regarding wholesalers -- if you
live near a large city there is usually a "wholesale" district. You can
go from high-end diamonds and gold to low-end toys, trinkets, and cloths.
Try the yellow pages. LA and Chicago NY all have these. They are usually
run by immigrants -- Asian, Hispanic, etc. Know your product and price.
Offer half and then start negotiating price.
12:24 - Heidi
You need to know how to find the
right kinds of drop-shippers. DON'T use the drop-shipping lists that go
around.
12:25 - NashuaTim (Re: 12:24 - Heidi 'You need
to know how to find the right kinds...')
tell me more about "THOSE" lists.
12:26 - PeteVH
Drop shipping is where you take
the order and pass it along to someone else who manufactures or distributes.
They package and ship directly to the customer. Of course as soon as you
provide that customer name -- they now have your customer and will begin
deluging them with catalogs.
12:27 - Heidi
The drop-shipping lists that are
so prevalent on eBay and through SPAM are close to worthless. Many of the
companies on those lists are not legitimate or they sell common things
(like dish soap) that simply won't sell.
12:29 - Heidi
I've found the 3 best ways to
find drop-shippers are as follows: 1) Find items you like, look up distributors
and do some research (calling) to find out if they will work with you on
a drop-ship basis. Emailing often does not yield an answer.
12:30 - PeteVH
I agree, Heidi, drop shipping
does have some GREAT advantages -- and also agree with you about the common
lists. Better to start with an identified need in the market, then ID a
product and then find the manufacturer/distributor and contact them about
drop shipping. Also, there are "fullfillment" houses that will take your
order, process the credit card, package and ship. Problem with them is
they are EXPENSIVE for this kind of operation.
12:28 - Heidi
Nevertheless, drop-shipping can
be an excellent way to sell, especially if you work out of your home and
can't/don't want to store inventory.
12:28 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:27 - Heidi 'The
drop-shipping lists that are so prevalent on eBay and...')
So how could I find a supplier
that will drop-ship to me? What is the first step?
12:31 - Heidi
2) Use a directory to look for
drop-shippers. The best and most legitimate I've found is at http://www.mydssd.com.
Costs to get into directory, but is worthwhile and frequently updated.
12:32 - Evette Eleese
Heidi - question. So what types
of items to buy? (not dish soap), and what price per piece, what quantity
of the lot?
12:33 - Heidi
3) Network, network, network.
On discussion boards, in communities. Get to know people and their products
and work out a joint venture for drop-shipping.
12:35 - Heidi
Re: what kinds of items to buy...
This is key. In order to keep on onging relationship with a drop-shipper,
you will need to be able to sell the items consistently. So...
12:35 - Heidi
Go with tightly targeted niches.
Don't go for the electronics equipment and things you think would be "cool"
to sell. You won't get anywhere.
12:46 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:43 - Heidi 'Drop-ship
source directory I referred to is found at http://www.mydssd.com,...')
Thanks. For those who don't need
or don't want drop shipping, can you recommend companies that will sell
on a wholesale basis, and provide some tips on what to expect and how to
deal with them? Do you have or know of any online articles on that subject?
12:48 - Heidi
Drawbacks to drop-ship: 1) Have
to have reseller ID. However, if you're going to get serious about selling
new items, you can't do it any other way. Easy to obtain; 2) While some
will put your label on box, most don't. You lose out on upsells in packaging
and branding. You can make up for this in working your customer lists;
3) You lose control of the whole fulfillment process. You get the black
eye if is not shipped or if is damaged merchandise. For this reason, be
sure you are working with legitimate drop-shippers.
12:50 - Heidi
I'll tell you a very little-known
way of finding good wholesale merchandise... wholesale auctions. These
are not the same as public auctions where you find many collectibles and
antiques.
12:50 - Bob Zwick (Re: 12:50 - Heidi 'I'll tell
you a very little-known way of finding good...')
I have a friend whole makes a
good living selling unclaimed freight.
12:51 - Evette Eleese
Did'nt know there was such a thing
- wholesale auctions! Where do you find them - advertisements?
12:51 - Heidi
Wholesale auctions are harder
to find. Some states harder than others. East coast has quite a few, as
does the mid-east and west coast.
12:52 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:51 - Heidi 'Wholesale
auctions are harder to find. Some states harder...')
Are these wholesale auctions all
face-to-face or are there some online? And how/where do you find them?
12:53 - Heidi
You need to start calling the
auction houses in your state and ask if they will be holding any wholesale
auctions. May need to dig a bit as they may not tell you. Again, this is
where networking comes in. Large trucks come in with lots of items you
can get for cheaper than just about anywhere. Worthwhile if you know what
you are doing. I would suggest finding one and hanging out the first time.
12:52 - PeteVH
We had a "liquidation" auction
locally and you could get used computers to new cloths and all kinds of
junk, weapons, and vehicles. There are these kinds of acutions everywhere
--look in the paper. They advertise in the classified section then get
on their mailing list. Also, there is a huge market in surplus govt. stuff
and there is a web site you can view and bid on stuff. Most of it would
be hard to ship cost effectively, but there is so much stuff -- and you
buy in lots.
12:54 - Heidi
Liquidation sales are also great
ways of finding things to sell. Call the stores and find out if they will
make a deal with you.
12:57 - Evette Eleese
and if you wind the bidding on
a storage unit, you do not know exactly what you have bought - one time
bought one that had a dead body...YIKES
12:58 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:57 - Evette
Eleese 'and if you wind the bidding on a storage unit,...')
A dead body? Really? You yourself?
Sounds like something in a movie... Did you ever figure out what had happened?
13:00 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:58 - Richard Seltzer
'A dead body? Really? You yourself? Sounds like something in...')
I am writing an ebook now on how
to find items to resell from storage units - and will have all the strange
stories of the adventures of this resource - and yes, found the dead body
in a freezer - and then the Police became the new owners of my storage
unit.
12:01 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:00 - Richard
Seltzer 'Today, we want to talk about how/where to buy things...')
yes, that is accurate, my experience
is in selling used items and collectibles
12:02 - Richard Seltzer
gina -- at this point, how do
you acquire the books, CDs, DVDs that you resell? how can you get them
at low enough cost to make a profit reselling?
12:04 - gina
I've bought the DVDs at Bristol
Trading. So far I've able to double my profit, but I'm looking for other
places to find merchandise.
12:05 - PeteVH
Gina, when you say "double your
profit" does that mean charge twice what you pay for the item or real "profit"
after all expenses?
12:04 - Evette Eleese
Gina - I also have experience
in selling books, cd's and dvd's - also audio books, but sell USED, and
find them at garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores
12:05 - Richard Seltzer
Evette -- what kinds of used/collectible
items do you typically deal in? And how do you obtain your inventory? (Most
people start with their attic/basement, and then when they've finally gotten
into the swing on online auctions, they run out of stuff to sell. Only
a few, like you, find a source of supply and then begin to turn their auction
selling hobby into a real paying job.
12:05 - Heidi
Re: books, CD's, etc. It's sometimes
tough to find good bargains that will sell online. Most need to go off-line
to look for bargains, i.e garage sales, used book stores, etc. Estate sales
often have wonderful books.
12:06 - Evette Eleese
Richard, when I first started,
I found my own things to sell in my house too.
12:07 - Evette Eleese
The types of collectibles I sell,
as mentioned, found at yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores - are vintage
pottery china, glass, ephemera (vintage postcards), vintage jewelery, perfumes,
vanity items, advertising collectibles such as ashtrays
12:11 - NashuaTim
I am too chicken to buy expensive
stuff at yard sales.
12:13 - Heidi
Buying collectibles is an acquired
skill. You are right, NashuaTim, it is scary to buy expensive items. You
need to get to know what is valuable and sellable, and what is not, thus,
lessening your chances of loss. But, rewards can be great.
12:15 - Bob Zwick (Re: 12:13 - Evette Eleese
'it is good to become knowledgeable in one type or...')
Good point Evette - know what
you are selling or do your homework on items before you waist your time
posting them.
12:14 - PeteVH
When you "buy expensive" buy stuff
you'd like in your home -- just in case :-)
12:14 - Evette Eleese
recently, I have had LOTS of success
and good profits selling used designer handbags and clothing
12:15 - Eric
What kind of clothing have you
had success with, Evette? Do you mind sharing?
12:15 - Evette Eleese
For expample I have found Kate
Spade, Coach, Prada, handbags (used but in good condition) at yard sales
for $1-$5, and they resell on eBay for over $50 usually
12:16 - Evette Eleese
To become knowledgable in fashion
items - just read fashion magazines, get familiar with the designer names,
check out what the popular designers are on Ebay - (Kate Spade is HOT HOT
on eBay right now) - the "Designer Boutique" has a list and linked search
to the top 10 selling designer names
12:19 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:16 - Evette
Eleese 'To become knowledgable in fashion items - just read fashion...')
Important point -- only sell merchandise
that you know well. I believe it's best if you sell the kinds of things
that you normally buy -- so you know what factors are important to buyers,
and you know values/prices.
12:29 - Eric
Heidi / Evette / Richard: I have
a LARGE collection of really old records from a dance studio.... ie. 40's
and 50's stuff. Do any of you know if there would be a market for that
kind of stuff? And how would you sell it? Piece by piece, or the whole
collection????
12:30 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:29 - Eric 'Heidi
/ Evette / Richard: I have a LARGE collection...')
try piece by piece first - and
check out what other of the same records sold for on Ebay if they sold
at all.
12:31 - Evette Eleese
I know jazz records are hot on
eBay, but you could not give away a collection of broadway show tunes records
12:32 - Eric (Re: 12:30 - Evette Eleese 'try
piece by piece first - and check out what...')
I suppose selling a few..... piece
by piece.... there's a good chance I could identify a potential buyer for
the whole collection??? Do you think?
12:33 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:29 - Eric 'Heidi
/ Evette / Richard: I have a LARGE collection...')
Sounds like a natural for eBay
collectible auctions -- so long as you have an envelope that is the right
size and provides enough protection so the packing and shipping can go
easy and predictably (building the cost into the "shipping cost" that you
charge customers). Do a bunch of searches of completed auctions to see
how the items you have for sale tend to due in terms of price, and also
how sellers describe them. By selling lots of similar things, you can cut
down on the time it takes to post your auctions.
12:33 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:32 - Eric 'I suppose
selling a few..... piece by piece.... there's a...')
Then, bring the collection to
your local used record store
12:55 - Heidi
Some people also go to storage
unit auctions. You have to buy the entire storage unit, and they don't
always give you a chance to see what is inside. Door is open, but that's
about it. Can be risky, but some have found some treasures.
12:56 - PeteVH
If you get stuff at the storage
unit sales or bulk auctions you can't sell on ebay, there is always the
local flea marke/swap meet.
12:56 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:55 - Heidi 'Some
people also go to storage unit auctions. You...')
I have gone to these types of
auctions - and the dealers go there, with LOTS of cash and are very pushy
- so you have to be bold and pushy too to have success at these auctions
12:06 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:04 - Evette
Eleese 'Gina - I also have experience in selling books, cd's...')
Evette -- Do you keep track of
the time you spend at garage sales, etc. tracking down items for resale?
How much time that that amount to? If you account for it, can you still
be profitable?
12:07 - Heidi
Garage sales and estate sales
can be very time-intensive. You have to know what you're doing or you'll
waste a ton of time.
12:07 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:05 - PeteVH
'Gina, when you say 'double your profit' does that mean...')
The question of profit and accounting
is very important. Some people in this field are a bit loose with their
calculating, not taking into account all the time spent in auction logistics
and product acquisition. For a real business, you need to keep all those
factors under control. Do you have any advice on that.
12:08 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:07 - Heidi 'Garage
sales and estate sales can be very time-intensive. ...')
Amen. Do you have any tips on
how to minimize that time? (Unless you'd do it anyway as a fun social activity.)
12:10 - Heidi
Re: minimizing time... Networking
is the key. As you get involved with estate sales, you get to know those
who put them on. Eventually, they will tip you off as to what is coming
and what might interest you. You need to get out there and get to know
the people who frequent these kinds of things.
12:12 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:10 - Heidi 'Re:
minimizing time... Networking is the key. As you...')
also, you can make friends with
people that work at thrift stores, and give them a tip for calling you
when something comes into the store that youw want
12:12 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:10 - Heidi 'Re:
minimizing time... Networking is the key. As you...')
Heidi and Evette -- do you have
friends/associates who scour garage sales etc. for you, knowing the kinds
of things that you are looking for, and reselling to you for you to then
resell? Could such a pyramid model work?
12:16 - Heidi
Re: friends/associates at garage
sales... I have never done much in the way of garage and estate sales,
but know people who do. One way is to put an ad in the paper letting people
know what you are looking for, or that you will purchase whatever they
want to get rid of. They don't have to do the garage sale, rather, they
can sell the whole lot to you. Easier for them. Somewhat risky for you,
but often treasures are found and prices negotiated is lower.
12:18 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:16 - Heidi 'Re:
friends/associates at garage sales... I have never done much...')
good idea Heidi! A friend of mine
who lives in North Hollywood does this to find unique movie/tv Hollywood
type collectible items.
12:15 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:12 - Eric
'Richard: I don't know what kind of goods I want...')
Keep in mind one very important
difference between collectibles and general merchandise. With collectibles,
it takes time and effort to write a good and accurate description for each
and every item. With general merchandise, you can use Buy It Now at eBay
and keep offering the same item over and over again, with it only taking
seconds to relist, and you also can easily make the modifications needed
for "list similar". Don't underestimate the importance of factors like
that. You want to make a decent living from reselling. You need to calculate
how
much time you are really devoting to this activity. I'm sure there are
people who don't do the calculations and think they are doing great, but
are making $2/hour or less.
12:16 - PeteVH
For you experienced ebay users,
how much time does it take to add a new item and to maintian it -- actual
"online" time?
12:17 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:16 - PeteVH
'For you experienced ebay users, how much time does it...')
It could take as much as half
an hour to list a single collectible item (including getting the photo
and giving it a unique and effective description). See my articles at http://www.samizdat.com/ebay.html
and http://www.samizdat.com/ebay2.html for info about other logistical
factors. (Packing and shipping can also be time consuming, depending on
the nature of the merchandise.)
12:18 - Heidi
Depending on item, I've got it
down to around 5 min. per item. Some items, like collectibles, take more
time - around 20 min.
12:18 - Heidi
If you can find items that you
can sell over and over again, this is the best way to leverage your time
and cash flow.
12:19 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:18 - Heidi 'If
you can find items that you can sell over...')
Amen. Pick a niche and stick to
it. That not only saves time, but also helps you to build a reputation
in that category at eBay. If you are good, many of your customers will
be return customers.
12:21 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:19 - Richard
Seltzer 'Amen. Pick a niche and stick to it. That not...')
And many bidders will bid on more
than one of your auctions at the same time - saves packaging time too.
12:06 - NashuaTim
question for Evette, how do you
minimize the unique effort for each unique item? ie photo, description,
packaging. do you have minimum value that you focus on?
12:09 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:06 - NashuaTim
'question for Evette, how do you minimize the unique effort...')
yes, I try to purchase most items
for resale for under $3.00. 70% of items that sell may only sell for about
$10, so I keep that into consideration when photographing, and describing
the item
12:11 - NashuaTim I find that it takes the same effort to list a $1.00 item versus a $50 item. (both front end and back end).
12:13 - Richard Seltzer
Good point. That means that for
some kinds of merchandise you might want to make a "lot" -- sell two dozen
of something rather than just one to get the overall price to a reasonable
point.
12:13 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:11 - NashuaTim
'I find that it takes the same effort to list...')
it is good to become knowledgeable
in one type or a couple types of items. For example, I stay away from collectibles
such as dolls, baseball cards, stamps, because there is so much to know
about these.
12:20 - NashuaTim
are there trade magazines that
may indicate what items are coming and might be in high demand? Are they
still selling the Cell phone antenaes? priced between .25 and $14.95 each.
12:22 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:20 - NashuaTim
'are there trade magazines that may indicate what items are...')
I believe that would different
from one kind of merchandise to another. You are talking about the same
kind
of trade magazines that brick-and-mortar store owners would read.
12:24 - NashuaTim
I joke about my hugh profit margins!!!!
ie I buy something at .10 cents unit cost then sell it at 10.00 or so.
Nice arithmetic but I would prefer buying something at $25.00 and selling
it at $40.00
12:35 - Richard Seltzer
With collectibles, aim for a minimum
price of $5-$10. Lower than that and the logistics/time just eats up any
"profits". See if single items of your kind typically sell above that price
point. If not, then put together packages -- 2 or 3 or even a dozen different
but related items (e.g., albums by the same group) that could get the price
you want. Don't try to sell your whole collection at once, if you want
to maximize your profit.
12:36 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:33 - Richard
Seltzer 'Sounds like a natural for eBay collectible auctions -- so...')
Example. Comic books. I had a
collection of about 150 Classics Illustrated comics from back in the 1950s
(had them as a kid). Comic stores didn't want them at any price. I sold
them as separate items at eBay and got about $3000 for them, over the course
of three months. Some individual items went for more than $100. It was
a bit random, based on the passion of the collectors rather than the rarity
of the item.
12:59 - NashuaTim
My dream is to find a product
in the $10 cost range and sell scores of them at $17.50 over and over and
over again. One auction closes, start the same one over again. Then find
additional products that my customer data base would be interested in and
up / cross sell.
13:00 - Eric (Re: 12:59 - NashuaTim 'My dream
is to find a product in the $10...')
Tim...and wouldn't it be nice
if it was a consumable so they come back every month or two.....
12:46 - NashuaTim
I agree regarding the ship/handling
fee. have a fair s/h price in the listing. Always minimize the number of
email and trips to post office.
12:46 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:45 - Richard Seltzer
'Drop shipping does eliminate hassle. But remember that it is...')
Good point, especially with the
sliding scale by zone priority rates of USPS since June this year
2:49 - NashuaTim (Re: 12:46 - Evette Eleese
'Good point, especially with the sliding scale by zone priority...')
I hate that sliding scale. Yet
another reason why i focus on books.
12:49 - PeteVH
Heavy books can be sent via USPS
Priority Flat Rate envelope -- we use them for a different kind of paper
product and load the heck out of them. Acutally that price dropped $.10
this last go-around to $3.85. You pay the 2lb rate regardless of the actual
rate and the envelopes are free.
12:49 - Evette Eleese
Yeah, books can be send Media
Mail rate, much more affordable
12:50 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:46 - Evette
Eleese 'Good point, especially with the sliding scale by zone priority...')
Evette -- Yes, that's a real sore
point with me, how the post office blew it, going from a predictable fixed-price
priority mail service (one price if it fits in the envelope they provide,
regardless of weight or destination) to total nonsense. They threw away
lots of online business with that change in policy. They've probably lost
a bundle. They could have doubled the price of their fixed price offering
and I would have been perfectly happy. The customer pays for shipping.
I just need to now, for sure, in advance what the cost is going to be.
Fixed price also meant that I could just stick stamps on the envelope and
drop it in a mail box. Under the current system I have to waste lots of
time going to post office where they weight and figure out the price based
on the zip code of the destination. In some cases, that extra time and
hassle simply makes it unprofitable to sell this way at all.
12:51 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:49 - Evette
Eleese 'Yeah, books can be send Media Mail rate, much more...')
They changed media mail too. Now
sometimes first class is cheaper. The lowest media mail price is $1.42.
And they no longer have book rate/media mail for overseas...
12:53 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:49 - PeteVH
'Heavy books can be sent via USPS Priority Flat Rate...')
PeteVH -- with the latest price
hike, the Post Office did away with that service. There no long is any
Priority Flat Rate. They charge by weight and they even have different
prices based on the zip code of the recipient. Crazy.
12:53 - NashuaTim
I can do the postal arithmetic
once i know the destination but I hate having to stand in line to drop
the package off. They frown upon any packages over 16 oz. that have been
dropped in a box.
12:55 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:53 - NashuaTim
'I can do the postal arithmetic once i know the...')
you have not made friends with
your postal clerks yet! They are happy to see me because I am always prepared
and know exactly how each of my packages are to be sent - versus the little
old lady standing in line to find out how much a 34 cent stamps costs
12:55 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:53 - NashuaTim
'I can do the postal arithmetic once i know the...')
Yes, that limit on drop boxes
is a damn nuisance too (due to terrorist threat). I hate having to spend
half an hour to an hour a day driving to the post office and waiting in
line. Cuts down drastically on real profits.
12:22 - Evette Eleese
Yeah, if you don't like sports,
then don't try selling sports memorabilia
12:25 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:22 - Evette
Eleese 'Yeah, if you don't like sports, then don't try selling...')
Amen (I'm saying that a lot today
:-) There are many ways to make money. You could work at McDonalds. The
challenge is to find a way to make money that you find interesting and
satisfying. Reselling goods that you are interested in to people who have
interests similar to yours can be fun as well as profitable. Don't make
auction selling a chore. If you don't enjoy what you are doing, there is
no way you'll be able to maintain the discipline and devote the time that
is necessary for success.
12:23 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:21 - Heidi 'Also,
pick items that you enjoy yourself. Some say...')
Also, keep in mind that not everything
will sell, or sell at a price that you can accept. So you are certainly
better off if you could enjoy the merchandise yourself should it not sell.
12:25 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:24 - Bob Zwick
'If you could pick one item that would sell quickly...')
used designer clothing & handbags
12:28 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:24 - Bob Zwick
'If you could pick one item that would sell quickly...')
What do you have in the attic?
I'd suggest comic books, baseball cards, used books -- items that easily
fit into an envelope and that can be sent "media mail".
12:25 - Eric
Richard: You have a Yahoo store.
That is quite different than auctions, isn't it??
12:26 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:25 - Eric 'Richard:
You have a Yahoo store. That is quite...')
Yes, I have a Yahoo store where
I sell plain text books on CD ROM (e.g., the full text of 980 British Lit
books for just $29). I consider the store (which costs me $49/month) as
one channel. I consider Buy It Now at eBay as another channel. I'm also
trying to generate some business through Amazon's Marketplace, though that
hasn't worked so far.
12:32 - PeteVH
One of the best sources of marketing
information is the competition -- and they are on ebay. Evette's point
is very good -- check out the competition. Best thing about that is if
they are selling what you have, you know there is a market for it -- then
you out-do with your offer or your presentation.
12:40 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:39 - NashuaTim
'e, i could sell them on ebay but not at...')
or you can see what online book
dealers are asking for a similar book at www.bookfinder.com
13:02 - Heidi
Re: what sells and what doesn't
at eBay... Try this URL: http://www.adventmicro.com/hotitems.html
. Hope I punched that in right.
12:30 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:29 - NashuaTim
'I've been doing a lot of used books on HALF.com...')
I also sell through half.com,
but it only amounts to about $10-20 per month. It typically takes a couple
months to sell just about any book I list. Amazon Marketplace is a free
alternative for selling used books.
12:34 - NashuaTim
I like HALF (fixed price) so I
can set a reasonable price on items. I don't like going to the post office
unless it is for at least $10.00. doing it on Ebay, i could put a $50.00
book up for $1.99 and sell only for $1.99 or so. I could sell them
on ebay but not at the price i want. I need to find the user that must
have this book at a fair price.
12:36 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:34 - NashuaTim
'I like HALF (fixed price) so I can set a...')
maybe you should try selling some
of your books on Ebay, and see how it goes, while you continue to use half.com
12:36 - Bob Zwick (Re: 12:34 - NashuaTim 'I
like HALF (fixed price) so I can set a...')
Does Half charge an upfront fee
to list your books ?
12:38 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:36 - Bob Zwick
'Does Half charge an upfront fee to list your books...')
Neither half.com nor Amazon Marketplace
charges for listings. Also, they both make listing extremely easy. All
you need to do is enter the ISBN. They already have in their database info
and photos on all books published in the last 20 years or so. Then you
just indicate the condition and you are done. (You can't sell older books
that way. Besides, you are better off selling older ones as collectibles,
rather than used.)
12:40 - Heidi
Re: handcrafted items. Someone
earlier wanted to know about selling regional items. Many people search
on eBay using regional terms, i.e. Rocky Mountains. They are looking for
specific regional items. Good niche.
12:36 - Eric
Since Christmas is fast approaching,
does anyone have experience with high end luxury items for the person who
has everything!!? For example.... what about a large high quality framed
map for a board room.....?
12:56 - Eric (Re: 12:36 - Eric 'Since Christmas
is fast approaching, does anyone have experience with...')
Since no one commented on this,
I assume you think it's a bad idea..... High end luxury items?????
12:57 - Heidi
Good thought. Yes, flea markets.
12:58 - Heidi
There is a place for high-end
luxury items, but you will have to work it harder than other niches, especially
in a slow economy.
12:58 - Evette Eleese
but you can find Grandma's antique
jewelry...
12:58 - PeteVH
Eric, you have to get inside of
the mind of the person who goes to ebay -- what are they "buying?" Some
may be looking for high-end but most are there for a "deal." So pricing
psychology really clicks in here. If you can give a really good price on
a high end product -- like the designer purses, you have a sale.
12:36 - PeteVH
Evette and Heidi just struck a
bell -- there are lots of really talented "artists" who make wonderful
things. They are usually poor sales people. Look at craft shows for the
individual that is REALLY making their own "stuff" and strike up a deal.
You become their sales outlet, keep a part of the profit and they can finally
make some money. They are out there by the thousands. You could be the
answer to thier prayers.
12:37 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:36 - PeteVH
'Evette and Heidi just struck a bell -- there are...')
Sounds like an excellent idea.
12:38 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:36 - PeteVH 'Evette
and Heidi just struck a bell -- there are...')
very good niche! Some handcrafted
items sell better than others on ebay though. Had a friend that was selling
Fen Shui handcrafted candles that sould like hot cakes....
12:38 - Heidi
The guy from the drop-ship source
directory I mentioned above started selling things like upper-end dart
boards and pool supplies - all tightly targeted.
12:38 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:38 - Heidi 'The
guy from the drop-ship source directory I mentioned above...')
how about musical instruments?
Guitars, flutes, etc.
12:39 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:38 - Heidi 'The
guy from the drop-ship source directory I mentioned above...')
I must have missed that message.
What is the name of the directory? How can one obtain a copy?
12:41 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:38 - Evette
Eleese 'how about musical instruments? Guitars, flutes, etc....')
Off-hand, I'd guess the problem
with musical instruments would be the hassle of getting a box the right
size and finding a reasonably inexpensive way of shipping. If you were
focusing on a particular instrument and figured out the details of how
to pack and ship something that size and shape, then you'd be in business.
But it could be a nightmare dealing with items that come in many different
sizes and shapes and weights. Simplify.
12:42 - Evette Eleese
I asked about the musical instruments
because there are a few sellers on ebay that sell the same models (of guitars
for example) and was wondering if these were purchased through wholesale
drop-ship places...
12:42 - Heidi
Yes, Evette, musical instruments
are a good direction to go. I know a guy who sold only one kind of keyboard.
Made $70K alone with this each year. Had an interest in music and musicians.
Hung out where other musicians and bands hung out to find out what they
were interested in. Then, sold only that keyboard. Very lucrative, high-end
for him. Gave out a report to go with it.
12:43 - Evette Eleese
if guitars were drop shipped,
then you would not have to personally package them. Have sold a couple
of mine own guitars on eBay, and they are a PAIN to package securely and
safely
12:44 - Heidi
I would only go drop-ship with
larger items.
12:45 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:43 - Evette
Eleese 'if guitars were drop shipped, then you would not have...')
Drop shipping does eliminate hassle.
But remember that it is best if you know the shipping cost in advance and
can include that information with your listing. People tend to shy away
from auction items without the shipping cost specified. Sometimes the shipping
cost can be more than the sales price.
12:45 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:44 - Heidi 'I
would only go drop-ship with larger items....')
all right! Musical instruments
would be a niche I would be personally insterested in using your method
of resale
12:41 - Evette Eleese (Re: 12:40 - Heidi 'Re:
handcrafted items. Someone earlier wanted to know about...')
jewelry?
12:43 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:41 - Evette
Eleese 'jewelry?...')
I'd think that jewelry could be
a tough sell. When was the last time you bought an item of jewelry just
based on a photo? I'd think you'd want to try it on... Maybe I'm wrong.
In any case, the photo would be very very important, and it would have
to give a clear indication of size (include a ruler in the photo next to
the item.
12:42 - NashuaTim
What do people think the next
"hot" Ebay product is? Question 2, where to get it.
12:47 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:46 - Eric 'A
friend of mine has been selling an eBook product...')
Does this friend sell at online
auctions? If not, what online channels does he use?
12:48 - Eric (Re: 12:47 - Richard Seltzer 'Does
this friend sell at online auctions? If not, what...')
He sells on eBay. [see the link
in my message?? ]
12:58 - Richard Seltzer
All -- before you sign off, please
post your email address and URLs so we can keep in touch (the chat software
doesn't capture that).
12:58 - Evette Eleese
substatic@earthlink.netwww.makemoneywithonlineauctions.com
12:59 - Bob Zwick
I believe we have covered a lot
of great sources for items. Perhaps we need a session that tells us how
to do our homework at eBay to find out what sells and what doesn't.
13:00 - Richard Seltzer (Re: 12:59 - Bob Zwick
'I believe we have covered a lot of great sources...')
Good idea. This is certainly a
lively subject and we haven't exhausted it. Please send email with suggestions
for related topics and experts. seltzer@samizdat.com
12:59 - Eric
Eric@tcm.com;
http://www.tcm.com
12:59 - Bob Zwick
cottagemicro@hotmail.com
12:59 - Heidi
I can be reached at hperry@homebusinessonline.com
URL's are: http://www.HomeBusinessOnline.com
and http://www.PrettyGreat.com
(in development).
13:00 - Heidi
Thanks, this was fun! Email me
anytime if you would like help in finding sources.
13:01 - PeteVH
Eric, just looked at your web
-- based on my knowledge of my market, your calendar would sell well to
teachers in the K-12 area.
13:05 - Bob Zwick
Thanks everyone. Evette - if you
are interested in making your ebook into an interactive CD with audio I
can do that. http://www.cottagemicro.com/ebooks/index.htm?custom
13:07 - Heidi
I'm also writing a book on how
and where to find things to sell. About halfway done. Should be out in
November. I know, an awful time to put out a new product!
13:07 - Evette Eleese (Re: 13:05 - Bob Zwick
'Thanks everyone. Evette - if you are interested in making...')
I will be in touch with you about
that!
13:07 - Heidi
Email me if you would like to
know when it is out at hperry@homebusinessonline.com
. Bye all!
13:09 - Evette Eleese (Re: 13:07 - Heidi 'Email
me if you would like to know when it...')
Heidi, stay in touch, check out
my site http://www.makemoneywithonlineauctions,
and let me know if you would like to write an article about your expertise
in one of our future monthly online newsletters. A couple of Richard's
articles have been featured too.
13:12 - Evette Eleese
Richard, thanx for inviting me
again to your chat room. Gotta run...
Hi Richard. I just read the chat that's posted on your website from a week and a half ago regarding reselling on eBay, finding new products, etc. Ive been selling on eBay full-time for over a year and would be interested in getting in on any future chat sessions you might be holding, so let me know on that front. Also, I noticed that quite a few of you were bemoaning the wasted time of lines at the Post Office and that sort of thing (which I can truly empathize with), and I was more than a little surprised that no one brought up internet postage. Ive been using Stamps.com for over a year, printing up postage myself at home, which means I can drop everything off at the Post Office with no lines. The software also automatically calculates the Rate for whatever ZIP youre sending to as well, and if you dont have any packages over a pound you can srop them in any local Mail box. Anyway, let me know about the chat, as Ive recently been switching over from selling used video games to buying new items from distributors and that sort of thing, and would like to talk with some people who are familiar with this kind of thing. You ever get the feeling that those who are really doing well would be the least reluctant to share the details of their success? At any rate, hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.
To connect to the chat room, go to www.samizdat.com/chat-intro.html
Edited transcript of recent auction-related chat sessions
The full text of Richard Seltzer's books The Social Web,
Take
Charge of Your Web Site, Shop Online the Lazy Way, and
The
Way of the Web, plus more than a hundred related articles are available
on CD ROM My
Internet: a
Personal
View of Internet Business Opportunities.
Web
Business Boot Camp: Hands-on Internet lessons for manager, entrepreneurs,
and professionals by Richard Seltzer (Wiley, 2002).
No-nonsense guide targets activities that anyone can perform to achieve
online business success.
Reviews.
a
library for the price of a book.
Can we help you build an Internet business? Richard Seltzer is an independent Internet writer/speaker/consultant. Click here for details. or send email to seltzer@samizdat.com
This site is Published by B&R Samizdat Express, 33 Gould St., West
Roxbury, MA 02132. (617) 469-2269. seltzer@samizdat.com
Return to B&R Samizdat Express
Check our sitemap page www.samizdat.com/sitemap.html from which you can get to any other page at this site in one click.
Pet Care | Surgeon: Los Angeles Plastic Surgery| Facial Surgery: Los Angeles Facelift | Hair Loss? Try Hair Restoration | Online Auction | Pet Owners: Veterinary Directory | Health Directory of Nutrition Business | Pet, Home, Garden | Wholesale Distributors | Class Action Lawsuits | Mortgages | Mortgage Refinancing | Home Loans - Mortgage Loans | Mortgage Refinancing Loans |