1. Items $10 and Under
It sounds like a great idea - after all, everyone likes a bargain don't they? But items that sell for under $10 on eBay have one big problem: Shipping.
It's very probable that the distribution of the item will cost more than the item itself and this can deter most buyers. For example, the total cost of the item could be only $10.50, however this could be made up of $4.50 item costs and $6 shipping costs.
If the shopper can acquire the item somewhere else, for $7 or less, then they immediately have a more appealing offer. The best way to avoid this problem, for small items and accessories, is by bundling similar items, for example 5 place mats or sets of 8 golf-balls.
2. Products sold by all and sundry
Many sellers think that the best way to get started on eBay is to sell items that everyone else is selling. Surely those super hot items such as ipods, cell phones, psps and so on will be a quick route to riches? Well, no.
The merchants who are today marketing these items on eBay are very well established and are no doubt well-known to and trusted by potential customers. Also consider that, they are well placed to buy low-cost, wholesale stock so the prices which they are able to set will practically always be more attractive than yours.
Thus it will almost certainly be very difficult for you to make a profit in a market that is already well supplied.
3. Things you love...but no-one else does
Hobbies can be a great way of making money, but only if plenty of other people are interested in them too.
Another situation is that you discover a product that you think is totally breathtaking and might be the next hot thing...but buyers are almost nonexistent. You reflect, Oh well it's only a temporary thing, sooner or later my item will be discovered and buyers will start a stampede to buy it. You will probably be disappointed!
It's a friendless task attempting to inform the masses of the advantages of a product all on your own. Its almost impossible to start a trend by yourself, regardless of how remarkable the product might be. To show a profit from a trend, magazines and newspapers, word of mouth and television are needed to carry out some of the labor for you.
4. Difficult items to ship - e.g. fragile china and plants
Many eBay sellers generate nice profits from these items and I'm not professing that these are bad items to promote all told. However, when first starting out I advise you to stick to less tricky stock.
Both these items have an above-average shipping risk, particularly if not packed properly. As a new seller, any negative feedback you receive at this early stage could be especially damaging to your career.
5. Items of significant bulk
Thinking of starting with furniture or pianos? Unless you already have experience selling and shipping these items, then it might be wise to start with something smaller.
Especially bulky items will tend to be more expensive than smaller items and as such will not attract the same number of impulse buyers and therefore sales will be reduced. Delivering such bulky items is a big logistical exercise.
It sounds like a great idea - after all, everyone likes a bargain don't they? But items that sell for under $10 on eBay have one big problem: Shipping.
It's very probable that the distribution of the item will cost more than the item itself and this can deter most buyers. For example, the total cost of the item could be only $10.50, however this could be made up of $4.50 item costs and $6 shipping costs.
If the shopper can acquire the item somewhere else, for $7 or less, then they immediately have a more appealing offer. The best way to avoid this problem, for small items and accessories, is by bundling similar items, for example 5 place mats or sets of 8 golf-balls.
2. Products sold by all and sundry
Many sellers think that the best way to get started on eBay is to sell items that everyone else is selling. Surely those super hot items such as ipods, cell phones, psps and so on will be a quick route to riches? Well, no.
The merchants who are today marketing these items on eBay are very well established and are no doubt well-known to and trusted by potential customers. Also consider that, they are well placed to buy low-cost, wholesale stock so the prices which they are able to set will practically always be more attractive than yours.
Thus it will almost certainly be very difficult for you to make a profit in a market that is already well supplied.
3. Things you love...but no-one else does
Hobbies can be a great way of making money, but only if plenty of other people are interested in them too.
Another situation is that you discover a product that you think is totally breathtaking and might be the next hot thing...but buyers are almost nonexistent. You reflect, Oh well it's only a temporary thing, sooner or later my item will be discovered and buyers will start a stampede to buy it. You will probably be disappointed!
It's a friendless task attempting to inform the masses of the advantages of a product all on your own. Its almost impossible to start a trend by yourself, regardless of how remarkable the product might be. To show a profit from a trend, magazines and newspapers, word of mouth and television are needed to carry out some of the labor for you.
4. Difficult items to ship - e.g. fragile china and plants
Many eBay sellers generate nice profits from these items and I'm not professing that these are bad items to promote all told. However, when first starting out I advise you to stick to less tricky stock.
Both these items have an above-average shipping risk, particularly if not packed properly. As a new seller, any negative feedback you receive at this early stage could be especially damaging to your career.
5. Items of significant bulk
Thinking of starting with furniture or pianos? Unless you already have experience selling and shipping these items, then it might be wise to start with something smaller.
Especially bulky items will tend to be more expensive than smaller items and as such will not attract the same number of impulse buyers and therefore sales will be reduced. Delivering such bulky items is a big logistical exercise.
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