Need advice or suggestions please

[ozline.imports]

Abig hello to fellow Ebay seller discussion board. This is my first visit.

I'm a very keen ebayer, and i have sold lots on ebay before.

Need advice on how to create a succesful ebay business. My problem is i don't have much capital. 

I have lots of experience selling for last 27 years and i think ebay is definately my new business.

Anyone who has any advice no matter how small i would really appreciate.

Whats your thoughts on dropshipping ? I have done it before and did quite well but i might

have just got lucky with seller i chose as i worry about getting bad feedback from sellers posting

late or selling dodgy items e.t.c. Sorry for all the questions i'm just getting desperate and need money quick as have been in car accident and am stuck in my chair at the computer. I have a couple of websites i'm building and have a office with internet and

computers, printers, laptops and the works, so i'm ready to go. I have the enthusiasm and the entrepeneaur headspace, and certainly loads of time on my hands. I would consider going into partnership or being a part owner if anyones interested also.

When i say i don't have much money i can get my hands on around $5k to $10k easy enough. All ideas are so so appreciated everyone. Thanks heaps for taking time to read this novel of a text. And thanks heaps in advance for any advice or suggestions,

Kind regards,

Mick

Ozline.Imports

[*crikey*mate*]

Your instincts about drop shipping are correct.

Problems everywhere

run a MILE - really fast and don't look back.

step 1 for a business.

Research the market and find out what is in demand.

source a supplier (reputable) and a back up. or sell something you make yourself.

Read and research every single square inch of the platform you are going to be selling on (ie eBay) memorize the site map. memorize every policy etc and explore customer support extensively. read the boards to learn from others/

read and know the terms and conditions of joining and using eBay

do the same for paypal (or whatever safe payment method you choose to use)

experiment a little bit, try just casually listing a few things from around the house to get a general gist of things and how they work. auction vs BIN vs store etc...

by doing this you can test what you think you may want to sell to see how the market responds before you spend a fortune on stock.

that's enough for now.

[ozline.imports]

Thanks very much. .

[stampingpaws]

Hello,

Firstly, best wishes on your recovery.

My wife and I have traded with a small business on Ebay with a bit of success. I will give you an outline of how we did it.

1 - Find a product or products

Small so you can post it. Consumerable so the buyers need more. Not too expensive so you can absorb the cost of replacing those that are damaged or lost in the mail.

2 - Find a supplier or suppliers

In the same country as you if possible to avoid customs problems. Will let you pay by credit card.  Has no minimum order value. Will deliver quickly and accurately. Will give you product for free to see if it sells, then you pay for it.

3 - Sell on Ebay and accept payment by Paypal only.

Have products in your hand before you list on Ebay. Use this at first, fees are about 10% but market is huge.

4 - Maintain Good Customer and Financial Records

Your buyers will buy again so keep their details (name address email products etc) You will need these when you want to make repeat sales. Also, you must pay your fair share of tax.

5 - Grow Your Business

Keep costs down and sales up, get new customers, add more suppliers and products.

6 - Expand off Ebay

Keep Ebay going. Get a merchant bank account so you can accept credit cards. Find a FREE shopping cart. (This is most important). Register your .com.au name and get hosting. Prepare a simple but well structured web-site with good links around your web-site. Do not put advertiements on your web-site. One click and your customer has gone.

7. Consolidate

Give Exceptional Customer Service

Have products in stock to sell on Ebay. Do not drop-ship.

Sell from your web-site, get paid by credit card, buy your products using your own credit card, receive order from supplier and prepare orders to your customers, post out. Your customers money waits in the bank until you have to pay your credit card bill. If product cannot be obtained and if customer cannot wait give refund.

Offer a discount for large orders eg 5% if over $500. This will get your customers ordering for their friends as well as themselves.

8. Enjoy your business

Now, you just have to decide on a product - small, consumable, can be sent through the post, unique. Here are a few suggestions:

hobbies, fishing lures, condoms, paper products, seeds to grow

Best wishes

Robert