Can you make a good living on ebay?

[Paul123456]

HI

Is it possible to make a good living by selling laptops,computers and IT products on Ebay?


SDLAPTOPS.CO.UK

[MH1]

Never dealt with these items myself, but as a general rule of thumb on ebay, unless you have big buying power and resources I doubt it.

You are looking at a very competitive sector, low overheads but high commissions to ebay and paypal with potentially a high fraud level. Whatever you sell expect to lose 15-20% in fees to ebay and paypal, but maybe someone with more true experience can shed some light on this sector.

[tyro1979]

Here's what I've learned from selling on Ebay, sell items:

Customers can find easily through word searches
In bulk so your minimising time on listings - need to have great pictures and good selling description
That don't break easily in transit
That can be securely wrapped for minimal cost
That aren't of high value to minimise impact of fraudulent buyers
That have little chance of attracting negative feedback (lethal)
That are priced the lowest and can sustain people dumping stock below RRP on random occassions for unknown periods of time

Only send via recorded delivery, offer next day delivery and 2nd class. Buyers are attracted to free P&P, they perceive the item which has the cost absorbed as being dearer and of better value, with free P&P to boot (unless branded identical goods, though not always the case [fakes]). Sadly this sees Ebay take a bigger cut. If you can't absorb this, charge P&P and offer discount for multiple purchases. This can be a pain to calculate initially but does attract multiple buys. When costing remember to factor in the delights of Post Office trips and queues.

Try offer a diverse range to minimise slumps in one area (i.e live bedding plants - Spring/Summer).

Unless you can find a niche and don't rely on the income (read many complaints about Ebay closing accounts unfairly) steer well clear. On a lighter note, it may be worth taking a pop at the Christmas market though sales will be slow without a decent feedback score and sales can be affected by periods of non sale.

All the best :)

[Feldon]

There will always be people who make a full-time income from ebay, but I think it is more realistic to make a part-time income from it, maybe also use amazon and once you have some experience in this area get your own web site and sell from there using the above to drive traffic to your own site.

I had a small business selling ebay and closed it down as it only made me a small amount of money. However I am now looking at starting again to supplement my income and hopefully build up to a full time income.

You may find http://www.easyauctionbusiness.com/ useful, I have just purchased a copy and it has some very usefull information regarding selling on ebay. I believe Andy also posts on here occasionally.

[Start_Up_Business_Support]

The biggest problem I have heard is not from Ebay sellers but from their favourite payment processor Paypal. I have heard Paypal instantly comes down on side of customer, even though the customer IS wrong. Paypal have closed accounts, freezing money in the account for no reason at all. Try speaking to Paypal is like pushing water up hill, so think about another form of payment handler

[Gunji]

I used to sell quite a bit on eBay. You will never make your fortune, so as previously mentioned it is a part-time thingy.

I have had chaps open the sealed / new software that I sent them. Copied it and the key, then complain that it was not compatible with their system. Even though the specs were in the ad and I made sure through correspondence that they were able to run it. When they demanded their money back, I proved to Paypal that they had not only copied it, but also that the terms and conditions supported that the product was non-refundable after opening the seal. Paypal still came down on the customer's side. Every single time!!

They have little respect for the suppliers / sellers who provide huge quantities of their income. They do not listen to complaints or evidence and ignore protestations.

Both eBay and Amazon charge quite large commission rates, once you shove on the postage charge as most sellers offer it free now. And cover getting the product to you in the first place, then it will be very hard for you to compete with the big boys. There is an ongoing debate on several forums about several larger suppliers now providing lost leaders, to envelope a particular area. Pushing you out.

I advise that you looke elsewhere to sell your product such as through other marketplaces, if not then set up a site and sell from that.

Good luck

[DDPlumbing]

I have been stung by Paypal siding with a lying customer :( He said he hadn't received item, slipped up in a text message that he had. Paypal stripped the money from my account to pay customer back, He hadn't even paid the correct account!

So I paid the little scrote to receive the Item I "failed" to deliver!!

Only ever offload surplus or damaged box stock now (low value, signed, insured etc)

:(

[Gunji]

THis is a common Story but I like the way you got 'revenge'. Wish I had got away with that.. blast Paypal! lol

[DDPlumbing]

Cant say what the revenge was without incriminating myself ;)

So I respectfully plead the 5th.... oh, wait damn! wrong country, Ok, I have the right to remain silent :D

[DiscoverCRM]

I sell on eBay quite a bit but there are other strategies you can use in conjunction with ebay to increase sales. PM me i can talk you through some, there is one thing that I found. that is on occasion if you dont receive feedback from the customer paypal can withhold funds. now that could affect your cash flow.

[Mate]

I trade on ebay and found it a nice way of earning a decent income if you know what do to. Yes there are stones under the water, i would say 3-5% of my sales have some kind of issues like item delayed, not received international package, item not as described, false unauthorised payment claims, bank chargebacks. There will always be dishonest buyers who would like to take advantage from the seller, i block them from buying from me and include such sales to my costs. However 95% of buyers are geniune and understanding characters, sometimes i have some issues with new ebayers who doesn't know the rules and policies on ebay/paypal. In order to have a good living on ebay you have to sell in quantities. I'm honest with my buyers, if they have any issues with the item i offer them to return it or offer a partial refund to keep them happy, i tackle any issues with my customers and no wonder i have more than 1000 100% feedbacks. To prevent yourself from any fraud or false claims the best thing to do is to use recorded delivery if your item is a bit valuable, in that case you will have a proof and upperhand when buyer opens a case against you, most of the cases i win the cases via paypal, however your sale funds will be frozen until paypal finishes the investigation which may take few weeks.
And remember, selling cheap is not always the only strategy and not the only way of selling on ebay! People tend to make spontaneous decisions, they are not always price aware and rational, there are many other factors influencing their decisions like feedbacks, item title search keywords, seller speciality etc.
Basically, ebay is the huge marketplace with great potential for those willing to make a living out of it.

[davidansell]

The biggest problem I have heard is not from Ebay sellers but from their favourite payment processor Paypal. I have heard Paypal instantly comes down on side of customer, even though the customer IS wrong. Paypal have closed accounts, freezing money in the account for no reason at all. Try speaking to Paypal is like pushing water up hill, so think about another form of payment handler

Thats happened to me serveral times.

infact I am due some money from them in the next 2 months :) (thanks for reminding me)

I used to sell Computers ect on ebay.

If you do, please be aware and make the customer aware that during transit the heatsinks and fans tend to fall up, so before they turn it on to check if its intact, as if they turn it on with no hsf on it will fry the cpu (in my case I learnt the hard way and sold a pc for around £600 and I had to refund him...!

You can make a fair amount of money however, people tend to buy high end systems on ebay now, I used to sell pcs I'd picked up for £1-15 for £100+

now the markets dropped alot.

[MatthewOgborne]

HI

Is it possible to make a good living by selling laptops,computers and IT products on Ebay?

SDLAPTOPS.CO.UK

Yes of course, but you need the numbers to ensure that the volume is there. I'd personally suggest you keep away from most new/expensive items in most CE categories and focus on midrange products & accessories.

Matt

[LeanneDonaldson]

I know a number of people who have tired and failed.

Personally I think it depends on what price you can buy the equipment for and it is all about volume.
Make only a couple of quid per item but sell thousands of them………

[Khalid]

Yes you can make a good living with a Ebay business model. I have a friend who sells telephone accessories and does well.

It depends on your what your selling, where you source your products; what your margins are and how you scale it up to make it sustainable.

There's a great software called Terrapeak, that tells you what's trending, giving data about all kind of stats, that will help you make an informed choice on what to sell!

[salelink]

Search for business for sale - crazy printers

This guy was successful. I bought from him.. I think you could do something with this..

Check out his refurbishment sales.. this is very lucrative

[Feldon]

What did you buy from him, a product or one of his business plans? I've had a look at his website and also ebay listing and it does sound interesting but then again so do countless other business plans and opportunities which turn out not to be so good in reality.

[salelink]

Hi I bought a HP laserjet printer from him.. and then returned to buy an extra paper tray. He's run the Printers well... I tend to spend time reading the feedback before I buy.
He seems to know his trade and has set up his site well.. I am looking for a business online.. What puts me off about ebay is Paypal (ebay own it).
If you want the lowdown on Paypal.. talk to trading standards.. they hate it!!! it is also (and ebay) based in switzerland.. so no comeback and they are not too fair.. if it was Europa they would be up against the anti-competitive board.
Then again Ebay own the market place.. But take a look a facebook.. they are doing something similar and are not trying to manipulate the payment and commission.
I think for printers, especially laserjet.. There is a huge market for these as more and more people want to print photos. I'd do it myself but its labour intensive preparing the printers.. Time is something I have little of.