e-how (How to do just about everything) published an article "By ***amylaine" touting these 7 easy steps to fame and fortune as an eBay Trading Assistant.
I can certainly attest that the process and the challenges facing eBay Trading Assistants are much more complicated and more labor intensive than this article suggests.
Lets review the e-How list... Continue reading “How to become a eBay Trading Assistant – Is it Really That E-asy?” »
eBay Live 2008 held many surprises... low attendance, minimal exhibitors and a subdued atmosphere...
Not what anyone who has attended any prior eBay Live would ever expect.
One of the biggest surprises (to those in the know), was the presence on the eBay Live 2008 solutions floor of yet another eBay based consignment franchise opportunity (Or Affiliate/MLM - Call it what you will).
Past eBay Live events had been virtually packed with eBay drop stores and mobile consignment business opportunities / franchises. Yet since the recent and severe decline of eBay drop stores like Quick Drop and Snappy, it was a little odd to see a new franchise trying to sell the same style of business opportunity.
For those who are not yet acquainted with the history of eBay consignment franchises, please read this post: eBay Franchise Drop Stores.
Zippi Networks is a publicly traded company, Zippi[TM] Networks, Inc. (Pink Sheets:ZPNW) and has a very clean flashy website. The content on the site is eerily similar to what other eBay based business opportunities have offered, without the actual overhead of a retail store.
The eBay Trading Assistant program was re-engineered several months ago. eBay, in fact, started the recent round of controversial announcements (Fees, Feedback, DSRs tied to fee discounts, No more digital delivery, etc) with the summary and unexpected changes to the Trading Assistant system. 
We reviewed the terms of the new program here at the Trading Assistant Journal. Continue reading “Finding eBay Consignment Help – New eBay Trading Assistant Directory – Not So New” »
As a former official eBay Trading Assistant, Trading Post owner and master franchise representative for an eBay drop store franchise chain. I would like to weigh in on the subject of franchising and stand alone eBay drop stores or consignment locations.
My experience on both sides of the fence has revealed certain truths, and since I was at one time a proponent of the franchise model, I believe my views could be helpful to anyone considering the purchase of a new franchise eBay drop store. These views are my own opinion and do not reflect upon eBay any eBay franchise drop store chain in particular or upon eBay consignment as an addition to any other type of business. I am simply expressing my views regarding the stand alone drop store franchise model and why it has failed. Continue reading “eBay Franchise Drop Stores – Why they failed” »
Reader Please Note: This post is over 1900 words in length. I feel it is worth the time to read the entire article. If you think this post is just too long after reading the entire article please leave a comment and tell me what you think - Thanks - Scott
eBay has decided to change the existing system in regards to Trading Assistants and Trading Posts. In doing so eBay completely revised the way they qualify participants for the program(s). This change has been presented as a way to clean up the "old" directory and provide more relevant results for people looking for help in selling merchandise on eBay. Some think the real reason for the change is to allow eBay to extend the legal distance between itself and anyone listed as a eBay Trading Assistant because of certain active cases against Trading Assistants and Drop off Store owners in States like Pennsylvania.
The terms and conditions eBay requires to be placed in the eBay "official" Trading Assistant directory are extensive. To be included in the directory as what is now termed REDOL (Registered eBay Drop Off Location) or Drop Store, the extensive terms of the TA agreement become even more so. Choosing to be included in either directory at this time is a more important issue than many may be aware. Diligent business owners will read all of the terms of the agreement(s) before making a quick choice to join the directory.
There were many promises made to the existing members of eBay's TA & Drop Store or Trading Post (Now REDOL) community when this massive change was announced. Essentially eBay promised a massive advertising campaign to 50,000 businesses in the USA promoting TA's and REDOLS, they also promised a new, easy to find, and less spam filled directory. eBay said that with the "reduction in competition" after the directory was switched over to the new version and every TA & Drop store re-registered, each registered member would receive more business from the directory.
The results so far have been less than promised.
Consider the first promise: "Massive" direct mail advertising campaign to 50,000 businesses. This boils down to a single letter sent to 1000 businesses in each State. Continue reading “eBay Trading Assistant Directory Google Search and Consignment Sellers” »
I found the listing below (in italics) in the "New" TA Directory this morning. I was looking at whom in my area had signed up for the new directory with an eye to see if any of my former local colleagues in the industry had joined up. If they had, I was going to stop in or call and see if they were getting any leads from the new system.
The first listing in my area (Largo, Florida) I came across had the following information listed as the description of services (Please note, this name is not listed as an education specialist). Continue reading “New Trading Assistant Directory – Listing Promotes NOT using a Trading Assistant” »
In a story by: Unravel the Gavel and reported in AuctionBytes today. It is reported New Hampshire has introduced a bill in the legislature to exempt Internet sales from any auctioneer licensure requirements.
This report is the best news of the week for eBay TA's (excuse me please, REDOL's). We can only hope this Bill in New Hampshire passes and some semblance of order in restored to the eBay consignment sellers universe.
Personally, I do not understand why more eBay consignment specialists have not organized a PR campaign to fight this movement to require our industry be governed by the antiquated auctioneer statutes and competetively biased Auctioneers regulatory organizations.
eBay TA's, Trading Posts, Drop Stores, REDOLS, or as I prefer, Consignment Specialists.... Are NOT Auctioneers... period. Continue reading “State Bill Vote Scheduled – Exempts Internet Sellers from Auctioneer Regulations” »
With the advent of the new eBay Trading Assistant (”Registered eBay Drop Off Location” or REDOL) agreement, an already complicated business outlook has just become more convoluted.
eBay Trading Assistants and Drop Store owners - Franchisee or Non-Franchise... should be evaluating the new eBay Trading Assistant Agreement and determining what the implications are for the future of your business.
I will refrain from interpreting this new eBay agreement for you, but please become aware of the terms and restrictions involved with proceeding under the new eBay TA agreement. I suggest you review the terms (see link in the sidebar) with your business advisers and/or legal council prior to determining if joining the new eBay Trading Assistant directory is a business decision you are willing undertake.
Ultimately, for those who do sign the agreement, a small increase in TA business may result due to the culling effect it will have on the present population of TA's listed in the Trading Assistant directory.
If the prospect off initially receiving more than one or two calls per month from the TA directory is a worthwhile benefit in your future business plan... You may be inclined to simply agree, get listed in the new directory and move forward with your daily business (especially if you are happy with the way eBay has promoted eBay drop stores and TA's in the past)...
Since you've found this blog post, I will assume you are looking for a way to weather the storm and move forward with your trading assistant or eBay drop store business. Lets look at the options... Continue reading “New eBay Trading Assistant Agreement – Options for Drop Store Owners” »
eBay Announces Changes to the Trading Assistant Program:
Our initial evaluation of this "agreement" is underway... I will post our opinions after we have digested the entire "new" program. I can say that I never received any email from eBay regarding this change and we have been listed in the TA directory since 2001. - Our listing is still in the directory... Yet I received an error message when I tried to sign in which said our user name was not listed as a TA. Nice Work - eBay...
| Changes to the Trading Assistant Program | |||
| Hi Everyone:Tomorrow we will be announcing the re-launch of the Trading Assistant program requirements, directory and benefits. In addition, on January 18, we will be sending this email out to all TAs currently (or formerly) in the program. If you would like to get a jump on it, you may register now, but please let me know of any issues you encounter (or ideas to improve).Important Changes to the eBay Trading Assistant Program - Action RequiredDear eBay Member,On January 15, 2008, we re-launched the Trading Assistant Program with new standards for program members that will deliver many new benefits for your business:• Powerful new search functions to help potential customers find you fast • An opt-in lead management system to distribute leads directly to you • A new evaluation system to help showcase your satisfied customers On February 11, 2008, the old directory will be retired and only those Trading Assistants who've registered for the new program and agreed to the terms of one of two new user agreements will show up in Trading Assistant search results. Even if you're an existing Trading Assistant or Trading Post, you'll need to register and accept the updated user agreement before February 11th to stay in the program. Changes to the program We've made the following changes to improve the customer experience: • Qualification: To qualify, all Trading Assistants on eBay are now required to have an eBay Membership in good standing, a minimum of 100 eBay Feedback (98% positive), and sales of at least 10 items on eBay in the prior 3 months. Register now or view the new user agreements and get more information at http://www.ebaytradingassistant.com/signup For more information about these changes, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. (http://www.ebaytradingassistant.com/newfaqs) We also welcome your ideas and/or concerns on the Trading Assistant discussion board. And again, be sure to register before February 11 to make sure you're included in the new directory! Sincerely, Important registration notes: *If you reside outside of the United States and you have created a Trading Assistant profile on the U.S. eBay.com site, this profile will be removed. The new registration and directory will not allow you to re-register as the new user agreements are applicable to residents of the United States only. If you wish to have a profile in the Trading Assistant directory, please create one on the eBay site of your country of residence. For a list of countries that support the program, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.ebaytradingassistant.com/newfaqs) |
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Pardon us for a moment while we play "Devils Advocate" to explain the reasons why some of these 11 most commonly suggested methods for making money on eBay, are impractical or more accurately, are methods destined for failure.
If your goal is to start an eBay based business you should read this article.
The best way(s) in our opinion, to make money on eBay as part of an well crafted eBay business plan, will be revealed after our review of these more "commonly" touted methods.
The text in this post edited in italics is a previously compiled list of 11 common methods for sourcing products to sell and make money with on eBay. The article was originally written by a self appointed drop ship guru by the name of Mike Makler AKA "The Coolest Guy in the Universe".
Last Year over 20 Billion Dollars worth of product was sold on Ebay. (Yes Billion with a "B"). Many people are earning $10,000 or more selling on Ebay. Many more would like to sell on Ebay but they face that big hurdle - Where Do I find Items to sell on Ebay. Here are the 11 Best Places to Find Items to sell on E-Bay.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Mike Makler the Coolest Guy in the Universe
Original Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Mike Makler has been Marketing Online Since 2001 When he Built an Organization of over 100,000 Members
1 - Garage Sales
The Strategy that works best with Garage Sales is stop by at the end of the day and offer to buy all the merchandise they have left. You can often spend $25 - $50 and then resell on Ebay for $500 or more.