Tag Archives: Drop Store

Finding eBay Consignment Help – New eBay Trading Assistant Directory – Not So New

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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.  REDOL

  • Trading Posts had been renamed as REDOL's (?).
  • REDOL (Drop Stores and TA's with actual business locations) were saddled with increased insurance requirements that initially contained unattainable coverage requirements.
  • The word "Auction" has been banned by eBay as part of any private business name, signage or included in advertising...except, strangely enough, for use as an eBay account name.
  • Legal liability shifted completely onto the small business owners selling consignment items in the eBay 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” »

eBay Franchise Drop Stores – Why they failed

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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” »

eBay Trading Assistant Directory Google Search and Consignment Sellers

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A great deal of turmoil has been raised recently in the eBay Trading Assistant community.

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” »

Pennsylvania still pressing charges on eBay Drop Store Owner

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Pennsylvania is still after honest business people... Charging them with violation of a law which never applied.

While stay at home mom, Mary Jo Pletz has been exonerated of all charges by the State of Pennsylvania.  (Due to media attention no doubt).  It seems the story of an i Sold it drop store in Harrisburg, PA was not as damaging to the local politicians in the media as that of Mary Jo. 

Barry Fallon owned an i Sold it franchise... and like Mary Jo Pletz, he completely shut down his business when the State came knocking at his door to serve notice of his violation of a law created before the Internet was widely used.  Barry purchased a franchise store and having done so, would presumably have applied to the local tax office for all of his reasonable business licenses in Harrisburg, he then operated a store in plain view for a period of time.  But when the State decided to make a test case of a law which has no possible application they chose to persecute this honest law abiding small business owner. 

Wouldn't any small business person reasonably expect the local authorities (tax collector for one) to have shared any applicable information required to determine if he needed a special license to operate an online consignment business?

This entire prosecution is unjust and should be investigated by authorities on a Federal level.  What the situation boils down to is political cronyism run amok.  The Auctioneer board in PA is behind this and the politicians have made a deal with the Auctioneer board to get rid of this eBay consignment thing...

NEWS FLASH - EBAY is here to STAY - Auctioneers in PA should get with the program instead of trying to fight a losing battle so late in the game.  You can not use back door politics to try and stem the tide of eBay competition for your auctioneering business.  Even if you make it difficult for consignment businesses to operate, eBay has already made the process of selling an item from ones home very simple.  People will not abandon online Auctions or Internet sales at this point. 

Every Trading Assistant , Drop Store Owner and Small Business person in America should take a moment to make their voice heard in the Great State of Pennsylvania.  Let the political powers that be, know about our collective voice. Write the media in Pennsylvania demanding they investigate this case.  Any real investigation should reveal the real reasons behind this frivolous and massive abuse of power for political and commercial gain.  Would you want your competition to weild enough power in your State as this? Don't we live in a democracy crafted to prevent this type of abuse of power?

For more on this story read the Philadelphia Enquirer article here:  PA Drops Case

Internet Business Mentorship – Option for the future of TA's Drop Store Owners?

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Are you the friend or business acquaintance everyone asks about eBay or how to sell online?

  • Do you have previous experience selling products on the Internet via online auctions or through your own website?
  • Have you ever worked at or owned an eBay Trading Assistant Business or eBay Drop Store?
  • Are you familiar with fellow members of your community, local business people and entrepreneurs who would like to know what you know about the internet or eBay or both?
  • Have you ever thought about how much easier it would be if someone had shown you how to sell online?
  • Do you think you could explain why online marketing is important for any business?
  • Do your friends ask you about web 2.0, blogs, ebay selling, or the difference between a server and an isp?

If any of these situations sound familiar… if you are a former eBay seller or current eBay trading assistant looking for additional income or a new career we think you could be an Internet Business Mentor.

Read More Here

Philadelphia Enquirer Details Pennsylvania Case Against Stay at Home Mom eBay Seller

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The Philadelphia Enquirer Headline Reads:

Pennsylvania Takes on Online Auctions

Pa went after Mary Jo Pletz's eBay business now changes in law may come... PAvseBay

Read this excellent news article (link below). The story details the plight of a Trading Assistant who was unfortunate enough to be very good at what she does. The State made a very poor decision to use her as a "test case", an example, in an effort to demonstrate the need to institute new and unprecedented taxes & fees for online consignment specialists.

What it seems to boil down to in Pennsylvania is that someone thought it would be easy to get online sellers and eBay consignment people to fall in line for a new tax (in the form of a license) if, they could make an example of a successful online seller, by charging her with breaking existing laws. Continue reading “Philadelphia Enquirer Details Pennsylvania Case Against Stay at Home Mom eBay Seller” »

Top 10 eBay Trading Assistant Drop Store Reality Checks

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TA Consignment

Running an eBay consignment business can be complicated, time consuming, and nerve wracking...

As a business, consignment selling on eBay is not the easy get rich quick scheme some would have you believe. While initially setting up an eBay consignment business may sound like a ticket to easy street...

Whats better than selling other peoples stuff and making a 40% commission from the sale?

Having a retail store without owning inventory...

When one gets right down to the facts, its not that simple...

eBay consignment has its rewards and challenges, like any other business. The difference here is the dependence eBay consignment sellers have on outside influences. Outside factors have a great deal to do with how well an eBay consignment based business will prosper or if it will even survive.

Some of those outside sources of influences are:

Continue reading “Top 10 eBay Trading Assistant Drop Store Reality Checks” »

New eBay Trading Assistant Agreement – Options for Drop Store Owners

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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 limits all Trading Assistants and Drop store owners ability to earn a living…

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The recent changes in the trading assistant agreement has sparked a debate on the official eBay forums. eBay has laid down a very restrictive agreement and as a trading assistant or drop store owner, you should read it very carefully before clicking any box indicating your agreement.

To be honest, eBay has instituted this new agreement to protect themselves from some very nasty States Attorney Generals (Pennsylvania... Anyone?). eBay must protect itself legally from becoming implicated in any of these various legal challenges to the trading assistants methods and practices.

We all know this has been spurred on by the numerous Auctioneers organizations around the country who have been pulling together political muscle to combat the loss of business they have sustained via eBay Trading Assistants and drop stores. We do the job better, faster and for less money than the auctioneers, so rather than join us, they have chosen to fight us in the legislatures.

It is disappointing that eBay has abandoned its efforts to protect our rights as legal businesses to advertise property for our clients. But I think most of us in the business saw the signs of change coming...

Now what?

Now we continue on... As a group of professional I suggest we work together to form our own association outside of eBay to create a greater voice and protect our rights...

Beyond that... I suggest we all look closely at the business model which is eBay consignment... I have made changes in my own business which allow me to create other forms of income. These changes involve my many years as an eBay seller and eCommerce merchant.  More importantly, the alteration has had a positive effect on my bottom line... and they have allowed me to limit my trading assistant work to only the most profitable and potentially lucrative clients...

I am working on a repeatable business plan which will  allow every savvy trading assistant professional and drop store owner the ability to make more money, with less effort than ever before...

Using the skills and knowledge you have gained over years of being a trading assistant.

I have tested this new business model in my city and it has created quite a bit of interest... And profit for my company...
I am putting together this new business plan as a dealer type organization, I will not be selling franchises!

What we will offer is an opportunity to put all of the skills and knowledge you have gained as a trading assistant into a real world actionable business plan which allows you to promote yourself as the expert that you are... And you will never need to sell consignment items again with this plan. (Unless you choose to do so as part of a continueing effort to promote your new focus...)

There are a few small items I need to get together to make this opportunity available to everyone interested... So, keep checking this website... Or give me a call to discuss what it is you can do now that eBay has pretty much limited all Trading Assistants and Drop store owners ability to earn a decent living...

Scott Pooler All Business Auctions 727-596-6900

Important Changes to the eBay Trading Assistant Program – Action Required

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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...

eBay Forums Post 

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.
• Titles: The name "Trading Post" has been changed to "Registered eBay Drop Off Location." Use of the term "Auction" or "Auctioneer" in a Trading Assistant business name, signage, and marketing materials is no longer permitted (unless you are a licensed Auctioneer).
• User Agreements: There are two new user agreements; one for Trading Assistants and one for Registered eBay Drop Off Locations (including new insurance requirements).
• Profiles: Each Trading Assistant may have only one profile in the directory, but you can now refer potential clients to your own Trading Assistant web site. If you're an Education Specialist you can also link to your profile and classes.
• Marketing Materials: The program has a new look with updated logos, customizable collateral, mailers, and business cards--all free and accessible when you register for the new program.

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,
Sharon Guldner
Sr. Marketing Manager
Help others sell on eBay
www.ebay.com/esp
www.ebay.com/ta

Important registration notes:
Before signing in, make sure you are at an official eBay site by checking the url in the address bar (https://signin.ebay.com...). You will be required to sign into your eBay account to validate your qualifications. From there, you will be directed to a site hosted by American Research Institute (ARI) at www.ebaytradingassistant.com. Follow the instructions to submit your new profile and agree to the new terms of the user agreement.

*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)
- Newton