Tag Archives: eBay Consignment

Scammed on eBay With the help of PayPal – A Common Sellers Tale in 2009

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eBay is sold to the public on many different levels...

  • To the consumer eBay is offered as a great online place to find anything - cheap
  • Consumers are also told what a "safe" and easy place eBay is to shop.

All well and good, in most cases, except for the fact that eBay does not have to stand behind the promises they make to the consumer, eBay leaves that bit of dirty business to the individual seller and they use PayPal as the big stick of enforcement to make sure that the sellers keep the buyers happy, no matter the cost or situation.  (more on that later)

  • To the Individual Seller eBay is offered as the easy and fast way to sell the junk that accumulates in the garage or attic

eBay has been promoted as the place for anyone to start a business (selling junk from your garage) for years.  (More recently eBay went courting the corporate world, offering enticements and sweetheart deals to big sellers like Buy.com and others).  For awhile it looked as though eBay would turn its back on the small individual sellers in lieu of the huge volume possibilities offered by the Buy.coms of the world.

Some eBay Kool Aid?

Some eBay Kool Aid?

Thankfully, eBay has not completely forgotten the little guy, they are happy to take his/her money and they have taken some minor steps to entice the small seller back. To be honest, I still don't understand the "selling junk from the garage" business plan "drink the kool aid" approach, but that must just be me...

2008

2008 was a long year in eBay-land, the changes and turmoil wrought by the eBay executives decisions (right or wrong) made an impression on the rank and file. The effect of these constant changes on eBay's core audience of sellers (the little guys and gals) became more than an annoyance. For some of these smaller sellers the constant state of flux of 2008 - early 2009 ended a long term love affair.

I will admit that my own love affair with eBay ended in 2008.

It was just too frustrating at times, not only dealing with the changes in my own eBay selling business, but also fielding questions from my clients regarding unexplainable and sometimes indefensible new rules or policies and outrageous games with fee structures.  I pretty much shut down all operations on eBay myself and quietly told my good clients that they might want to take a fresh look at eBay, it was time to evaluate whether the price in terms of time, frustration and costs, had possibly become too high for some to do business on eBay.

Continue reading “Scammed on eBay With the help of PayPal – A Common Sellers Tale in 2009” »

eBay Consignment Shop & Retail Thrift Store For Sale – Charmingly Linda's of Philadephia, Pennsylvania

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Consignment and eBay

Consignment and eBay

I have a soft spot in my heart for the eBay and consignment store operators who have made the consignment business model work with eBay.

For many, running a eBay drop store was an uphill climb that was too steep to endure. Yet for those with the real chops, business savvy and who were the strongest, wisest and the best business oriented individuals... eBay combined with retail and direct consignment sales have fed the family and more through good times and bad.

It's no secret that I have a history in eBay consignment and franchise drop store operations and sales.  My opinion (post personal or business involvement in same) of franchising stores has become well known since I wrote eBay Drop Stores Why They Failed , the conclusions from that article are almost self evident at this point.

It must be said: Running a true consignment store which utilizes eBay is different from the business plan of most eBay franchises pitches of the past. With an independent consignment store the merchant has a higher chance of success. Why?

  • Lower Cost - No franchise Fees
  • Flexibility - No Franchise Rules
  • Diversity - Not tied only to eBay Sales - Pick and choose what sells where - Store Floor or eCommerce

One other factor that is very important to remember is that running a business is not usually a cookie cutter proposition.

This fact is more true in consignment than almost any other retail opportunity.  A consignment store owner must have the ability to make quick business judgments about what to consign, how to price, when to send items to the internet, and how long to keep stock before clearing it out at a lower price or sending it back to the owner unsold.  Some people who seek out franchise opportunities seem to be looking for someone else to make these decisions for them. Consignment is not one of those kinds of businesses.  There are not just 5 kinds of hamburgers and three sizes of fries to sell in consignment.  While the business model may be more challenging than most in terms of variety of knowlege, it also can be ultimately much more interesting, a consignment store owner never knows what will walk through the door tomorrow or sell next week.

Real entrepreneurs can make consignment a profitable proposition, Michael Weinstein is one of those real entrepreneurs.

Inside the Store

Inside the Store

Michael and his wife Linda are real business people and they have made consignment work for them for over 10 years in the same location.  They own Charmingly Linda's Quality Consignments a successful retail establishment near Philadephia, Pa.  I have been acquainted with them both for some time and have actually referred anyone who contacts me in the PA area to them for eBay or consignment advice or services ever since I met them.  Michael and Linda know the business!

So much so that new opportunities have presented themselves for Michael and Linda.  They have developed a consulting and development business and help other local business owners to understand the business of selling online.

What started out as a part time project (the consulting) has become more of a full time proposition.  Michael and Linda have reached the point where they are ready to take the next step in life and in business.  Therefore they must make the difficult decision to sell the business that provided for them and taught them how to be successful for the last ten years.

If you are looking for an opportunity to own your own business in Pennsylvania and if you have the stuff it takes to buy and sell at a profit (with initial help and guidance from Michael and Linda), then the following opportunity might just be worth a long look!

Welcome to Charmingly Linda's

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82fwP3D5c8&eurl=http://charminglylindas.com/&feature=player_embedded]

For Sale: Charmingly Linda's Quality Consignments. A retail & Ebay consignment shop. 10 years in business. Over 2400 registered consignors. High demographic consignor base. Located on Lancaster Ave in the Philadelphia burbs known as the main line. Continued growth even in this economy. Over 4000 positive ebay feedbacks. Turn key and profitable!

Email Michael for more info: Michael@CharminglyLindas.com

Michael Weinstein
Charmingly Lindas Quality Consignments
Retail / eBay Consignment & Listing Services
Frazer Shopping Center
480 Lancaster Ave
Frazer PA 19355
610 640-1220
CharminglyLindas.com
  • If you have a eBay or Consignment Store that you would like featured in the Trading Assistant Journal, please see our contact page.

Auction Format Dead on eBay – Long Live The Auction

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Today a landmark change in listing fees for fixed price format "Buy it Now" items on the original auction Internet site eBay was announced. 

Starting September 17th eBay will charge 35 cents to list any number of the same types of fixed-price items each fixed price item listing will now run for 30 days just as store listings and continue to be included in core search. 

UPDATE: eBay special web page explaining changes here: eBay

Is this move an indicator of the death of auctions on eBay?

Lorrie Norrington, eBay's president of global marketplaces says no, but .... Continue reading “Auction Format Dead on eBay – Long Live The Auction” »

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” »

New Trading Assistant Directory – Listing Promotes NOT using a Trading Assistant

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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” »

Rebuttal – Accused vs. State of Pennsylvania – Trading Assistant Auction Trial

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The following is a fictional account of the possible tact a defence attorney could present in the case currently before the Circuit Court in Pennsylvania.  Any relation to real persons or events is purely coincidental...

Perry Mason
Thank You Your Honor....
In My Cross Examination I would like to ask the prosecutor in this case to take the stand....

Thank You for your cooperation... If I may ask a few questions, with Your Honors Permission?

...I'll allow it, but you better get to the point quickly Mr. Mason...

Yes - Your Honor....

Continue reading “Rebuttal – Accused vs. State of Pennsylvania – Trading Assistant Auction Trial” »

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