Tag Archives: Make Money on eBay

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” »

Making Money on eBay, Is It Possible Without Listing or Shipping Anything?

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eBay is what many call the 100 pound gorilla of eCommerce.

It may have been a long while since you have heard anyone repeat that phrase but it bears remembering from time to time.  Just the shear vast amount of  merchandise available on eBay along with the volume of sales on a daily basis is just awe inspiring.  This is why many of us jumped into the eBay vortex feet first.

eBay for some people is an addiction much like the gold rush of the 1890's.

Some merchants find the mother load, while others have been panning the same weak stream for many years. There always a comes a time when it is wise to look at other ways to make money. Many think that means leaving eBay altogether, while others feel it is blasphemy to utter such thoughts. Is there a happy medium? I think so....

We have all heard or told stories about those who just packed it all up and left selling directly on eBay.  Many claim it is because of the massive changes or because of the rules, or more often because of the fees.  Others just face the reality of the combination of smaller margins and an increasing work load and they make a business decision to find other marketplaces.

Change is growth and we all live in an ever present state of flux when it comes to the eCommerce business.  No matter if you choose to keep eBay as your home listing venue, or you move on to Amazon or Etsy or Bonanzle, eBay will always be that Gorilla in the corner of your mind... Reminding you that there are thousands of smart people making more than a living on eBay every day.

In fact, some of them are making more than a living on eBay, without ever listing a single product or paying a single fee.

Now, that's a concept - making money on eBay without all that hard work of sourcing, stocking, listing, photographing, handling customer service or paying the ever increasing shipping to deliver your low margin product to the consumer!

Got your interest? Continue reading “Making Money on eBay, Is It Possible Without Listing or Shipping Anything?” »

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” »

Trading Assistant Journal Included In Top 11 eBay Information Sites List-Honorable Mention on "Ask Owlbert"

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Owlbert LogoBarbara Lang's Blog - Ask Owlbert
Included the Trading Assistant Journal as a top eBay topic blog.

We thank Barbara for including us in the list with the likes of Ina Steiner, Skip McGrath, and our friends at Lizard Wisdom and Auction Rebel.

You can read the entire article at the following URL: Make Money on eBay? Check out these 11 super blogs

This is a sample of the 11 eBay blogs listed by "Owlbert"

There are many blogs out there geared towards successful selling on eBay. Here are a few of my favorites:

  • eBay Strategies- eBay news analysis. Author of the book eBay Strategies. Sample post - Major bummer for the eBay seller community (filed under eBay Brain Drain).
  • Dan Wilson - eBay expert. Freelance consultant and writer specialising in online communities, ecommerce, eBay in particular and the internet in general. Sample post - eBay Tips 2008 - are you ready? Partnered with Tamebay.
  • Tamebay - Written by two British Powersellers. Sample post - eBay PR clarifies blogger’s statement.
  • AuctionBytes - Awesome is the only word I have for this one. It is one of the longest running sites on eBay on the Internet. Sample post - eBay Glitch Undercharges Buyers for Shipping.
  • Only eBay - eBay business analysis. Sample post - EBAY to Launch New Blog Called EBAY Ink
  • Jim Cockrum eBay. Hugely successful eBay seller who wrote Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay. The man knows eBay indeed. Sample post - Ebay boycott from a different perspective
  • Sydney Johnston. Author of the Site Sell eBay book. Sample post - Save Money on eBay?
  • Lizard Wisdom - Written by eBay powersellers to give back to the eBay community. Sample post - eBay Desktop 1.0 Released
  • Auction Rebel- " the blog meant to help serious sellers increase their income from eBay." Delivers on the promise. Sample post - Disassembling Old Magazines To Sell On eBay - A Mini Case Study

While the above certainly are not a comprehensive list, they’ll get you off on the right start if you are interested in making money on eBay. What I’d recommend is to create an eBay folder in your newsreader and add the 11 feeds above to it. You will then have the current information always at your fingertips.

Thank You Very Much!

Owlbert

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” »