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!