Best Small Business to Start: Online Consignment

Fluff Material

I can't believe that Ebay and Consignment or of any other of the businesses that you had lister here is the best for 2009. I have researched the reality list for me and found that there is a reduction in Ebay and Consignment places. Now you also mention the best for 2009 but you also mention that it takes 2 years ie for one of the jobs. When you write these things, either research or have a reputable researcher please. Otherwise it like Jack Chan letting Chris Tucker talk and he doen't know what he's talking about.

I'm no moving on to articles that are a good resource.

Charles B. of IL @ May 10, 2009 21:48:12 PM

CONSIGNMENT FEES YOU CHARGE

I have been selling on ebay for 6 years now...It is really not feasible to charge only 20 to 30% consignment fees unless you are selling high dollar items, since the total ebay & paypal fees come to about 20% now...Be sure to check this out before setting up your store policy's or you will be doing all this work for nothing...Research takes quite a bit of time as does your time spent taking the pictures, measuring & weighing each item,& packing & shipping...You also need to keep an inventory list of each customers items you are selling & don't forget your end of month reports & postage if you mail the payments out...I love it, it is fun, but it is work & very time consuming!!!!

J DIXON of NC @ Apr 27, 2009 12:53:55 PM

Ebay and Consignment

Ebay can be a powerful tool when it comes to selling online. I have been buying and selling on Ebay for many years and have had little difficulty with bad buyers or sellers. To address the first posters concerns with fees when it comes to selling. I find most of the fees are a non-issue. In that, when you sell, you pass most of the costs on to the buyer. Any shipping fees of course are paid by the buyer, but you can also add in a small handling fee that can be applied to the listing fees or even the small fee Paypal takes. If you are indeed working a consignment business, the listing fees can be paid by the consignor if you structure the arrangement correctly. It is very important to be thorough in your research when preparing to sell online whether it is for yourself exclusively or for someone else through consignment. As or payments, Ebay recently changed their policy and with the exception of just a few categories, only allows sellers to accept electronic forms of payment. This helps a great deal with combating fraud and also makes it easier to get your money back if you do run into a scam. As the second poster said, it is an excellent idea to read the extensive information available through Ebay including their classes. Most of the information you get in the "How to.." guides to selling on Ebay that you pay for are simply compilations of the same info you can find on your own with a little effort. Overall, a little research when determining what to sell and how to sell it can go a long way toward setting you up for success.

Len of ME @ Mar 26, 2009 07:13:02 AM

eBay's Fees

I have used eBay for years, bought and sold many things. Awhile ago, they added the "Final Value Fee" to each listing. So, you pay a listing fee, which they did lower slightly, and that cost will depend on your starting price, there is also the final value fee, which is based on what your item actually sells for, and when you accept PayPal as a payment from your buyer, they take another fee for using paypal. I still buy on eBay, but unless you factor in all the fees, and shipping costs, selling on eBay may not be worth it, depending on your volume, and/or profit margin.

Dave of NY @ Mar 19, 2009 23:09:58 PM

eBay's Fees

I have used eBay for years, bought and sold many things. Awhile ago, they added the "Final Value Fee" to each listing. So, you pay a listing fee, which they did lower slightly, and that cost will depend on your starting price, there is also the final value fee, which is based on what your item actually sells for, and when you accept PayPal as a payment from your buyer, they take another fee for using paypal. I still buy on eBay, but unless you factor in all the fees, and shipping costs, selling on eBay may not be worth it, depending on your volume, and/or profit margin.

Dave of NY @ Mar 19, 2009 23:09:57 PM

consignment vs store

Cindy of LA - my advice would be that you should start using ebay to sell a few items at a time, then try a couple of the 'seasonal lots' listings you have in mind as you learn more about how to use the site and experience what items sell best. Also, ask friends if they would be likely to bid on the type of listing you have in mind. A great idea works only if there is a market for what you want to sell. You've probably done searches on ebay and know whether or not the types of lots you want to list are already being listed by other sellers. If you haven't done that, then I believe that would be very helpful to you. Also, note that many sellers accept payments only via paypal, some requiring immediate payment, and that might be something you'd want to consider in order to avoid bidders who don't pay. I have had several successful listings and have accepted other forms of payment in the past with no problem, but will probably only accept paypal for future listings. Take the free 'classes' offered at the ebay site. I don't have experience with the for-profit seminars and classes that claim to teach you how to have a successful ebay business but am inclined to avoid them when there is so much good information available for free. There are also informative books available at amazon.com and in bookstores that aren't terribly expensive, although many of them may be of more use to people who are absolute beginners at using online auctions. Good luck!

Dianne of TN @ Jan 02, 2009 14:57:26 PM