violet1985 says:

www.hsshopping.com tole you:
1. Items under $10
It sounds like a great idea - after all, everyone likes a bargain don't they? But items that sell for under $10 have one big problem: Shipping. It's quite likely that the shipping for the item will cost more than the item itself and this can be very off-putting to buyers. For example, if the item costs $4.50 and shipping costs $6, the total cost for the item is $10.50. If the buyer can purchase the item at their local store for $8, then this suddenly becomes a much better deal. For small items and accessories, the way to get around this problem is by grouping the items together, such as sets of 6 golf-balls or 5 tea towels.

2. Products everyone else are selling
Many sellers think that the best way to get started on eBay is to sell items that everyone else is selling. Surely those super hot items such as ipods, cell phones, psps and so on will be a quick route to riches? Well, no. The sellers who are already selling these items are not only more established on eBay - and thus familiar to and trusted by buyers - but they will be able to buy wholesale stock in larger bulks lots than you will, so their prices will always be better. Thus it will almost certainly be very difficult for you to make a profit in a market that is already well supplied.

3. Things you love...but no-one else does
Hobbies can be a great way of making money, but only if plenty of other people are interested in them too.
Another scenario is when you find a product that you think is absolutely wonderful and could be the next best thing...but no-one seems interested in buying it. Oh well you think, it's only short term, eventually they'll learn about my item and start flocking to buy it. Ah, no they won't. It's lonely work trying to educate people on the benefits of a product all on your own. As fabulous as the product might be, it's nigh-on impossible to start a trend on your own. To make money from a trend, you need magazines and newspapers, word of mouth and television to do some of the work for you.

4. Difficult items to ship - e.g. fragile china and plants
Now I'm not saying that these are bad items to sell altogether. Many sellers do very well from these items. But I don't suggest you sell such difficult items when you are first starting out. Both these items have an above-average shipping risk, particularly if not packed properly. As a new seller, any negative feedback you receive at this early stage could be especially damaging to your career.

5. Very large items
Thinking of starting with furniture or pianos? Unless you already have experience selling and shipping these items, then it might be wise to start with something smaller. Shipping such large items is a major operation. Not only that, these items will sell less often than mid-priced items as they won't attract the same number of impulse buyers.

mrtoe says:

Thanks for the information, I'd like to see more of such articles in the forum.

mikevi says:

what about selling e-book short stories? When the payment is made send to a site for downloading of the story. I have been thinking about writing short stories and selling them for $1.59 to $4.98 depending on the length and the content. Advise please

shan3139 says:

The forum should be: "NOT TO SELL ON EBAY!" As a former eBay power seller, eBay's ridiculous and insane changes make it nearly impossible to fun a successful business anymore. Between the increase in final value fees, the fact that sellers don't have the ability to leave negative or neutral feedback and almost everyone that shops on eBay is under the assumption that the sellers are just individuals selling junk in their home, because that is the way eBay starts; like an online garage sale. Hundreds of sellers are venturing elsewhere due to eBay treating them poorly now. It's almost as if sellers have no say or rights on the online marketplace. I was paying eBay almost $800/month for fees and am not a large company....I broke pretty much even, so the profit margin was barely there.

I actually discovered a site that is far better then eBay and won't break your pockets. It is only $4.99/month and has zero listing fees and zero final value fees. It is a newer site but one of the founders is a former eBay power seller and treats the sellers fairly and with respect! The site was started in February, but the traffic is significantly picking up everyday!

So, check it out......offertime.net

StartEarnigToday says:

Good Artical! How True I was working wth Brightbuilders and paying out thousands and quickly relized I have been had. But to late. So Iam left holding the bag. Ps EBay also has to give the names and info to the Canadian gov't for income tax purposes.

ohiobuckeye says:

The last time I tried to sell something on eBay it cost me money and it was a pain in the neck! But I think I have found a way to make eBay pay me! I just signed up with a new company, so I have no experience.....but, you can give away for free, this piece of eBay approved software and get paid when someone purchases something through it. It is so neat. I hear it took 3 years to develop. Works with Google, Yahoo and other major search engines. You just have to try it to see for yourself. Great biz op if you want. www.myownsearchgenie.com

kgwbuss9 says:

I used to sell on eBay. I made the mistake to use eBay classifieds to try and promote my new business. Because I used a link they kept pulling my ads. I think eBay is to big for its own good and I will no longer be a part of a community that does not allow simple advertising just because of link. As for selling merchandise I think those days are gone because of all the fake junk that people sell. I used to deal in shoes and that market is simply gone for good.