Considering Becoming an eBay Trading Assistant?
September 15, 2008 by Christina Lemmey
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This article was written by Guest Blogger Jennifer Cangelosi of Boutique Bargains.
Way back, when my eBay curiosity was in its experimental stage, I tried a few different things to bring in extra cash - without spending a ton of money upfront.
One strategy I tried was becoming a registered Trading Assistant on eBay. I found that it was a great way to learn what was selling on eBay for a decent profit, what was good for donating to charities, and what was best to bring to the consignment shop. After all, some money is better than no money at all. By doing a ton of research and some trial and error, the development of a trained eye had emerged. Also, my repeat business of clients wanting to sell their things on eBay was pretty steady.
Here are some helpful tips that you may benefit from if you decide to become an eBay Trading Assistant:
Like any business, knowing upfront that it will take time to build & become successful is a good mind set to get into. You’re never guaranteed to rake in the big bucks. It can be tough at times and it’s certainly not for everyone.
Can it be done? Of Course!
Know your clientele - In the beginning, especially if you are new to selling on eBay, you will need to research what sells and what doesn’t. Taking the necessary time to do this will drastically increase your chances of success. When first starting out, I was more comfortable selling for friends and family because of knowing them personally. They were more than patient with me along the way, and even learned the selling process themselves!
Hold your clients inventory - It only makes sense to have the client drop off the merchandise at your home or go pick it up yourself. After all, you’ll need to take pictures, research, list, answer questions and ship the item for them.
A good service to offer if the item doesn’t sell, is to see if the client would like the item donated to a charity or returned to them when you issue their payout.
Commission or Resale - In the beginning, it seemed like working off of commission was the thing to do. Then as I quickly realized how long the selling process ‘could’ take – I developed a brochure to purchase items outright for resale. It made things easier all the way around. Laying out the ground rules up front - in black and white - took the pressure off and the client knew you meant business.
Also, make sure to purchase items inexpensively enough to make a profit, without ripping off your client. Most people are willing to take what you offer so they can clear out their house, but try to be fair. In any event, treat them with the same respect & consideration you would want in the same situation.
These are just a few of the concrete methods that have helped me to become successful at what I do. I’ve been able to build enough working capital to purchase items for resale, and build my eBay business without taking a ton of money out of my pocket.
About the Author: Jennifer Cangelosi is a Work At Home Mom dedicated to providing networking and mentoring advice to others who want to find boutique children’s clothing to sell on eBay and other auction sites. Visit her and other boutique loving moms at Boutique Bargains.
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