Beginner seller looking for advice.

[joshan84]

Hello everyone, I'm a beginner seller on ebay and i'm curious about sourcing a product. I've heard of places like alibaba and aliexpress to start. I've watched a lot of youtube videos and read some blogs about this topic. I dont have a lot of money starting out, but I would like to invest in a cheaper product. Do you guys have any advice when it comes to finding a producting and making sure it is profitable. Feel free to share stories of the first product you listed. I would to read about that and im sure others will too! 🙂

[estjoh-2]

Sell somethings you have around the house or can source cheap to start and get the hang of things.

But before you do anything, read everything on the site about selling
Start with

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-policies?id=4214

https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/prohibited-restricted-items?id=4207

[lex-talon]

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@joshan84 wrote:

Hello everyone, I'm a beginner seller on ebay and i'm curious about sourcing a product. I've heard of places like alibaba and aliexpress to start. I've watched a lot of youtube videos and read some blogs about this topic. I dont have a lot of money starting out, but I would like to invest in a cheaper product. Do you guys have any advice when it comes to finding a producting and making sure it is profitable. Feel free to share stories of the first product you listed. I would to read about that and im sure others will too! 🙂

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When I first started, one of the items I sold  a lot of was video game consoles and games. You have a few listed as well. Build up your feedback, newbie sellers are targets for scammers. Start small and work your way up. Read up on the topics on the bottom of the page. Come back to these boards if you have more questions. Good luck to you.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, welcome. I agree with the other posters above.

Before you invest any money, read read read. Start with the eBay User Agreement and branch out to all the Help pages and the buying and selling forums here. Ebay has a wide learning curve. If you buy a few things on the platform, you’ll get a feel for it and build up a little feedback.

When first starting out as a seller, i sold unwanted items from around the house. I inherited more things from my grandparents and parents estates, and this is my source for most of my antique and vintage, in addition to stuff from my childhood. You will find as time goes by, you’ll get the hang of what will sell.

Wishing you much success!

[castlemagicmemories]

Before you commit to product, I would suggest checking what is listed and the completeds for that item.  Many times a new seller invests in inventory first, then finds out he has too much competition, who are undercutting him, and he can't sell for a profit or move it at all.  Then it is too late.

Beware the perils of dropshipping.  Some do it successfully, but many don't want to buy from a dropshipper and you have no control over things that you will be punished for~inventory, shipping time, etc.  It's often billed as a get rich quick scheme, and it sounds like a dream, sit back and let someone else do most of the work, but you get the headaches and punishments if someone else makes a mistake.

As others said, the best thing is to sell your surplus around the house.  Many get started by selling unwanted possessions or downsizing or even eliminating their collections.

Another thing to remember is that as a new seller, you will have selling limits, both numerical and dollar wise, and having a store does not raise these limits.  It is best to wait on having a store.  You will also be subject to new seller money holds~21 days.

As for sourcing, most likely you will find it hard to find sellers here who will reveal that.  While many here are happy to help you with some suggestions, they put work into developing their contacts and product line, and so may be reluctant to divulge that to their competition.

[rdj831]

Sure, those 2 places are great for supporting Chinese manufacturers.

Inferior product that is not at all the quality shown in the pics. They steal the pics from eBay and Etsy, then wait for someone to order prior to manufacturing at an inferior quality.

[Anonymous]

RUNNNNNN Away..

No Really, I don't think we need another Chinese manufacturer Selling here!

[castlemagicmemories]

Why not brainstorm for local stores that might be a good source for you?  Places with clearance, or bargain merchandise, or products unique and native to your area that people might be interested in buying online.

Always find out if it is already heavily listed.  Also you need to figure out what your fees would be, Ebay and Paypal, and other expenses such as shipping supplies, tape, boxes, packing materials such as bubble wrap, ink and paper for printing labels.  You will need a digital postal scale, and a printer to print labels if you don't want to go the the PO.  You can print postage labels and schedule a usps pickup online.

Lots to think about.

[inhawaii]

Keep your eyes out when you go shopping. When you come across a SUPER BLOWOUT CLEARANCE item, buy it and re-sell it. Buy all of them an re-sell em. The more you do it, the better you will get at it. It's kind of a 6th sense knowing what will sell. 

[18704d]

"Keep your eyes out when you go shopping. When you come across a SUPER BLOWOUT CLEARANCE item, buy it and re-sell it."

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I agree,

but let me add:

Keep your eyes out when you go shopping. When you come across a SUPER BLOWOUT CLEARANCE item, First look it up on Completed Listings ... and if it's Very profitable, buy it and re-sell it.

Thanks

Lynn

[epowerbargains]

First - Welcome! 

Others have offered some good tips.  I can echo a few - start by selling some things around the house and/or that you spent very little money to acquire. You will need to get your systems down slowly and completly before you expand. This way you will build up your sales, feedback and eBay will allow you to post more. 

1) Don't list anything expensive or that you can't afford to lose. Avoid high scam items such as electronics ...iphones etc. 

2) Build in some $ to cover returns etc.

3) Read everything you can find about eBay rules, policy, returns, how to avoid scams - and what is expected of sellers. Know the return policy inside and out.

4) Know your shipping costs down to the penny. Have good packing material at the ready. 

5) Use the board to ask questions and get feedback - I can't begin to tell you how much I learn here daily.

6) Figure out - do you pay for shipping or do free shipping. Returns? No or Yes 30 or 60 days? Know the pro's and con's. 

7) Keep track of your inventory. Know your costs. Know and track your expenses. 

😎 Know what you are allowed to sell here and what is not allowed.

9) Check your seller metrics - know where you stand.

10) Know your eBay and PayPal fees for everything so you know your costs hands down.

11) Never mail out anything without being paid - think about your refund policy are you going to offer partial refunds? Question any odd buyer question- only mail to a eBay and Paypal verified address -never change the address for a buyer. Don't refund without getting your item back. Seems obvious but it happens 😉 

12) And ....have some fun with it all!!!!!!

[arun7500]

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@joshan84 wrote:

Hello everyone, I'm a beginner seller on ebay and i'm curious about sourcing a product. I've heard of places like alibaba and aliexpress to start. I've watched a lot of youtube videos and read some blogs about this topic. I dont have a lot of money starting out, but I would like to invest in a cheaper product. Do you guys have any advice when it comes to finding a producting and making sure it is profitable. Feel free to share stories of the first product you listed. I would to read about that and im sure others will too! 🙂

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Both alibaba and aliexpress are good places to start, but keep in mind product quality and wholesale lots. There is no quality control, and getting a 50/50 defective rate is not unusual. Returns can also be an issue for you, these are not ebay and many sellers on both platforms don't accept PayPal and are gradually moving over to alicash on whole. Many of these companies offer drop shipping, but payment and shipping methods can be bothersome.  

[dblkj-0]

Sell what you own, own what you sell.

Test the market one here, one there before going in bigger, even then don't just buy up a whole pallet thinking it will sell. Restock gradually, often but reasonably.

Just because every other seller has it doesn't mean it's actually selling.

[castlemagicmemories]

11) Never mail out anything without being paid - think about your refund policy are you going to offer partial refunds? Question any odd buyer question- only mail to a eBay and Paypal verified address -never change the address for a buyer. Don't refund without getting your item back. Seems obvious but it happens  

Would just like to add, always check your Paypal account to be sure payment is there before shipping, never ship until it says you can.

[castlemagicmemories]

Also, there is a FVF on both the item price and the shipping cost.