Hello Folks

[thecurryshelf]

I am new here. My category is Home & Garden, mostly spices. I am looking for some tips related to selling and how to grow the business on this platform. Everyone's comments will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[jonathanbrightlight · Accepted solution]

Your account is registered in Canada, but all your items ship from Sri Lanka? One way or another, that sounds like a recipe for disaster. 

What about your spices would make anyone want to buy them on eBay and wait for them to ship from Sri Lanka, pay tariffs, and risk an unknown source, over just going to a nearby store and buying them? If there is a legitimately good reason for them to do so, make sure you make that easy to identify.

[mam98031]

@thecurryshelf 

Welcome to Ebay.  You will have lots to learn, but don't get overwhelmed.  Do it a little at a time.   I hope you have great success with your sales.

Here are some important links to areas you should really take the time to learn about as a new seller.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/selling?id=4081

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/get-started/seller-fees.html

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/funds-availability.html

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold/pending-payments?id=415...

https://www.ebay.com/help/listings/creating-managing-listings/creating-listing?id=4105


And make sure you know this policy extremely well.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

[johnrj1226]

Well it  looks  like you  have  already started to sell - have 13  items  list right now.

While your  listing  looks to be  just fine  - wouldn't  think  sales activity to be  slow  due to 1.  You are in Canada,  your  product ships from  a different  country far  away from Canada and US - possible long shipping time shipping time involved  - (I'm in the US and delivery time is up to Dec 23. plus some sort of tariff  or VAT or would be  added to  the price .  

Hope  you  can  sell enough to make you  happy time will tell.

[annadryl]

My number one tip would be to use your own unique pictures, not the same stock pics that many others use.

You want your listings to stand out, but using identical pictures actually makes them blend in. 

[candd205]

Good luck with your new store. I wish you the best.

However, I compared prices on just 1 of your items. It only took me a minute to find Organic Ground Cloves Powder for $10 with free shipping. You are charging $19 including shipping for the same amount for the same product. I can drive to the store and buy it today for less than $8 and don't have to worry about customs, tariffs or fees.

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @thecurryshelf 

-Cut your prices in half

-Make sure ALL of your listings have the Expiration date CLEARLY STATED

-Offer Free Shipping and Free 30 day returns

-Include a statement that the spice manufacturers comply with the GTIN in the unlikely event of a product recall

-Promote your listings

[onefootflipper]

There isn't a single long term successful seller in the entire country of Sri Lanka, spices, tea and leaves don't work, you have 10,000 competitors splitting the tiny market of people who would buy that on ebay instead of Amazon or the grocery store.

While the Sri Lankan drop sellers always crash and burn eventually from either claims, returns or because their source decides to start keeping their money and shipping nothing.

The only successful path to selling from Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan antiques, and there isn't a single seller in the country trying to sell them.

[roccotacodad54]

"The only successful path to selling from Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan antiques, and there isn't a single seller in the country trying to sell them"

   I wonder about that too. Sri Lanka lies smack dab in the middle of historic trade routes between Europe and China/South East Asia. It was a stopping point for repair/restock of ships doing trade for as long as such trade has existed.

   Maybe there is a law against the export of antiquities. I ran into such a law in Canada when wanting to bring some horse drawn farming items from my fathers youth into the US. Not even a wagon wheel let alone the whole wagon.....................

[kensgiftshop]

Dropship something that half of Sri Lanka isn't trying to sell here.

If we need spices, we just run to any local store and buy them.

[thecurryshelf]

Hey, 

Thank you for the thoughtful advice. Yes, I live in Canada, although my business is located in Sri Lanka, where I started my business. I am a Sri Lankan, and I can assure you that all my products are harvested from Sri Lanka soil.

Thank you again.

[thecurryshelf]

Hey,

Thank you for the warm welcome and the resources that you gathered for me.

Thank you.

[thecurryshelf]

Hey,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would like to see my sales grow up really good, so I can forget about the tariff factor once and for all. I sell premium products which were harvested in Sri Lanka. As an example, Sri Lanka is known for premium quality Cinnamon and Tea. Sri Lankan (Ceylon) Cinnamon has earned the GI certification also.

Thank you.

[thecurryshelf]

Hey,

Thank you for your honest opinion. Thank you for going through my listings. Yes, I am working on unique pictures and replacing the existing with same.

Thank you.

[thecurryshelf]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your feedback and for taking the time to compare prices. We truly appreciate your input. Our products are sourced directly from Sri Lanka and are 100% pure, freshly ground, and carefully packaged to maintain premium quality and authenticity. While our prices may be slightly higher due to import and shipping costs, we aim to provide customers with genuine, high-grade spices that stand out in freshness and flavor. We hope you’ll consider giving our products a try. your satisfaction is our priority.

Thank you.