eBay

bigdeals.etc · ‎08-03-2020

Am I just a grumpy person or do you guys get this too?

It's pretty well known amongst many of my friends and family that I sell online full time for quite awhile now. I remember my parents were even quite skeptical about this when I started, now they fully support it. But anyway I used to always get the same reaction/perception when people found out what I did as a job. It starts with a "Aw that's nice... good for you", then leads to "Are you doing okay? You can't possibly be making much money", then to "Wow you're actually able to make a living off of this?". Even my wife went thru these steps with me when we were first dating.

The final reaction/perception I get from some people is the one I hate most. It's the ones who always tell me how I should be running my business and push "suggestions" to me when it seems they put very little thought into the logistics of it.

-"You should be doing this, or you should be doing that."

-"Hey I have a great idea you can do... you're welcome."

-"You're doing it all wrong. Here's what I would do."

-"Sell this type of item. I'm sure you can easily find a supplier for cheap (someone actually said iPhones because they are so popular)."

Keep in mind that 99% of these people have zero experience in this field or in sales. Yes, very few have a good idea. I always appreciate actual help but most of them have such lame ideas and I have to let them down easy. I only respect 100% of the feedback given by two people... my ebay online colleague who has been selling as long as I have, and my cousin who is a very successful entrepreneur who started his large business from nothing, even giving his extended family jobs.

glgenterprise · ‎08-07-2020

@donsdetour wrote:
I don't get that stuff.
I get the will you show me how??
Will you sell some thing for me??

Yeah, I get the "will you sell this for me" quite a bit. They get wide eyed when I tell them they'll get 50% of the final sale price. Somehow people think eBay is like craigslist or facebook marketplace when it comes to selling - that we are getting all the money from a sale. At least the 50% keeps people from asking me too often.

swappart · ‎08-07-2020

@bigdeals.etc wrote:
@swappart wrote:
What annoys me the most is when they just assume I don't have to pay taxes, as if I'm not a "real" business.
Yea, but that's not as bad as many many many many friends and family (including my mom) who says that I'm lucky because I can just not work whenever I want to and just take the day/week/month off. I tell them "Yea, I can not work whenever I want if I'm okay with not paying mortgage and not eating."

They don't understand that my hours are like anyone elses... we can all choose to not work for the day/week/month. Our jobs/businesses may be at risk afterwards and our wives and kids will probably starve.

My girl couldn't seem to get that through her head for the longest time. She kept saying I could just work whenever I want, and take off whenever I want. Sure, I can do that, but not without consequences. I'll make less money just as she would if she took days off. Also, my suppliers are open 9-5, so I have to structure my day around that.

tellmemama · ‎08-07-2020

I believe online selling will never really be "respectable" within the general population.

For me the respectability ship sailed a long time ago. People can look down their noses all they like for me going through other people's junk. I know what I'm doing and do this for a living so the general public can feel superior all they like. They're also the ones buying my stuff which helped to pay for the brand new SUV I bought yesterday.

With cash.

Joe

maros9416 · ‎08-08-2020

All that is so true, but I do enjoy the ability to go against the grain. I try to make my appointments at dead times or against traffic. I have a big advantage when someone says ' you have to come now ' and I can drop everything and go. I do take my hat off to those who wake up everyday and put in their 8 hours at the behest of others.

bigdeals.etc · ‎08-11-2020

I also think these backseat drivers all feel that if given the chance, they can do your online selling job better than you can. That's why they always give their two cents to you.

I love the ones who vaguely tell you where to get "goldmines" of product.

Backseat Driver: "How much do you get these things for?"

Me: "About $5 each"

Backseat Driver: "WHAT?!?! Rip off. I know where you can get them for $2 each"

Me: "Do tell"

Backseat Driver: "Ever try to local flea market?"

Me: "Yes, that's where I get these from for $5 each"

Backseat Driver: "Not from the expensive guys there... the cheaper guys"

Me: "These are from the cheapest guys there."

Backseat Driver: "No way, it can't be. You gotta ask around there"

Me: "I have. Just tell me exactly where the $2 vendor is"

Backseat Driver: "Nevermind"

usaflea · ‎08-14-2020

people that are not sellers do not understands sometimes....it in our blood to sell, can never understand people that say I don't know how to sell anything.. easy peasy

onlinecentral · ‎08-14-2020

My relative conducts one person brain storming sessions.
The ideas usually involve drastically undercutting everyone else's prices.
I have done the math and cannot 'make it up in volume.'
The odds of a non-seller coming up with a viable idea are similar to the Powerball or Mega Millions lotteries.
I am grateful that the overwhelming majority of people do not give unsolicited advice.
We all know business owners because we are customers, acquaintances or friends.
We should abstain from giving advice.

sunnydaze45 · ‎08-14-2020

Totally understand about to risky to sell on flea markets yet.... We think it will be Spring before we can sell again but in the meantime I've been listing on eBay and selling stuff that has been in our basement for years... had no time to list and NOW I DO. Wish garage sales would start up better though as the shelves are getting bare..

maros9416 · ‎08-16-2020

Excellent points! There is a great myth out there that ' volume ' is the answer to so many selling problems. The real sellers know that sustainable volume comes with a lot of overhead, investment, and other responsibilities aside from just selling. Everyone tells me to ' get a warehouse '.