What is your take on this

[resesh-63]

My husband and I have been reselling for about 6+ months now, and we’ve officially reached the point where our profits are enough to cover our rent! 🙌 That’s huge for us. It’s been a grind — hours of sourcing, listing, packing, and posting on social media (and honestly, we could probably be even more consistent).

But here’s the thing that’s been on my mind — not a single one of our sales has come from friends or family. 😅 Out of everyone we know, maybe 2–3 people ever like or comment on our reselling posts… and two of those are our moms 💜😂

Is that just how it goes? Do most resellers notice the same thing — that support usually comes from strangers before people you actually know?

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest. The progress is real, even if the likes aren’t showing it.

[gloryglorygifts]

Honestly? That is how we started our business 17 years ago - selling our holy land products to my friends at work. I used to set up at lunch time so they could do their shopping.

As far as ebay is concerned, it's a low count. I do share videos often on my facebook page and my biz page on there and sometimes my neighbor and friends will buy something because of them.  I do give them a break with shipping or tax, etc. The videos are made public btw and shared on reels. The vast majority of sales are not related though and I don't think I've ever had a friend or family member buy from my website. I highly doubt any of my family members have even seen my stores. That's fine with me.

Congrats on your sales! That's amazing!!!!

[legalbeagle52]

Since I started selling over 20 years ago, I've kept my sales completely separate from my personal life.   And I've been very happy that way.   I don't want family or friends buying from me or decide to critique my listings.  (After all they don't know anything about eBay).   

In my family many of us are bookaholics and I love sharing my books & I have many times ended a listing to give it to a friend or family member but I just don't want any money involved.   One is business and one is personal ... it can get messy mixing the two together. 

[sakic92710]

A family member came to my garage sale.  She took some items for a low price & it ended up being $40.  "I'll pay you next week."  3 months later, when she got a lump sum of cash, I asked for my $40.  She gave it to me but looked at me as if she could not believe she had to pay me.  Never again!   lol  

[sakic92710]

If I was trying to sell something quickly & locally, there were a couple of times I asked FB friends to share it.  Not a single person did.  Never tried again.  Online selling = every man for him/herself.

[grann-4629]

I prefer sales not to come from people I know closely

Me too ... I always feel like I have to give them a lifetime warranty.

[stainlessenginecovers]

There is NOTHING worse than a family member that sells life insurance (or pushes their 'business' stuff). 

[grann-4629]

 Uncle Bob, the used car salesperson, runs a close second.

[kandf_vintage_finds]

Although my Family and Friends know I have a side hustle on eBay, Not one of them knows my store / store name.  And it will stay that way.  Most don't "get it".   Now if a Family member or Friend is in my home and happens to run across some of my inventory, and they see something they like, I give it to them and delist it.

[roccotacodad54]

   You are located in Cameroon.  Are you sourcing the items you sell in Cameroon?  Maybe your family and friends can source the same items without paying your markup.

  With the instability in Cameroon...Infrastructure, Boko Haram, Poverty, Corruption etc. etc. perhaps your friends and family have other more pressing concerns than online purchases.  I know I would have even if I was fairly secure in my finances I would want to keep it that way. 

  It looks as though inflation is declining but with the aformentioned concerns I would be keeping my money close and be cautious in my spending habits.  I wouldn't want it to look as if I had anything to take or exploit or not being prepared if things went sideways suddenly.......................

[luckythewinner]

---

not a single one of our sales has come from friends or family.

I do not buy from family or friends unless those family or friends are selling something that I want. I have sold tens of thousands of items on eBay over 25 years, and perhaps 3 or 4 of them were to family or friends.

Out of everyone we know, maybe 2–3 people ever like or comment on our reselling posts

How would having family or friends like or comment on your reselling posts actually benefit you? 

support usually comes from strangers before people you actually know?

Are you interpreting the lack of comments or likes from family and friends as a lack of "support"? 

I will be brutally honest ... I have some friends and family who makes losts of social media posts for things they are selling. They generally get snoozed or unfollowed. It never dawned on me that I would be judged by them as not "supporting" them. 

[chapeau-noir]

I've sold to friends but never to family - it never occurred to me that I would. 

[adamcartwright]

@resesh-63 

I do not sell to family or friends.

If my family or friends want something, I hand it to them and take down the listing.

Of course, I don't know what you sell and how you feel about your family and friends... 😂

[adamcartwright]

@sakic92710 

Really?  How close of a family member was that?

When I've had garage sales and friends or family drop by, if they like something I just hand it to them. I've even given stuff to neighbors for free.

This thread is blowing my mind. 

[yeswayrecords]

Congratulations on your selling success!

Ebay is a global marketplace. We expect to sell our items to anyone who wants to buy them.

World-wide reach and visibility is one of ebay's strengths.

[tinsoldierunderground]

 I've discussed this subject with several associates over the years.  It seems no matter what your vocation may be, when providing goods or services to friends/family, it's that category that's most likely to come back and bite you in the a$$.