I have been asked this question more times than I can count. But my answer remains the same. Why not eBay and if not, what else would you use?
Over many years, sometimes business dynamics change, policies change and fees go up. We get angry and start looking at other options because we are convinced there is something better. Simple truth, countless others have tried and failed. Thus brings up my final answer.
Very simply, there is no better platform, there is no better cost effective site, there is no better way to reach millions of users than there is eBay.
My first time as an eBay seller was after I had been canned from a Fortune 500 company in 2003. My background has always been sales and marketing. I was able to take my experience and after some trial and error, found a system that works for me. I was able to take that experience and inside of 3 months, I was a Power Seller. Soon, I had some partners and we opened 2 more stores and once again was able to achieve Power Seller status (after some family issues and a divorce, I closed it all in 2005).
In October of 2010, I started again and once again, was a Power Seller in 3 months and currently I am a Top Rated Power Seller with 2, soon to be 3, stores. In addition, I am an Education Specialist trained by eBay which means I am now qualified by eBay to teach eBay to others.
Here are some eBay stats that may open some eyes:
* The most expensive item sold to date on eBay was the Gigayacht for about $170,000,000. Many other yacht's and jets have sold in the 1-10 million dollar range.
* 2.6 million for lunch and a few hours of Warren Buffett's time.
* 43% of US adults with annual household incomes of $250,000 or more shopped at eBay over the past 12 months.
* In 2012, eBay mobile sales topped 13 Billion dollars and is on track to top 20 Billion in 2013. Every 10 minutes, a car is purchased on eBay thru a mobile device.
The bottom line is this. eBay has over 233 million users globally. Personally, I have shipped to 39 foreign countries. Chances are, today, if not right now, someone is searching for an item you bought at an auction last week but not sure how you're going to sell it.
In my next blog, I will be talking about net profit and giving examples. eBay may or may not be the best vehicle but I can promise you this, it is ONE way to increase your bottom line.
until next time...
