The Wholesale Forums

[AntsReef]

Hi,
I am new to the business arena and like most newbies(I do hate that term) I am only really aware of Ebay as a relatively easily accessble sales forum.
Now I've spent just over three grand on stock which it is my intention to hopefully make some money by selling on Ebay. But as we all know Ebay is incredibly tough for most newcomers as the competition is incredible and most newcomers don't have the best suppliers.
So what to do ?
Well I see it often repeated on these forums that Ebay is NOT the only place t sell goods. Now if you sell one particular item or even type of item I can understand setting up a website and maybe even visiting local retailers but if,again like a lot of newcomers, you tend to generalise as regard to stock. So what are these other sales avenues that a newcomer would have access to......or is it a secret
all the best,
Anthony

[hardwareheroes]

Not really - ebay, ebid, amazon, local newspaper, market stalls - all work to one degree or another - if you are in it for the long haul, I would set up a website

[Gamejelly]

Yep, definately a website. Also, try Tazbar.com, they've been going for 2 or so years now I believe and they have free listing. They've had TV ad campaigns and are preparing some more soon. I really can see them doing well in the future.

The main thing to do though is STICK TO what you're trying to do - eventually you will get there

Good luck in your ventures

[jackking]

many sites can be easy to access for new member. Ebay is not the only way...
how about www.trademe.co.nz www.tradebig.com etc...

[Andy777]

Your very own website is the best alternative to eBay BUT ONLY if:

* You know how to create it (or have cash to pay someone do do it)
* You know how to get visitors to your site (or have cash to pay someone do do it)
* You know how to convert those visitors into buyers (or have cash to pay someone do do it)

If your answers to all 3 of these questions is NO, chances are you'll be better of trying to learn eBay's game and build your knowledge base there. (that doesn't mean you can't have a website @ back-end as well).

[AntsReef]

Thanks guys.

I am fortunate in that I have a good friend who is willing and VERY able to create me a website complete wuth cart etc for Free.
I just need to get my stock together etc.
Now here's a question for you all
At the moment I am trading on Ebay. I tend to buy whatever I think will sell at a profit(albeit a pretty small profit at the moment although I don't mind that too much as I'm considering this period very much as a learning experience)
If I decide to set up a website do I have to concentrate on one area/niche or does anyone think it's possible to have a "general" website ? ie: it could sell video games but also make-up,clothes,toys etc ?
rgds,
Anthony

[hardwareheroes]

Originally Posted by AntsReef

If I decide to set up a website do I have to concentrate on one area/niche or does anyone think it's possible to have a "general" website ? ie: it could sell video games but also make-up,clothes,toys etc ?
rgds,
Anthony

You dont have to be specific - generalisation works too if done right

[nocturnal]

So what did you base your proposed retail price on? How did you arrive at that figure or did you just throw 3K at the first wholesaler and hope you would make a profit?

Maybe you went with ebay's completed listings? If the answer is yes and you purchased on the basis that you would make a profit selling on ebay just go ahead and do it, ebay has the big benefit of visitors - loads of them - so usually it's the quickest way to turnover goods online. You'll learn as you go but you need to recoup your cash to move onto the next stage.

[AntsReef]

Originally Posted by nocturnal

So what did you base your proposed retail price on? How did you arrive at that figure or did you just throw 3K at the first wholesaler and hope you would make a profit?

Maybe you went with ebay's completed listings? If the answer is yes and you purchased on the basis that you would make a profit selling on ebay just go ahead and do it, ebay has the big benefit of visitors - loads of them - so usually it's the quickest way to turnover goods online. You'll learn as you go but you need to recoup your cash to move onto the next stage.

Hi,
no I didn't throw 3k at the first wholesaler I came across.
I knew that with 3k to use I had to build up my Ebay presence and make some profit in the process. Using the EAB concepts I based my buying decisions on stock I beleive I can turn over fairly quickly whilst making a small profit on each item. With 3k available I knew I was not in the position to buy masses of small profit items to benefit from the economies of scale but equally I didn't want to buy 3 or 4 large ticket items as this would not increase my Ebay presence.So I believe I've taken the middle ground which hopefully I will be able to build on.As I said earlier this is all about learning on the job for me.
rgds,
Anthony

[greedyboy]

We pulled all our ebay stuff this week for the foreseeable future. Anything that expires will not be automatically resisted.