Ebay business selling other people's stuff

[hustler4life]

After talking with some people, and doing a little research it became clear that I would have a tough time finding a consistent supply of goods that I could sell for a reasonable profit. Instead what I'm thinking about doing is starting a business selling other people's stuff for them on ebay and then taking a percentage of the sales.

Anyone have experience doing this. What would be a reasonable rate to charge people. Any ideas on where to advertise. I was thinking craig's list and my local paper.

[BiPolar_Nut]

Check the recent/current "Ask me anything about eBay" thread on OOT.

Or was that your source for "a little research" [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[hustler4life]

No it wasn't, but thanks for the suggestion I will certainly go read it/ ask questions

[BiPolar_Nut]

anytime...I was too lazy to link to it before.

[spex x]

My brother sells a lot of crap through these services. I think that they keep 30% of final price and pay for shipping. I was a bit shocked to learn that people are making >150k/year on this model. That means they are selling over 500k in total sales. Thats a pretty respectable number of total sales considering that you have very little overhead. Sounds like a decent idea, and you've got a great resource for getting going.

[tarheelbluez]

HEY I SEL ON EBAY AND I MAKE A GOOD LIVING....I BUY FROM PAWN SHOPS AND CRACKHEADS. LOL

[qwartzip]

I actually just drove by a pawnshop that advertised "sell your stuff here on ebay". I didn't stop by to ask for the details, though. I suspect this is exactly what they're doing.

I don't know why people wouldn't just list their own stuff instead, rather than have someone else do it for them. They wouldn't have to pay a cut to the pawn shop if they did.

[WarBus]

[ QUOTE ]
I actually just drove by a pawnshop that advertised "sell your stuff here on ebay". I didn't stop by to ask for the details, though. I suspect this is exactly what they're doing.

I don't know why people wouldn't just list their own stuff instead, rather than have someone else do it for them. They wouldn't have to pay a cut to the pawn shop if they did.

[/ QUOTE ]

People pay for the convenience. They don't have to take the time to create the listing, handle emails, payments, and shipping. They just have to pick up their money. Plus, many people don't understand, or don't want to take the time to learn how to sell on ebay.

[limon]

you have to live in los angeles.