For many years now, people have been making huge profits selling items—mostly used ones—on Ebay. How it works is very simple: buy used at cheap prices from people who no longer need them and sell them at higher prices to those who need them and are ready to pay more for them. You can also sell products your make yourself, such as artwork, handmade jewelry, etc.
However, there’s a newer way to make money on EBay without actually buying anything. It’s rendering EBay selling assistance service. And it’s a business on its own. EBay selling assistants help people sell their items on EBay. They typically go out to client’s homes or businesses to pick up items, take photographs of the items to be sold, and sell the items on EBay on consignment.
Selling assistants handle all the details of the sale and collect a commission once the item is sold successfully. So, EBay selling assistants are out to help people who have items to sell on EBay but don’t have the required time, know-how or who simply don’t want to bother themselves with the whole process.
What are the pros of being an Ebay selling assistant?
- As an EBay selling assistant, you will run your own independent business that is free from any involvement by EBay (except when you break the rules). If the idea of working for a boss always makes you sad, then this might be a good way to be your own boss.
- Working from how as an EBay selling assistant requires very little startup capital. The clients supply the inventory, not you. So, there’s minimal financial risk.
- You will find more than enough credible resources online for improving sales and running your business effectively. And for registered EBay selling assistants, EBay provides marketing materials like flyer templates, press kits, and free training.
What about the cons being an Ebay selling assistant?
- If you live in a country where this business is popular, competition might be very keen.
- Even with low competition, building a client base is perhaps the toughest part of getting started as an EBay selling assistant.
- You need some space to store your customer’s merchandise before you find a buyer for it. And you may not have enough space or security in your home.
- Visiting your customers could be a huge burden in times of high gas prices, as you will spend more on fuel.
What you need to get started as an Ebay selling assistant
Having discussed the upsides and downsides of the business, let’s now discuss what you will need to get started as an EBay selling assistant:
- A strong knowledge of EBay about everything from listing procedures to average prices.
- Some ability and experience in retailing or merchandising.
- Good photography skills and a great camera for taking shots of items to be listed for sale.
- An EBay account in good standing. You are required to have sold at least 10 items on EBay in the previous 3 months and maintain at least 10 sales per 3-month period.
- Good interpersonal relationship skills to work well with your customers.
- A feedback score of at least 100 (at least 98 percent positive).
What the business entails
As an EBay selling assistant, you will not only list the item for sale, but you will also handle all buyer questions regarding the items, collect payment and shipping fees from the buyer, and ship the item to the buyer’s address. If you are not sure how much an item is worth you will also need to do some research to determine its value.
You need to create a simple contract that each customer will sign to indicate their agreement to your services and fees. You also need to decide how to obtain the items from your seller. Will you offer an additional pickup service? Will you visit customers’ homes and complete the contract there? Will you offer a drop-off service, where customers bring their items to you? Choose any option that you deem most suitable for you.
Market your business
In order to attract customers to your business, you need to do the hell out of marketing. Start by getting listed in the EBay official selling assistant program, EBay’s directory of selling assistants that consumers can use to locate services in their geographic area. To get listed, you must have a feedback rating of at least 50, have sold at least one items in the past 30 days, and maintain satisfaction rating of at least 97 percent.
Other ways to market your business include creating and distributing brochures and fliers, placing classified ads on free ad sites or in local newspapers, visiting garage sales and flea markets, setting up a small website and highlighting your services, using social media, and so on.