Expert: Marvinator - 7/10/2004

Question
The owner of the company for which I work is a gadget freak.  He buys phones, PDAs, computer stuff, audio/video components, etc. just to "play" with them for a while, then tosses them into a box.  He has asked me to sell the discards on Ebay and will give me 20% of the take.  We both have Ebay accounts (mine is from 1999) and have excellent feedback, mostly from making purchases.  I've sold a thing or 2 also.

I am a Windows NT and 2000 server administrator and a Lotus Domino administrator, so I am familiar with the things that make PCs and web sites work.  You can answer my questions knowing that I have a high degree of understanding of computer hardware, software and the Internet.

1.  What is your favorite (free) HTML generator?
2.  Where is your favorite site to store pictures.
3.  How do you run auctions?  What is the best term?  I despise hidden reserves so I won't use them but I may set a minimum opening bid.  When is the best time to end the auction?
4.  I despise items that are priced low but the shipping is enormous.  I like to use the Post Office instead of UPS.  I think most of these items can be boxed and shipped to the 48 for under $6.

Bonus question:  Are everyday Joes and Jills able to make $50K/yr selling on Ebay, using drop-ship companies?  Or, is Ebay flooded with venture capital enterprises that can sell on a shoestring margin?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Ken Mansfield
Garland, TX

Answer
1. What is your favorite (free) HTML generator?
>  Netscape Communicator comes bundled with the Free Netscape Composer.  It's Wysiwig and easy to use.  Install the Netscape Communicator and then use the Add/Remove Programs in the Control panel to remove all but Composer.    

2. Where is your favorite site to store pictures.
>  I own my own site and use it extensively.  Some of the really good free sites are Prohosting.com, Photobucket.com and Freepichosting.com.

3. How do you run auctions?
>  I'm going to need some more information here.  Do you mean how do I keep track of auctions?  Or do you mean what are the particulars in setting up an auction on Ebay?   To make sure we are on level ground here, take a few moments to view the Ebay Site Map.  Down at the bottom of the Left Hand Column is all the information about selling and buying.  This is a good place to start as it will give you an overview, then we can start talking particulars.

I despise hidden reserves so I won't use them but I may set a minimum opening bid.
>  There is nothing wrong with reserves, hidden or otherwise.  If you are truley interested in an item, write the seller.  Not only can you get the information youseek, but you can also get a good idea of how the seller is at dealing with their clients.  

When is the best time to end the auction?
>  The best time to end an auction is when there are the most of your customers on line.  Each type of item does better at it's own time.  Some items do better when ending on Weekdays during the day.  Some items do better ending on Sunday night, others on Saturday morning.  You will have to do some research on each of your items to find the best time.  Lastly, it's good to plan the ending times around when you will have time to deal with the 'after-auction' paperwork.  Sending out invoices, tracking sales, starting more auctions - all this can take time and you need to have the time set aside to do it.

4. I despise items that are priced low but the shipping is enormous. I like to use the Post Office instead of UPS. I think most of these items can be boxed and shipped to the 48 for under $6.
>  Forgive me, but I don't see a question here.

Bonus question: Are everyday Joes and Jills able to make $50K/yr selling on Ebay, using drop-ship companies? Or, is Ebay flooded with venture capital enterprises that can sell on a shoestring margin?
> The days in which a person can quit their job and start selling on Ebay and make enough (or more) to live on are gone.  Dont' get me wrong, it does happen, but it's rare.  Very rare. Those that do it have been selling on Ebay for years, and have found their niche, and their audience.  

The problem is that once you find your niche, and find a product that will sell well, and often, you will get a hundred copycats selling the same thing. Ebay is not as tight of a community as they would like to beleive.  Anyone can sell anything. There is nothing to stop someone from selling the same item, for a cheaper price JUST to undercut you.  

So, how do the successful mom'n'pop operations do it?  Most do it by offering the best service, and treat their customers like gold.  I know of several that will include free items in each shipment.  These are not just cheap little keychains, but extra product, accessories and information that keeps people coming back.  They do it by cuting corners on some things and not on product.  Like rather than renting a warehouse to store their product, they use the guest bedroom.  Rather than paying the extra percentage at a Mailing Center, they go direct to the Post Office.  They do business smart.   

It is unfortunate to mention that Ebay is loaded with bad sellers. People that don't know how to sell, how to treat their customers, how to package what they sell and how to handle the "sale after the sale.' They want to make the money and go to the bank.  It goes without saying that most of these sellers are temporary - but while they are there, they give all other sellers a bad name and it seems lately that when we lose one, we get two more.  

The new seller can learn from this.  It's not hard to offer good service, quick replies to emails, regular shipping and consistent quality product.  And just so it's in print: Yes, there are mom'n'pop operations 'making it' on Ebay, but they are making a living - not getting rich.  Ebay is not a get rich scheme.

I hope I haven't come across too negatively.  I don't try to candy coat the information I give and you seem like the type that not only wants it unvarnished but prefers it that way.  

If I can help you further, please feel free to return with another question.