So you wanna be a eBay Trading Assistant??

Becoming a Trading Assistant (TA) can be a great way to make additional income if you make smart decisions and keep your customers happy!
I have been a TA for a few years and I can share with you my experience.....
First the Basics....
See if you qualify & Sign Up
Use the Toolkit eBay provides
(Believe it or not - eBay actually is helping you get your TA business started!) Of course word of mouth is the BEST advertisement!
Once you register with eBay as a TA and begin using the materials in the toolkit to get your phone ringing....you have some decisions to make...
What/How are you going to charge?
Most TA's charge a percentage of the final selling price. Some use a sliding scale, some do not. I am a fan of the sliding scale, only because I deal with a wide range of clients.....some I only sell maybe $50 a month - others closer to $1000. It wouldn't be fair if I charged them the same %...... Here is my sliding scale....
$100 or less=25% $101-$2000=15% $2000 +=10%
You also need to decide WHO will pay any Paypal and eBay fees. I DO NOT absorb the fees, my clients pay them. Some TA's will pay the fees for the client, but charge a higher percentage. This is a personal preference. Do what works for you.
Will you use a contract? (YES!!!)
The most important part of being a TA is record keeping (this is for you AND the client!)
This starts with a contract...you can find some examples HERE.... you can simply adjust these to be as basic or complicated as you would like. You must use a contract with each and every client - so there are no surprises when it comes time to cut the check!
Will you offer a PICK UP or DROP OFF service?
If you don't have a B&M store in your town....watch out - it is probably on it's way. One thing these stores offer that clients LOVE is picking up or dropping off of their items. I personally only pick up from my clients. My entire town is only about a 15 mile radius - so for me this is no big deal AND it makes it easier on the client. Consider carefully if you want to offer a drop-off service, as you never know when a customer may drop in at the worst time......either way which ever works best for your business.

However you decide to run your TA business, have fun with it and always remember - this is your BUSINESS - treat it like one!

Cool eBay tools

Here are a few eBay related links I use quite often:

eBay/Paypal Fee Calculator

HTML Practice board

When I need a laugh..
www.whowouldbuythat.com

Profit Calculator

Thumbnail Cross-Selling Tool

Only see Neutral/Negative Feedback

And finally...

The FUNNIEST eBay about me page I have ever seen!!!

I will list more later....he he......

Unwired Buyer = $20 in your paypal....

First - let me say this - if there is anyone in the internet world who is skeptical about getting anything for free....

it's ME!

So I have said this before but I will say it again - if I post about it here - that means I have PERSONALLY done it and it is true!

Here is how it works....on the site Unwired Buyer you must first register...which is 100% free.....

Then log on to eBay and find an item to watch that is ending in like 5 minutes or so....(you can sort your search list by ending first....). I picked a recipe that was 55 cents, had no bids and only a few minutes left on the auction. Choose what ever you like but it the sooner the auction ends the sooner you will get your $20!

Once you find the item put it on your watch list by clicking "watch this item" on the actual auction. Once it is on your watch list log into your account on Unwired Buyer and click the link to "update auctions" - then you should see the auction that you put on your watch list on eBay.

Here is the fun part! When there is 2 minutes or so left on the auction Unwired Buyer will call the number you have on file and an automated system will inform you that an item you are watching is about to end. Then you have to confirm you would like to place a bid over the phone. This step is the most important..if you do not USE their service - you will not get the $20!

After you have placed the bid - check your email for a confirmation link and that's it! the email says it takes 24-48 hours to get the money - but I got mine in 2 hours!!!

By the way - I did win the auction for 55 cents....it is an unbelievable pot roast recipe!!!

Use the links in this post or over to the left ---->>>>>>
to sign up and get $20 in your paypal today! It seems like a a lot of steps but I completed the whole process in under 5 minutes!

Basically this service may be useful for me in the future so I will keep it in my favorites, but for now it served as a QUICK and easy way for a FREE $20 in my paypal!

Have fun!

Selling Children's Clothing on eBay

By far one of THE most important players in my eBay success is Here Comes the Stork . This is a site that specializes in selling children's clothing (both new and used) on eBay for maximum profit. The site itself is jam packed with information that even a seasoned ebayer can benefit from! Check it out even if you "think" you may be interested in this!

So since I really enjoy selling children's clothing online...I will share a few secrets of my success.

What if you don't have 1000's of dollars to invest in kids clothing?

What a wonderful world it would be if we all had a few thousand to invest in kids clothing to sell on eBay!!! If you are the average family ~ that kind of investment is a little tough to swallow. If you have discovered the amazing venue of selling used kids clothes on eBay, you know your profits are much, much higher than selling new clothing. While selling used clothing may take a little more of your time (inspecting, washing & finding them to begin with) you can easily make 10-20 times what you invested!

Most of us are familiar with getting used clothing from our own children's closets, garage sales or thrift/consignment stores. These are EXCELLENT sources and I still make weekly visits to my local thrifts, but this is NOT how I pay my bills. I have 2 sources that have supplied me with an endless supply of quality used kids clothes that I pay next to nothing for!

Local Moms - I get calls weekly to pick up clothing from other moms in my area. I start with a conversation (at daycare, school, gym, karate etc.) with another mom and of course wanting to know where I work I tell them I own an online consignment store specializing in childrens clothing. This usually gets their attention. I give them my card and tell them I will pay cash for their kids outgrown clothes. When I go to pick the items up I will make a very low offer like $20 for these 4 bags full and almost every time they are just ready to see it go and take the money! Then they tell a friend and word of mouth gets around.

Ads and Flyer's - I have gotten an even better response from small ads in the free weekly paper and on flyer's. The key is how you word it. Always say CASH paid immediately and try to solve a problem. Heres 2 I've used:

Closets overflowing with clothes your children have outgrown or no longer wear? I will pay you CASH for your child's gently used clothing!

OR

Need extra spending money for Christmas? I pay CASH immediately for your childs outgrown clothes!

Even though I have 100's of auctions on three ids at any given time by no means am I an expert at this, but this has worked in my community for over 3 years! So many moms know me as the "clothes lady" that I don't have to hand out cards anymore, they simply find me!

Me & My eBay

Well, I guess first thing is first....

I am Kristi - I am a self employed work at home mom/wife. I LOVE being in business for myself and having control over how much I make and when I work. If you haven't figured it how I make my income....

eBay.....

yes, you know what I am talking about!!!!

I am an eBay seller. THERE. It is all out in the open now. Actually I am very proud of what I do. For years (before eBay time) I was the "typical" frugal bargain shoppin MOM! If there was a deal to be had, I WAS THERE! I use coupons to feed my family and I can not tell you the last time I paid retail price for a piece of clothing! It was only natural that I started making a profit with my "frugal" ways.

SO you may be wondering WHY I am starting this blog????

Over the years I have had so much help bringing my eBay business to the level it is now. I wanted a place to share everything I have learned and maybe help another mom or dad realize their dream of raising their kids while working from home.