Podcasts are Back - Learn by Listening

Popular Business Internet Radio with Online Selling with Suzanne Wells on BlogTalkRadio

I am excited to announce my new podcasting channel on BlogTalkRadio! I'm structuring these podcasts as educational in nature, sharing what I know and what I have learned about ecommerce over the last 10 years. Podcasts will be 15-20 minutes in length and focus on teaching a specific aspect of the business. I have some interesting guests lined up so you will want to subscribe and check for new episodes daily. You can listen to podcasts from your computer while you work or from your phone on iTunes. (It will take a couple of weeks for the iTunes feed to start, and I will post a link to the iTunes feed on a future blog post.)

I have some fun ideas for recurring shows, like "You sold WHAT on eBay?" Where sellers share good money makers that are hiding in plain sight. Making money on eBay isn't just finding and selling the obvious collectibles like Hummel figurines and baseball cards. The key to making money on eBay is learning to recognize items that have value in the eBay marketplace, but may look like junk to a less savvy seller.

I would love to hear your ideas for shows and topics that you need help with or are interested in learning about. I've been coaching private clients of all levels since 2009 and have a lot of great material to share. We can all learn a lot by talking and listening to each other. Everyone's ecommerce journey is different - beginners to advanced seller, we all bring something valuable to the table to share and help each other prosper!

Check out my new show, Online Selling with Suzanne Wells and be sure to subscribe either through Blog Talk Radio or iTunes.

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Source for eBay Inventory - Your Local Library

 What to Buy at Thrift Stores to Sell on eBay (my book on Kindle)

One-on-One Personal Coaching

eBay and Amazon Workshop Updates

Last fall, my eBay and Amazon on-site mentoring workshops were a big hit! I was able to hold 6 workshops before the holiday rush began. After a busy January and February, workshops can now resume!

I've paid attention to feedback from clients who attended the workshops last year, and want to offer what clients are requesting so that I can better help them achieve their goals. I have made some changes to make the workshops more convenient and the topics are more beneficial to the individual attendees. If you want to take your eBay or Amazon business to the next level, hiring an expert to personally show you the ropes and teach you the business based on their perspective and experience will save you time, money, frustration, and your business will succeed faster with fewer problems and setbacks. Hiring an expert to hold your hand and guide you through the minefields will put you on the fast track to success and you can jump into your business much further along the learning curve than if you had to learn the process on your own. I have been coaching clients in person and over the phone since 2009 and have coached over 350 clients worldwide.

Changes to workshops include:

Workshops are now private one-on-one training tailored to the unique needs of the individual participant. Each workshop is designed to accommodate either 1 client alone, or 2 clients working together as a team such as spouses, mother-daughter team, or business partners. Information presented will be customized to the individual clients' skill level, experience, business style, and goals.

Workshops are scheduled at the client's convenience, evenings and weekends included. Scheduling is very flexible based on the client's availability.

Amazon FBA sourcing workshop can be taught at the store of the client's preference such as Wal-Mart, Target, grocery store, TJ Maxx, Walgreen's, etc.

All workshops are held in the Metro Atlanta area and length is 3 hours of intense individual instruction based on the client's unique needs and goals.

Each workshops comes with bonuses including 1 week of email support following the workshop, eBooks, and 3 months free subscription to my membership site Online Selling Coach.

For more information on both types of workshops, and to submit your request for this highly-specialized individual training, visit my website:

eBay Sourcing Workshop

Amazon FBA Sourcing Workshop

If you have questions about the workshops, send me an email at eBaysellingcoach @ gmail or ebaycoach @ yahoo to discuss further.

Source for eBay and Amazon Inventory - Your Local Library Branch

Did you know that some library branches sell books all year long and not just for the regularly scheduled library sales? Many library systems have books for sale all the time as an ongoing fundraiser for the FOL (Friends of the Library). These can be ex-library books as well as donations made by patrons. Many of the books are like new and have never been on the library shelf as patrons like to support the FOL and make regular donations of gently used media items. The library system where I live sells used books for 25 cents and magazines for 10 cents. (The sign above is from one branch I visit.) I've noticed that donated books sold at the library are often in better condition than in thrift stores - maybe because there is less handling by fewer people? Libraries also might sell other media such as DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and VHS tapes. Here are a few books I've sold this month that were sourced for 25 cents at a library near me:

Vegan Cooking for Carnivores sold for $16.99 on Amazon.

 

The Primal Blueprint sold for $12.50.

You can also find gently used magazines for sale. You may not be aware that current (within 12 mos) magazines sell for a nice price on eBay. Magazines don't have to be vintage to have resale value. What is important here is the celebrity on the cover. If a celebrity is popular or in the news, the magazine will be more valuable. Here are some recent eBay sales to demonstrate:

Men's Health March 2013 - Adam Levine on Cover, sold for $9.95

Ladies Home Journal March 2013 - Mariska Hargitay on Cover, sold for $9.99

GQ February 2013- Beyonce on cover, sold for $19.99.

Now you won't make any money if you buy these off newstands and try to resell. But you can make money if you get these mags cheap at libraries, garage sales, or thrift stores, or free from other sources. You can also ask others who have magazine subscriptions to save these for you instead of tossing them in the recycling bin. (I've already recruited my chiropractor and naturopath to save theirs!) The key to making money on anything you resell is what you pay for it. You make your money when you buy, not when you sell. And you can't beat free inventory if you are willing to seek it out! If you aren't sure to research how much something sells for on eBay, check out this video on how to look up values on both a computer and the eBay Mobile App. You can easily figure this out while browsing garage sales, thrift stores, or media for sale at the library.

Also keep in mind that magazines cannot be shipped USPS Media Mail because they contain advertising. The most cost effective way to ship is in a USPS Flat Rate mailer. Also, make sure you are offering books and media internationally. Not sure how to ship an eBay item to worldwide customers? Check out my eBay International Shipping Tutorial.

If you have not started selling media on Amazon, it is a fairly easy process. Media, especially books, are consistent sellers, easy to find, cheap, and easy to pack and ship. Check the resources below to get started today!

Related Articles:

Amazon 90 Day Experiment

How to Sell a Book on Amazon

Are You Selling Fake i Phone Otterbox Cases?

Be careful when buying OtterBox Defender cases to resell on eBay. iPhone accessories have fallen the way of designer handbags, designer jeans, and designer sunglasses in that they are being cheaply reproduced and sold as "authentic." You want to be especially careful of buying fakes when shopping at garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, or selling items on consignment for other people. If  you are caught by eBay selling a counterfeit item like this, you can be suspended. eBay's Vero program is watching so be very careful to authenticate easily faked items like designer handbags, jeans, sunglasses, perfumes, and Apple devices and accessories.

Kate of the "That's So Fake!" blog has a great video on YouTube to help you determine if the OtterBox case is authentic:




You can also see tips about spotting fake OtterBoxes on Kate's blog here. If you come across a fake Otterbox, take a few moments to report it to the Otterbox Fraud Investigation Team.

Related articles:

How Vero Protects Online Sellers

Counterfeit Items are Not Allowed on eBay

Thrift Store Items to Sell on eBay for Profit

Is Amazon's Add-On Program Eating Your Lunch?

There have been several discussions on my Facebook Group about the trials and tribulations sellers are encountering because of the Amazon Add-On Program. I felt compelled to write about this issue on my Amazon Examiner Column, in the hopes that frustrated Prime Account members and FBA sellers would join in a campaign to make Amazon aware of our dissatisfaction, and hopefully modify or discontinue the Add-On Program.

If you are an Amazon FBA Seller, or Amazon Prime Account subscriber who is unhappy with the Add-On Program, please visit this article:

Amazon Prime Buyers Not Happy With Add-On Program

and join others in a letter-writing and social media campaign to express your frustrations and concerns. Perhaps if Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon) hears from enough dissatisfied buyers and sellers, something will be done to change this program.

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Learn to Sell on Amazon

Amazon Opens Wine Marketplace

Peek Inside an Amazon Marketplace

Do Your Customers Run Your eBay Store?

That may be a silly question to you but it can happen, sort of. You are most likely selling on eBay to make money. That last thing you probably need is someone else having control over what you make, no matter how big or how small the impact.

Something that may need your attention is setting the permissions your customers have when bidding or buying items from you. Without making this change, your buyers can change what they pay you during the payment process. This has the potential of really hurting your profit margins and your bottom line.

To make the change so that the final costs cannot be changed by your buyer, you will need to do the following:

1. Log into your eBay account
2. Go to the “Account “ menu and choose “Site Preferences”
3. Under the “Payment from buyers” section, look for “Allow buyers to edit payment totals
4. Click the “edit” link for the section
5. On the “Payment Preferences” page, look for the “Buyer Edit Option”
6. Make sure the box is NOT checked if you do not want buyers to edit that information

Take the time to confirm your settings. You may be wondering why anyone would want their buyers to be able to edit the pricing. Visit this eBay Help Guide for a few examples of why some sellers use this option.

Related:

Earn Extra Money from Home in Addition to eBay Selling

eBay Sales Down? Other Legitimate Ways I Make Money on the Internet

Stay at Home Moms – More Ways to Make Money from Home

eBay Seller Success Story - Sony Dream Machine

You know I love getting success stories from my readers. There are quite a few sharp online sellers out there, including Jo Henniger. Jo, whose eBay store is Bytown Boutique, recently sent me this message:

Dear Suzanne,

I enjoyed reading about Denise and the sale of her Smith Corona Typewriter. I agree, vintage items can be very profitable. I always like to keep my eye out for fun vintage pieces. Something that I've had luck with over the past couple of years is vintage alarm clocks. Flip clocks are a sure sale, but just about any kind will do well.

Thanks for a great blog!

And thank you for sharing your story, Jo! Here is a screenshot of a recent sale of a Vintage Sony Dream Machine:

This is just more evidence of how well vintage items sell on eBay. Think of the items you may have in your home right now that someone would love to buy. The thrifts stores are a great place to look for items to sell to make money.

Do you have a great sale or an interesting eBay item to share? Send your find to eBaycoach@yahoo.com so that we can share your story!

Related:

eBay Seller Success Story – Nymphenberg Retired Mouse

eBay Seller Success Story – Enesco Kewpie Doll on a Sled

eReport of Items You Can Find in Thrift Stores to Sell on eBay