eBay Podcasts Now on iTunes and Stitcher!

Hi eBay friends!

As you have probably noticed, I have been remiss in blogging. Mostly because my audience isn't really reading anymore, they want to watch and listen to great eBay info on YouTube instead! Well, now you can, too.

You can listen to the audio from my YouTube videos on podcasts, either on iTunes (for Apple users) or Stitcher (for Apple and Android users). If you don't know how to listen to a podcast on your mobile device, I explain everything (in true Suzanne style) in this video.

I'm looking forward to a prosperous and productive 2018, and hope you will come along for the ride!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and abundant 2018,

Suzanne

eBay Tutorials on YouTube Every Day - Over 250 FREE Videos

I've been busy on YouTube building my channel because everybody loves videos! You can watch and listen while you are doing other things like taking photos, listing, shipping, driving, walking on the treadmill - whatever!

Some popular new videos - just click and you will be taken to the video:

How Long Should it Take to List One Item on eBay?

How to Make Money on eBay with No Money

How to Sell on eBay the Right Way

eBay Horror Story - 1,000 Listings Lost

Why Listing Every Day on eBay Helps Sales

Easiest Way to Increase Clothing Sales on eBay

If you are looking for an easy and free way to learn more about eBay selling subscribe to my YouTube channel for daily videos! 

Everything is organized into playlists so you can either listen to random videos or stick with a particular topic:

No hype,  just REAL information that you can use to grow your business. Come on over to YouTube and join the community and let's talk eBay!

See you there!

Suzanne

eBay Reseller Sells $7 Item from Local Goodwill for $535!

This is why we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE eBay! Shout out to fellow seller Shannon Floyd Baughman for her amazing sale! Here are the details, directly from Shannon:

"I bought this dress at a Goodwill about 10 minutes from my house for $6.95. I was actually scanning tags for a St. John that I only recently found a BOLO from your site. I stumble on this dress and thought it was lovely, but had never heard of the designer. 

I looked him up and saw a similar dress had sold for $320 so I grabbed it up.I have 4 kids so I am often distracted by everyday life, I tossed the dress in my office and it sat there for over 3 weeks. 

A week before we were going on our vacation to Universal Studios, I was looking around my office for items to list for spending money and saw the dress. I immediately listed it, with help from my 12 year old daughter who modeled it. I started it out at $99.99 on a ten day auction."

Here is Shannon's daughter modeling the dress. (Stunning model by the way - she looks precious in this dress!)

Thanks so much for sharing this sale, Shannon, and I hope that spending money came in handy!

For more amazing eBay sales by people just like you, check out Money Making Mondays in my Facebook Group here. 

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$18 Thrift Store Item Sells for $1,800

$1.50 Thrift Store Item Sells for $1,350

eBay Seller Making Thousands of Dollars a Day Selling on Consignment

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Recap from Dallas eBay Workshop - Now Booking for Charlotte and Orlando!

We had a fantastic workshop in Dallas! Melanie and I loved visiting the city and meeting such a great group of motivated and dedicated sellers. Thanks for having us!

Our tentative next stops are:

and

This is an 8 hour workshop packed with information! Some testimonials from the Dallas group:

This is not a list of brands. You will learn about these topics:

Natural fibers are superior to synthetics. Learn what they are, why they are expensive, and why they are superior, and what they feel like so you can become a better and faster picker by recognizing these fabrics when shopping for inventory to sell. 

A garment's value depends on not only the fabric, but how it is made. The skill that goes into making a superior garment can be recognized easily - but you have to know what you are looking for. See high quality and low quality items up close, and understand the details so you can recognize high quality and low quality items without even knowing the brand.

In-home clothing hacks, easy repairs, and when to sell an item "as is" and skip the repair all together. 

Dos and don'ts for storing clothing - protect your investment and make sure you are storing clothing properly.

Learn the hot trends in fashion now, and make sure you are speaking to you buyers using the correct vocabulary. If you don't speak to your buyers correctly, they won't find your listings. 

Learn the names of specific fashion details and styles. This section updated seasonally so as an attendee of my workshops you will receive updated videos as I make them. 

It's tough, or even impossible to Google something when you don't know the name for it. Learn strategies to figure out what something is called when you don't know the name.

Everything you ever wanted to know about authenticating but were afraid to ask! Keep your account happy and healthy and make sure you understand eBay's VeRO program.

My proprietary innovative idea section for marketing your eBay items in creative ways. Strategies I have come up with over the years to increase sales and speak to specific audiences shopping for specific items. Stuff I was inspired to do and it works!

50% of eBay transactions are touched by mobile - purchased, viewed, questions asked, etc. If your listings aren't optimized, buyers can't read them, and you ARE losing sales. Learn how to optimize your listings. 

No up-selling or sales pitches about 3rd party services. Learn ways to use free apps to help run your eBay business more efficiently. 

If you aren't selling locally on Facebook groups, you are leaving money on the table. 45 minute section all about how to use FB groups for buying and selling, protocol, negotiating, FB group selling  best practices, and how to cash in on this local opportunity. 

Learn to use dead time during the day (in the dentist office waiting room, waiting for kids to take their lessons, traveling, when you are stuck somewhere but still have internet on your phone) to find items online to resell.  Great strategy for caregivers or those with medical issues who can't get out and source as much as they would like.  

More information about this comprehensive workshop in a 20-minute video:

Booking for Charlotte and Orlando NOW!

Registration Ends at Midnight on July 27, 2017

Secure Your Space Here 

See you soon!

How to Get Top Dollar for Items You Sell on eBay

This post is contributed by an eBay consignment seller who wishes to remain anonymous.

So you're one of the lucky sellers who has access to incredibly low cost merchandise - whether you are hitting the bins at GoodWill or are super influential at estate sales. Or maybe you volunteer at a thrift and get a discount or inside scoop about upcoming sales.

Whatever you sell, no matter how you buy it - have you noticed how cheaply merchandise can sell for over the past couple of years? High-end electronics, extremely desirable collectibles and similar still demand a good price. But clothing and accessories, the most popular items to source and sell on eBay, often go for insanely cheap prices. I've been a seller for close to 20 years and have watched the competition increase and prices go down. To boot, eBay has added features which show the buyer competing items - similar or identical to yours - which can easily sway a buyer to someone else's item.

That's great for buyers, but not so great for sellers. And while some of us maintain a stance that we will attempt to sell at deep discounts off retail, but in a win-win for seller and buyer but closer to, perhaps, consignment pricing, other sellers who can source items for a few dollars per pound think of it differently. For instance, if your net cost of a high-end dress is under $2, selling it for $15.99 is a 1000% profit, right? That's impressive. Until you think about a few things:

What is your time worth? How long does it take you to evaluate the item, inspect it, photograph it, measure and list it, store it, retrieve it and pack it up? How much does the label cost? We won't factor in driving to the post office as so many folks have doorstep pickup. How about eBay fees?

Let's look at our $15.99 example above and do some math.

15.99 sales price
-2.07 ebay/paypal fees (13%)
-.20 listing depending upon your store subscription
-2.00 purchase price
-2.00 income tax paid on April 15, depending on your bracket and how your expenses factored into your income
_______

9.72 is what you've really made on this item. Unless you offered free shipping. Yikes. Then you're down another 2.50 at least.

Considering that minimum wage is $10.10/hour in my state, you're making under minimum wage on that item, perhaps a little more if all the activities per item take you less than an hour when factored together.

While it's great to make ANY wage while being your own boss, wouldn't it be even greater if you made more? If you considered, rather than net profit on the piece, what the marketplace is willing to pay?

What if we all did that? What effect would that have on everyone's bottom line? Instead of trying to undersell the competition, what if all 20,000 of us on this site collectively took action to raise our collective bottom lines?

I can tell you personally, I have successfully maintained a higher price point and have had success with it. I feel by going for the win-win - the customer is happy with a great deal and quality item, and I'm happy with a significantly higher profit margin - you develop a better reputation than you do when you're giving away the farm. As a marketing director in my full-time job (eBay is an unavoidable addiction), I know that  you diminish the value of your product and your brand when you give it away.

You may disagree with me, and that's certainly your right. But I don't even know you and I know your time is worth a lot more than you're getting if you're lowballing to beat the competition. So take a look at your costs and your time holistically, and consider the impact our community can have if we ask for what we're worth.

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How to Deal With Slow Summer eBay Sales

It's that time again. Time to regroup and get ready for Back to School and 4th quarter.

If your eBay sales are slow, as they may be during summer, here is some advice in the form of a video. Summer is a slow time for many retail businesses and other industries, don't take it personally. Have patience, it is just a cycle.

Lots of ideas here for how to use this slow time in a productive way. Sales will bounce back, they always do!

If you have not booked your seat for the Dallas Training Event, it is time! Reservations must be made at the hotel (if you plan on staying overnight) by July 1st. Seating is limited for the training, so you don't want to miss it!

Also, now booking for:

Charlotte on August 19 (SouthPark Area)

Orlando on September 16 (Disney Area)

Join Us in Dallas on July 22 for LIVE in Person eBay Training

We are so excited about our upcoming training in Dallas on July 22.  There was such a large response that we have secured a larger room so that more people can attend. And this was no easy task! I called about 6 hotels before finding one that had any available conference rooms. Lots of weddings, family reunions, and other events taking place so meeting rooms were scarce.

So, here are the details:

WHAT:     8 hours of hands-on training - read all the details here

WHEN:     Saturday, July 22 from 10 AM to 6 PM

WHERE:   Marriott Suites Medical / Market Center

COST:       $749 for the 8-hour workshop (Payment plan available - contact me here for info.)

ROOM RATE: We have a special room rate of $125 per night for up to 3 nights. This is a Marriott Suites, so all rooms are suites. Rooms must be booked by July 1 to get this rate. I can send you a direct link to make reservations online. 

Secure your space now so you won't miss this event in Dallas. See what the sellers in Atlanta had to say about this event, or feel free to contact me here with any questions or further details.

See you in Dallas! 

New Feature - eBay Daily Video Tips

Don't have time to read up on eBay information? Well now you can listen. I have added a new playlist on YouTube for Daily eBay Video Tips.

No topic is off limits! These tips are 2-5 minutes long, on a specific topic, straight to the point, with links to facts to back up what I am telling you about. No rambling, no fluff, no lengthy diatribes about this or that - just short, sweet, and to the point information with no background noise or distractions. Real information you can use!

So far I have 15 videos ready - you can just let the playlist run while you work on other things.

I have been selling on eBay since 2003 so I have many years of eBay experiences rolling around in my head that I can share with you to help you make more money on eBay. You know, those "oh by the way" thoughts you get at 2 in the morning...

The playlist is here. If you are not subscribed to my YouTube Channel, make sure to click the red subscribe button so you will get these tips in your email as soon as they are posted.

I am open for suggestions on topics! What do YOU want to know about?

See you on YouTube!

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How to Make $2,000 a Month on eBay - The Math 

Selling on eBay When Thrift Store Prices are Too High

eBay Success Story - Disabled Seller Making it Work

Atlanta eBay Workshop a Success - Next Stops Dallas, Charlotte, and Orlando!

Our Atlanta Live Training was a success! What a great group of people to spend the day with learning about selling clothing on eBay. We even had one student drive all the way from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Atlanta! That is like a 17 hour road trip. She said she wanted to spend the weekend with like minded people and her peeps just happened to be gathering 1,100 miles away so she jumped in the car and drove south!

Testimonials from a few of the attendees:

Linda H. was said this about the workshop:

Linda sold her home in Buckhead that she had been living in for 40 years, and has much of her stuff in storage. She wants to learn more about how to sell her "accumulation" and downsize. 

The Mays drove over from Birmingham for the day, and they had this to say:

It is so nice when spouses are both on board with the business and it can be a family project. The Mays have 3 teenagers to put through college and eBay is how they plan to finance it. 

Beth posted on Facebook:

Melanie P. and Karen drove down to Atlanta from Cleveland, Georgia. Karen works at the post office and was able to answer some of our most burning USPS questions! Melanie works the medical field in vascular health, and has been selling on eBay for 20 years! They stayed in Atlanta and went shopping on Sunday, and texted me this:

We are so thrilled that everyone who came found the information helpful and enjoyed the day. Here was our agenda:

Are you ready for an 8-hour, hands-on, intensive eBay training? Our tour schedule for the next 3 months is:

Dallas, July 22 (Near DFW Airport)

Charlotte, August 19 (South Park area)

Orlando, September 16 (Disney Area)

If you are interested in attending any of these upcoming trainings, read more about the workshop here.

Deposits can be made NOW to hold your spot, as space is limited. Feel free to contact me here if you would like to discuss payment options or need more information. We need at least 10 people per city to commit to guarantee the event will take place. Dallas is already confirmed. 

We are so excited to be able to help you, in person, with your eBay business and are looking forward to meeting you and having a fun and educational eBay day!

Happy Selling,

Suzanne and Melanie

My $5 Millon Reward from eBay for Outstanding Selling!

So you know those emails you get from eBay, about listings specials or tips? The ones you kind of just glaze over and skim?  Well one of those came in last night and I haven't laughed so hard in a while. I think the neighbors heard me laughing hysterically and probably wondered what was up. Here is the email:

They have raised my selling limits to $5,000,000. I had to count the zeros. 5 million dollars? This just made me laugh. What thrift store picker can ever list this much? I went on my eBay Selling Manager to verify this wasn't some kind of spam or hack, and it is true:

I can list 96,972 more items this month. And it is the last day of May, so it all starts over again tomorrow.  My son and I had a good laugh, like we better get to Goodwill right this second and start shopping. I think I am going to need more storage for the 97,000 items I can list.

What's really funny is that this has been one of my worst months ever on eBay - and they still gave me this astronomical increase. I purposely wasn't listing knowing I was going to be moving due to my personal situation, and have been spending a lot of time getting ready for my traveling workshop trainings. So eBay was on the back burner and I haven't been shopping or listing for a few weeks.

I know some sellers don't even have limits because their accounts are so old, but seeing $5 million dollars as my limit was sort of surreal. But this just shows that if you are consistent, dedicated, give good service, and take care of your business over the years, you can do great things.

If you aren't in my Facebook Group yet (and why aren't you?), come join us. I am posting daily video tips - short 1-2 minute tips - to help you with your business. Come join the conversation! 

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Bring a Friend to the Atlanta eBay Workshop for FREE! -Special Offer for eBay Sellers

We are getting close!

Only 2 weeks until my first live event in Atlanta. I am so excited, and working hard behind the scenes to create an event that will educate, inspire, and motivate eBay sellers!

I am really blown away by how far people are traveling to come to Atlanta for this training. I am so honored! And I know it is asking a lot for you to come to me. I also know that nobody likes to travel alone.

So, for this weekend only (through midnight Memorial Day May 29th) when you buy your ticket to the workshop, you can BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!

This is a great offer for the folks who are already in Atlanta and don't even have travel, or within a few hours drive. If you and your friend split the cost. the price is only $375 a person.

You can recover that investment in less than a week with what I am going to teach you.

The Marriott at Perimeter Center has given us a discounted room rate of $99 per night, so when you split that with your friend, that is only $50 per person.

You both will get 8 hours of intensive training on how to identify and sell high quality clothing on eBay, and learn to make thousands of dollars a month from your own home. (Read all the details of the training here.)

Lunch and snacks are provided. The cherry on top of this great event is that within 3 miles of the hotel are several upscale Goodwill stores where you can go shopping after the training and put your new skills to work. I'll have a list and directions of where to go in Atlanta to find the best items to re-sell, so you can be stocked up and ready to list high-profit items when you get home.

When you register, you will receive a welcome packet with all the info you need about what to expect, yes, what to wear (ladies I knew you would ask that!), and you can send ahead those burning eBay questions.  I have lots of Q&A time built into the day.

You and your travel buddy can make it a weekend to remember (I mean, who doesn't like to come to Atlanta!), and it is a business expense since you are attending for business education.

If you have any questions about the event, or want to work out a payment plan so you can attend, I am more than happy to discuss. You can contact me here - I am always available to answer your questions via email.

This offer is retroactive - so for those of you who have already registered, I will contact you to make sure you don't miss this offer.

So grab a friend, fellow eBay seller, your spouse, or whoever shares your passion for eBay and head to Atlanta!

I am so excited about this event and can't wait to meet you in person!

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Suzanne's Facebook Group - Largest Group for eBay Sellers

Hot eBay Tip: Buyers are Notified When Sellers Use eBay Markdown Manager

Just in case you ever wondered, buyers ARE notified when you run sales on eBay. I don't know the exact process or algorithm, but I have received 3 emails in the last week for items with price reductions. 

Best I can tell, these items were reduced using Markdown Manager. These items were not on my watch list. They were actually items I had viewed when doing store critiques for other sellers. Here are the emails, just to show you:

These items appear to have been marked down using Markdown Manager. See how they say discounted "for a limited time?" 

The first item, the silver dress, has been discounted 25%.

The second item, the teal colored dress, was discounted 10%. 

The doll was discounted 18%.

So this is the buyers' view for these items that were previously viewed.

Moral of the story:

If you run sales using Markdown Manager, buyers who previously viewed the item "may" receive an email notification. 

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Make Money Selling Off Your eBay Death Piles!

We all have them.

eBay DEATH PILES. (I think the eBay Scavengers coined that term, thanks Jay and Ryanne.)

Definition:

Piles of items you bought with the intention of selling on eBay that you haven't listed yet. Often taking on a life of their own, multiplying at night, and the culprit for another phenomenon in homes and storage units called "inventory creep." 

Also known as money you have spent on stuff to sell, that is not working for you, that is just sitting there growing. Your own self-inflicted thrift store in a jumbled up mess in your house. 

Death piles have often been the cause of marital unrest, vanishings of guest rooms, ceilings caving in, and in some cases, have been known to eat pets and small children. Can be dangerous if left ignored.

Ok, so I had fun with that, but you get the idea. The stuff can take over.

One way to get rid of it, keep your marriage intact, find missing pets, and get the money back that you put into those eBay inventory purchases,  is to sell it off in lots in my eBay Buy and Sell Group.

Keep in mind, that while YOU may have unlimited access to all the inexpensive eBay inventory your heart desires, many people don't for these reasons:

They live in a rural area without any thrift stores, or poor quality thrift stores.

They are disabled and physically get out and shop - they need to shop online.

They are caregivers and must be at home with a loved one all day.

They live in an area where thrift store prices are too high to turn anything for a profit on eBay.

They have small children and it is difficult to go shopping.

They work full time and don't have time to thrift.

They are new to eBay and don't know what to buy - they want to buy inventory from an experienced seller. 

They don't have a vehicle and must take public transportation - it is hard to carry much home when you have to ride on a bus or subway.

There are more reasons, but you get the idea. Sellers out there NEED inventory, and they will buy it from other sellers on this group - in fact, they HAVE BEEN buying it for 6 weeks on my group. Here is some feedback from sellers who have purchased lots on the group:

Many sellers have commented that the $50 a month fee is too high, or too risky to try the group, so I am offering a $25 special for a whole month. From today, May 9 - June 9, you can join the group for $25 and post as many lots as you like. 

• Join the group here
• Pay the $25 fee at this link and start posting
• Shipping is figured from your zip code to the buyer's zip code - buyer pays shipping
• Local pick up is allowed
• Pay your seller via Paypal 
• Your post stays up until it sells or you remove it
• You may bump your post to the top once every 24 hours
• There are over 1,600 members in the group, about 75% are buyers
• Your 30 day membership goes from the day you join for 30 days
• No obligation to stay more than a month - no high pressure sales pitch from me, just come and sell your stuff!

Summer is coming which means kids will be home, vacations will be happening, company is coming, and some folks won't be able to get out and thrift like they used to. They will come to this group to buy YOUR stuff!

Contact me here if you have any questions. 

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