[AMA] Importing & wholesaling for resale on eBay.

[Hardball]

Learning is what it is all about! Every step along the way is a step closer to building your empire.

Please double check your shipping costs. You have to put tracking on every item you sell on eBay which that alone will cost you $1+ For the Post Office to touch any package besides a letter you are looking at least $2 and that is slooooooooooooow mailing it. Just make sure you get all the costs factored in before you set a sales price.

Speaking of learning, props again to @Ecom man for the non-stop amazing advice! Got my first sale last night for a new product I'm sampling within 24 hours of post. And doubled my money after COGS! It's going to be addicting seeing that eBay app SOLD notification!

Serious question - two of my other samples came in and they are 100% counterfeit. Am I buying the wrong products or not asking the right questions of suppliers before purchasing? I've tried hard to avoid branded products (for example, I'm not buying any Hello Kitty handbags or Apple iPhones), but I think I'm missing something... I should also note that, so far, all of my samples have been from Aliexpress, but I'm considering DHgate as an alternative. Although, might the same suppliers have a presence on both websites?

 

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[Bagalonse]

I wanted to thank you for this information for making a thread. I've been running into a few issues with the start of my search. I'll list them out.

1. I read about your idea about getting some of your ideas off Amazon's top selling list. So I decided to search for whatever that looked decent and started to compare them on dhgate/alibaba/aliexpress. Some sellers on there still work with you yes, but they still require a hefty MOQ. One offered me a 5,000 MOQ down to 1,000 but it was still around 20 some dollars per item. This was with Alibaba.

2. Related to no.2. I did find a few items that have workable margins. Such widget costs me 20 dollars and can be turned around for 40. The problem is that there are about 50 or more sellers give or take selling that same one or similar. Of these sellers, there is a TOP-RATED seller who is raking in most of the sales. In this situation, should I just avoid and look eslewhere?

3. I found a generic product being sold on Alibaba that is similar to the name brand of the item. The name brand sells very well. Should I consider selling a generic item and see how well it sells?

4. What do you do about getting merchandise that is shipped via ocean freight? You mentioned that you carry some heavy items. I talked to a few suppliers on Alibaba and they offered ocean freight but the merchandise would end at the port. This means I'd have to pick it up and would be a massive pain since I don't own a truck to haul such merchandise back. Is there some company that you use or do you tell the supplier to use some other company to get the merchandise directly to you? I know DHGate/Aliexpress is more ebay like so the item goes directly to you.

 

[Ecom man]

Speaking of learning, props again to @Ecom man for the non-stop amazing advice! Got my first sale last night for a new product I'm sampling within 24 hours of post. And doubled my money after COGS! It's going to be addicting seeing that eBay app SOLD notification!

Serious question - two of my other samples came in and they are 100% counterfeit. Am I buying the wrong products or not asking the right questions of suppliers before purchasing? I've tried hard to avoid branded products (for example, I'm not buying any Hello Kitty handbags or Apple iPhones), but I think I'm missing something... I should also note that, so far, all of my samples have been from Aliexpress, but I'm considering DHgate as an alternative. Although, might the same suppliers have a presence on both websites?

Great job getting your first sale!!!
In regards to your question look for items that are generic or not branded at all. There are millions of items that are bought every day and you just need to find a few of them to start making bank! Just avoid anything with a brand that you know. If it has a random Chinese brand on it I am fine with that but if it is a brand I have heard of before I never order it.

 

[Ecom man]

I wanted to thank you for this information for making a thread. I've been running into a few issues with the start of my search. I'll list them out.

1. I read about your idea about getting some of your ideas off Amazon's top selling list. So I decided to search for whatever that looked decent and started to compare them on dhgate/alibaba/aliexpress. Some sellers on there still work with you yes, but they still require a hefty MOQ. One offered me a 5,000 MOQ down to 1,000 but it was still around 20 some dollars per item. This was with Alibaba.

2. Related to no.2. I did find a few items that have workable margins. Such widget costs me 20 dollars and can be turned around for 40. The problem is that there are about 50 or more sellers give or take selling that same one or similar. Of these sellers, there is a TOP-RATED seller who is raking in most of the sales. In this situation, should I just avoid and look eslewhere?

3. I found a generic product being sold on Alibaba that is similar to the name brand of the item. The name brand sells very well. Should I consider selling a generic item and see how well it sells?

4. What do you do about getting merchandise that is shipped via ocean freight? You mentioned that you carry some heavy items. I talked to a few suppliers on Alibaba and they offered ocean freight but the merchandise would end at the port. This means I'd have to pick it up and would be a massive pain since I don't own a truck to haul such merchandise back. Is there some company that you use or do you tell the supplier to use some other company to get the merchandise directly to you? I know DHGate/Aliexpress is more ebay like so the item goes directly to you.

1. Contact the person with the 1,000 MOQ and tell them you need a sample to test the quality of the product and the shipping times. Tell them you would like 5-10 of the item as a sample order. They should do that for you no problem.
2. That is a lot of sellers for one item. Look at what the top rated seller is doing. Is there something or many something's you can do better than him? If the answer is no then move on to another product. If his shipping time is high or he has other issues that you could fix with your listing I would get a small sample order and go for it.

 

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[Ecom man]

I wanted to thank you for this information for making a thread. I've been running into a few issues with the start of my search. I'll list them out.

1. I read about your idea about getting some of your ideas off Amazon's top selling list. So I decided to search for whatever that looked decent and started to compare them on dhgate/alibaba/aliexpress. Some sellers on there still work with you yes, but they still require a hefty MOQ. One offered me a 5,000 MOQ down to 1,000 but it was still around 20 some dollars per item. This was with Alibaba.

2. Related to no.2. I did find a few items that have workable margins. Such widget costs me 20 dollars and can be turned around for 40. The problem is that there are about 50 or more sellers give or take selling that same one or similar. Of these sellers, there is a TOP-RATED seller who is raking in most of the sales. In this situation, should I just avoid and look eslewhere?

3. I found a generic product being sold on Alibaba that is similar to the name brand of the item. The name brand sells very well. Should I consider selling a generic item and see how well it sells?

4. What do you do about getting merchandise that is shipped via ocean freight? You mentioned that you carry some heavy items. I talked to a few suppliers on Alibaba and they offered ocean freight but the merchandise would end at the port. This means I'd have to pick it up and would be a massive pain since I don't own a truck to haul such merchandise back. Is there some company that you use or do you tell the supplier to use some other company to get the merchandise directly to you? I know DHGate/Aliexpress is more ebay like so the item goes directly to you.

3. I always look for generics to sell. That is the way to go for sure. Testing is the only way to know for sure. Just understand you cant use the name brand as the title for example "just like apple iphone 5s" eBay doesn't allow that.

4. I have not done anything ocean freight yet. I ship everything DHL, FEDEX, EMS, or other express shipping. I want things delivered to my door as quickly as possible so I can either a. Start making money on it b. Find out it doesn't sell and move on to the next item.

 

[Hardball]

Great job getting your first sale!!!
In regards to your question look for items that are generic or not branded at all. There are millions of items that are bought every day and you just need to find a few of them to start making bank! Just avoid anything with a brand that you know. If it has a random Chinese brand on it I am fine with that but if it is a brand I have heard of before I never order it.

Makes perfect sense. Thank you!

 

[bboyu]

Great job getting your first sale!!!
In regards to your question look for items that are generic or not branded at all. There are millions of items that are bought every day and you just need to find a few of them to start making bank! Just avoid anything with a brand that you know. If it has a random Chinese brand on it I am fine with that but if it is a brand I have heard of before I never order it.

What are the reasons for not buying branded products? Can you lay them out? I just feel that with selling unbranded products to fill a purpose you would need a lot of traction to sell because the perception of quality and trust isn't there?

I see so many retailers offline and ecommerce stores that sell branded products and make bank, they most likely deal with the same manufactures and compete on price and mainly customer service. How do they all get to create accounts with manufacturers and wholesalers? What is the way in general to do it if your'e starting out?

With selling unbranded items do you not limit the markets you can get into? The kind of generic items i can think of are just things you would buy so you can use on an ad hoc basis - baths sinks knives tables lamps drawers screwdriver sets rugs curtain sets blinds key rings lasers etc etc am i thinking correctly?

Are there any unbranded items that are "sexy" "exciting" like most branded items are?

 

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[Ecom man]

What are the reasons for not buying branded products? Can you lay them out? I just feel that with selling unbranded products to fill a purpose you would need a lot of traction to sell because the perception of quality and trust isn't there?

I see so many retailers offline and ecommerce stores that sell branded products and make bank, they most likely deal with the same manufactures and compete on price and mainly customer service. How do they all get to create accounts with manufacturers and wholesalers? What is the way in general to do it if your'e starting out?

With selling unbranded items do you not limit the markets you can get into? The kind of generic items i can think of are just things you would buy so you can use on an ad hoc basis - baths sinks knives tables lamps drawers screwdriver sets rugs curtain sets blinds key rings lasers etc etc am i thinking correctly?

Are there any unbranded items that are "sexy" "exciting" like most branded items are?

Go to every store in your local area. (Walmart, K-Mart, Target, Best Buy etc.) and write down every item that has a generic. Ok let's narrow it down go to walmart and look for anything that is a walmart brand/generic. That is your market for generics. Almost every item these stores sell have a generic of that item. If that isn't enough possible items for you then maybe you should go another route with your business ideas.

 

[CarrieW]

I would say you want an unbranded product for many reasons. the top most being in my head is that if you use a brand you need to get it from them so they get paid and you know its the real deal and not a "knock off" or imposter. you don't want to open yourself up to getting sued... (I could be totally wrong here idk)

and you always pay more for a name. your paying for the box the name and the advertising. your paying premium prices for the identical product in almost all cases. the generics and name brands are usually made by the same places and equipment. a lot of times people create brands out of items that would be considered generic. I cant post an example specifically but a lot of people take other peoples products slap a catchy name to it and then charge a premium price for it.

a generic you get all the bang of their advertising for a fraction of the cost. and you keep the money.

 

[Ecom man]

CarrieW you are right on all counts! Order any name brand from Alibaba and you are just asking to be scammed. Most name brands won't sell wholesale unless it is EXTREME bulk sales and they will many times walk away once the find out you are just selling online with no brick and mortor presence.

Bboyu
There is tons of money to be made in selling generic brands or with simply no brand on it at all. If you feel like you need to sell name brands to make any sales/money you are mistaken.

 

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[Villain]

@Ecom man - Lot's of great info in this thread thank you! I'm working on a list of products to think about getting samples of just now

 

[JustinBoshans]

I'm still looking for that one big product to make $100 per unit on. Any tips?

My first item is selling really well however, and my next 3 should be coming soon.

 

[putinwork]

buy generic and private label it (make your own brand).

 

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[Ecom man]

I'm still looking for that one big product to make $100 per unit on. Any tips?

My first item is selling really well however, and my next 3 should be coming soon.

Honestly I just stumbled on the one making $100+ per unit while I was searching for ones making $20+. If you have one item selling well then you are doing great! All it takes is a couple items selling well and it starts to get exciting.

 

[sle3pyguii]

Thanks so much for this info!

I just had a quick question.

I recently found an item on Alibaba with a decent profit margin, and it's rather light. Because it's an electronic product, that EXACT product is all over amazon. I'm talking like 3 pages deep of the same product. However, the only problem that I'm seeing from buyers isn't on the product itself. It's rateed below 3 stars on average from the front-page sellers, but 90% of the complaints are about the set-up instructions being in Chinese. None of the current sellers seem to have corrected this and are just selling the stock item as they receive from China. Do you think it'd be worth pursuing if I can just re-write the instructions in English? Or is it not worth it considering the amount of competition already for the same product?

 

[smartman]

seems like you're positioned to provide huge value to a product with an already good margin and probably get more for it as a result. you know what to do.

 

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[Bagalonse]

I'm still having trouble finding something to have workable margins. Is everyone here finding a name brand of an item then selling the generic copy of it? Been using Amazon Top Sellers for reference for the past week since I started. Most on the top sellers are either too low or as I stated earlier a few pages ago, I did find the generic selling but I doubt I could compete as a starting seller.

 

[Ecom man]

Thanks so much for this info!

I just had a quick question.

I recently found an item on Alibaba with a decent profit margin, and it's rather light. Because it's an electronic product, that EXACT product is all over amazon. I'm talking like 3 pages deep of the same product. However, the only problem that I'm seeing from buyers isn't on the product itself. It's rateed below 3 stars on average from the front-page sellers, but 90% of the complaints are about the set-up instructions being in Chinese. None of the current sellers seem to have corrected this and are just selling the stock item as they receive from China. Do you think it'd be worth pursuing if I can just re-write the instructions in English? Or is it not worth it considering the amount of competition already for the same product?

If you are just starting out you will be 3 pages deep on Amazon so you won't be getting any views at all. If the margins are there on eBay I would go that way as well as Amazon. You can do auctions on eBay that will get you views when the auction is near its ending time. Printing off instructions in English is a great way to fill a need and make money doing it. It will be very difficult to differentiate yourself on Amazon just because of the way it is set up.

 

[Ecom man]

I'm still having trouble finding something to have workable margins. Is everyone here finding a name brand of an item then selling the generic copy of it? Been using Amazon Top Sellers for reference for the past week since I started. Most on the top sellers are either too low or as I stated earlier a few pages ago, I did find the generic selling but I doubt I could compete as a starting seller.

Most of the time it doesn't matter if you are a beginning seller or not. If you have a quality product with none or few competitors and people need/want that product they will buy it from any seller.

 

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[Ceefa]

First time poster here, great thread! Just wanted to ask what your thoughts are on selling sex related productson ebay, do you think they can damage my reputation as a seller when it comes to other products?

 

[jazb]

First time poster here, great thread! Just wanted to ask what your thoughts are on selling sex related productson ebay, do you think they can damage my reputation as a seller when it comes to other products?

Make sure your sex products aren't second hand

 

[CarrieW]

LOL eww used sex toys that's disgusting... how much do you want to bet that store exists

 

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[Ecom man]

First time poster here, great thread! Just wanted to ask what your thoughts are on selling sex related productson ebay, do you think they can damage my reputation as a seller when it comes to other products?

Honestly a lot of people don't even look at other products you are selling. If I could find a sex related product without much competition I wouldn't hesitate to go for it! (I would tell my wife ahead of time though lol)

 

[Ecom man]

Make sure your sex products aren't second hand

Uh yeah and don't do that either lol

 

[Mike.B]

Thanks so much for this info!

I just had a quick question.

I recently found an item on Alibaba with a decent profit margin, and it's rather light. Because it's an electronic product, that EXACT product is all over amazon. I'm talking like 3 pages deep of the same product. However, the only problem that I'm seeing from buyers isn't on the product itself. It's rateed below 3 stars on average from the front-page sellers, but 90% of the complaints are about the set-up instructions being in Chinese. None of the current sellers seem to have corrected this and are just selling the stock item as they receive from China. Do you think it'd be worth pursuing if I can just re-write the instructions in English? Or is it not worth it considering the amount of competition already for the same product?

I just received one of my first products and I'm rewriting the instruction manual. It's not a lot of fun, but I think it will be worth it.

 

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[Ecom man]

I just received one of my first products and I'm rewriting the instruction manual. It's not a lot of fun, but I think it will be worth it.

Awesome! It is the not fun stuff now that makes it possible to do the fun stuff in the future!

 

[CarrieW]

I just wanted to add in a few things that are on my radar and I wanted to put it out there for anyone who may not be aware of such things...

when I get any kind of quantity of product in I am going to be storing it somewhere else... (only as in not my personal residence even if you choose to keep things @home there are ways to do it and protect yourself)

I have heard and read stories about people who are using their homes to run a business out of. they get into disputes with neighbors about constant noise from in and out deliveries (ecom said he goes to the post office so that isn't a concern for outgoing at least) and if someone starts complaining you had better make sure you have licenses and everything you need to be legally doing business there. or it could be a huge can of worms you don't want to have to deal with.

the other thing for me which required addressing (several ways to do this) is the fact that there is only very little coverage for a home business in my original renters policy. most homeowners policys they are excluded all together. my standard renters ins gives me up to 1k including all equipment.
if you create your own "home office" and rent out your garage to your business you can get specific business insurance to protect against any losses that may occur that would otherwise be un covered.

I don't have the physical space to store much of anything (which is why I started with very small light items) and the value will be under that 1k mark so I am good to go to start here. once we are holding/moving any real quantity we are going to need an offsite work/storage space. and I will get business insurance.

that is unless we move to a place with enough space then I will rent space for inventory to my biz and insure it as if it was off site.

 

[Villain]

Is it typical for suppliers to charge a "sample fee" to be refunded on an actual order or would you avoid a supplier like this?

 

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[Ecom man]

Is it typical for suppliers to charge a "sample fee" to be refunded on an actual order or would you avoid a supplier like this?

I normally do pay for samples. Some manufactures will give you free samples and all you have to do is pay shipping. Others charge you a sample fee and refund it with the first order. A lot of suppliers will just tell you how much the sample is and you can get them cheaper when ordering in bulk. The way your supplier is doing it is fine,

 

[Kelly C]

First time poster here, great thread! Just wanted to ask what your thoughts are on selling sex related productson ebay, do you think they can damage my reputation as a seller when it comes to other products?

I am sure ebay doesn't let you sell sex related products...apart from condoms.