I have been in and out of selling on eBay for over 10 years. Always looking for the fast way to make money, I made multiple mistakes. I will detail them here in the hope that others don't do the same.
Sell fakes, knock-offs, replicas – While browsing on the China sales sites, you will eventually come across a brand named item that is an incredible bargain. The pictures you see will look very similar to the item you know costs over 10x as much. This “bargain” item is always inferior quality. Assuming it makes it through customs, you need to sell the item. It is only a matter of time until a buyer notices. The buyer may just leave negative feedback but can also file a complaint with eBay. When researching, if eBay sees multiple complaints, they ban you from selling for life.
Even if you don't get eBay's attention, you may get the attention of the real product manufacturer. Many manufacturers have legal teams that look for the fakes. They will buy your product and then contact you. They may ask for money, info, all your product. They may just go to court. Not worth it.
Use Western Union/Wire Transfer – Many suppliers will indicated they only accept these. Using either, especially in the beginning, is asking for trouble. Once you send WU, the money is gone. It is like sending cash in the mail.
Forget About Customs – Your items will be checked by customs. I was importing hidden cameras and my “company” had the words spy cam in the name. US customs did not like spy cams coming from China and held the package. They would only release the package if it was sent back to China (at my cost). Check to see if your product is banned for any reason. Think
Sell Low Quality – Don’t sell anything you don’t fully believe in. If you think a product is crap, others will to. They will let you know with feedback. eBay rewards negative feedback with placing you lower in searches, higher fees, suspensions and eventually a lifetime selling ban.
Watch Hidden Costs – Don’t forget to keep track of all costs. Shipping to you, boxes for shipping, postage, packing material, eBay/PayPal fees, defects. I thought I was making a profit on an item until I took defects into account. Turned out I was breaking even.
Sell fakes, knock-offs, replicas – While browsing on the China sales sites, you will eventually come across a brand named item that is an incredible bargain. The pictures you see will look very similar to the item you know costs over 10x as much. This “bargain” item is always inferior quality. Assuming it makes it through customs, you need to sell the item. It is only a matter of time until a buyer notices. The buyer may just leave negative feedback but can also file a complaint with eBay. When researching, if eBay sees multiple complaints, they ban you from selling for life.
Even if you don't get eBay's attention, you may get the attention of the real product manufacturer. Many manufacturers have legal teams that look for the fakes. They will buy your product and then contact you. They may ask for money, info, all your product. They may just go to court. Not worth it.
Use Western Union/Wire Transfer – Many suppliers will indicated they only accept these. Using either, especially in the beginning, is asking for trouble. Once you send WU, the money is gone. It is like sending cash in the mail.
Forget About Customs – Your items will be checked by customs. I was importing hidden cameras and my “company” had the words spy cam in the name. US customs did not like spy cams coming from China and held the package. They would only release the package if it was sent back to China (at my cost). Check to see if your product is banned for any reason. Think
Sell Low Quality – Don’t sell anything you don’t fully believe in. If you think a product is crap, others will to. They will let you know with feedback. eBay rewards negative feedback with placing you lower in searches, higher fees, suspensions and eventually a lifetime selling ban.
Watch Hidden Costs – Don’t forget to keep track of all costs. Shipping to you, boxes for shipping, postage, packing material, eBay/PayPal fees, defects. I thought I was making a profit on an item until I took defects into account. Turned out I was breaking even.
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