| There used to be a saying going around the Internet | | | | If you are prepared to do this then there is an |
| that you could sell anything on eBay. That may have | | | | opportunity for anyone to build a business using eBay |
| been the truth in the past but it most certainly is not | | | | as a launch pad. But as you build your business you |
| now. The number of listed items that do not sell is | | | | need to be prepared to diversify. Relying on eBay as |
| proof of this. So what is the reason? | | | | your sole outlet in the future could be a mistake. |
| There is no doubt that people are becoming a lot | | | | Another eBay old wives tale was that if you sold on |
| more cautious these days. Stories of scams and | | | | Bay you did not need a web site. That may have |
| eBay frauds have frightened some people away. | | | | been true in the past but today no serious seller |
| eBay have not helped them selves by allowing so | | | | would consider not having their own web site. Using |
| many "pirated" or fake items to be listed. This has | | | | your About Me page and flyers with the items you |
| made a lot of potential customers very wary. | | | | send out you can build up visitors to your site. You |
| Does this mean the end of the good times for eBay | | | | can then turn those visitors into web site customers |
| sellers? It does if you are someone who just wants | | | | without the need to pay any eBay fees on those |
| to put any old rubbish up on eBay and hope to make | | | | sales. |
| a quick buck. When eBay was first launched 14 years | | | | Why make life difficult for yourself? Don't try and sell |
| ago it was like amateur night, everyone was feeling | | | | any old rubbish, sell the things people want. Sell them |
| their way and learning as they went along. Fourteen | | | | in a professional manner and operate your whole |
| years later most of the lessons have been learnt and | | | | selling business in the same manner. Sure it might be |
| if you want to succeed on eBay you have to offer | | | | possible to sell the odd refrigerator to an Eskimo but |
| quality and value and operate in a business like | | | | I bet it would be easier and more profitable to sell |
| manner. | | | | them fur coats. |