What is the best way to learn how to be successful with your EBay business?

Learn from others!

That is why we personally interviewed EBay Powersellers to find out about their business, how they got started, obstacles they faced and words of advice for others.

Just click on the links below to read more about these EBay Powersellers.

cosmic-king ( 31841) Comics, Toys, Collectibles, Book,s Models and More

Jigmasta ( 19525) - iPod Parts & iPod Repair

weaim2pleez ( 33617) – Variety of Items

nick_citi_seller( 4589) – Resell primarily DVD Sets, HD DVDs, Video Games

cultcollectibledvdscds ( 1091) – Hard to Find DVDs and CDs

jewlz4ever( 7928) – Cosmetics, Hair Care & Skin Care

cosmic-king ( 31841)

Ebay ID: cosmic-king
Type of Ebay Business: Comics Toys Collectibles Books Models and More
Location: Springfield MO
Auction Store URL: http://stores.ebay.com/Cosmic-King-Comics-Toys

1. What kind of business do you run?
My eBay business is primarily a discount outlet for my internet sales business. I sell an extensive line of discount collector comics and affordable quality toys.

2. Is it entirely on eBay?
My business is aprox. 10% eBay and 90% Amazon. The Amazon pricing structure only charges me fees when a sale is made keeping my costs down. A few years back my business was 100% eBay. I also sell on website www.cosmic-king.com and www.bigfreesavings.com plus www.cosmic-king-comics.com

3. What got you started on eBay?
I started eBay back in April of 1998 selling liquidation computer parts but I soon started selling comic books also. I had always dreamed of owning my own business and eBay gave me an excellent market to sell products on.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
I have had ups and downs in business but things were bright from the beginning with internet sales. In the early days on eBay it was shocking what people would pay for things.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful?
Turning inventory to find the next hot seller is key in business. A product travels thru a life cycle and different techniques are used at different points of the product offering cycle. It all comes down to that it has to sell while you turn the cash to find the next hot selling product. Never give up and stay in a niche to become more of an expert in your field. Do attempt and test new things while seeking expert advice when needed.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most? Wasting too much money on things that will not grow their business. Ask yourself will this purchase or decision help to move my business in the direction I am seeking.

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business?
To be my own boss and having the satisfaction of making the proper choices. Once you step outside the punch clock world it is very hard to turn back. We become what we think of – so see yourself as a successful merchant and then work hard and you will become that vision.

Jigmasta ( 19525)

Name: jigmasta (eBay user ID) website URL is: www.idemigods.com
Type of Ebay Business: iPod Parts & iPod Repair
Location: Ontario Canada
Auction Store URL: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/jigmasta_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

1. What kind of business do you run?
I run an iPod & iphone parts sales business on eBay. We sell replacement parts so that do-it-your-selfer’s can fix their broken iPod’s & iPhone’s.

2. Is it entirely on eBay?
We have both our eBay store & recently we opened our website www.idemigods.com

3. What got you started on eBay?
I got started on eBay initially just for buying purposes but I then saw potential for selling because of my interests with computers & electronics.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
No, my business did not succeed initially. I had some failures & setbacks. I had to find my niche market. eBay is a fierce & competitive market & if you want to sell on eBay you will need to find a product that separates you from your competitors or you will be swallowed alive. There are several great resources out there to help you find products to sell. I would recommend selling a product that you believe in, are knowledgeable with & will enjoy selling.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful?
One important thing that I learned in order to make my business successful is that your customer service has to be accurate & concise. Don’t leave customers waiting for answers or they will just buy elsewhere. Customer query emails should be returned almost immediately if you want to make the sale.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most?
The mistake most newbies make on eBay is that they destroy their feedback in the opening phases of their business. On eBay positive feedback is key & if you take too many negative feedbacks in the initial stages of your eBay business then buyers will be weary of buying from you. You need to treat each & every customer as if their positive feedback about your products is the lifeline of your business.

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business?
The most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business is that it’s fun & can be done from home or a small office. It takes away a lot of the stresses that a typical 9-5 office job or a job that requires a lot of commuting can bring.

weaim2pleez ( 33617)

Name: Kasey

Type of Ebay Business: home based eBay business

Location: St Louis, Missouri

Auction Store URL: http://stores.ebay.com/Weaim2pleez-Auctions

1.What kind of business do you run?
A variety of things, hope to launch online knife store this year off of eBay

2.Is it entirely on eBay?
Business is run entirely on eBay.

3. What got you started on eBay?
I got started because of my health for one reason. I have cystic fibrosis and it was a great way for me to work from home when I was feeling sick. after college I worked for an antique store and my great aunt and great uncle which sold on eBay soon thereafter I started selling on eBay myself and it developed slowly into what it is now, that was about 9 years ago when I started.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
It didn’t succeed from the beginning as I mainly started selling personal belongings then over time found some suppliers and first started selling knives from a supplier and also various items on consignment for other individuals. Today I no longer sell consignment items as I am too busy with my own items I am able to get from suppliers.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful?
I learned that you have to be very patient when starting out because it takes much research to find suppliers. Also customer service is extremely important. You must reply in a nice professional manner to ALL customers. Update your customers every step of the way when they buy an item.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most?
I would say newbies get aggravated with buyers too easily. For example if they don’t pay right away or wish to return an item for some reason. You have to be patient with your buyers, even if you disagree with them always remain calm and professional. If you have to take a loss on an item that’s ok because in the long run your customer service will benefit.

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business?
Most satisfying is that I am able to work from home and have a successful business that supports me. Due to my health and having a double lung transplant and my immune system now suppressed it works out very well that I don’t have to be around many sick people. Its satisfying to know I put in my own hard work to create the business I have now.

nick_citi_sellers ( 4589)

Name: Nicolas Joosten
Type of Ebay Business: Resell primarily DVD Sets, HD DVDs, and Video Games
Location: Darien, CT 06820
Auction Store URL: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/nick_citi_sellers

1. What kind of business do you run?
I resell DVD sets, HD DVDs, and Video Games.

2. Is it entirely on eBay?
Yes

3. What got you started on eBay?
The eBay business that I manage (username: Nick_Citi_Sellers) was started in November of 2005. I wanted to buy my brother, Alex, a birthday present so I was comparing prices from a local retail store to eBay. I was surprised to find out that the cost of some items was actually higher on eBay. Seeing an opportunity, I went to the store and bought two games; one for Alex and one to sell on eBay. Although I did not make very much money reselling the game, I realized that reselling on eBay had great potential. Today, three years later, I have made great strides.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
No, my business started off slowly. It’s always good to start small so you don’t risk losing too much money. If you are starting off, I would recommend selling inexpensive items around the house. This is how you start to gain experience on eBay.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful?
The most important thing would be to use eBay software. Using software like www.auctiva.com makes your business considerably more efficient, giving you the opportunity to expand your business.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most?
Having one sentence descriptions. This labels the seller unprofessional, which makes the buyer think that he will be treated in the same perfunctory manner.

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business? Getting messages from satisfied buyers explaining how pleased they are with our service.

cultcollectibledvdscds ( 1091)

Name: Joe
Type of Ebay Business: We specialize in new and used Hard to Find (HTF) DVDs and CDs. Including rare Out of Print (OOP) DVDs and CDs. Collectibles include Steelbooks, Lenticulars, Numbered Edition Tin and Box Sets.
Location: Ontario, Canada
Auction Store URL: http://stores.ebay.com/Cult-Collectible-DVDs-and-CDs

1. What kind of business do you run? I sell Rare Out of Print (OOP), Hard to Find DVDs.

2. Is it entirely on eBay?
I also sell on Amazon.ca and have some “private” customers.

3. What got you started on eBay?
I first started buying rare OOP DVDs on eBay and realized there was a good markup so I did some research and found that Canada was still relatively untouched and there were a lot of OOP DVDs still available.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
It took a while for things to take off. With eBay you need to establish a good feedback rating. Once you are a trusted seller people are more likely to purchase from you.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful?
eBay and the seller market are constantly changing. You have to be adaptable.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most?
Not doing enough research and assuming people will purchase from you.

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business?
When I can sell a rare DVD to a customer, make them happy and make some money for myself.

jewlz4ever( 7928)

Name: JEWLZ; User ID: JEWLZ4EVER
Type of Ebay Business: One-Stop-Shop Retail Business
Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Auction Store URL: http://stores.ebay.ca/Jewlz4ever

1. What kind of business do you run? I run an on-line eBay store that sells any & everything for everyone. I mainly focus on cosmetics & hair & skin care.

2. Is it entirely on eBay? Yes, my business is entirely on eBay. I’ve considered other sites (eg. Craig’s List), but its easier to put all your attention & dedication to one place.

3. What got you started on eBay? Five years ago I heard from a friend & co-worker about this amazing site (eBay) that was a safe & great place to shop on-line. She went from being a buyer to a seller. I asked her to teach-me eBay when she returned from vacation. Because of my drive, impatience and need of financial assistance I decided to navigate thru eBay world on my own. From a basic site to a store to over 9,000 sales & transactions and maintaining a feedback score of 99.9% I am STILL here.

4. Did your business succeed right from the beginning?
My business started very slow because I was learning as I went along. I refer to that time period as Trial & Errors. I made soooo many mistakes, but I learned from each one! I started slow and gained confidence and built up my reputation.

5. What was one important thing you learned to make your eBay business successful? What I learned to make my business successful on eBay was to treat others the way I would want to be treated. Even if that meant refunding someone for an item that they say was never received by them, but I knew in my gut that they really had received it I learned that customers aren’t always right, but my communicating with empathy and respect it would go a long way and maybe create repeat business or gain referrals. I learned that honesty, organization and being prompt whether in my shipping of packages or returning emails back to customers.

6. What mistake do you think newbies make the most? I think the mistake that most newbies make is trying to get rich quick. It won’t happen unless you found the most perfect in demand item. LOL! Newbies sometimes have expectations beyond a realistic picture. In trying to create quick money important things are over looked. (Eg. Charging a lot more for shipping when it’s obvious it’s a lot less).

7. What is the most satisfying aspect of running an eBay business? Hmmmm…. The most satisfying aspect of eBay? Where do I start?
My Son lacks NOTHING and I am a single-Mom!, I carry a mortgage by myself, I own my car, I run eBay out of my home and I’m able to be with my Son while I make money. I work independently, and create my own hours. I have NEVER been more financially independent.
I am NOT rich by any means, but I’m Ok. Actually, I’m blessed.