Selling on ebay for a living? Craigslist seller? Options

[99GT]

I went to talk two a few guys who rebuild alternators, starters, and distributors for dirt cheap. They've been doing it for more than 10 years and doing great.

They don't market, advertise, no way to reach customers, only by word of mouth.

So I was wondering why not do this and sell on ebay for dirt cheap. Still reading all the crap on ebay on running a store through ebay.

Then I was talking to them to use craigslist for their company...

Now I'm here... seeking opinions, maybe better ideas from mnsc. lol.

I also asked to work for them for free...lol

[yarik83]

Problem with any kind of business is finding people who would buy whatever it is that you are selling.

Lets say hypothetically you sold coo coo clocks that you made all by yourself. Most people who buy coo coo clocks would want some sort of warranty so while they would consider visiting ebay, its often more practical to mosey over to nearest furniture store and buy one there. Same goes for re-selling things such as lets say car parts. One can go to autozone and get a part in less than 1 business day. If it does not fit you can return it. Purchasing a part from a private party would mean taking risk so people are less eager to do that. So lets say you decide to sell a service... I dont know like house cleaning for example. Well people who open yellow pages would be looking for someone who will not rob them so instead of hiring a private party they will likely go with a company.
There is hope though. Word of mouth advertising works like a charm especially in a small community but then again how many times does one need to lets say contract someone to put on christmas lights.

It is very hard to keep your private business going. I am speaking from experience since I sell kittens on internet. 90% of people that call me day and night do not deserve to walk on this planet and that itself is a sign for you right there. Most american consumers are fussy buyers so will likely expect a 5 star service while trying to pay 1 star price.

Enterpreneurship is a difficult thing, especially in a troubled economy but if I had to give you advice... think of what people absolutely need and figure out a way how you can get involved and earn the most amount of money by being less involved financially and time wise.

example of what you could be doing is something like a middle man to something else. Ie people find you because you know the best baby sitters or best pet sitters etc. Sort of like a refferal service.

[CAMAricer]

X2, no where is this more evident than in the health-care field where the poor expect free treatment/medication and they don't hold back on being arses about it.

Then there's ebay's fees and paypal fees? On Craigslist, you have flakers who don't pay or scammers. Online retailers have different kinds of problems to deal with than brick and mortar stores.

Most american consumers are fussy buyers so will likely expect a 5 star service while trying to pay 1 star price.

[Hanyo]

It is very hard to keep your private business going. I am speaking from experience since I sell kittens on internet. 90% of people that call me day and night do not deserve to walk on this planet and that itself is a sign for you right there. Most american consumers are fussy buyers so will likely expect a 5 star service while trying to pay 1 star price.

+1


Pretty much it boils down to people always wanting to take advantage of business. If you only go by word of mouth you limit your customers to the few you trust. Not having to satisfy customers cuts down on cost.