Creating an Ebay store...Is it worth it?

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Rwolfrom

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I know a lot of us use ebay as our primary buying and selling tool. I'm wondering from those that actually pay for an ebay "store" if you think that it's worth it? Maybe you could list some of the benefits/disadvantages of having one?
 
My views:

Pros:

  • Bigger audience than I could ever hope to get
  • "Big Pull" cards will get you good money
  • Store listings are usually less expensive than a regular auction and last 30 days and renew automatically

Cons:

  • eBay fees just keep climbing up and up...see other threads here about their proposed changes
  • Store listings aren't as visible in searches as a regular auction is (they're down at the bottom)...it could be argued that a seasoned eBay buyer, however, knows how to search properly for what they're looking for

Basically when I'm listing a card I look to see if previous ones get lots of "auction" action and go for a decent price...if they do, they go to auction. If I feel the card has a limited audience appeal, then I put it in store inventory and let it ride. Also store inventory is my choice for lower-value cards, as you can put a "BIN" price and use the "Best Offer" option to decide how badly you want to move it. Every one of my inventory items in my store have the "Best Offer" feature. I think that's one of eBay's best features in the store world.

I only have a basic store...not sure what the higher-end store subscriptions cost and offer as added value, but this level works for me.

Good luck and hope you do well. If you're looking for inventory...buy mine LOL :)

Kev :beer:
 
I have had a store for years and I think it is well worth the $15 a month. Since buying the store the number hits on each of my listings has gone up 20-30%. This alone is worth it to me. I still do the majority of my sales on regular auctions, but it is a great way to move a ton of low-end stuff (parallels, inserts, etc.). If you are looking to move high-end the store is great to put them in at the price you are willing to sell for or higher with a BO option. If they don't sell you have little invested but your time....
 
lol after reading some posts I might consider paying for a store.. though I don't open as much anymore.. i usually just do alot of auctions
 
Honestly I think you all just talked me into it lol. Some really good points made. I open enough and would like to see a better return on the cards I do sell.
 
It is getting costly, but if you have a consistent batch of auctions running, that will bring traffic, you should do alright. It is good for moving lower end merchandise. Gotta spend money to make money...
 
Rwolfrom said:
Honestly I think you all just talked me into it lol. Some really good points made. I open enough and would like to see a better return on the cards I do sell.
Click to expand...

The biggest value in having the store: selling your base cards. I sell enough from O Canada in a week to pay for a month of the eBay store.

It also allows you to more easily develop reputation (and feedback!), and if you have a great combined shipping discount, people will just go nuts.

I've also seen failed auctions do just fine as store items. Something that didn't sell during a 5 day period can do great in a 2 month timeframe.

I also think the new fee formats are going to cater well to stores - a 15% Final Value discount if you keep your detailed stats at 4.8 or higher each month!

-Michael
 
pathshot said:
I also think the new fee formats are going to cater well to stores - a 15% Final Value discount if you keep your detailed stats at 4.8 or higher each month!
Click to expand...

Wow that is really cool! I did read the new changes to ebay that were gonna start at the end of Feb. But I didn't know about this! Thats a really good idea!
 
store is really good to have, normally my store outselld my auctions minimally 5 to1, and its nice getting close to value of the card. items that have sold for base price of most auctions, i can noramlly squeeze a little bit more money out of.

The only problem i see like others is the cost, the entry fees are dropping which is good, but they are raising the fvf to ofset that reduction

Jason
 
I LOVE my ebay store....Up to this point I have only put my low-end/unwanted inerts/parallels/rookies inthere at cheap prices (typically under $1) just to move them out and put $$$ in my hand to go buy something I want...I also put my higher value base cards in there (Crosby/Ovy/Gretz/etc...), and they sell very well.....the only thing I am personally worried about is the new $1 min. requirement that ebay is imposing...might cause some drops in my sales...not sure yet what my plan of attack is on this one yet!

Overall though, I have been very pleased with my store....

:)
 
lucky20 said:
I LOVE my ebay store....Up to this point I have only put my low-end/unwanted inerts/parallels/rookies inthere at cheap prices (typically under $1) just to move them out and put $$$ in my hand to go buy something I want...I also put my higher value base cards in there (Crosby/Ovy/Gretz/etc...), and they sell very well.....the only thing I am personally worried about is the new $1 min. requirement that ebay is imposing...might cause some drops in my sales...not sure yet what my plan of attack is on this one yet!

Overall though, I have been very pleased with my store....

:)
Click to expand...


Lucky,

I'll officially be opening my store tonight and never thought about putting the star base up. I keep a box full of Crosby, Ovy, Gretz, Orr etc. How much do you put them up for? I would imagine they don't really sell over $1 or so? Either way, I'm pretty excited to get on and list a bunch of stuff. I'm still not sure on how the whole thing works but from the responses here it does sound like a decent little operation! Thanks everyone for the feedback..
 
Rwolfrom said:
Lucky,

I'll officially be opening my store tonight and never thought about putting the star base up. I keep a box full of Crosby, Ovy, Gretz, Orr etc. How much do you put them up for? I would imagine they don't really sell over $1 or so? Either way, I'm pretty excited to get on and list a bunch of stuff. I'm still not sure on how the whole thing works but from the responses here it does sound like a decent little operation! Thanks everyone for the feedback..
Click to expand...

My prices vary depending on the product...I typcially range between $0.49-$1.99 with the Best Offer option...I personally judge it by how many I have of any specific card and again, the product (SPX, SPGU, Trilogy tend to book a bit higher so I list them a bit higher).....

I orginally started this as an experiment because I had busted close to 4-5cases of 06/07 SPA...I must have had at least 150+ Crosby base cards, and didn't know what to do with them...I got the idea to throw them up in the store for a decent price ($0.99 obo), anywho....they sold faster than I could believe...so now I do this for all of my upper tier base cards....beats just having them sit in a box and collect dust and offers these nicer base up to those who don't always bust the expensive products!!

:)
 
WildforCup10 said:
If you open a store, don't you have to keep track for taxes? I am not sure that is why I asked.
Click to expand...


I am sure in theory and techically....yes....

I never have, and so far no issues...it's not like I am selling ten of thousands of dollars....so I have never really worried about it....

If I ever do run into an issue though...I have my receipts for wax purchased (which is a lot), and could very easily show a loss vs. what was spent... :|
 
WildforCup10, yea one should, but mainly those that charge taxes on the bay, also pay taxes on thier sales. BandM's mostly. I myself haven't and so far no problems to this date, but like others i spend more then what i make in sales, gotta keep my pc growing:)

Jason
 
Well my first store is up and running. Maybe a few of you can have a peek and shoot out some constructive critiscism. I've already learned my lesson on store listings as I must have mispriced 2 ITG base that were snatched for .99. Either way, let me know what you think!
 

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