With
one brilliantly simple idea, eBay was born
just a few short years ago.
From its humble beginnings in the collectibles
business, it went on to achieve the lofty
heights it enjoys today.
As eBay has continued to grow to over 30
million registered users, it's transformed
the ability of individuals as well as corporations
to move product of all kinds.
eBay is now a place where virtually any
item imaginable is available, for the right
price.
With a few clicks of your mouse, the doors
to a world marketplace are opened.
Similarly, with a few clicks of your mouse,
the entire world can be viewing your merchandise
for sale.
It is this awesome power that eBay gives
to you, for a small fee.
Is it any wonder that large institutional
sellers, such as the U.S. Postal Service,
J.C. Penneys, various Police Departments
and all types of Corporations have discovered
the power and efficiencies of selling on
eBay?
The drawback for the smaller seller is
that, as more and more individual and institutional
sellers sign on to sell on eBay, the supply
of similar items will increase.
This increase in supply results in a decrease
in demand, and with that decreased demand,
lower ending bid amounts and lower profits
for all sellers.
This has already begun to happen in some
categories as ending bids continue their
slow trend downward.
As sellers begin to see profits eroding
due to too many sellers "playing the
game", the question of the day seems
to be, "What is the best thing to sell
on eBay?"
The simple (and somewhat facetious-sounding)
answer is, "Whatever people are interested
in that is not currently selling on eBay
in mass quantities".
More often than not, success on eBay results
from a seller taking on a niche that they
are familiar with and enjoy. Many of the
top eBay sellers have built their entire
business around a niche that they enjoy,
such as a certain type of collectible, or
a certain hobby, interest or sport.
If you take this approach, not only will
you be happier doing that which you enjoy,
but listing items will not become a "chore",
it will be an enjoyable experience.
As eBay continues it’s trend-line
of massive growth, sellers must be increasingly
aware of three things that will ensure opportunities
for growth and success:
