[snowgoose]

Hi All,

Im thinking about setting up a website for people to use.

The website will be for requesting us to list their items, create a shop, and everything else thats related to ebay. We, in return will take a small charge for our services.

This is only an idea as of yet, and no figures have been set. But Could something like this work or not?

[BusinessAdviser]

I'll just say that I would not waste any time pursuing such a venture.

Sold it on eBay stores already exist, where people just drop off items to be listed. I understand that you're offering an online version, but this defeats the purpose of the convenience of the stores, as people will still have to provide pictures, descriptions, etc. At that point, there is no reason to have someone else list it for them when they can do so for themselves just as easily but without you taking a cut.

This is another example of failing to think like a customer and consider the value that you are offering the customer.

[Hooman]

I did some research on this a while back when I was thinking of opening an iSold-it in my town. I decided against it because EBay consignment stores haven't been doing so well lately. As much as there are successful ones, many iSold-it and other consignment stores have closed over the past year. It peaked last year, imo. In fact, I remember when 5-6 Entrepreneur's magazine covers in a row were all about eBay. Jmenq, you subscribe to Entrepreneurs magazine, did you notice that? Then all of a sudden it stopped, because EBay was not doing so well at that point.

I also remember my auctions slowing down quite a bit during that time. So much that I pretty much closed up shop for the most part and decided to go back to freelancing and other things.

You're better off just selling things yourself. The commission/fee you make is not worth it unless you have a really efficient operation. It can work, sure, but you should do some research in your area first. I still sell a little, but I don't think consignment is that great.

[crackah]

Yeah, I gave it a shot last year, start of it as something to do.

Got a few responses, the items were crap, too much effort for too little return imo.

[snowgoose]

ok thanks for the replies guys, that idea now joins my ever growing list of crazy ideas that are pointless

[BusinessAdviser]

Originally Posted by snowgoose

ok thanks for the replies guys, that idea now joins my ever growing list of crazy ideas that are pointless

Don't sell yourself short. There is no such thing as a crazy or pointless idea, just crazy or pointless decisions to pursue certain ideas.