Sterling Web Site Management are expert web site developers & marketers.

     

 

Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant

By: Stephanie Chandler  

EBay’s online auctions have created business opportunities for thousands of people. Now the Trading Assistant program is making it easier than ever to start a business from home.

Trading assistants act as brokers, selling merchandise for others and keeping a percentage of the profits. The profit potential can be great, especially when selling high-value items.

Though there are millions of registered users on eBay, many people still don’t know how to sell goods themselves. A trading assistant fills a need in the marketplace, allowing you to make a profit while helping others unload their stuff. Almost everyone has a box of items in their garage or closet that they would like to sell.

Getting Started

You will need to decide what types of products you are willing to sell and may want to set a minimum value on merchandise you accept. It can be difficult to make a profit on $5 items so many assistants require the products have a minimum estimated sales value of $10 or $20.

Most assistants set their fees between 20%-40% of the ending auction price. You may also want to charge a per-item listing fee of $1-$5, and possibly deduct this from the commission if the auction ends successfully.

As a trading assistant, you will list the item for sale, handle all buyer questions, collect payment and shipping fees from the buyer and ship the item. You may also need to do some research on your customers’ items to determine their value. Search the closed listings to find out what similar items have sold for and list your auctions accordingly.

You should create a simple contract that your customers sign to indicate that they agree to your services and fees. You can check out the competition in your area to determine what services other Assistants are offering and how they are structuring their fees. Check eBay’s directory by zip code at http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?TradingAssistant&page=main.

You will also need to decide how to obtain the items from your seller. You could offer a pickup service, visit customers’ homes and complete a contract there. Or you can offer a drop-off service, where customers bring their items to you. Many assistants operate from their garage so buyers don’t have to enter their homes.

Promote Your Business on Ebay

Ebay offers a directory of trading assistants that consumers can use to locate services in their geographic area. To get listed in the official Trading Assistant program, eBay requires that you have a feedback rating of at least 50, have sold at least one item in the past 30 days, and maintain satisfaction rating of 97% or higher.

A listing in the official directory is free and you can also download best practices information and other tools from eBay at http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?TradingAssistant&page=toolkit.

Other Ways to Promote Your Business

Here are some ideas for getting the word out about your service:

• Create a simple brochure and ask nearby businesses to display them for you.
• Leave brochures or fliers on doorsteps in your neighborhood.
• Place classified ads in the local newspapers.
• Place free classified ads on www.craigslist.org.
• Contact small business owners and offer your services to them. They may want to unload their overstock and your service could provide the perfect solution.
• Post fliers and brochures at colleges, retirement centers, and community centers.
• Ask your kid’s school to mention your service in the newsletter.
• Visit garage sales and flea markets and offer your services to sellers.

Launch Your Business

Make sure you follow the rules of running a home-based business and check with your county offices to apply for a business license and resale permit. Though online sales are not heavily governed, someday they will be and it is better to comply with business laws.

Also make sure to set expectations with your customers. Since many aren’t familiar with how eBay works, explain the process and set realistic expectations for the final values of sales. Some may expect their items to be worth far more than they can get on eBay, and you don’t want to disappoint or worse, upset a client by selling an item for less than expected.

If you don’t yet have any experience on eBay yourself, it’s easy to get started. Begin with some spring cleaning and list some merchandise from your home. Be sure you have a good understanding of how eBay works before you represent your services to others.

A trading assistant business is a great opportunity for anyone interested in a relatively easy home business. Once you launch your business, repeat customers and word of mouth should help your business grow. Your only regret could be that you didn’t start sooner.

About the Author:
Stephanie Chandler is the author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!” and the founder of http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive hot small business tips by sending an email to newsletter@businessinfoguide.com.


This article is free for republishing

Stephanie Chandler is the author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!” and founder of http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs.  


Take Back Control Of Your Inbox. Eliminate Annoying and Potentially Harmful E-Mails


Are you tired of spam stealing your time, your money, your bandwidth and your hard disc space? The time you devote each day to sort and delete spam from your inbox could be put to much better use. In the European Union alone, the working hours employees are spending on sorting and deleting spam is costing the companies and estimated 10 billion euros every year! By manually sorting out spam afte. . .


Return to Index

Start a Search:

UK Financial Services
Sub-categories: Accounting | Banks | Building Societies | Corporate Finance | Credit Services | Currency Services | Debt Collection | Directories | Factoring | Financial Consultants | Fund Management | Independent Financial Advisors | Information Services | Insurance | Leasing | Merchant Services | Offshore Services | Organisations | Personal Finance | Publications | Regulation | Socially Responsible Investment | Stockbrokers | Taxation
Article Index: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

World Financial Services
Sub-categories: Associations | Automobile Buying and Financing | Banking Services | By Region | Cash Flow | College Financing | Commercial Lending | Computer Financing | Cooperatives | Credit and Collection | Directories | Education and Training | Employment | Field Service Companies | Financial Consultants | Financial Planning | Freelancer-Contractor Services | Holding Companies | Information Services | Insurance | Investment Banks | Investment Services | Leasing Services | Loans | Marketing and Advertising | Medical Billing | Merchant Services | Mortgages | News and Media | Offshore Services | Payroll Services | Surety Bonds | US Government Financial Sites | Venture Capital | World War II Dormant Accounts

Get "IN TO" Vicky's "rr-tit-calls" (Vicky's a Yorkshire Lass)
Latest News & Previews
 

How Time Flies When I Am In A Hurry

Have you ever noticed that when you are on vacation time goes by rapidly? According to my calculations (and I'm the first to admit I didn't do well in calculus), the average minute during vacation time is less than 20 seconds. This is one reason time goes by so quickly on vacation.The other reason, as everyone knows, is that during a vacation week there are no days beginning with the letter “T.” Now, you know why your vacation went by so quickly this summer. There are always reasons if you are willing to dig hard enough.Now, if this is true, the question plaguing my mind is: where does all . . .

 

How to make great Chocolate Gourmet Caramel Apples

Do you want to make yummy chocolate caramel apples, but don't know where to start. Well, its quite simple. Simply start with the following:Granny Smith apples2 Large bag of Kraft caramel squaresPopsicle sticks2 Bag of Milk Chocolate Candy Melts from Michael's Craft storeNutsWash apples thoroughly and add sticks. Melt caramel squares in microwave. Dip apples in caramel and let dry for 15 minutes. Add nuts to apples (optional.) Then melt chocolate and pour into plastic pastry bag. Add twist tie to top of pastry bag and snip tiny hole at the end of the bag. Strip apples with chocolate and. . .

 

Inexpensively Protect Your Automotive Investment with a C...

You’ve just purchased your dream car. After many months (or even years) of saving, you are now driving home from the car dealership and you suddenly realize, “How am I going to protect my new investment”. If you don’t have the luxury of keeping your car inside of a garage, a car cover will help protect your automobile, both the exterior and interior of your vehicle. Even if you do keep your car in a garage, but don’t drive it very often, a car cover is still quite beneficial. It will keep dust particles from sticking to you vehicle and potentially damaging your car’s paint job. A car cover . . .

Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant - Top articles for  research. AskVicky a free resource with minimum advertising. Edited by humans, displayed by advanced technology. This is NOT spam!

1st4 Sponsors AskJack Making this a FREE Unlimited Search service
SECURED LOANS

  
TRAVEL WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
AskVicki is one of the UK's leading online information centres for travel and holiday research
Exotic Ladies Garments
Lace Ruffle Cami Set
32 Corners Directories
Food: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Internet: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Parenting: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Pets: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Politics: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Sport: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Go4Webmaps 

Supplemental Information

eBay: UK Site - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
eBay: UK Site
Find almost anything you could want and bag a bargain on eBay today!
http://www.ebay.co.uk
Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant in the Free Online Encyclopedia - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant in the Free Online Encyclopedia
Read about Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant in the free online encyclopedia and dictionary. Over 3 million articles on any topic.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com

1ST 4 SECURED LOANS UNITED KINGDOM 

STATUS & NON STATUS LOANS
UK FREE PHONE 0800 169 5297
SECURED LOAN | UNSECURED LOAN | TENANT LOANS | COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE | MORTGAGES | REMORTGAGES | NON STATUS | RATES

Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant - Auctions  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Start an Easy Home Business: Become an Ebay Trading Assistant - Auctions
ShopDirect Fashions ShopDirect Toys ShopDirect Electrical Shop Direct UK the fast direct way to shop online for:- Books Music Electrical Software Video games Toys Games Digital Cameras Kitchen & Ho...
http://www.shopdirect.me.uk/auctions/29959.php
Importers & Distributors - Auto Material Speedways Articles  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Importers & Distributors - Auto Material Speedways Articles
... Now Available At Inner Auto By Terry Brown - 12/20/2005 Are you tired of your engine's performance? Headers are one of the easiest bolt-on accessories you can use to improve an engine's perform...
http://www.speedways.me.uk/Articles/
Online Trading - News Archive for August 2006  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Online Trading - News Archive for August 2006
... Savings Account and start earning ... ads. It is easy ... credibility ... trading business, pleaded guilty ... story eBay assistant offers help ... full story eBay to Raise Fees ... auctioneer ...
http://www.tradezone.co.uk/archive/August-2006.html
Card Making Program Trading  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Card Making Program Trading
Home Links Sitemap Contact card making ... trading Resources eBay.co.uk - card ... ever printed, making it easy to catalog ... At Home Business Opportunity Make Money ... Assistant and creator of a...
http://www.card-verses.co.uk/card-making-program-trading.php
Auctioning4u - eBay Drop-Off Shop - Franchise Opportunity  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Auctioning4u - eBay Drop-Off Shop - Franchise Opportunity
... Us Login Consumer Business Charities How It ... buying on eBay is easy, selling can be time ... shop franchise Starting an eBay drop-off ... our experienced trading assistants and staff ... Our...
http://www.auctioning4u.co.uk/Content/How_it_works/Franchise_Oppor ...
eBay Glossary  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
eBay Glossary
home pay site map Advanced Search ... Icon Starting Price Discussion ... with any other trading partner ... These become a permanent part of ... into the new one for easy editing ... member who sel...
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/newtoebay/glossary.html
eBay.co.uk Shops - Slide Projectors, Film Camera Accessories, Photography items at low prices  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
eBay.co.uk Shops - Slide Projectors, Film Camera Accessories, Photography items at low prices
home pay site map Advanced Search Home ... Thank you for your business. Procameras ... for those starting in studio photography ... that makes it easy for anyone to sell ... our stores with an item...
http://photography.stores.ebay.co.uk/Film-Camera-Accessories_Slide ...
Franchise Directory: Business Services Franchises and Business Opportunities  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Franchise Directory: Business Services Franchises and Business Opportunities
... Services Home & Garden Services ... International All Trades Network Alliance ... Personal Assistant to answer ... send that important eBay sale ... like to start their own business ... An inve...
http://www.findafranchise.co.uk/business_services.html
Get A Franchise: Business Services Franchises and Business Opportunities  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
Get A Franchise: Business Services Franchises and Business Opportunities
... Services Home & Garden Services ... All Trades Network Alliance ... their business expenditure ... Personal Assistant to answer ... send that important eBay sale ... like to start their own bus...
http://www.getafranchise.co.uk/business_services.html
BBC - h2g2 - How to Buy and Sell Used CDs and DVDs  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
BBC - h2g2 - How to Buy and Sell Used CDs and DVDs
Home TV Radio Talk Where I ... Everything / Business & Economics ... Online Write an Entry Browse ... the sales assistant to have ... ones are easy to spot because ... bargain. Cash or Trade? You ....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1149284
iProfit Niche Package - Cheapest Valid License on the web  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
iProfit Niche Package - Cheapest Valid License on the web
... you can start your own highly ... automated online business in less ... to own an online business ... time income working from home ... Baker's Assistant This 84 ... has become ingrained into ....
http://www.westwindmoves.co.uk/iprofit_niche_package/
iSold It  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
iSold It
... resources Start A Franchise ... Automotive Business Services ... Franchise Home & Lifestyle Maintenance ... ambitions to become one of the ... to enable eBay and other internet ... An Industry ...
http://www.startups.co.uk/iSold_It.Ye5-lY9oNN29fg.html
BUTTERFLY-MEDIA - The World's Best Software Dropshipper  - Free previews by Thumbshots.org
BUTTERFLY-MEDIA - The World's Best Software Dropshipper
... sell on ebay, Amazon, your webshop ... yourself from home and say goodbye ... dropshipping is a business term used for ... price for an item, collects ... industry has become, there are ... rsq...
http://www.pc-sport-games.co.uk/articles/10-Top-Tips-To-Successful ...

More results >>

Fast UK Loan Solutions

 

Alternatively... Try some links tailored specifically for: 
Coventry

Useful searches in Coventry:
These searches will help you find out more information about Coventry.
Local Police | Politicians | Councils | Weather | Traffic Reports | Local Music | Buses | Taxis | Radio Stations | Football | History | Sport | Crime | Local Societies | Charities

Entertainment in Coventry:
Discover  the cultural  and the entertaining.
Entertainment | Cinemas | Theatres | Restaurants | Gigs | Night Clubs | Pubs | Bingo Halls | Horse Racing | Bookmakers | Casinos | Festivals

Attractions in Coventry:
Out and about in Coventry and attractions to marvel at in Coventry.
Museums | Tourist Attractions | Theme Parks | Country Parks | Fun Fairs | Nature Reserves | Places to Visit | Country Houses | Extreme Sports

Building Services in Coventry:
 builders and plumbers at home in Coventry.
Builders | Gardeners | Plumbers | Electricians | Joiners | Plasterers | Building Supplies | Double Glazing | Conservatories

Health and Medical in Coventry:
Life and Death to Body, Mind and Soul in Coventry.
Hospitals | Dentists | Doctors | Health Centres | Opticians | Vets | Health Advice | Funeral Directors | Late Night Opening Chemists | Leisure Centres | Fitness Gyms | Diet Clubs | Health Clubs | Beauty Treatment

Financial in Coventry:
Mortgage and Loan Brokers in Coventry to banks and  accountants.
Banks | Building Societies | Mortgage Brokers | Independent Financial Advisors | Investments | Solicitors | Accountants | Non Status Mortgages | Tenant Loans | Secured Loans

Property and Accommodation in Coventry:
Where to stay on holiday in Coventry or permanently live in Coventry.

Estate Agents | Properties For Sale | Rented Accommodation | Holiday Cottages to Rent | Holiday Accommodation | Hotels | B and B's

Family in Coventry:
 family life from education to  weddings.
Primary Schools | Secondary Schools | Colleges | Universities | Wedding Venues | Wedding Organisers | Bridal Wear Shops | Adult Education | Pubs with Family Rooms

Retail in Coventry:
Shop till you drop in Coventry with a wide range of  retailers.
Florists | Fast Food | Cafes | Retail Parks | DIY Stores | Electrical Shops | Carpet Shops | Supermarkets | Local Markets | Sunday Markets | Music Shops | Book Shops | Garden Centres | Craft Fairs | Cattle Markets | Antique Fairs | Computers | Broadband

Environment in Coventry:
The local environment of  is very important and should be protected.
Recycling | Saving Energy | Pollution | Green Issues | Rubbish Disposal | Recycling Banks

Seasonal in Coventry:
All year round in Coventry these  searches are always in season.
Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Christmas | Summer Holidays | Easter

 

Finance & Business Information Articles: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15
Try Vicky's Articles: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

 SKYPEin No: 0044 121 288 1037 | SKYPE Username: "jackatsea"
© The information on this page has been gathered from various sources.
Where possible, Ask Vicky and Sterling eConsultancy link back to the original sources.

NO LIABILITY WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN RESPONSE TO ANY INFORMATION DISPLAYED BY ARTICLES OR WEB SITES LINKED TO BY THIS RESOURCE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS.