|
|
|
|
Global Trade Testimonials
|
|
|
|
|
Believe it or not I started selling on eBay after my
13-year-old son talked me into buying him a dog whistle on eBay in
August of 2004. This sparked my curiosity about possibly making money
by selling on eBay to get off of my disability income and eventually
support myself. I spent a couple of months doing some research regarding
eBay Selling and discovered that if I was serious about making money
on eBay, I needed to consider selling worldwide to approximately 100
million potential eBay buyers, instead of just 30 to 40 million US
customers. |
|
|
|
I began selling on eBay toward the end of October of 2004, listing
only in the US and frankly, I wasn't making the progress that I'd
hoped for. I started searching the various discussions groups, gathering
all of the information that I could find on international trading
and was eventually invited to join the mentoring group called "A-Z
of International Trading on eBay." With the help of the group
leader, members of the group, and my own continued search, I started
opening international doors by listing my items one-by-one in other
countries to get an initial feel for international trading.
I then decided to sell my items worldwide. As a result, the international
sales started coming in, and in just one month I closed five sales
to Canada, Spain, and the Netherlands and have already made my first
international friend from the Netherlands through eBay.
I really love selling internationally, mostly because the international
borders seem so transparent or non-existent. Most of the listings
that US sellers post on eBay only ship to the US. If only other
US sellers would realize that with minimal effort, they can have
their listings in front of approximately 100 million potential buyers,
instead of limiting themselves to 30 or 40 million potential buyers
here in the US.
The competition in the US is fierce, and there are so many buyers
outside the US who are thirsty for US products. We just need to
be willing to sell to them. By the way, shipping internationally
is kind of like shipping across country, only sometimes you have
a large body of water to cross, but that's OK because you don't
see the water.
Ken McGuire
Crawfordsville, Indiana
|
|
|
I started selling on eBay in February, 2000. Not long
after I had listed my first items for sale, I started receiving bids
from Asia, Europe, and Australia. Amazed by the response that my listings
generated, as well as the number of international buyers who were
willing to purchase items that they couldn't find in their local markets,
I decided to list one item directly on eBay Germany. As a result,
the bids soared overnight as did the numerous emails that poured in
from buyers asking whether I had additional items that I could list
using the Buy It Now price. And, that's how it all began.
|
|
|
|
Today, I attribute 80% of my sales to the European, Canadian, and
Asian markets. My buyers tell me what they are looking for and which
products are "hot sellers" in their local markets. This
eliminates the need for me to do extensive market research.
Granted, occasionally, I get strange looks at the grocery store, when
I turn up at the checkout line with a cart laden with dozens of jars
of peanut butter, multiple packages of Reese's products, and dozens
of Pop Tarts boxes. If only they knew!
Cross-border trading is extremely profitable, and personally, I find
it enjoyable to stay in contact with eBay Members from around the
world. They often send personal emails to communicate their excitement
when a package has arrived. This is often followed by pictures showing
their kids playing with their new toy. The greeting cards and "thank
you" gifts that I receive from Europe and Asia are the best reward
a seller could ask for.
eBay and PayPal give me all the tools that I need, and my buyers tell
me what I need to sell. I just need to list the items, ensure that
I have a steady inventory in my eBay Store for repeat buyers, and
ship items as soon as I receive payment.
I enjoy cross-border trading so much! I started a mentoring group
called "A-Z of International Trading on eBay" in April 2004
to share my experiences with other sellers who want to start selling
worldwide or to select countries.
In my opinion eBay is THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE where buyers and sellers
can trade with ease and security!
|
|