NEVER Pre-Sell On Ebay Because HERE'S WHY...

I thought I had the perfect plan.

"I KNOW where I can buy X Product for this much, but I know
it's worth X amount on ebay...great profit potential here!"

Sat on it for about two days, and just "went for it"....I had to
take action on it, how would I have known it would not work?
sounds' like a great plan right? I can simply order the products
WITH the money my customers send me for the product.

I essentially, PRE-SOLD 2 products on ebay, and both attempts
were unsuccessful and a little messy...and here's why:

1. Paypal buts holds on money over $100 if you don't have a
solid consistent business model w/ ebay.

2. The product you buy with your customers money AFTER they
already paid for it...me thinking it would reach me in time to ship
to them in the time frame I promised...backfired and took about
a week longer than I anticipated.

Surprisingly, a few of the customers were a little understanding
(although very unhappy) about the problem I caused, and have
been patient with me, but they don't care, they either want the
product they paid for or their money back.

I was having a hard time trying to do either or.

Some how, and I believe by divine intelligence, I was being helped
get out of this situation smoothly without messing up my feedback
and good standing with paypal...some how, I ended up coming out
ahead almost $500+ in one week after almost 3 weeks of pure hell.

...and I was able to give everybody their money back in full, at a
time when I seriously doubted it's possibility.

I keep saying "some how", but I already intuitively know what "it was"
that helped me in this situation...and that's faith in a higher power.

If you ever find yourself stuck in a sticky situation as a entrepreneur
(and we all are at some point in our career), always look for divine
help to guide you along. Don't try to solve the problem yourself,
you might lose your mind.

And what was the business lesson here?

If your an ebay power seller, plan on being one, seriously thinking
about it...ALWAYS HAVE THE PRODUCTS IN YOUR POSSESSION TO
SHIP OUT.

I will NEVER do any form of dropshipping again, and I see why so many
people recommend against it.

It's a pain in the ass, and your always walking on thin ice when you
do it successfully. Orders will backup, shipments will get delayed, and
it's all beyond your control. Things can seriously go out of whack,
especially when your selling TOO much of the item you don't have...
Now what?

You spent their money on the items they paid for and come to find out,
thye may not get it for a matter of weeks. That's not good news.

Bottomline: Don't Pre-Sell. Ever. Lesson learned. And if you want
to get into ebay marketing (seriously), don't YOU ever pre-sell
products you don't have in your inventory. Your' inviting danger.

/end rant.

If your considering creating money from ebay marketing, please, file
this thread at the top of your "Don't Do" list. Don't make my mistake.