Are You An Ebay Seller?

You cannot buy genuine branded electronic consoles / games/ computer stuff from a chinese wholesaler. No chinese wholesaler has the distribution rights for any branded electronics so if you get some they will be fake or knock off

Byron,
Years ago we were Powersellers with eBay...then eBay started getting pretty greedy with their listing fees and their final value fees.

I just listed something recently and the fees came to almost 10% when you added them all up...and at the end of the day, we had about 16 people actually see the listing...just so happens the traffic is dying in this particular category at least...

But...

If you are sure this is the business model you want to get into...here are some good source suggestions:

1. Worldwide Brands is a possible source for legitimate overseas products.

2. Locate closeouts or business' who have gone out of business here in the U.S. (It'll probably be cheaper and you won't have to deal with the shipping/import hassle of overseas imports.)

Be very wary of dealing with some of these overseas companies.

We spent days negotiating a contract...and after all the work, they changed the pricing and terms at the last minute before shipment. So we lost all the time and effort building the relationship with the factory.

Just be careful.

Cheers,
Jack Duncan

Exactly what computer parts are you looking for? Graphics cards, Hard Drives, RAM? I import computer cases from China.

Also, look toward Amazon for your selling platform. eBay isn't doing the best at the moment.

I second that... eBay isn't the best platform to sell from anymore
hmmm electronics - I can't think of a more cut throat, flooded line of products then electronics.

As too quality from China ...
For the products I carry, I get numerous emails from factories in China that want to sell to me.
Problem is, I know which factories my suppliers are using and its the same factories trying to sell to me direct. They are just cutting out my supplier and in many instances the license holder of the product.
Not a cool way of doing business.
Basically they are ripping off the same USA companies that have paid them to manufacture the product.

Do I buy from China - yes - but I get them to manufacture my designs (which they are probably selling to someone else {sigh..} but thats the nature of doing business overseas.

As for selling on eBay - look at who your competition is going to be for those electronics. Chance are there are several shipping direct from China. Its going to be hard to compete with those sellers.

The only thing I sell on eBay anymore is over stock items or liquidations where all I want to do it move the product because I've had it in stock for too long and its slow moving in my regular stores.

I have run (and still do) several ebay niche businesses for the last 8 years at Platinum level. Buying branded items from China is not a good idea. China is only good for the manufacture of OEM/ODM products that you develop. It is better that you source the branded products from official suppliers within your country/territory.

With regards to Ebay, traffic conversion is not good these days, compared to the 'old days'. This is down to several factors. The worldwide economic downturn is one of them, but ebay's constant changing / tweaking of their system is another. I could go on, but I will leave it there.

A majority of sellers succeed on Ebay in 2010 by selling discounted, value goods, at high volumes with outstanding customer service (which you will not find at any other major sales portal on the net). Order today, pay the lowest price possible for the item and get it tomorrow, without paying a premium service/delivery cost. Also, the profit margins are generally very slim. If you are prepared to do this, you can succeed, but it is hard work.

If you can not buy branded iterms from your own country,then you must travel to China to dictate and see that the specification of what you need is done. For Ebay, foget about them now.

everything that comes from china is FAKE. if the price is too low than its not the real product.

There are a lot of fees to sell items on ebay. They should get some money when goods are sold. Not for just listing.

I agree that eBay isn't nearly as seller friendly as it once was, and using it as your primary vehicle for moving product is going to cost you much more than having your own digital storefront. It's a good place to acquire new customers, or to unload excess inventory, but the fees will eat you up.

John

remember to diversify... ebay is not the only marketplace. use amazon and others as well to gain maximum market exposure..

I'm an eBay Powerseller, and I have imported from China on a couple of occasions. Everyone is right when they say that you're not going to get anything genuine. I will only import items that are not electric in any way....nor DVDs. My experience with these types of items is that so many of them don't work or are damaged, that it's not worth savings. Plus, you have to factor in the amount of time you spend communicating, since they are on a completely different time schedule. Not to mention the 35-45 days it takes to receive your goods.

I always order a sample of a product before ordering a large quantity. It's also a good idea to set up escrow for at least half of the total not to be released until the goods enter the states. You should also use an import broker.

The name of the site I have used slips my mind right now, but I never trusted a single provider that I chatted with on Alibaba. If I think of it, I'll post it. It's been 9 months since I imported anything.

The only people I know who have good experiences with imported goods typically go meet their supplier in person overseas.

I've heard too many horror stories about being sent real products as samples and then the real order is fakes or broken junk.

The reality is that especially for small business there are plenty of scammers that are all too happy to take your money knowing there is no recourse you have once payment is made.

What you'll find with distributors both foreign and domestic is that the quantity required to get competitive pricing is usually in massive lots only (hundreds or thousands), you'll need a registered company with good credit, a good D&B rating and a fair amount of capital. Often the prices you get dropshipping or with one or two purchases are no better than your local Walmart.

Electronics are probably one of the WORST niches to be in unless you have significant resources to invest a ton and weather the low margins.

Many many years ago (when I was an idiot) I tried to start an online business selling electronics. What I found was the capital required was huge, no one wanted to deal with me and roughly 30% of the orders were fraudulent. (and that was AFTER the CC scrubbing was done)

Try eating just a few fraud orders on expensive products when the margin is 10% or less...it will put you under fast when you are starting out.

There is much more money to be made in your own products or private-labeled products (I'm not talking about IM stuff here) and at least you know what you're dealing with.

If I want computer equipment or games I'm going to go to Amazon, Walmart, Newegg etc...you can't compete with those places.

Electronics are a commodity- all Sony TVs are the same so it becomes a price war, and you will lose.

There is money to be made if you can buy big lots of liquidated merchandise but the risk is huge...you have to know what you're dealing with.

At the end subtract 10% for ebay, and more for shipping and packaging and then add in the time and labor involved...it would take thousands a day in sales to make a modest income.

I only offer this as someone who has been there...I've been full-time only for years now, I don't sell "make money" stuff either. There are a lot better options these days than ebay UNLESS you are selling your own product.

Most of Chinese wholesalers sells duplicate and low-quality stuffs.
So always consult with a successful ebay-seller before buying from any Chinese wholesaler.