amazon/ebay, product or strat or how much of both?

Unfortunately, I don't think there's one easy answer for this. Many of the successful eBay and Amazon sellers found their way through experience, trial and error, failing and picking themselves up again. I would suggest spending some time in the Amazon forums, absorbing the advice the seasoned sellers have to offer. You can find a wealth of good information in those forums, and even ask some questions yourself.

I wish you the best of luck!
Tiana with ecomdash

This is obvious. Many sellers of eBay and Amazon have faced the issue of trial and failure. But this doesn't happen all time. So chill, and try again.

I am a big believer in Amazon as they have so much buyer traffic. That is where I go when I want to buy something myself! As for the "right marketing" you mention that is not an issue if you are doing FBA. Amazon is doing the marketing, shipping and customer service for you.

The only real issue you deal with is sourcing the right products. Then ship them off to Amazon and be patient and keep your pricing correct, hopefully to put you in the Buy Box.

I sell on both Amazon, eBay, and my own website. My preference is eBay, since you can build your own listing, optimize it for traffic, and create something to differentiate you from other sellers. The problem with Amazon is that there is 1 listing per product, so unless you win the "Buy Box", there isn't much you can do... unless you go the route with private label items & FBA.


The game is won with Amazon and eBay when you buy an item, not when you sell it. I've sold over $1.7 million on eBay over the years, so I feel more comfortable with my particular niche on there, although my Amazon sales are increasing as I learn from it.


The other users are right -- its all about trial & error and figuring it out. New sellers are really at a disadvantage, as the deck is stacked against you in the competitive niches.

Not fully tested.. but I think this could be done by simply going to walmart and finding the "closeout" section and buying low and selling high on e-bay. I do this a bunch in the months before Christmas but not so much this time of year. ( time is consumed with other things )

I will tell you that my couple of local walmarts move this section on a pretty regular basis. it could be at the front of the store.. back in automotive.. in the office section in garden.. its all over the place.

All you need to do is find something they have "bulk" of and go onto ebay and see what the product is selling for ( I do this with my phone in the store ) and if the buy to sell gap is enough. buy away.

I find lego stuff real cheap. xbox accessories, cel phone car chargers, cases, all kinds of stuff

You can do the same thing with home depot and lowes and work out deals on bulk buying all of the return tools and kits.

There are plenty of ways to get product... is just a matter of doing it. and just ensure you do the home work before you buy. everything you need to know will be right there on your phone.

I appreciate all the good ideas.