Food is the Language of Love

In case you missed this article in my newsletter, here is is again. Several people have contacted me asking if I can extend this special until the weekend. I will be happy to! This offer is good until midnight Saturday October 4, so don't miss out.

With the holiday season fast approaching, many sellers jump on the toy and seasonal train. I have seen over the last 11 years that that ride is oversold. Three years ago I decided to take a different approach to 4th quarter sales and instead of focusing on the hottest toys, I focused on what makes the holidays great- FOOD.

Groceries are consumables and customers often buy multiples of an item. Add on top of that the 4th quarter is one of the busiest seasons for entertaining, family gatherings, and falling off the diet wagon- foods are the hottest items. Best of all they can’t be returned!

From grocery items given as gifts to military care packages- food is the language of love. So why not be part of creating amazing memories while creating a great bank account this 4th quarter?

What I learned about what sells grocery-wise this time of year may shock you. I know it shocked me. And that’s why I created my latest eBook Hidden Holiday food Items That Sell, Sell, Sell.

You can’t buy Hidden Holiday Items That Sell, Sell, Sell.

Just like the holiday season, I want to give you an extra special treat. The only way you can get your hands on Hidden Holiday Items That Sell, Sell, Sell is to either be a former student of an Amazon Grocery Class or to grab a copy of this course of yourself.

(Click here to grab this course and all the gifts.)

And because I love this time year, I am also giving away:

25 Discontinued Products ebook

100 Unique Food Supplier ebook

and 2 weeks worth of Suzanne’s Inbox where you get unlimited email support from me - when you purchase the Amazon Grocery course.

So yes, the holiday gifts have come early! This is just my way of saying “Thank you!” to my loyal, hardworking students.

Ok, don’t miss out on grabbing all of these gifts (a $140 value) click here.

Not approved to sell the grocery category? No problem. This information is included in the course, and I can help you through the process either by phone or email.

And remember, all of my courses come with the Learn It, Know It, Master It guarantee. I am here for you via phone or email to make sure that you don’t just learn or know the profit-making skills that I cover in my courses, but that you master them and in turn, your bank account shows the results.

(If you are a former student of the Amazon Grocery Class, contact me for your free gift - a copy of Hidden Holiday Food Items that Sell, Sell, Sell.)

Now let's all get ready to move in to our best 4th quarter yet!

My Little eBay Experiment - Work Smarter!

I wanted to share something I have been working on personally in my eBay store. Maybe this will help some of you trying to get your numbers up.

For the last 3 months, I have really been focusing on selling higher priced items, as well as purchasing them as cheaply as possible to increase profit margin. Most things I buy now don't cost more than $2, and you can see from this sales chart that my average sale price per item has doubled in 90 days. (*Note: Free shipping is included on items shipped First Class or that can go in a padded flat rate envelope, so that skews the numbers a little.)

For those of you who want to increase your profit on eBay, please remember it is not about the number of things you sell, but the profit you make each month. The most frequently asked question I receive from sellers is, "How can I make more money on eBay?" Well, here is your answer.

I am on several Facebook eBay groups, and often see sellers posting pics of their giant piles of outgoing packages. Please do not be misled by quantity. A seller may be shipping 25 one day, but profit might only be $2 per item - which of course is still good money, but quantity isn't the end game here.

Maximum dollars in the bank account is what we all want. It doesn't matter if you sell 1,000 items a month if you are only making $3 an hour doing it. Look at your profit vs hours worked to see how much you are making. Put the pencil to paper and many of you will be shocked to see you are working for a fraction of minimum wage.

Also, consider the time and work involved in selling lower priced items as well as additional supply cost. (Mailers, labels, ink, tape, etc.) After doing this for 11 years, I have decided I would rather spend the bulk of my time looking for items that will yield a higher sales price rather than doing this business like a mouse on a wheel. Just because you are busy and money is going into your Paypal account does not mean you are running a profitable business. Remember, it takes the same amount of time to list a $50 item as it does to list a $5 item.

Bottom line: It is never a question of IF you can sell something on eBay, but the question we need to focus on is "How MUCH can I sell this for?"

Just thought I would share my little experiment with you. I hope to increase average sale price to $40 per item by the end of the year.

You can find your average sales by going to Summary > Sales Reports and look in the middle of the page. You can visit my eBay store, Atlanta Golf Shop here to see the kinds of things I am selling.

What are your goals for increasing sales by the end of 2014?

Related articles:

Are you wasting time micromanaging your eBay store?

83% of eBay sellers do this, do you?

21 Ways to boost eBay sales

Profiles of Successful eBay Pickers - Laura Feyh-Nicoletta

Time for another installment of "Profiles of Successful eBay Pickers."I reached out to sellers on my eBay seller Facebook group, which is now approaching 17,000 members, to find sellers who have a proven track record of selling on eBay and maintaining a sustainable eBay business over time.

There are similar characteristics across these profiles that define the qualities of a successful seller.

The criteria I set for participating in this series:

1. Full time eBay seller for at least 3 years. (To show sustainability.)

2. Does not sell on Amazon. (For whatever reason.)

3. Sells inventory purchased at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, auctions, consignment sales or any combination of those sources. Does not purchase inventory wholesale, from liquidators, retail stores, from China, or drop ship. Must be a "picker."

4. Is an "at home" seller.

5. Must be willing to share eBay ID. (Keeping it real.)

Today's star picker is Laura Feyh-Nicoletta


When did you start selling on eBay?  


July 1999

Why did you start selling on eBay?

I am an at home mom and wanted to help with the family income. I always loved selling. We started with Pokemon cards and my boys loved to see their toys sell.

What is your store name, and what types of items do you sell? 

Storageunitauction I sell one of everything. I love to thrift and concentrate on areas I know can be winners. Shoes, toys, small appliances, mens graphic t-shirts, cosmetics.

Do you specialize in a certain niche, or are you open to selling anything?  

I am open to selling anything, but research every item with my iPhone while thrifting. After so many years, you learn.

If you specialize in a certain niche, why? 

 I am trying to stay with shoes, plush and small appliances. These tend to be my higher profit items. I am getting tired of the small profit margins. Every time I shop I think “What can I flip on eBay?” I made a killing one year when the Smurfs movie came out and McDonald’s Happy Meal toys were hard to get. I had folks paying $30 or so for 1 Smurf. Parents will get the kiddos what they want. I felt a little guilty buying out the McDonald's deliveries, but business is business.


What is your average monthly profit? 

I am in a downward spiral compared to last year, but my profits range from $2K-5K and that is really on a part- time basis. There has been some upgrading and changes through eBay itself which is out of my control, but I can see they are fixing that. If I put in a 40 hour week, which I am concentrating on now because I am empty nesting, I think I can double that with the inventory I have.


How many hours do you typically work a week on your eBay business? 

As stated above, part-time. It can range from 15-25 hours. Summer is a tough time. My gardening gets away from me sometimes. Vacations don't help either, but 'tis the season.

Many eBay sellers are being shamed into selling on Amazon, as if it is a superior platform. Why have you never sold on Amazon?

I believe in eBay. And the items I sell do not fit on Amazon’s platform. I have been selling so long on eBay, I know nothing else. And not to be lazy, but honest, I really do not want to learn. I tried to look into the how-to’s, but again, I would have very limited stock and it’s not worth it. It also seems like Amazon would be the boss in my business, not me.


4th quarter can be a lucrative time of year for many online sellers. Have you typically seen an increase in sales during 4th quarter in past years?

I sure have. And I love it.

Do you sell anything different for holiday selling season, or just sell more of the same kinds of things you normally sell all year?

I do save my holiday items not yet listed until September/October. These would be direct theme items only, like ornaments and figurines. But if they do not sell, they stay in the store. I have had folks purchase ornaments all year round.


Do you list more items in anticipation of holiday sales? If so, when do you start this process?

I keep things on a steady listing schedule. As stated above, I believe folks think Christmas after Labor Day.

Do you have any hired help for your business? If so, what tasks do they do?

No help. I’m a one mama show.


What is one piece of advice you would give to new sellers who want to transition to eBay full time?

Research before you purchase stock or list anything you find around the house. I have learned not only to check completed listings, but active ones also when you go to list to set your price. Always try to be one step ahead of your competition. Being involved in a couple of forums on Facebook, not too many as that can be overwhelming, is vital. Though Facebook was not available back in the day, the same stands true today. Research. Read. Find an eBay buddy. Use the resources eBay itself has to offer. There are many links through their site that are tutorials.

Anything else unique about you or your eBay business you would like to share?

There is nothing unique as many folks do exactly as I do. Thrift, visit yard sales, scout out my own home. What is unique is how I treat my business. I am a 100% positive feedback Top Rated Seller with Silver status. I attribute that to being on top of my business 24/7 and taking care of my customers on an intimate basis. Every sale counts, no matter what the profit margin. I am OCD, that is for sure. I do get emotional and try to put a lid on it, but my personality does not allow that sometimes. But I will go over and above to make it right. That’s the key to my success, I believe. Treat others as you would like to be treated. If you get a sour grape, do the best you can. If it still falls short for you, put it aside and keep listing. Just keep listing.

If you have a great eBay story to share - send it in. We can all inspire each other.

Read about more eBay pickers:


Michelle Farmer

Antique Chic

Nicole Bilbao

Kathy Bradley

David and Rhonda Conner
 

So, you want a guarantee?

After the special offer in last week's newsletter for the Amazon Grocery Course, I received several emails from readers asking if I offer a guarantee on my courses. You asked, I listened, and decided to give you the best guarantee in the ecommerce information product business:

Learn it, know it, master it. Guaranteed.

I am committed to your success. That is why every with course you take, I am here for you.

Have a question? Not sure how to apply the information to your business? Have a question the material doesn't cover?

I  am here for you via phone or email to make sure that you don't just learn or know the profit-making skills that I cover in my courses, but that you master them and in turn, your bank account shows the results.


My website has been updated to reflect this guarantee on all of my downloadable courses. So not only do you get the most detailed, real-world, current courses available about selling on eBay and Amazon, I guarantee that I will personally work with you if you still have questions after going through the course. 

So rather than walking away from a course frustrated or confused with nobody to answer your questions (like with many online courses), you can talk to or email a real person (me!) to help you understand and learn the material.

Find all of my courses here, and get ready, I've got some new ones coming soon.

Happy Selling!

Profiles of Successful eBay Pickers - Michelle Farmer

 

Time for another installment of "Profiles of Successful eBay Pickers."I reached out to sellers on my eBay seller Facebook group, which is now approaching 17,000 members, to find sellers who have a proven track record of selling on eBay and maintaining a sustainable eBay business over time.

There are similar characteristics across these profiles that define the qualities of a successful seller.

The criteria I set for participating in this series:

1. Full time eBay seller for at least 3 years. (To show sustainability.)

2. Does not sell on Amazon. (Because they were doing so well on eBay, they didn't need to go to another platform.)

3. Sells inventory purchased at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, auctions, consignment sales or any combination of those sources. Does not purchase inventory wholesale, from liquidators, retail stores, from China, or drop ship. Must be a "picker."

4. Is an "at home" seller.

5. Must be willing to share eBay ID. (Keeping it real.)

Today's star picker is Michelle Farmer.


When did you start selling on eBay?  

On and off since the beginning of eBay, but full time since May 2010.

Why did you start selling on eBay? 

We had our own business raising crickets to sell to pet shops for reptiles to eat. It was successful for over 20 years but crickets got a virus and it wiped us out along with most of the USA cricket growers about 3 years ago.

What is your store name, and what types of items do you sell?

CricketFarmer, and we sell a mix of everything - vintage soda bottles, kitchen gadgets, toys, and clothing.

Do you specialize in a certain niche, or are you open to selling anything? 

We focus on collectibles but also men's clothing. We will always pick up anything that catches our eye while we are out picking. The more unusual the better is our policy!

If you specialize in a certain niche, why? 

We are not a niche kind of store. But our focus is collectibles.

 How many items do you typically have in your store? 

We have over 5,300 items in our store. I would love to have 6,000 before the holidays.

How many hours do you typically work a week on your eBay business? 

5-6 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is your average monthly profit?

Between $4,000 and $9,000 a month depending on the time of year and what we find.



Many eBay sellers are being shamed into selling on Amazon, as if it is a superior platform. Why have you never sold on Amazon? 

I have sold some books on Amazon, but never wanted to have my items packed by Amazon employees. I buy a lot from Amazon. Their packing is not up to my standards so FBA is out of the question for me.

4th quarter can be a lucrative time of year for many online sellers. Have you typically seen an increase in sales during 4th quarter in past years? 

Yes, but in years past, 1st quarter was better for collectibles. (Not 2014.) I am getting ready to get more items in my store for the Christmas rush.

Do you sell anything different for holiday selling season, or just sell more of the same kinds of things you normally sell all year? 

I sell vintage kitchen knives and knife sets, puzzles, ugly Christmas sweaters, and vintage elves when I can find them.

Do you list more items in anticipation of holiday sales? If so, when do you start this process?  

Yes! During summer I list like a crazy person, stocking my store for the winter months when everyone is inside shopping on their computer.


Do you have any hired help for your business? If so, what tasks do they do? 

Nope, it is just me. My son and daughter-in-law came to live with us over the winter and I had her listing for me. It was nice but made me lazy. I helped her start her own eBay store and showed her what to buy.

What is one piece of advice you would give to new sellers who want to transition to eBay full time? 

Start listing TODAY. List every day, even if it is only one thing. You will have money by next week in your Paypal account. My daughter-in-law just started out 6 months ago and she is not being very consistent but she is making at least $25 a day buying clothes at thrift shops and yard sales. She buys what she likes and it sells. Plus she has a new wardrobe for a little of nothing, when she gets tired of it, on eBay it goes!

Thank you for sharing, Michelle and congrats on your amazing eBay business.

If you have a great eBay story to share - send it in. We can all inspire each other.

Read about more eBay pickers:


Antique Chic

Nicole Bilbao

Kathy Bradley

David and Rhonda Conner