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Originally Posted by Estarossa  Spend a month doing what? going through items and cross-checking them on ebay to see if they're worth selling and not too saturated?
i can do that but i still don't think i will find anything, i'll give a try though. Alibaba and terapeak and other sites like this are where middlemen are selling the items right? how do i get items from the source/manufacturers for cheaper than these sites? Is there anyway to contact the Chinese source of these products to get better prices? I don't understand terapeak. |
Actually it would be the other way around. Let's say you see an item on eBay that you think you might like to sell. You check, and the item sells a good quantity daily.
You'd copy the title and paste it into search in Terapeak.com
Hit search and then click on "inventory ideas."
That should show you all items in the seller's shop, including the total amount and quantity sold for each item for a given time.
If you like the figures you see, go on to the steps below. Otherwise, go back to eBay and select another product and title.
You must have an excel file that works out all fees with minimal input. This is essential. Costs will include eBay, Paypal, shipping+, Agents(inspects samples and goods in china), taxes, INR + mail fraud (estimates), importation fees, packaging, branding (if any), storage, stock insurance and a few more.
When you've computed some of these, go on Alibaba and post a "Request for quotation"
Be very thorough and clear about what you want and ask not to be contacted if they cannot meet your stated requirements.
Ask for a final price and make it clear you'd be making your decision based the most affordable offer.
While you wait for responses, go back to eBay, pick another item and repeat the process over and over.
As you begin to get responses, enter the missing information into your excel file. Products and manufacturers that will make you money will quickly stand out.
Many other essential aspects are too numerous to print here. Still, you may already be aware of these - for example, you want to check that no patents, agreements or even local laws prevent you from selling your chosen item. If there's one in place, thrash the product and go on to the next item.
Repeat until you max out your budget.
