How do you handle 30 accounts?

[starengine]

I've seen a post from someone, they say they have 30 accounts.
(They had an excellent post - just cant remember who it was!)

Just wondering... how do you handle that many accounts?

Answer: use VPN?
Paying $10 per IP address is a lot for 30 accounts.

Thanks.

[nickopedia]

I use private VPS's with VMWare instances. There are many (cheaper) alternatives to using VPS's if you look around some. Just be sure the IP's you're using are clean and not abused.

I separate all my accounts; each on a different instance and profile. All the info for each of those respective accounts is totally separate. You must develop your own system, but be sure you KEEP THINGS SEPARATE at all times.

We all make mistakes, and I have made my share of them. Until you are able to handle even operating 2 or 3 accounts, you need to master that before you can handle 10, let alone 30 or more.

The key is work SLOW (there is no rush) and THINK about what you are doing.

[yankee]

Start with one and then add another. Once you can handle two accounts add another. Keep organized and create procedures that work for you. Dont take shortcuts. Learn to automate and use software for shipping.

[nickopedia]

Originally Posted by yankee

Start with one and then add another. Once you can handle two accounts add another. Keep organized and create procedures that work for you. Dont take shortcuts. Learn to automate and use software for shipping.

This is exactly right per Yankee. It's human nature to take shortcuts (we all do) but you need to stay focused when doing your work. It's when you try and rush things mistakes happen.

Prove to yourself you can handle two, maybe three accounts and if so, add another and so on.

[dachilla]

Ok, this is the Ebay section you are posting in but are you sure, the guy you are talking about was operating 30 Ebay accounts only?

I woulnd't be surprised if that was the case as some peeps here do specialize on Ebay only. and 300 bucks for VPN... Some accounts make that in a day or less...

However if you already got the VPN, why not check into other marketplaces too?

If I get a VPN and start making accounts I make pretty sure I'll make accounts on Ebay, Amazon, Amazon EU, Amazon AU and Etsy. So thats already 5 accounts for one VPN.

Starting slowly is a good advise, but I wouldn't start too slow. I started with 2 VPNs and rose the accounts (10 accounts if you count all platforms) and this way I was able to afford to lose one or two along the way. But that's just how I liked it, others have their own techniques and preferences.

Oh and about the handling make sure you check out VMware. It's a fabulous tool.

[starengine]

guys thanks for the replies.

automation - i know how to automate. i code and automate many things.

>> There are many (cheaper) alternatives to using
>> VPS's if you look around some
i'm still missing something... is VPN the answer?

things that you need:

- making listings
- downloading sales (and processing)
- customer messages
- resolutions

i've written code that does the first 2.
the last 2, i need to work on - but that can't be too hard to do.

those of you who have 10+ accounts, do you use something like inkfrog or auctiva?
i tried auctiva - super rubbish interface + not enough to give a full solution.

vmware - i looked at vmware.com. they have about 100 products... which service are you guys referring to?

thanks.

and i'll find the other post mentioned and will reply again.

[pothos]

you guys must be very organized!

[nickopedia]

Ones ability to handle multiple sleath accounts comes down to two things:

1) Your ability to organize information and keep it current and accurate!
2) How well you multitask and are able to handle that information.

It's so VERY easy to make mistakes and things can (and will) get really screwed up if you bite off more than you can chew.

[zacksmithhai]

If you know how to set up ur own vpn, it costs no more than 10 dollars per year for a vpn. You can make tons of accounts and profit from it

[nickopedia]

Everyone should develop a system; the stealth guide provides the framework, but if you know what you are doing, you can make things easier on yourself.

The issue is many people like to take shortcuts or just are plan lazy. Running multiple accounts is almost a full time job. For example, I am always checking my eBay messages, responding to offers, processing orders, and coordinating with my shippers. I double check every order to make sure they "look right". I also have to check the PayPal accounts every once in awhile to make sure there are no "surprises". The rest of my time is spent updating my Excel and Evernote docs, and managing subscriptions.

In this business there is no such thing as 9 to 5 M-F workhours. You are ALWAYS doing something.

Don't think you can just put this on auto-pilot and sit behind a desk with a cigar in your mouth counting your money. It's so far from that, you might wish you had a "regular" job sometimes.

[dasisvas]

1st thing you should have is second monitor

[taonola]

Can you use your phones hot spot for as many IPS as you want? Just airplane mode and what not?

[jporter396]

It takes me one hour to deal with my 15 or so active stealths. Messages labels etc. 1 hour tops to ship my 15 to 30 packages a day driving to storage unti 5 minutes away seems to take all the time. Only 5 days a week since you can't ship weekends. 10 to 20 hours a week. Sourcing and listing items take longer. But it isnt hard if you find your system. Do what works for you !

[ebaystealth1974]

Originally Posted by jporter396

Only 5 days a week since you can't ship weekends.

My post office accepts mail until around noon on Saturdays. Which is cool if I really want to ship something lol

[HurricaneHuntr]

I only use vpn for amazon, vpn is overkill on ebay, Just use mobile tether, almost 50-75% of shoppers now use mobile networks, ebay isn't linking accounts because of 2 same ip addresses of mobile connecto, has to be more. Airplane mode works for me, i used to double check my ips, but it gets old quick and it's always changing so i stopped worrying about it. Get solutions. If you're making enough money, you can afford to pay for solutions to make your life easier. If i had someone i could trust, i'd employ them to work for me.But, i would be a crazy boss..I time how long it takes me to pack a shipment, if i had someone working for me, i'd expect them to meet or exceed my time, and they'd end up being fired.So i do it all myself. Anyway, Solutions that make me 20+ account life easier.

Shipstation - All are used through it, i use all the automation filters inside shipstation to id the shipment etc.. I use quickbooks, i just copy the quantity of each item sold + daily income and then do inventory that way, i also am probably one of the few... who uses godaddy's outright book keeping, for all accounts and amazon. This way all my fees are pre sorted and i can just enter it straight into quickbooks. Messages, is simple, thunderbird for all accounts.. will say when your DB gets to 20 gigs it CHUGS..so i learned to stop keeping all my mail. Automate in ebay all your returns, also i use inkfrog opposed to auctiva which i used to use, inkfrog now imports ebay messages, which is iffy when it works, but sometimes i just do my emails from there. That way i don't need to read all the other crap payment mails.

[dealagreeproceed]

Originally Posted by nickopedia

In this business there is no such thing as 9 to 5 M-F workhours. You are ALWAYS doing something.

Don't think you can just put this on auto-pilot and sit behind a desk with a cigar in your mouth counting your money. It's so far from that, you might wish you had a "regular" job sometimes.

T R O O O O O O O O F you gotta be on top of it at all times!

[dealagreeproceed]

Originally Posted by dealagreeproceed

T R O O O O O O O O F you gotta be on top of it at all times!

n yes thas whats she said

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by taonola

Can you use your phones hot spot for as many IPS as you want? Just airplane mode and what not?

Avoid what not. It mucks up so much.


Doing stealth means defined methods and proper organisation.

I do not use $300 annually for VPN.

Too much of a miser.

[MM78]

Just to make something clear, operating 30 accounts doesn't always mean 30 at the same time at that moment. Also, the best way to keep it organized is by well....keeping it organized. I have a total of 20+ accounts, that doesn't mean I'm selling on all 20 at the same time.

I might sell on 4-5, then switch to another 4-5 and so on. I usually try to age a few while I'm selling on my original 4-5 in case something happens. I've heard the following phrase on this forum, "I only need 1 good one".....well, they had 1 good one and they blew it up, so there's no such thing.

Best advice I can give is to keep everything logged or written down somewhere for easy access.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by pothos

you guys must be very organized!

Precisely - for stealth on many accounts to work.

[starengine]

thanks for some awesome replies guys.
very educational.
still re-reading some replies.