Best set-up when selling volume

Overdone · #1 10-02-2014

Hi all,

Been reading various threads over the past month. Just can't find that solution that makes things tick along nicely.

I started a new ebay store recently. Bought an older account from someone with what seems unlimited listing potential. This was coming off the back of our last account being banned. Sales have increased quicker than I was expecting on this account but also had a couple of violations (brand name in keywords/ vero image). Basically, with sales taking off quickly over the last couple of months and mc999 I reckon this new account is already heavily flagged. Sales are heading toward $45k / £30k per month right now which was more than the older account. I was planning on building up slower and opening more accounts but suddenly sales picked up.

I want to add more accounts to spread sales but avoid the linking. Most of this looks straight forward but the IP part is giving me a headache. If we are selling a couple of hundred items a day then it takes quite a bit of work to manage and is time consuming. Just not sure on the best way to keep IP's from linking accounts but at the same time being able to run 3 or 4 accounts efficiently. We would realistically be login in and out of the different accounts many times through the day.

We keep customers very happy so feedback is always good and top rated, just "some" of our designs are based around the riskier areas.

Thanks

Ross

**ilcarletto** · #2 10-02-2014

If your volume of business is that high on on 3 or 4 accounts, you could take into consideration to have more than one PC (maybe 3 or 4) and each of them equipped with a different dongle for interent connection.
Ip will not cross if you use different providers.

JamesNorth101 · #3 10-02-2014

If you are opperating at that level then looking into a dedicated VPS per account and then use a a desktop/laptop ect per account may be a good viable solution for you.

Instead of a VPS you could also have each PC connected via a different ISP to prevent IP crossover

Overdone · #4 10-02-2014

Multiple PC's / Laptops was the route I was heading. I just want to pick the right option for non IP linking without having to spend too much time when we want to be on different accounts.

Dongle or additional isp's would be okay if that is the best route.

Overdone · #5 10-02-2014

VPS is looking a good option. Hadn't considered that before. If I have them on laptops does it hold the same IP regardless where they are accessed from?

Sorry for all the questions but just don't want to make a mess of things. Looks like I am heading down the full stealth mode route. Thought I could play by ebays rules up until recently.

Thanks for the help!

plumsake2 · #6 10-02-2014

VPS IPs are static - they won't change. They're great because you'd be able to access them anywhere you have a computer and internet connection.

Overdone · #7 10-02-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumsake2

VPS IPs are static - they won't change. They're great because you'd be able to access them anywhere you have a computer and internet connection.

Thanks, sounds like the right way for me. So I still need one separate vps per account and each on it's own pc? Or...... can I have multiple pc's through one vps or the opposite, one pc using multiple accounts with multiple vps?

Learning a lot today so thanks.

PayPalBusted · #8 10-02-2014

My god what are you selling to be doing that much volume and revenue?

That kind of business I'd find a way to go full legit with all docs in order.

plumsake2 · #9 10-02-2014

VPSs are self-contained, meaning whatever you do on them stays within them. Ebay/Paypal wouldn't be able to know anything about the computer you use to access the VPS. So you can connect to multiple VPSs on the same computer.

You need 1 VPS per 1 account. And considering the amount of volume you're doing, I would not stick with just 1 VPS company. Use more than one company to not have to rely on just one.

Overdone · #10 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by PayPalBusted

My god what are you selling to be doing that much volume and revenue?

That kind of business I'd find a way to go full legit with all docs in order.

I was fully legit and registered for everything tax wise etc. You can still fall on the naughty list that way and end up calling on you good people for guidance

Started up after the longer term account went bang. This new account I picked up suddenly went up in sales quickly in 2 months and I have paypal giving me trouble as well now. Think I have been flagged quickly. Older items I have been selling with no problem are suddenly pulled.

Anyway, learnt my lesson in that I need to go down the stealth route correctly and not just pick the easy bits to do.

"VPSs are self-contained, meaning whatever you do on them stays within them. Ebay/Paypal wouldn't be able to know anything about the computer you use to access the VPS. So you can connect to multiple VPSs on the same computer."

Would it not be safer to have different computers with cookies and everything else that goes on. VPS is the way forward but just want to be 100% right before jumping on new accounts. Just need some more good selling limit accounts now.

GreenBean · #11 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdone

Multiple PC's / Laptops was the route I was heading. I just want to pick the right option for non IP linking without having to spend too much time when we want to be on different accounts.

Dongle or additional isp's would be okay if that is the best route.

Warning here.

Take time to do stealth carefully. Always spend the time to do everything correctly.

It's those special touches to stealth accounts that allow them to mature.

Do not operate in a rush.

Overdone · #12 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean

Warning here.

Take time to do stealth carefully. Always spend the time to do everything correctly.

It's those special touches to stealth accounts that allow them to mature.

Do not operate in a rush.

Totally understand. It just means I have to hold back sales a lot to let it build which goes seriouly against the grain. On the run upto Xmas there would be a few hundred sales a day averaging $15/£10 if I were on my original account. Would stealth let me run at this level? I am looking to buy more established accounts with higher limits and run 3 or 4 at a time. It is quite a bit of work involved in keeping on top of things. Many ebay customers are as dumb as you get and asked the stupidest questions or make wrong purchases which we end up running around in circles to keep them happy. Our customer service keeps us near 100% and TR so don't want to spend less time on this.

Any feedback always appreciated. I can tell I am going to be spending quite a bit of time here ongoing.

JamesNorth101 · #13 10-03-2014

A stealth account can work just as well as a non stealth account.

It takes a while to build up the trust with eBay and PayPal though so you cannot just in and start selling £1000's worth of stock a month right away. It will take 6-12 months to be able to opperate at that level.

Overdone · #14 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

A stealth account can work just as well as a non stealth account.

It takes a while to build up the trust with eBay and PayPal though so you cannot just in and start selling £1000's worth of stock a month right away. It will take 6-12 months to be able to opperate at that level.

You bring tears to my eyes.

If I find an existing seller account that is active, shouldn't that let me jump in at a much higher trust level? Are there additional risks to heading down this route?

JamesNorth101 · #15 10-03-2014

You would still need to build cookies into the browser.

I would also advise againt buying an account from anyone who is not an approved Aspkin seller. It will just lead to issues.

Overdone · #16 10-03-2014

I had been looking into the much older accounts. 2007 and older where there are often no selling limits. Picked one up recently which got my sales back up quickly..... but a bit to quickly I am thinking. It was an active selling account which I took over and hit the ground running. Think I might have run out of steam though as haven't handled it like I should i.e. full stealth.

GreenBean · #17 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdone

You bring tears to my eyes.

If I find an existing seller account that is active, shouldn't that let me jump in at a much higher trust level? Are there additional risks to heading down this route?

Overdoing the rush factor here, Overdone.

(soz, could not resist).

You may have no guarantee any existing seller account is viable.

Big risks then.

plumsake2 · #18 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdone

Would it not be safer to have different computers with cookies and everything else that goes on. VPS is the way forward but just want to be 100% right before jumping on new accounts. Just need some more good selling limit accounts now.

If you have the resources, then it wouldn't hurt to use multiple computers, but that wouldn't help you with cookies if you go down the VPS route. When using a VPS, the cookies on the computer you use to connect to the VPS doesn't matter as Ebay/Paypal does not interact with your connecting computer at all. The cookies on your VPS is what matters.

VPSs, dongles, multiple ISPs.. all are different methods that work. It all depends on how you want to operate.

Overdone · #19 10-03-2014

Yeah, I know. It's just hard to let the Xmas period go by without making the most of it. Short term gain against longevity. It's just hell of a lot of gain during the next few motnhs waiting for me. The temptation is pulling me in to the darkside!

GreenBean · #20 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumsake2

VPS IPs are static - they won't change. They're great because you'd be able to access them anywhere you have a computer and internet connection.

Here's where I am a bit worried, plumskate'

The OP is in the UK.

VPS should be a last resort for a UK user. Dongles are better options.

ebay UK is not quite as tolerant as ebay USA regarding VPN/VPS.

Overdone · #21 10-03-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean

Did you manage to notice the flag of the OP?

The OP is in the UK.

It is possible to have VPS in that country with dynamic IPs.

VPS should be a last resort for a UK user

Just when I thought I knew what I was going to do.

So, to recap......

I need to be logged onto all active accounts regularly through the day to provide decent customer service.

I need to sell over £1000 and 100 items a day.

Some are high risk items but I try to limit these.

Don't mind buying separate computers.

and in my dream scenario I want to do it all tomorrow

JamesNorth101 · #22 10-03-2014

Sorry to tell you but that is just never going to happen.

If you have say 10 account after 5/6 month or so you will may able to sell £100 a day, but that is pushing it.

When you say high risk, what sort of item are they?

No need to buy a seperate computer. You can reply to all messages via email on on laptop. You can also manage all the accounts via 1 laptop. Best option in your situation I would say would be 10 or so account with 2/3 laptops all running off a different ISP.

That means you will be able to manage 2/3 accounts at once before swapping over to the next set of 2/3. You will still need to track the IP's for the accounts that share the same ISP.