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 | adamhersh (6,876), Adam Hersh Auctions
Running a Broker Business | September 2003 |
Even before becoming one of eBay's most successful Trading Assistants, PowerSeller Adam Hersh recognized the value of selling other people's property on eBay.
Hersh has operated a successful consignment business on eBay for the last four years, one that is only getting bigger and better with the help of the Trading Assistant program.
Today, his company, Adam Hersh Auctions boasts four employees, 16 to 18 selling agents, and a feedback rating above 7,000. His eBay Store averages 1,000-plus listings per day. Not bad for a 24 year old, who got his start selling his and his friends' old belongings on eBay.
"We currently receive approximately 20 calls a day, all of which want help selling their items on eBay," says Hersh of his New York City-based business. "Our major Trading Assistant client is a poster wholesaler, but we really do sell anything and everything."
Retaining a large, diverse staff of sales agents, who specialize in specific categories, has been an important factor in the company's success, says Hersh. The strategy helps the company achieve high prices for its consignors' property every time, and that encourages repeat business.
"Even after our fee is taken," explains Hersh, "the client is normally just happy that they didn't have to deal with the hassle."
Hersh keeps closely involved with the Trading Assistant program for the health of his company and other broker businesses.
"I frequent the TA message boards, help out beginner TAs, regularly keep in touch with the TA department, and offer my opinions and ideas," he says. "I was also the first eBay member to run a co-op advertisement with the Trading Assistant program."
While Hersh remains extremely busy, and his company continues to expand, he still takes the time to reflect on what he's accomplished in only a few short years.
"I look at what I do and what I have and smile," Hersh concludes. "Every month, I help thousands of people get exactly what they are looking for. I help tons of New Yorkers sell items that they would have been stuck with. I am my own boss and come to work in jeans and a t-shirt every day. I have taken weeklong vacations with a laptop and a cell phone and still kept my cash flow. Who has it better than I?"
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August 2003 |
cheapdiecast (21,402), CheapDiecast.com
Controlling Advertising Costs
Robert Bronk of CheapDiecast.com might have a successful eBay business, but he still keeps his ad budget to a minimum-meaning that he's careful about where, when, and how he advertises.
The longtime platinum-level PowerSeller had no hesitations, however, about joining eBay's co-op advertising program, which reimburses sellers 25 percent of their advertising costs.
"It has enabled us to do more advertising than we normally do," explains Bronk. "We ran an ad in the local coupon book to bring people to our eBay Store and noticed more orders after doing that."
Bronk is exploring other novel ways to leverage eBay's co-op program, as well. He currently is working on sponsoring a local race and including his eBay Store name and url in the sponsorship. If all goes according to plan, the co-op program will help him finance the effort, driving more buyers to the fixed-price part of his business.
CheapDiecast.com is further evolving with the help of eBay's Trading Assistant program. To date, Bronk has worked just with local customers, but he foresees the program becoming a very significant component of his company's future.
"It seems there are many people who want their stuff listed on eBay and do not have a computer or the time to do it," says Bronk, who also operates a retail store in Bradenton, Florida. "With this in mind, I see that part of our business surpassing the diecast sales within a few years."
Bronk also has embraced eBay's Second Chance Offer feature and incorporated fixed-price sales into his business via his aforementioned eBay Store ("great for cross merchandising and upselling items"). Additionally, he's broadened his sales repertoire with preorders to leverage advance demand for new releases.
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July 2003 |
fastlaneman@aol.com (10,214), Fast Lane Racing Collectibles
Diversifying Your Inventory
NASCAR might be America's fastest-growing sport, but seller Alan Davidson doesn't just assume that will drive his sales; his strategy is to continually diversify his inventory.
His business, Fast Lane Racing Collectibles, specializes in anything and everything NASCAR, which, for the uninitiated, stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
"People think NASCAR and they think diecasts only," explains Davidson, who, along with his wife, Grace Dell'Olio, oversees a full-service NASCAR specialty retail store in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in addition to his eBay sales.
Although he certainly sells his fair share of diecast cars, Davidson also offers a vast selection of NASCAR-related merchandise. To his credit, Davidson has wisely tapped into a collecting niche that's not limited to one or two types of items.
"Every driver has t-shirts, and so we carry those," continues the PowerSeller and Turbo Lister user. "We offer t-shirts for special races, which allows us to keep the inventory fresh. We offer key chains, leather jackets, baseball caps, and backpacks for kids. The fans can be religious about racing. They want everything. They're really into it."
Having a wide selection of merchandise was "the whole premise" of Davidson's retail store, which opened its doors in 1997, and it's something that he's carried over to his eBay sales.
For example, Fast Lane's listings go above and beyond merchandise associated with the most famous NASCAR drivers. You'll find "not just the top drivers but the top 20 drivers," promises Davidson. "People like Joe Nemechek and Ricky Rudd, not just Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon."
And speaking of drivers, Davidson came up with a novel way to categorize his eBay Store listings: according to individual driver.
"People tend to do simple searches," says Davidson. "They want to see everything we have for a particular driver. This way, buyers can check out our eBay Store and shop by the drivers they like, or by type of diecast, which we also organize by manufacturer."
It's important, adds Davidson, to carry the big diecast manufacturers, which is why he's a fully licensed Team Caliber and Action dealer. Such relationships create credibility with buyers and therefore boost sales.
"Those names mean a lot to people who know their NASCAR merchandise," says Davidson.
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