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mikeward (13833), Collectors Warehouse and Gifts
For veteran eBay toy seller Mike Ward, owner of Collectors Warehouse and Gifts, every season 'tis the season.
With Valentine's Day now past, Ward is gearing up for his Easter sales. Spreading out his inventory throughout the calendar year helps keep his profits stable. He also meets collector demand for seasonal items.
"We jump on it," says Ward of seasonal selling. "Our vendors -- Raggedy Ann and Andy, for instance -- push products around particular holidays. A Raggedy Ann and Andy collector will buy the Christmas doll, the Easter dolls, and the Halloween doll. That's what keeps the market going...Sometimes collectors know about a seasonal item before I do."
Until last year, Ward primarily sold Beanie Babies (still his bread and butter) and Pokemon items. However, thanks to increased growth, Collectors Warehouse and Gifts has been able to add additional vendors and expand its product offerings. His new lines include Cow Parade and Wyland. "It comes down to huge volume, low margin," he says.
Ward offers an interesting answer for how he got his start on eBay: "It was a mistake," he says. About six years ago, he had a lucrative finance job in the car industry. While searching for a hard-to-find gift for his girlfriend, he turned to eBay. After completing the transaction, Ward struck a deal to become the U.S. supplier for the seller, who lived in Japan. Eventually he was working two full-time jobs. One had to go. Ward chose eBay.
After starting out with a computer in Ward's bedroom, Collectors Warehouse and Gifts now occupies a 3,400-square-foot warehouse. There's also a web site, retail store, four full-time employees, and yearly sales of $2.5 million.
In retrospect, Ward has no regrets about taking the eBay plunge. "It was the scariest decision I've ever made in my life," he recalls. "But looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made."
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