eBay Announces Layoffs After Obama Touts Company in SOTU

Townhall.com ^ | January 22, 2015 | Leah Barkoukis

[riri]

I wouldn't say it is hard. I have a nice little side business going in a niche that is, honestly, pretty saturated. But, I buy my products in large lots for, usually, next to nothing and can turn them over for many times what I pay. I offer excellent customer service, am extremely particular about the product and do OK.

There is always some level of aggravation with anything. You get some disreputable buyers who game the system but not too many (Ebay always sides with the buyer and it's gotten really bad with this new CEO, I guess)

The rule changes is what makes it very hard to plan and operate. Again, I guess this is part of the problem with the new management.

Amazon is where you can, I hear and read, make a very solid second income. Ofcourse, you have to find a decent niche. If you can find a nice replenishable product and just put it on auto pilot, that's the way to guy.

[mylife]

Heck, Obama acted like he INVENTED Ebay.

[StAntKnee]

Everything the man touches turns to gold — or something.

[catnipman]

Here’s an excellent FR discussion about why ebay is impoding:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3249325/posts

[Prince of Space]

If I may ask, what is your niche product or area of interest?

[riri]

I started quite by accident. I read an article about people selling vintage clothes through Instagram. I told my daughter--thinking it was something she could do and have extra money. So, we started together. I have a marketing background and came up with a cute name, branding, etc.

Then, a period came where these vintage high waisted shorts became popular, we added rhinestones, bleached them out, distressed them, etc. and sold them like hot cakes.

By then, I was buying clothes in larger and larger lots, getting more familiar with popular brands, etc. and seeing there was a market for all the crap I was getting. (added benefit, it was a ton of fun for clothes junkies)

So, now it's mostly vintage and second hand women's clothes. I don't even bother with modifying anymore. And my daughter lost interest about three months in. LOL.

[martin_fierro]

I have both bought and bid over at Ebay and was looking at selling myself. This is not good.

*cough*

[sheana]

I used to scour the clearances at high end stores and buy high end designer handbags, shoes, etc and sell them on eBay. Well eBay decided to let the Chinese sell their fake crap and it brought the price down so much on my authentic stuff that I quit. Now every time I look at anything on eBay I can tell a large percentage of stuff is fake. That and the seller fees did me in.

[lulu16]

There should have been a split screen like there were when BO spoke during the Furgeson riots. That was surreal. But this time during the SUA, we should have watched Yemen’s government surrender and the people at Ebay get their pink slips.

[workerbee]

All I can say about your post is: YEP! EXACTLY! Not to mention the PayPal racket and “freezing” accounts.

I was just a “hobby seller” (anathema to Donahoe) but it only takes or two lying cheats who keep your money AND your product to wise you up quick to the aiding & abetting mentality of Ebay.

[minnesota_bound]

Later

[.45 Long Colt]

“Forget it. Donahoe has turned it into the online Mall of China. There is no respect or concern for the kind of sellers who made Ebay a household name. THAT company is long gone.”

I both agree and disagree with that. I’m a Top Rated Power Seller. I don’t like some of their policies and I think the platform is ridiculously clunky, but, as of right now, it’s still a good way to sell once you learn how. Anyone with computer access who is willing to work at it can still make decent money on eBay, either as a side gig or full-time. How long that will last is up in the air.

For years my wife and I went to estate sales and for years I would point to things and say “I could make money on that.” eBay gave me a way to make money on those things. The first time I bought something for $5 and sold it for $179 I was hooked. eBay is a side business that we do for fun. Thankfully we are in the position to just save and invest the money. However, if we needed to, we could ramp it up and live on it. As it is we make more on eBay than lots of families live on.

I know a gentleman in his 70’s who started selling on eBay to supplement his retirement income. In no time his side business exploded on him. Today he has three eBay stores, a warehouse, and several employees who help him sell several thousand items each month. Just two weeks ago he said, “I’d quit it but I’m making too much damn money.”

[RetiredTexasVet]

“I have both bought and bid over at Ebay and was looking at selling myself. This is not good.”

If you are going to sell yourself .... I think Craig’s List is the usual medium currently in use.

[ExCTCitizen]

When I heard him say those companies (especially Telsa), I almost got sick..When Teksa comes up with a family SUV that tows a 22 foot boat, then I’ll buy it.

[Biggirl]

I have heard that Craig’s List is not all that great either, just saying.

[Prince of Space]

Sounds like a lot of fun, plus you’re making money too. Being a self-employed entrepreneur is the only way to go these days, and I wish you continued success!

[Prince of Space]

You’re incorrigible, lol.