A Great Find & A Defense of E-Bay

From: John Foust <jfoust_at_threedee.com>
Date: Fri Jun 16 09:18:17 2000

At 03:00 PM 6/15/00 -0700, Mike Ford wrote:
>First show me someone, anyone on eBay etc. who is making more than a
>"paper" profit and minimum wage.
>So gross sales are $400 (20x$20)
>Less eBay fees of $30 (20x$1.50)
>Nothing for packing materials etc.
>Net profit is $370, divided by 18.2 = $20/hour

I imagine there are plenty of "professional" eBay sellers. Pick a niche
and examine the listings, and you'll see the same sellers with links
to their existing niche web site or estate-sale-buyer or surplus-buyer
site. Presumably, they've already found a way and a wage to make
their living doing this, and eBay just gives them a bigger market.

One of the secrets to the good life is realizing that time is the most
precious commodity. From a time versus dollars standpoint, going to
a ham radio rally probably doesn't make much sense. It might give
great personal satisfaction, of course. Any wealth I've accumulated
doesn't prevent me from enjoying a great find from a Dumpster.

Even given eBay's fees, given 2:1, 3:1, 6:1 or better margins, it
can be sufficiently interesting for the hobbyist not to mention the
professionals. The concept has infected my brain. I've tried to
restrain myself to the 5:1 or better re-sales and speculation.
Wish I had a wireless Palm with a link to eBay so I could check
the price of items while at the surplus sale...

You can't beat the variety. I look for the Yogi Bear doll I had
in the 60s, and presto, there it is for $40, in several permutations.

Why doesn't eBay realize the great value they have in the historical
database of sale prices, pictures and descriptions. They're throwing
away the content that has been created for them for free. They should
archive the picture. But then I don't think Dejanews.com is run
right, either. Sheesh.

- John
Received on Fri Jun 16 2000 - 09:18:17 BST