A FAST buck can be made at the online
sale website that is
ebay.
Whether you are looking to start your own business or just want to sell unwanted goods for fun, this website can accomodate you.
THE CONCEPT
The main idea behind the website is that
sellers list items for auction, or even a fixed price, over a number of days. Potential
buyers bid for the
item. The highest bidder at the end of the auction period gets the item for the amount they bid.
From a buyers point of view, it is a great way to get items cheaper than in the shops. As there are sellers listing the same items regularly, free market forces ensure prices are kept low, such is the competition.
WHAT'S FOR SALE
It now seems anything can be
sold on this website. One woman has already sold her virginity, while another sold a slice of toast for more than ¢11,000. In the latter case, the toast had Virgin Mary's image on it.
Such is the diversity of items for sale, houses and cars are being sold regularly in auctions for large sums, while more obscure items such as bags of fresh air are on sale for lower prices.
FEEDBACK The essence of ebay is its feedback system. Sellers are given positive, neutral or negative feedback depending on how they dealt with the correspondence with bidders during the auction, dealings after the sale and how the item itself matches the description in the auction.
It it is worthwhile for the seller to please buyers as his/her feedback rating can be seen by anyone who visits the site.
Buyers are also rated, so need to pay promptly, plus they might also be sellers and need good feedback for the above reasons.
EXPANSION
The website is now very advanced and includes ebay shops, whereby highly successful sellers, or Powersellers as they are known, have their own online shops linked to the website.
There is advice available to sellers and buyers, options to allow sellers to post pictures of their items and useful web security advice.
COSTS
It does cost to list an item for sale on ebay, though this is low. However, ebay take 5 per cent commision for any sale you make.
OTHER
Such has been the international success of ebay, with thousands of sales occuring every second, it is not surprising they have links to the online payment system known as Paypal - a safe way to receive payments for items online. From Paypal, cash can be put straight into your bank account, or used to pay for products online
CONCLUSION
Ebay can make you money. Some people have given up careers because they make more cash from ebay than they did in their jobs. It is also a useful website for providing an extra income, or just to get rid of junk and make money from it.
visit www.ebay.com
Published: August 03, 2005
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