New eBay Seller Questions and Answers

The following is taken directly from an email we received after this person purchased our guide Wholesale Liquidations Exposed. She emailed asking a few questions as we advertise to those who buy our guide that the purchase also includes “help after the purchase”. Like a redundant robot I will say this again, I have been buying and selling wholesale liquidation pallets and truckloads for years. For those who purchase our guides…I always extend additional help by email.

I have edited the email slightly changing its format. Text in italics are her words.

Hello,

I’m trying to start a new eBay business selling women’s high-end fashion. I am really interested in purchasing pallets and maybe in the future (truckloads) of Macy’s/Bloomingdale’s apparel. Can you point me in the right direction? Is there a certain company you highly recommend in Southern California that sells Bloomingdale’s lots/pallets/truckloads?

ANSWER: Yes, you can buy direct from Federated; check your email as I sent a link to get you started. As far as buying from a liquidator, there are three sources for you in Southern California who sell high end designer apparel in small lots.

SouthernTextile (Fullerton)

Via Trading (Lynwood)

DLM Offprice (Commerce)

I have purchased from all three sources above in small lots. DLM is a little pricey, but you can call them and order by brand and size range! So, for example, if you only want BCBG tops and bottoms…they can accommodate. As stated, you will pay for this kind of service, but if you have found your niche area of apparel it is great to be able to order liquidated clothing within specific categories & sizes.

I have bought from Via Trading without issue. I have also interviewed Alain Stambouli, of Via Trading for a piece I completed for TopTenWholesale.

QUESTION: Also, I was looking at All Prime Products website on purchasing truckloads. I don’t believe they’re based out in California, but would you recommend them for my business?

ANSWER: This company is owned by a guy named Rich, in fact he started wholesaling pallets and truckloads of liquidation merchandise back when I got started. AllPrimeProducts is located in Fairhope, AL and I know in the early days, Rich was working with AML Inc brokering their pallets and truckloads. I have heard good feedback from his customer base. I have never purchased from AllPrimeProducts, but I have purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars of apparel from AML Inc, located in Foley AL.

QUESTION: Do you know where Federated truckloads generally range in price?

ANSWER: Most shelf pull apparel lots will range in the area of 2-4 pallets from Federated. You will be buying based upon a percentage of original vendor cost so every 2-4 pallet load will be different. On average though expect a spend of $8,000 – $10,000 for a decent 3-4 pallet load. I have worked hand in hand with liquidators who were bringing full trailer loads  into their warehouse with an average spend of $50,000 – $70,000 in apparel. Now that is something to work up to!

QUESTION: Can you also answer questions about starting a business legally?

ANSWER: I am not an attorney or qualified tax advisor, however I will answer this question offering my opinion.

QUESTION: I primarily will be selling on eBay. I just filed a fictitious name with the County Clerk, opened up a business checking account at Bank of America, received an EIN, and just sent in an application for a Sellers Permit. Is there anything else you think I may be missing? I read so many different books and websites and I think I’m good to go, but there are other sites that say I should do more? Do you think a business license is required?

ANSWER: You are off to a great start! Yes, if you have gone so far as to get the above requirements done I would not hesitate in getting a business license from your local municipality. Fees are different from county to county, but I would guess a license would run about $50-$75

Here are a few more suggestions for you….

I have bookmarked and follow a fellow named Skip McGrath, he is a well known eBay Power seller, author and Certified eBay Training specialist. He has published several books about selling on eBay and he has two that I highly recommend. I have both sitting on my desk right now…they are:

77 Tips and Tools for Selling on The New eBay and the Wholesale Buying System. In addition, Skip routinely holds in-person eBay sellers Seminars in his home state of Washington. If you cannot attend in person he offers the complete workshop in DVD format. The eBay Boot Camp DVD set explains in detail how professionals sell on eBay with 5 DVDs covering over 16 hours of detailed eBay selling strategies, tips and techniques.

I am thinking based upon your email and the fact that you have taken the extra steps to get your eBay business off to the right start that you really want to turn this into a second income? If so, I would highly recommend that you plan on selling from a website as well. You should get your domain name as soon as possible and it would not be a bad idea to go ahead and purchase webhosting.

If you have a webhosting account you can store your eBay pictures and start working on your apparel website. Many successful eBay sellers will send a link to their website directly to their auction buyers!

I recommend hosting from a company called Hostgator, in fact this is where I host my websites. At Hostgator you can purchase your domain name and webhosting in one transaction.  Upon checkout at Hostgator, if you enter the coupon code “wordpress” you’ll get your first month’s web Hosting for only 1 Penny!…yes, that is .01!

Here is a FREE tutorial I put together to get your domain name and website up and running………..