What are reputable sources for learning to start an ebay business?

Question

I've heard that people can buy products that are discontinued from stores at bulk and then sell them on ebay. I'd like to start doing something like this but I don't know how to find product suppliers, where to buy products or more details on how ebay works from the selling perspective. Also, what about taxes and making it all legal? I'd like to build a reputable and profitable business, not just selling my own used stuff. There are a gazillion scam organizations, books and junk e-mails that are just trying to get me to spend money on things that will not help. I know that there are sellers making profits on ebay but how did they get started and how are they making it work?

Answer 1

One of the best success stories of eBay is the couple Jay and Marie Senese (username jayandmarie) of the 1-cent CD fame. They have one of the highest positive feedbacks of all sellers on eBay. Their business model is to buy very low cost CDs in bulk (those that CD stores sell in their discount bins) and offer them on ebay at a starting price of 1 cent. BusinessWeek had a very interesting story of how they came about with their business model

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/con...

eBay's Seller Central has all the resources you need to learn about the basics of selling on eBay http://pages.ebay.com/sellercentral/inde...

As to where to buy, that is the million dollar question. If you contact a wholesaler, chances are hundreds of other eBay sellers are already using those wholesalers and selling the same items. Check sites such as WholesaleCentral.com for listings of wholesalers http://www.wholesalecentral.com/

Go to your library and check out books on how to start selling on eBay including legal aspects. All you have to do is to register your business at the local county clerk's office and check other requirements they need.