Internet Auctions: the New Home Based Business
A Home Business Article Contributed by Alina Sandor
Ebay Can Be Your New Home Based Business
A surprising new home based business has grown out of the internet and is flourishing.
What is it?
Ebay!
Okay, you can't go out and buy Ebay, and you probably won't make a knock-off of it, but Internet auctions can be a useful tool in building your own home based business.
How?
Read on.
Starting up a Internet Auction Home Based Business
If you like to go to yard sales, flea markets or antique stores this is the home based business for you. By finding low priced treasures in these off-beat shops you can turn quite a profit on auction sites.
The first step is to do some research. Take a look around auctions sites like Ebay, and see what items are big sellers. For example, electronics are usually big sellers, as well as antiques. But also take a closer look and see what kind of items in those categories are selling. Sometimes new movie releases and books can determine what is hot at the moment. For instance, when the new Star Wars prequel movies were just coming out Star Wars memorabilia was big on the auction sites.
Decide what type of merchandise you want to specialize in. Do you want to specialize in antique kitchen ware or retro clothing. Read some books on the subject and familiarize yourself with the brands. Learn how you can tell a knock-off from the real thing.
Next, go shopping! Figure out which thrift stores and antique shops have the best prices and get new merchandise more often.
Estate sells can also be a great place to find high priced goodies at a very low price to you. Never over bid on an object, though. Stay as low as possible on your bid and only buy an object if you are pretty sure you can sell it for more than you bought it.
Getting Your Home Based Business on an Internet Auction
Okay, you've done your homework and you have several things you want to sell. Now how do you begin selling them?
First, you will need to decide on a handle or seller name. Try to make the name have something to do with your specialty. If you are selling kitchen antiques your handle could be antiquespoon2000, for example. It could be the name of your home based business as well. Be creative, but not overly silly. Remember this is a business.
Next, you will have to set up an account with the auction site using your seller name and email address, as well as other personal information.
Then, you will need to chose a category in which to sell your items, if you want to insure the shipping, if you want the buyer to pay for shipping, etc.
After your first few sells you will probably have your home based business off to a great start. Just remember not to buy more than you can sell and to stay out of the red, and you'll do fine.
