Ebay idea

[bubbadu]

Well browsing though ebay lately i have noticed companys selling "barebones pcs" for anywhere between 400-800 bucks... i was just wondering if i myself could start such a business buying the parts myself, while looking for deals localy on the parts.. then putting the system together and selling it for a profit... i dont know if theres money to be made though.. anyone have any input about this?? right now i do some small computer consulting for about 30-40 dollars an hour and that seems to be working out great.. i was just wondering if theres any money to be made on ebay without buying in huge amounts of bulk..

thanks

-Bubbadu

 

[PsychoAndy]

whats going to make your sources cheaper than theirs? whats your selling point?

in barebones pc's, everybody and their sister is doing it. how do you expect to compete?

 

[bubbadu]

i dont really have sources.. i just didnt realize how many people do this sort of thing.. what i was thinking of would be to by the items when they are on sale with rebates/coupons.. dont know though... what about seting a reserve price to an amount that i KNOW i can turn profit on and then hoping it gets there?

-Bubbadu

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
whats going to make your sources cheaper than theirs? whats your selling point?

in barebones pc's, everybody and their sister is doing it. how do you expect to compete?

unless you are getting wholesale prices like these guys, you're going to be lucky to break even, plus you also have no reputation/feedback. But yes, there is a ton of money to be made on ebay.

<---breaking up two motorcycles to part out on ebay for $$$$$$

-=bmacd=-

 

[brtspears2]

Buying in bulk is the only way to go. Look at how Walmart and Costco work....they buy items in parking lot size, not convient take home size.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: bmacd

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
whats going to make your sources cheaper than theirs? whats your selling point?

in barebones pc's, everybody and their sister is doing it. how do you expect to compete?

unless you are getting wholesale prices like these guys, you're going to be lucky to break even, plus you also have no reputation/feedback. But yes, there is a ton of money to be made on ebay.

<---breaking up two motorcycles to part out on ebay for $$$$$$

-=bmacd=-

Shh! You're going to let our secret out.

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: bmacd

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
whats going to make your sources cheaper than theirs? whats your selling point?

in barebones pc's, everybody and their sister is doing it. how do you expect to compete?

unless you are getting wholesale prices like these guys, you're going to be lucky to break even, plus you also have no reputation/feedback. But yes, there is a ton of money to be made on ebay.

<---breaking up two motorcycles to part out on ebay for $$$$$$

-=bmacd=-

wholesale is a relative term. half the time i beat ingram by 5% just going to staples with a coupon.

 

[bubbadu]

yeah since at staples i figure i can get the best pm/coupon deals.. so it might be worth it... i would have to get deals on everything and hope for the best

-Bubbadu

 

[PsychoAndy]

see, theres your problem already. you're going to be buying from staples. can anyone see a problem already?

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
see, theres your problem already. you're going to be buying from staples. can anyone see a problem already?

In a normal world, this might be a problem.
When dealing with "Ebay-tards" who will pay more than retail just so they can "WIN" normal economic models do not always apply.

 

[bmacd]

it's all about supply and demand too. Besides, you can only get a couple items from Staples before they get pissed and ask you not to come back to do business with them if they feel that you're causing them to lose money (i'd imagine...)

-=bmacd=-

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
see, theres your problem already. you're going to be buying from staples. can anyone see a problem already?

In a normal world, this might be a problem.
When dealing with "Ebay-tards" who will pay more than retail just so they can "WIN" normal economic models do not always apply.

the problem(s) i am specifying is:

Lack of availability
Rebates may *%# your cost structure up
How many coupons do you think you can get?
How many coupons do you think you can use in one week?

 

[gwlam12]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
see, theres your problem already. you're going to be buying from staples. can anyone see a problem already?

In a normal world, this might be a problem.
When dealing with "Ebay-tards" who will pay more than retail just so they can "WIN" normal economic models do not always apply.

just so they can "win"? i did not know that. lol. its sad.

 

[Jzero]

Lack of availability
Rebates may *%# your cost structure up
How many coupons do you think you can get?
How many coupons do you think you can use in one week?

I see. Good points. I thought you were referring to the problem that it's really impossible to drive a profit on the retail market when you are getting your supplies on the retail market.

just so they can "win"? i did not know that. lol. its sad.

It's nuts, but it's what often makes Ebay a great place for sellers: suckers.
People on this very board have posted items and listed the retail price in the auction (and this is for items you could readily find at your local stores) and people STILL exceed the retail price...by a lot!

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Lack of availability
Rebates may *%# your cost structure up
How many coupons do you think you can get?
How many coupons do you think you can use in one week?

I see. Good points. I thought you were referring to the problem that it's really impossible to drive a profit on the retail market when you are getting your supplies on the retail market.

just so they can "win"? i did not know that. lol. its sad.

It's nuts, but it's what often makes Ebay a great place for sellers: suckers.
People on this very board have posted items and listed the retail price in the auction (and this is for items you could readily find at your local stores) and people STILL exceed the retail price...by a lot!

its also a headache. theres so much damn buyer fraud, that can negate the entire concept of you getting a half decent margin