Many of you have asked me what do I sell online and how much money I make.
I sell all that I can. A variety of items, hardly ever anything used. Seriously, selling online I can sell anywhere from $5,000 – $40,000 a week. For any of you selling on eBay or your website, you certainly can understand how much you can make. Many power-sellers sell well over $40,000 a week.
At this time, I am sending my orders to my drop shippers and fill about 60% of my orders directly. I am working from home at this time. As I wanted to take a break. However, selling online is fun and I enjoy keeping busy. I expect to increase my sales efforts and income in the next 45 days.
The amount of sales I generate greatly vary. This is not due to the market, but greatly due to the effort I place on selling. When, I was partner with an online company, they offered all the staff support etc… needed to run a successful online business making over $250,000 in sales a month. Of course that is in the low end.
I sell a large variety of items. Anywhere from home furnishings to apparel. The biggest money making category for me is Home Furnishings followed by clothing, women accessories, home décor and toys etc… For each category I offer, I have a separate store set up. This helps me keep sane. Maintaining my books separate all under the same Corporation though. A plus of keeping the account separate is Feedback. In the event I have any issue with a customer for let’s say a $25.00 toy, my feedback will not be affected in the higher end products of home furnishings.
I deal directly with the manufactures 90% of the time. I have stated before, that I very selective and caution you to be selective on using a Drop Shippers. Many of my relationships with my vendors are over 5 years, therefore, I have a huge advantage over a new or smaller seller. They offer me terms, meaning my vendors can extend me anywhere from Net30 thru Net 90 days to pay any invoice.
Having terms with my vendors, allows me to push product, have extra inventory and reinvest some of that money. I once made the mistake to offer my Drop shipping account to a start up business and I ended up with the bill. I am very happy to help out, but lesson learned.
Many of my accounts have been opened through new relationships with start-up companies both sellers and direct import.
I highly recommend that you attend trade shows. Meet the Sales Representative; they are a great source for additional product and sources. They can truly help you getting you into the doors of the largest Toys Manufacturer or whatever industry you are in.
Tell me, what are you interested in selling? I might be able to help you find the source. Maybe you have sources or tips you are willing to share. What questions do you have about finding product online?
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I’ve always wondered about selling online, but I don’t know where to even start. lol! I have appreciated all the links you have provided it has helped me understand a bit more. I’m just always afraid it won’t work and I will end up being stuck having paid all this money for something that didn’t work out. I’m an over thinker. I guess that’s what stopping me. I just don’t want to have to put up tons of money upfront and have it not work out.
@ Betty – It can be scary, to invest and not profit or even be at a loss. However, with the Social Media and all these new selling platform competing for your listings, it gives you are greater opportunity to succeed. If you have things are your home, that would be a great way to start. Use that money to buy low and sell high.
I am pretty sure you will succeed. You are doing great sending traffic to you http://thejoereview.com blog. The blog has a great layout.
If you have any questions just let me know.
You said “Tell me, what are you interested in selling?”
I say “AM I EVER” haha
Wow… the more i read around on the blogs i visit daily, the more i believe i could quit my job working for the other man and work for myself at home! But just as Betty said, it’s pretty scary!
Where i currently work, i deal with vendors all the time, i do the purchasing for my department and i know how it all works. I can manage the business side with no problem.. my problem is having/finding the “right” resources and knowing i can depend on who i’m dealing with! I need to find someone i can depend on.. start small and work my way up!
Thanks for the great post!
Thanks I might have to take you up on that. It just seems overwhelming sometimes. I’ll probably email you some questions this next weekend if you don’t mind.
And thank you for the compliment, I’m the promoter and he’s the blogger. lol!
Very helpful! I myself am encouraged to continue what I’m doing online. It’s really hard at the beginning and climbing is much more painful. But eventually, it does get easier. I experienced my share of failures but I’m still standing and profiting.
Your post inspired me to focus on ebay. I haven’t given it much attention since I only sell products locally in my country. Maybe I can take pictures of the products sold here in the Philippines and if you have time, maybe you can critique the product if it’s worth selling. They’re small wooden miniatures of tribal people. Visitors from other places usually buy those.
@ Jake – The only source you can trust is yourself.
There are companies out there you can start with little money down (membership). It is always best to have the product in hand. You have a huge advantage of knowing the business end of it. Many start with little or no experience. Thanks for stopping by 
@ Betty – You bet, just let me know.
@ Jared – Thank you! I am glad that know that you are still in business. You can also try WorldofGood.com by eBay. You can sell your items through that site as well. You can forward to me the information at
laura@whateverebay.com
Hi Laura, Great inspirational post especially for those out there who are interested in having a business out of their home and doing drop shipping. Before I went into blogging and was looking for ways to make money online, I had thought of doing either drop shipping or selling on ebay. As I’ve said many times in some of my post I had been in retail many years ago, owning an Emporium in a wealthy little chic summer town. It was the love of my life, hard work but loved working with the people and I especially loved the product that we sold. You mentioned the Trade shows when I went to my first one I was like a kid in a candy shop and I wanted one of everything for my shop. And what you say about the Sales Reps. they are the greatest if you connect with them you can really get into different shows and offer great ideas. In fact I still have some inventory left over and can not decide whether to go with Craig’s list, or ebay. Good post and useful info.
I am amazed with it. It is a good thing for my research. Thanks
Thank you. Great post and great writing style.Could you please write a post about home business, i mean making money online selling ebay items, affiliate marketing etc.