Do you plan to be a Power Seller on eBay? Are you doing pretty well and are just about to take it to the next level? Take a step back and self-assess.
It is imperative to act professionally, figuratively and literally. Did you register your business with the state and are now filing taxes? If you are making over a certain amount a year, this is something you should probably be doing. For some, eBay is more than a simple cottage business.
What started out as $50 worth of inventory in 1998 has turned into over 290 different product lines and 9 employees for Shane Balkowitsch of Balkowitsch Enterprises, Inc. With a business degree from Fullerton College and a 4-year Nursing Degree from MedCenter One School of Nursing, Shane had the expertise to start his highly specialized business.
'We ship over 40,000 items a year to every corner of the planet.' Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, Balkowitsch Enterprises is a family run company that sells medically related items as well as everyday products.
How did you get started selling your products?
We started on eBay over 11 years ago and started with 2 antique pieces. A picture of that initial inventory is hanging framed on a wall to remind us all of how far we have come.
What do you like most about selling online?
The diversity of the customers and the markets that we sell into is very rewarding. We have shipped to every country on the planet and this diverse global market keeps us at the cutting edge of online sales. Having a global market allows us not to be so tied to local and regional recessions as directly as other business models.
What do you like least?
I feel so very fortunate to be able to do what I am doing, I can not think of an issue that I do not like. Obviously this has not come without a price and the long hours and years of dedication have not always been easy, but the rewards that this company offers me and my family over any negatives sides are far outweighed.
What word of advice do you have for our readers interested in selling their products online?
Only sell quality items that are supported by the manufacturing company. Support your customer base and take care of the customers at all costs. Being available all of the time and responding quickly to customer inquiries or issues are extremely important.
What advice do you have for buyers?
Make sure you checkout the seller, call their phone number, make sure someone answers, send them an email, see how fast they respond, check the Better Business Bureau, there are many terrible companies online, our website has the BBB logo right on it, one click and you can see our A+ report. Pre-sale response is a good factor in how they will respond if there is a problem.
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Doing high volume sales of a electronic or technical product will most likely come with a customer base used to the idea of a warranty or support system. Shane gives a great piece of advice for those who intend to have a distribution chain, 'the trust starts at the beginning'. If you can't put your trust in your supplier, your system will inevitably break down.
Balkowitsch's top selling product (featured above) is the Wellbox unit. The machine is state of the art and does an amazing job. It's a Lipomassage Cellulite & Fat Reduction Device based on the most efficient non-invasive professional technique cleared by the FDA for reduction in the appearance of cellulite. You can get one for $1,499.00.
If you or a someone you know would like to be featured in one of my spotlight articles, feel free to contact me by clicking on my bio. I'm always on the lookout for someone to feature in my 'spotlight'.
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