Like most plants around our property we need to schedule some regular maintenance. Trees are naturally included. Now while a tree is pretty self sufficient, it can use our help to maintain a certain healthy existence on a property.

Yes as trees grow and the branches become many it is often helpful to prune a tree. Basically pruning means you are cutting off or lopping off unhealthy or unsafe branches. Why am I bringing this up?

That’s quite interesting. In our discussions recently we are comparing Internet businesses to a healthy vibrant tree. Then we began discussing how each tree has its own branches. In this case we are going to discuss how part of maintaining Internet commerce involves caring for the tree and branches. For example, pruning is a way of keeping the tree healthy and productive.

So let’s see what kind of pruning needs to be done in an on line auction business. The fact is when it comes to on line auctions some people just don’t have the patience and determination to manage an auction site. Just as there are people who are relentless and savvy at maintaining an online presence. Similarly many people enjoy planting and designing landscapes with plant life but they do not like the nuts and bolts of doing things like pruning.

The fact is that you need a few things to work in conjunction with one another. The main chores you need to operate a successful auction site are very basic.

1. You need to be an account member of an auction site or sites
2. You need items for sale
3. You need to get the sold items to customers

Here is where it gets interesting. As we discussed above however there are the logistics and then there are what people are willing and able to do. So like we illustrated you have people who plant trees and you have people who care for trees. Yes some do both but that does not change the opportunities there are for people to earn an income working in different phases of the business.

So back to our auction site: Say you are not an Internet person or even a computer person. That’s okay because the auction tree and its branches are still in need of care. That’s because there are those who have the management of an auction site down pat but they struggle with the other tasks like getting products and delivering them. Maybe that’s where you come in?

Perhaps you have access to products and/or are very good at connecting wholesalers with merchants. This is a valuable service to auction operators. In a similar concept maybe you are a delivery specialist and offer top notch shipping services. Either of these services is vital to feeding the auction monster. And there are many auction operators that need you and these services. Make no bones about that. With the growing and expansion of the on line auction industry the opportunities will continue to be available.

In fact this works 2 ways if you think about it. They indeed need you but you could see it as you need them. Yes maybe you have some kind of commerce business already in motion. The fact that you are apprehensive about the Internet or intimidated by it is only holding your potential for more sales back. Maybe you are just unaware of the impact that on line auction sales can have.

It’s funny anyone in the modern world has heard names like eBay or Amazon but many people do not realize the amount of activity that is occurring on those sites. Nor do many people understand that the idea of purchasing products on line is consistently on the rise.

What does all this add up to? The on line auction tree is growing and therefore so is its branches. This tree needs care for its continued health. Where do you fit in?

Are you an eBay or Amazon guru? Or are you a product supplier? Maybe you are a retailer but do not have the ability or know how to use the Internet for your commerce?

The answers to these questions can help you make the most of your on line auction business or open doors you haven’t gone through yet. Maybe it’s time you answer them.

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As the spring peaks its head out, and through the sun soaked days of summer, and then through the cooling off of fall we are all exposed to the “yard sale”. Yes telephone poles, stop signs, and ads in local newspapers tell us of where we can find the latest collection of no longer wanted or used items that families in the community are offering for sale.

And then of course we often see the announcement of a death in the area, someone is moving, or maybe a company is going out of business and everything is to be liquidated or auctioned off. This too attracts people from all other hunting for a bargain.

And we also have the popular and entrepreneurial spirit of flea markets which are basically ongoing “yard” sales where self made merchants offer used/new products at their own stand. Usually they run on a specific day or days of every week.

Then we are not surprised that these sales techniques take place in the cyber world are we? Yes the Internet is a global community connected by the web network. Therefore people have been offering items for sale by way of Internet auctions and wholesale/retail web sites.

For most eBay springs front and center in their mind. But there are others of course. There is Amazon.com, Ubid.com, and Bidz.com to name a few. So how do you get started using one or a number of these sites for your own auction business?

The first step you need to do is to take inventory and ask yourself some questions. What are you going to sell? Is this strictly a way to sell off “stuff” you have horded over a period of time? Do your items have a theme to them; say like collectibles/antiques or car parts? Are you planning on expanding into wholesale or retail products?

If you plan on making this a steady business do you have reliable sources to acquire and maintain an inventory of products and items? Do you know how you are going to deliver these items to your customer? What is all involved with shipping items?

Okay let’s assume you have all your ducks in a row. What next? Setting up an on line auction account would be a logical move at this point.

On eBay for example you start by setting up a sellers account. This includes providing eBay with valid financial information. That could be a current credit card, debit card, or bank account number. This is also important for them and you to work out because they are going to handle the financial transactions for you. You got that?

Yes you put the “items up for bid” and the shopping public places their bids. The purchaser has set up a buyers account. So when an item is sold, eBay collects the funds from them and makes sure that you get it in your account. I like the sound of that, how about you?

There are also some other things to set up with your account that is important. You want to make available a way for the public to communicate to you and about you. So you will have a Q and A option as well as a feedback provision. Keep in mind that you also must know and follow the rules of each auction site. There are some limitations and conditions that need to be followed. For instance selling your children or your child like husband I am pretty sure is a no-no.

You will be provided with listing options and you will be able to manage and work your listings. This is where your job comes in. And even though eBay handles the financial transaction you will be in communication with your buyers so everyone is on the same page. You need to make sure the final price is correct and be sure you get paid before you ship the item for example.

The beauty of on line auctions is that each of them has walk through instructions available for you from start up on through every step of the way. They want you to use their auction site so they try and make it as easy as possible for you. I am using eBay as an example of course, but the general premise is the same with all of them.

Now there is another option of sorts. Similar to auction sites you have the straight up sale sites like Craigslist.com. The 2 glaring differences are these.

1. An auction site has a time table attached to the availability of the items. Craigslist is basically an on line classified style option. Selling items is not the only thing Craigslist is used for.
2. On Craigslist and other classified ads, you can target a geographical area. And if you use your own local area as your only target area then chances are the delivery phase just became very easy.

So you ready to start selling? You know there are many people who have created a nice business for themselves this way. I often share one of my favorite success stories. I have a friend who operated his own antique shop and as the Internet grew and he become more familiar with it, he started his own web page. Then someone told him about eBay and he began listing items on eBay. Within a couple years he shut down his shop and strictly sells his antiques through on line auctions. So not only is he selling more items than he was, he is not paying rent for a store and he works out of his own home!

That can be you? The fact is this is a realistic option for many of us. Bear in mind this is not a get rich scheme or an excuse to be lazy. Running an auction or classified type sales business requires some work and diligent effort. But hey doesn’t any self respecting job call for work, time, and effort?

Think about this though. Chances are you will find more satisfaction and a little less stress in this endeavor. That is true because often times we gravitate to selling items in an area of interest. Again, going back to the friend I mentioned. He loves finding antiques! So the time he spends acquiring items is total “play” time for him. And selling them provides a challenge and an excitement you don’t get at the factory or at the office in many cases.

Hey think it over, look into it, and get back to me if you get set up. Maybe I will be a customer, you never know!

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