Does Anyone Have Experience Selling on Amazon AU or eBay AU? Any Advice?

virhlpool on 18/01/2020 - 16:03
Last edited 18/01/2020 - 16:04

I was exploring options to import some stuff from abroad and sell them on Amazon AU (or eBay AU if you recommend it over Amazon). Has anyone does this (or even sold domestic products)? Is it financially viable? What are the main challenges when it comes to scaling the business? Is it doable with the full-time job? Any advice would be appreciated.

There are many online videos but they are basically businesses promoting their own service but I was looking for some neutral advice from people who have first hand experience.

Financial

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Amazon AU
Amazon AU
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eBay Australia
eBay Australia
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Comments

  • Hybroid on 18/01/2020 - 16:15
    +4

    Before you answer those questions and put together your business case, first figure out what your USP is to differentiate between you and the millions of others that already do this semi/successfully. What are you contributing to the market that differs?

    If nothing and just another 'me-too' ordering cheap bulk from China to resell, then don't bother. It's already being done and you won't be able to compete.

    • virhlpool on 18/01/2020 - 16:39
      +1

      The only differentiation I could think of is the product itself. Not all products available in Asian markets are easily available here except a few that become popular on eBay (a lot of which aren't available on Amazon AU either). If exactly the same products are selling on Amazon AU, then I totally agree that, it won't make sense to even get into selling the same.

      Also, I am not necessarily talking about just Chinese market. It could be India, Thailand, Vietnam and so on. I haven't even done any research on products but these are just very early thoughts.

      • Hybroid on 18/01/2020 - 16:43

        So identify these unavailable products and undertake a market research study here to see if there's a potential demand for them or not. Chances are there's a reason they're not readily imported.

        • virhlpool on 18/01/2020 - 16:46

          Totally agree. As we see increasing population of immigrant communities, I feel that there could be many products that many of these people would 'wish' to be available here - and some demand would also come from the rest of the population. It's definitely not easy to identify such products and would definitely need to try with a very small trial else it could result in a big loss.

  • Hithere on 18/01/2020 - 16:18
    +2

    What are the main challenges

    Prices, seller fees, scammers.

    You'll be pushing to beat the selling prices of Chinese sellers/drop shippers who have multiple stores on eBay and Amazon.

    Unless you have a good contact in China and can afford to buy super bulk you probably won't last more than a few months if you are lucky.

    The big Chinese sellers get discounted fees, which kill many a small seller.

    Scammers are now rife especially on eBay and be prepared to refund them all as eBay rarely take the seller's side.

    Do a Google, your question has been asked on many forums over the years.

    Unless you have something to sell that no one else has I'd recommend you don't bother.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2020 - 16:46

    Yes but it depends on what you're selling.

  • MS Paint on 18/01/2020 - 17:01

    Does anyone have experience selling on Amazon AU or eBay AU?

    I don't believe anyone has ever attempted this. I think you have discovered something unbelievable and should patent your idea immediately.

    • virhlpool on 18/01/2020 - 17:22
      +6

      Thanks for the appreciation, mate. I just filed the patent after reading your valuable suggestion.

  • JimmyF on 18/01/2020 - 17:55
    +2

    Any advice would be appreciated.

    Sure, be aware of all selling fees, listing fees, paypal fees. Factor in a cost for x% of sales to be returned/written off.

    Don't forget GST.

    Plus you have shipping costs, cost of wrap/pack the products etc.

    Factor in the true cost of buying/importing the goods.

    Once you have priced it up, have a look around and see what others are selling it for, then ask why would someone buy from you? Are you cheaper? Do you offer faster shipping?

    Basically what is your 'edge' to everyone else?

  • singingwolf on 18/01/2020 - 18:34

    Amazon charge ridiculous commissions

  • FireSword on 18/01/2020 - 18:59
    +1

    Amazon sucks, they dont even let you sell on there without license as authorised seller for the brand you're selling, at least for top brands.
    They dont let you sell anything not in original manufacturers packaging.
    Their fees are 15% + monthly subscription, significantly worse than ebay.
    Amazon AU is small and Amazon promotes its own products over 3rd party.
    If you can get past all those issues, good for you.

    Ebay has none of those issues as much, but sucks in different ways.

    Like others said, you can do it if you have suppliers / importing that other sellers dont have.

    If most of your products are sold by other sellers too, you need a lot of listings.

    Also your business plan is very different for selling high volume low price products vs high price low volume.
    e.g. cameras vs stickers

  • brendanm on 18/01/2020 - 19:09

    Sell niche products that not many others do. That's what I do, works well. Worked really well when the American dollar was rubbish back in the day. We don't need another person selling crappy Chinese trinkets drop shipped on eBay.

    • virhlpool on 18/01/2020 - 20:07

      Thanks. If you sell on Amazon AU, how would USD fluctuation impact you?

      • brendanm on 18/01/2020 - 20:09

        I only sell on ebay. The USD affects me as I could buy stuff from the us cheap when our dollar was worth more than the US dollar, and sell it here and make good money. Now our dollar is rubbish, there is no money in doing that.

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